How Traded Threads is Combating Fast Fashion
By Maximilian Morici
Fast fashion focuses on the rapid production of inexpensive, low quality and trendy clothing. Production costs remain low, while also keeping product numbers high by cutting environmental corners. The model of fast fashion is simply not sustainable for Earth's resources.
This can include the use of toxic textile dyes, pollution from unsafe waste disposal, and the need for constant supplies for a growing market. These all cause over-consumption of water, all for a product a person may only wear a few times.
However shopping locally may have more of an impact than you think. One local business in Wrightwood, CA, is on a journey of sustainability and community.
Traded Threads is a Buy, Sell, Trade store that carries women's and men's clothing. However, this clothing store carries no new clothing. Every piece has been thrifted, donated or was otherwise previously owned.
Their business aims to combat fast fashion by closing the cycle of supply and demand. The more people that buy into fast fashion brands the more they will produce. Shopping sustainably closes the loop one piece of clothing at a time.
The owner, Brittney Ladd, had this to say in the business’ mission statement: “Our mission is to create a shopping experience, bringing new and useful clothing to the community, while doing our part by promoting ethical practices in the retail industry.”
Since she was just a teenager, owning a clothing store had always been a dream of Ladd’s. Since opening in late 2023, she believes her vision of sustainability and standing against fast fashion is going better than expected.
Being the only location in the small town of Wrightwood gives her business a competitive advantage -- an advantage she has used to grow rapidly within the 2 years since its conception. She believes that more people are becoming open to the idea of sustainable, affordable clothing.
However, owning your own business comes with its own challenges. Ladd stated that she faced conflict with her own ethics about recycling and taking on too many donations. It was hard for her to find sustainable options for bags and other things needed for the store.
The sheer volume of donations was also a concern. With too much clothes piling up and not enough help to sort through them all, many of the clothes ended up being sent to other donation spots or being thrown out completely.
While there is only so much one person can do alone, she feels that overall the business has lived up to its mission of being sustainable and being a staple business of the community.
Ladd has big plans for the future of Traded Threads, such as implementing a stricter policy against fast fashion donations. She also plans on expanding to a second location in Rancho Cucamonga by 2027.
Ladd's advice to those unsure of themselves is: “If you have a small business idea go for it, I always thought if I didn't I would regret it. You’ll never know unless you try and if it works you can be proud of your accomplishments. Small businesses are good for the economy and the mental health of the community. Shopping locally is an important part of building a stronger community."