Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.

Staying up-to-date on every fashion trend is hard, but you know what’s harder? Being able to afford it. While staying in style has always been an ideal, it’s becoming increasingly difficult as the years go by. Just six years ago, checkered Vans and clout goggles were all the rage — which, of course, was a resurgence of 90s grunge. But now, if you were to get caught wearing a big T-shirt, checkered Vans and those same glasses, you’d be ridiculed.

While certain pieces are seemingly timeless, and some of us are lucky enough to have an old box of our parents’ clothing from college, trends are getting way out of hand. It seems like there’s a new style of shorts that we all need every day, and we have to get our hands on them just to fit in. 

But here’s the catch: having good fashion sense is expensive. Like, really, really expensive. A good pair of jeans that’ll actually last, and are cute, will have you dropping at least $50, and that’s if you’re lucky.

After all, the median American makes around $1,200 a week, working full-time, as of 2025. That’s about $170 a day. But of course, that isn’t singling out college students, many of whom have part-time jobs. The current federal minimum wage is $7.25. This means that, for a single pair of jeans costing $50, the average person earning minimum wage is paying over six times what they earn in one hour of work. 

In no universe is giving up six hours of your life for a pair of jeans acceptable — and yet, we’re all somehow expected to do it. 

For a while, there was an amazing way to combat the tricky issue that is affordable clothing: buying it used. However, in recent years, those who have caught on to the trends have started thrifting everything in sight that could be worn in accordance with current fashion standards and reselling all of it for obscene prices, specifically Depop sellers.

And look, I respect the hustle. But selling a Harley Davidson shirt that you bought for five bucks for $30? There is no way any normal college student can afford that. 

There’s also the catch of fast fashion. While these stores have the potential to make all of your fashion dreams come true, behind the scenes, you’re giving money to a corporation that contributes to horrible environmental practices and working conditions. There’s also the fact that the really cute tube top you bought will rip after three wears. 

However, it really seems like there’s no other option besides fast fashion if money is tight. Making those who buy from these morally questionable companies feel bad — especially college students — for trying to feel good in their own skin is just adding to the problem. Besides, the options at stores where it’s “acceptable” to buy your clothing are slim if you’re not a trust-fund baby. At the heart of this ever-growing issue of overconsumption isn’t your friend who just bought a sweatshirt off Shein — it’s the companies themselves who have made this standard and practice seem normal. 

So no, you do not need 10 versions of the same stupid TikTok shop tank top. And don’t let your feed or influencers — who, by the way, aren’t even spending their own money on these products — convince you to keep buying. A few staples are really all you need. After that, embrace outfit repetition and change it up with different hairstyles and accessories.

Don’t feel bad for not being able to afford an unrealistic standard of fashion when the entire industry is against you.