What Most "Fashion Influencers" Don't Tell You

[@sonsauvage]

Dude you actually addressed albino black bear’s comment. I was hoping you would because it was quite critical yet sincere. I appreciate your self awareness and your humility my guy. You’re like a real person on the platform, not just some character that brands use as a marketing tool. Most creators would avoid responding altogether.

[@sonsauvage]

I would say I appreciate your intellect as well but that’s a given. That’s why we’re all here

[@bakinze]

@@sonsauvagedude is just a 🐐

[@yisuscon1]

Nonono, it's not albino, it's analbino.

[@skyeafoster]

It’s refreshing to see these conversations around fashion. I remember when it was 500 dollar hauls or “trendy pieces you need this summer”. Now fashion KZbinrs are actually talking about fashion as an art form and having discussions around consumption and ethics. I can see this pushing more fashion enthusiasts to consume in a mindful way.

[@Wesfits]

I stopped caring about the "ethical" conversation on fashion social media when people started saying it was unethical to buy new clothes but then it was also unethical to thrift because you can could be taking away from the less fortunate like damn am I still allowed to wear clothes anymore.

[@ah57588]

Unfortunately it's illegal to not loll, though seriously I'm tired of the lack of content around explaining how to shop for clothes they actually last. And I mean understanding GSM, signs that the clothing is made properly (like patterns matching at the seams) etc. Starting there is way more useful anyways

[@glaciergang]

@@ah57588 have been foaming at the mouth for quality clothing and it just doesnt exist anymore unless I have an astronomical budget (which i dont lol). All the classic brands have moved to poor quality overseas production leaving loyal customers at a huge loss. Its sad.

[@kaylahannon5469]

Just buy less what u really will wear it take times bc of social media ur esthetic could change all the time.

[@Ahalya190]

Well most clothes still end up in the landfill so pls continue thrifting

[@geode9512]

As someone with a low budget, I have learn to appreciate fashion as art - one that I dont really need to own in order to enjoy. Small and big designers make gorgeous designs, influencers curate tasteful fits (and yeah some of them are unethical, many overconsume but they can all be appreciated). The bigger issues need to be solved collectively as a society, but as a fashion lay person (non creator) I think the majority should strive to consume less and more sustainably since there are no international labor and environmental regulations yet. The big solution is for governments to regulate, which will likely lead to increase in price of fashion, but I think that might be a good thing. People will save up for things and be more careful when it comes to qualtity etc. This could lead to a resurgence in local tailors and dressmakers. It could become a golden age of fashion.

[@kbop]

It’s pretty easy to tell when someone isn’t authentic, no one can be truly ethical in the modern day. The best we can do is acknowledge, teach, and build a community to help make changes. That’s all done on this channel

[@annikuronen206]

Personally I see Drew more as an educator/video essayist, than a fashion influencer. He never promotes overconsumption or fast fashion, instead he promotes finding your own sense of style and products that are more sustainable and for long-term wear. Also I think it's important to acknowledge the conditions (capitalism) which people create their income under. Since all of us are forced to live and work under capitalism I truly appreciate authentic content creators who attempt on ethical and sustainable influencing. They are needed as counterweight to all the overconsumption, commercial and fast fashion promotion. Kudos to you Drew for addressing this comment and creating a discussion! Greetings from Finland :) sorry for any typos/grammar mistakes english is not my first language

[@ryeofoatmeal]

yeah same. I don't always subscribe to youtube channel unless I really really like their contents to the point I'm excited to watch. I was caught up watching too many fashion contents that I get overwhelmed. until I found this channel which is unique than others. maybe I'm just bias but I love how he present in every video. not sure why people complain that his content is scripted. isn't that normal? especially video essay, it's not even vlogging style lol

[@toyaJM]

I think it’s a cope out to not put onus on oneself when making a purchase. If you cannot handle watching someone’s video without feeling the need to purchase than you need to stop and reflect how you engage with the content. At the end of the day this issue is bigger than than fashion influencers it has to do with companies overproducing unethically and if you feel passionate about it thrift, thrift flip, shop less, shop small batch/made to order brands who practice what you care about, and wear what you have and take care of it. I think you’re doing a great job Drew. I love your videos and don’t feel compelled to buy anything, which as a recovering shopaholic, is vital for me to engage with fashion content (which I have always loved and have a passion for).

[@dijon2354]

Very well put. i think you are one of the few content creators that consistently address how the amount of clothes you have is not normal and shouldn't be looked at as something to strive for. Also I have definitely been more critical of what clothes I choose to buy and why I buy them due to you and a few other creators

[@isabellewestmaas2265]

I feel like Drew is a creator who reviews clothing for you so you can make a well-informed decision on wether you want to buy something or not. It’s just like some tech-youtubers; they don’t tell you to buy every single product they show you, they’re just reviewing it so you can make your own decision. Drew is not a creator whose recommended clothes I always buy because he’s wearing them and I want to look like him. This guy is definitely for the people who know to consume mindfully, and he’s helping new people into that mindset too. Very good man, keep it up!

[@Wesfits]

There's way too much moral grandstanding nowadays. I'm not going to fault a fashion influencer for talking about fashion or making fashion content unless what they're doing is directly harmful (shein hauls shit like that). Fashion is always going to be out there, people are always going to be influenced. There's a catch 22 with everything and I'm not gonna clock someone unless they're doing something egregious.

[@Killjoy_Mel]

Moral grandstanding? With the natural world going to hell in a handbasket with the fashion and textile industry being the second most intense pollutant in man-made pollutants? Drew has more respect and consideration towards the industry is in, and his critics as well, than you do. Be more like Drew.

[@Wesfits]

@@Killjoy_Mel what a way to conflate what I said to make whatever point you're trying to make. Me, Drew, the whole conversation is what someone can do on an INDIVIDUAL level and you somehow conflate what I said to the scale of multi-billion dollar companies, their lack of integrity, and how they're destroying our planet for their own greed? That make sense to you? Maybe you should actually read what people said instead of being so extreme on your own righteous justification.

[@lumpyrex007]

@@Killjoy_Mel Yup. That was moral grandstanding

[@Wesfits]

@@lumpyrex007 literally did it to me under a comment about not doing it 💀💀

[@the77th]

@@Killjoy_Melyou’re on KZbin using some kind of computer device….. I’m a software and network engineer, would you log off and never show up again if I told you HOW MUCH OF A TOXIC/NEGATIVE EFFECT on earth, civilizations and humanity the devices and networks you use have? Let’s not just talk, let’s get into action…. LOG OFF PLEASE!!!!!!! Child labor built your device … PLEASE LOG OFF NOW!!!!!!!! ASAP!

[@jcbyia4325]

I think people that are into fashion (especially this niche genre where you are into multiple categories like sustainability, supporting small brands/ethically sourced materials) will always be "hypocrites" in some ways. We all want to look good, whether it is truly for ourselves, others, or because a piece speaks to us in such a way that we feel it represents an aspect of ourselves. However, we will always have too much. I often find myself saying "I have nothing to wear", when that couldn't be further from the truth. As humans no matter how much we get it will never be enough. We are also all influenced by trends. We watch videos to get inspiration, find like minded people, and/or entertainment, but then turn our noses at "hypebeasts". Whether it's birks, NB, or thrifting we fall into the "hype" of being more into fashion than the next guy. I say all this to say that as long as your into fashion, you most likely will be overconsuming unless you get rid of 2 items for every 1 you buy. There really isn't a perfect answer or state of fahsion that one can be in (that I know of), but we can all try our best.

[@elitaylor5826]

well said

[@CaptainPygar]

​@@elitaylor5826And even if you get rid of clothes you are still overconsuming. And most ways that Western people get rif of clothes are not sustainable.

[@maryburdgick1217]

You are goalssss. I love how honest you are about the duality of this situation and I so appreciate you being transparent about all of this. You rock, keep being great.

[@ro.x2.bathan]

So much information in one video! I enjoyed watching it and also appreciate how you allowed us to get a picture of what it’s like from a fashion creator’s point of view. I admit it can be easy to overlook the behind the scenes and thought process behind every video but I think you showcased a little bit of everything in well thought out and informative way. I believe you took the criticism well and made an excellent response to it. You are definitely one of the rare authentic creators who cares about his love for fashion as well as his fans. I enjoy the ethical/“philosophical” fashion creators who care not merely for the looks and quality of a product, but also the story/ideology behind it. It is hard to find genuine fashion creators but I am glad to know you are one of them Drew! A big thanks to you from all those who enjoy the authentic and genuine fashion loving content you put out.

[@elitaylor5826]

gold

[@tezeli9514]

Many of your videos on sizing, materials, history, and quality have been a wonderful guide in my buying process. Without you, I would probably buy them blindly. I think it's very good that there's someone who can "test" products and tell whether or not they're worth buying. I see it in this way.

[@of_marve]

Can I just say thank you Drew for being my role model and inspiring me to start a yt channel of my own. The first person who represents how I look and is into fashion. Representative does matter and ever since I started watching your channel I felt seen and not scared anymore.

[@DrewJoiner]

❤️

[@Whodnl]

The legend uploads 🐐

[@LaurenKismet]

I respect this honest and realistic response to such a touchy topic for many in and outside of the industry. I do wish more people would see those who genuinely care about the fundamental and educational aspects of the fashion industry as valuable figures instead of more people just trying to over consume for vanity purposes. Keep up the amazing work Drew! 🤙🏽

[@ignorancja]

I think that we need to change the fashion conversation a little bit. People were and forever will be interested in fashion and loving pretty things. No amount of shaming could ever change that. However, having so many people invested in fashion means that we have a lot of creativity and brainpower that we can leverage. The issue is how to uncouple this interest from overproduction. And it's already happening, people are knitting/crocheting, sewing, dyeing, upcycling clothes at home, thrifting and swapping. Recreating looks with the things they already own. I think the question here could be: what can I do, within my constraints, skills, and interests, to detach fashion from overconsumption. It could mean something different for everyone, but ultimately the sum total of all the answers will help us with the issue on our hands. #pvv I'm a 34 yo polish woman and fistbumping Drew at the end of the video always makes me giggle. Humans are just so cute I guess

[@DrewJoiner]

❤️👊🏾

[@colagum]

I really respect you taking the time to make this video. It would have been really easy to just ignore it and move on. There's no perfect answer so it's important to have the discussion about trying to be ethical in an inherently unethical system.

[@xLastHopeForWorld]

self reflection is so important and I love that about you Drew how you question our scene and yourself thats so important for a human being!

[@TobiasHalberg]

This is the reason that you’ve become my favorite fashion KZbinr. I love the way you answer to a question like this. Also just the fact that you do… Some would avoid it and just let it be. I think you are doing a great job showing people good clothes, so that they know what they want to buy for themselves. For me, this problem or scenario comes down to the viewers themselves. You should not buy something or feel the need to buy something, just because some dude on the internet told you to. Therefore, I believe that what you are doing, is great. If people are mad that they feel like you tell them what to buy and not to buy, maybe they should look at their own pattern of consumption. You can’t control what other people buy, but you can tell your opinion and let people know of your thoughts. This way they can make a better decision and be sure they buy something that they will use for a long time and won’t just hang in the closet. Thanks for this video, Drew! Keep it up

[@anacsas]

I first found this channel when looking for Adrian loafers reviews because I wanted to get a pair, but me being from a small town in Mexico it was going to be hard to get (and harder to return if needed) so I wanted to be informed, I went into a rabbit whole with his other loafers videos and ended up getting ones from a local shoemaker from another town when on a roadtrip, I love them, I get compliments, and people recognize them as a unique item of mine. This videos have me think about what sort of pieces I really enjoy wearing (not just the looks or concept) and therefore make me a better buyer and fashion media consumer, and while I follow other fashion content creators that also focus on the artistry of fashion that I adore, Drew actually helped me realizing this worldbuilding was also at my reach when noticing specific features, thank you for that and thank you for this conversation opener on a very important topic.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

Important video and I think you addressed this really well. Similar thoughts have been on my mind for some time, and especially when we start discussing fashion in a more 'conscious' way (i.e. advising on how people should consume and decoding the various pressures to do so) we're walking a thin line of appearing hypocritical. But I think you're right in that clothing for content creators is a tool for them to make interesting stuff, whether they're doing gear reviews or providing examples of the trends/fashion on a wider scale. I also think because clothing is so personal (we're literally wearing it and it's such an individual choice as to what we like and recommend) it feels more like watching fashion content is an authentic representation of a person's daily life, or an endorsement of how much someone should be buying. By contrast, a tech creator buying phones to review doesn't give people the same feeling that one should buy a new phone every month. Nonetheless, many people in this space could do better (including myself) in terms of communicating explicitly that our role is not a gold fashion standard to imitate. We also have to accept that, however much we communicate messages of conscious consumption or overcoming pressure to buy more, we are part of a system which encourages consumption at some level to participate.

[@6ix835]

... encourages consumption at some level to participate. so true. my wardrobe has grown w/ job changes, promotion, seasonality, etc. to an alarming rate even w/ strict budgeting. but appreciate critical thinking you, drew + a few others that help evolve my approach to more functional clothing decisions - namely construction, fabric origins/care, silhouette, brand ethos, etc.

[@DrewJoiner]

Really really well said Antwon, I would be curious to know your thoughts on this in a long form video as well.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

@@DrewJoiner definitely a topic I'd like to cover - I haven't quite thought up the direction of it yet but if I get that worked out I'll see what I can come up with

[@srey_p]

This is my first time watching your video and I can tell that you are being genuine based on how you are addressing the comment left in your video. I think people should first be aware of who and why they follow or watch. I’m a 37 yr. old woman who used to have too much clothes but after dealing with why I have too much I decided I wanted to have less. Everyone should be more honest about why they continue to buy as much as they do instead of passing the blame to influencers. No one can force you to buy more, you are making the decision to do so. While I agree that fast decision is destroying our planet and everyone should be held accountable but it ultimately starts with you. #pvv

[@mohammedshams6665]

You are by far the coolest fashion content creator I have came by like just watching your videos is fun

[@dubssalamander]

drew doesn't miss!

[@Wasssup3]

Drew your always clear and I see u make an effort to give us the right content

[@angelaa.9915]

I give Drew lots of respect for graciously acknowledging and sincerely considering the criticism. It’s sad to say, but it’s incredibly refreshing nowadays to see people react to others’ opinions with respect and vulnerability rather than jumping directly to defensiveness.

[@elitaylor5826]

a appreciate you taking the time to make a video addressing something easily overlooked. the fashion industry is wasteful. second hand stores only end up selling a fraction of the clothing donated. i think the morals you convey throughout your videos are honest and realistic. you as a fashion content creator are here to preach your values and encourage us the viewer to be more mindful with what we buy and what morals we abide by. a good example is that if you are designing a product and use an excess amount of foam board (a wasteful material) you are ultimately using that to create a product that does not need to be recalled. therefore creating less waste. like you said you are doing that by consuming to a non realistic amount to provide information for us as well as supporting small independent artists. a recommendation i can give you would be to encourage people to design or alter fashion items they currently have. use recycled fabrics from past items to personalize your style. really love your videos and I appreciate your honesty.

[@minny608]

I remember reading that comment and thinking it was an unfair critique. I love fashion and listening to fashion breakdowns, and predictions of what's trending. But noone is putting a gun to my head forcing me to buy the items. And it's impossible to stop consuming and buy everything "ethically". That in itself is a paradox and the only way you can buy more ethical is either making your own clothes or buy everything secondhand and that doesn't work for everyone. Love that you addressed that comment in a separate video. From someone on the opposite side of the world and with a completely different fashion style, keep making quality content!

[@MinecraftKid120]

right. I get what the commenters saying, but is it really up to Drew as to whether or not his lifestyle makes us view ours as inferior?

[@casualsuede]

Without people consuming quality clothing, there would be no secondhand or vintage market. As Drew says, the worst fashion consumer is the one that buys 100 pieces of a $10 fast fashion items vs 10 pieces of high quality clothes that cost $100 each.

[@ErlingGrey]

I actually think you’ve been responsible. Often you try to remind people that this is just a hobby and you can choose to participate to any degree you desire.

[@yodaddyyogatti3586]

Drewwwww I can’t express the respect and love I got for you after watching this vid. I mean I already had both but they definitely went up a notch. The script reference you mentioned was from a comment of mine on that same video and I honestly felt bad when you said it made you feel crappy. That wasn’t my intention but I do realise that you’re a also a human with feelings and I’m truly sorry my comment made you feel bad brother. I’ve been watching your content for over a year and all in all it’s great. It just feels amazing to be able to get responses from you even though you have such a big following. Not many people are as transparent and genuine as you are. Also not many people with the same amount of following get involved with their follower base to the level that you do. Now that I know where you’re coming from I understand you much better! I see you tryna make a positive impact on the world the way you know how to and you definitely are! All I wanna say is again, much respect and love for what you do, had me giggling out of joy throughout the entire video. When I read albinos comment I had a lowkey feeling that you’ll make a video on it and I’m so happy you did. Keep being you man! Stay bless and looking forward to your next vid

[@connordunn1732]

I think channels like yours actually provide motive for the opposite of trends and overconsumption, everything I have seen of yours motivates me to find well fitting clothes from quality producers(not specific brands that have a certain status), avoid trends, tailoring clothes rather than just throw them out and find new ones, and find my own person style with items that i know will last me years to a lifetime of rather than go towards trends and fast fashion

[@jacobmperry]

Early gang! As a fashion creator you can never truly satisfy his comment as fashion content ultimately centres around material goods and will always promote materialism and over-consumption whether done intentionally or not (they simply go hand in hand), all creators can do is reaffirm that people don't 'need' these things and continue to promote brands that work ethically. #PVV

[@Wesfits]

That's literally all you can do.

[@keanuvillanueva8128]

I appreciate how you made the comment in to a such a healthy discourse. I personally think that this channel has thought me how to be super critical with the clothes I buy.

[@clarkfriedrich4325]

Hey, I agree to you for the most part, Drew. However, I think that even if consumption in Capitalism can be seen as bad in itself, I would argue no one doubts that there is better and worse consumption. I always feel like it's such a lazy excuse that is used to avoid looking for better choices. Seeing yourself as a clog in the fashion industry, contributing to the amount of waste it produces, is not completely wrong. However, you are a part of the industry actively aiming to better it, and that's not something to overlook. And even if your change might feel insignificant in the grand scheme of things, I'm pretty sure it already had some influence. For me personally, it's mostly just geeking over Story mfg. Besides, lately I've been thinking targetting fast fashion especially is a bit disingenuous, since it targets less wealthy people in particular that want to emulate the consumption of the rich. It's two problems really: one is the overconsumption, and the other is consuming badly produced clothing. Yes, one should aim to buy more responsibly, but it's no use, if you buy so much that it ends up having a worse effect than consuming fast fashion for things you need would have. Either way, I love your content and I think you're already doing a lot as a content creator. I always look forward to watching your videos. :) Also, shot-out to you for using stock footage of Mannheim (12:26). Greeting from there!

[@bodenealice]

Hi Drew, I found your channel through your timeless v trendy video and have been watching ever since. I have never thought of you as an influencer as all of the videos of yours I have primarily seen you discuss fashion concepts as opposed to push or recommend fashion items. One of the very few people who I can say that about! Thanks for the content and keep it up ❤

[@molesnathan1]

that button analogy is really good, it really made ur point clear

[@moeysonful]

It is very easy to look at another person and point out all the things they are doing ‘unethically’ or unsustainably, because when we look at another person’s lifestyle, we subconsciously project our circumstances onto them. We look at others through the lens of our own experience. So there will always be bias in the sustainability argument, there is always an alternative view. There will never be a right answer, or a one size fits all on how we should live our lives. The reality is, over-consumption is systemic. It is unavoidable in our society, unless you want to live off grid, live off the land, not participate in fashion or any form of materialism, etc., and even then there will be someone who can point out things you’re doing ‘wrong’ or that you could do differently, according to their view of how things should be done. All we can do in life is make the best choices we can in our current situation, which you clearly are. It is up to the viewers to make the best choices that suit their circumstances, and you are helping them do that through your creativity and passion. Thank you for sharing it with us! Without videos like yours, there would be a lot more waste in the world. You are educating people on how to curate an outfit, helping people to find their style, preventing people from buying clothes that wouldn't work with their current wardrobe and would therefore end up as waste and cause them to consume even more while trying to find what works. Your work is much appreciated, keep on doing what you're doing 🙏✨

[@DrewJoiner]

❤️

[@radiantfibers2699]

I appreciate your content and feel like you do a really good job walking the line of being a part and walking with the industry and leaning to slowly change the curve in a good way! Bravo! Well said.

[@twocancan]

omg, yes, I feel like a lot of people don't get that there are multiple ways to be authentic. Some people are blessed with verbal clarity where each organic word forms beautifully, while some of us need time to distill our thoughts to an unmuddied form and attach handles to them for others to grasp our ideas

[@Shane1944.]

I greatly respect your mutual support of independent niche brands because I think the higher quality, slow fashion garment makers of the world receive far too little attention by the general public. Most people limit their exposure to famous fast fashion brands and otherwise when they claim they want high quality they look to high fashion brands like those of LVMH. It’s sad.

[@ahmedkhattab20]

In terms of being a hypocrite, I think he's far from it. Just because he uses the money he gains from whatever he does on unique clothing items rather than on something else, doesn't really matter.

[@HiiipowerHabits]

You’re not understanding the point. Part of the problem he is bringing up is that often times fashion content creators talk about ethics in regards to work labor and environmentally…one of the ways they do this is by discussing issues with fast fashion as it relates to work labor and the environment. But if we are being honest, most if not all brands have issues when it comes to work/labor and environment relatively…even if it’s on a smaller scale. At the end of they day they are feeding the same animal/machine that they try to downplay or “demonize”. So it several ways there is hypocritical behavior in the content. I am not saying they bad for it, but being self aware is important and taking accountability.

[@alpacafish1269]

@@HiiipowerHabits I mean... that's capitalism for you.

[@HiiipowerHabits]

@@alpacafish1269 capitalism isn’t an excuse for everything.

[@Kyzuekoo]

I really enjoyed this video, and really appreciate the time, thought, and consideration put into addressing this question

[@theburgerguy4678]

What alot of people dont take into consideration is that for someone people fashion itself is almost like art. There are people who collect certain clothes whether its archive pieces or a full rick collection or even vintage For some people its more than just clothes Its something theyre passionate about something they live and breathe Do you need to buy that 1000 usd rick owens runway jacket ? No absolutely not but if youre truly passionate about something price doesnt really play a part in it. Fashion is just like any other hobby some people collect clothes some people collect cards. Stamps etc. Yes ofc you shouldnt overconsume. But if its your hobby and youre passionate about it i say go ahead. You can build a timeless wardobe for dirt cheap money If you really think about it you only need like one rack of clothes and thats it. Its the same when buying expensive art or paintings do you need it ? No of course not But if youre passionate about it and you like it for the history etc. Than youll buy it.

[@Poetic9]

Great response and engagement, Drew! Really nice how this turned out after reading through all the responses on your community post. I think we're definitely of the same mind on many points, especially in regards to what it looks like to be in the industry and be a person who invests more into fashion because this is your thing, and your career too. Always appreciate the thoughtfulness you bring! Also happy to see the top of my comment appear for just a moment in the video. Lol

[@sultananigeria]

You are so well spoken.

[@stormzybanksy]

great response, drew. it's clear you put a ton of heart, thought and sincerity in your response. really appreciate the honesty and the stance.

[@andrewguevara2553]

Mad respect for this video. Even bigger fan now.

[@DrewJoiner]

🤝

[@anonymousotter6455]

I was a bit skeptical in your "consumerism" section, but after taking a look at your recent videos, around half, if not more than half of them are discussion posts which do not involve "pick ups" or buying new clothes. So I think that this is proof that you are genuine in what you say, which I really, really appreciate. As another commenter said, it's extremely rare for creators to have such a genuine response to genuine criticism. You seem to actually try to not make consumerist content 100% of the time, especially given the constraints of your job. And honestly, as a viewer, I prefer these discussion posts over consumerist posts. I like outfit and pickup videos, but I also like enjoying fashion as an art form; as superficial as fashion can be, there is legitimately interesting history behind it, and the way fashion influences us, our society, is very interesting. If there's any "criticism" I have to make, it's a lack of "environmental" discussions. People talk about the environmental concerns of fashion all the time, but few ever go beyond the surface of this topic. And this is extremely disappointing given how complex this topic is. I know that there's a huge difference in knowledge between fashion discussions as an art and as a science,(not that one is "smarter" than the other, rather, the knowledge needed to talk about either is completely different) but given how well you articulate your ideas in your videos, and how much I have learned from your videos, if you ever wanted to go into the science of fashion's impact on the environment, I think you would do a great job at it. Lastly, this video itself has made me look at my own consumerist choices. There's a pair of jeans that I really want, but do I really need it? Especially since that money could be useful for college. I'm reconsidering buying them. Idk if this influence is good or bad, but it's there lol.

[@jgotsol3]

Perfect response. It’s why I appreciate you Drew.

[@JeuneF]

I sincerely appreciate you for addressing this issue and questioning yourself. It’s essential for a relevant content !

[@amchealth]

So grateful I found your channel! Thank you

[@ha6860]

I sincerely believe that fashion has been hijacked by the need to commodify everything. When we talk about fashion nowadays, it’s more about which product to purchase rather than the art of creation. For example, clothing does not always have to be bought. Pieces that are made by hand or customized or styled in a particular way feel much more authentic then buying the outfit off a mannequin. In that sense, style is up to the individual rather than a corporation. Fashion is not a product or industry. It is first an art form and way of self expression, but has unfortunately been twisted and manipulated for profit. I think moving forward, it’s important to recognize that fashion is not about all about consumption but rather mindfulness and creativity, the same way a musician does not buy instruments to for the sake of ownership but rather for the ability to make music. As always, nothing is completely free from capitalism but it’s nice seeing an influencer talk sincerely about the topic. Great video as always!

[@DMorgan77]

Great video, Drew. I've always loved the positivity of your videos and encouraging discourse to occur.

[@yaeamin3325]

you make some of the best content on fashion and style on this platform.

[@brasscitykicks]

Drew you truly are one of the realest!🙌 Never change!💪

[@DrewJoiner]

👊🏾

[@Nefalibata0]

When I first read that initial comment- it was pretty obvious it came from a new subscriber. I’ve been watching Drew since before his 874 Dickies videos, and it’s only benefited me. Bro has only influenced me to buy ESSENTIALS. Things I ended up wearing every single day. - Forgot to mention in the video that- some of your clothes have been straight up GIFTS !

[@joneshalj]

This is a really good video. One of the things i struggled with with wanting to create fashion content is asking myself does creating content that influences people to consume more sit right with me. I like the idea of creating styling, ootd shorts but haven't dived in because of this. Plus, part of me feels like it's superficial, like hey look at me, I'm wearing something cute today. Still debating internally, but this is the only video on KZbin i found that kind of speaks to this conundrum ❤

[@unsoundmedia]

Interesting. First if I may say it’s refreshing to have someone your age speak so mindfully. As someone who works in the fashion industry, I understand why you may feel to have to consume as it’s a part of the beast of fashion. Something that I have been battling with myself. The issue lies that we are constantly being told by ads, influencers, capitalism , that consuming makes us feel better. We honestly have to realize that we are in fact being manipulated. There is no gain at the cost of the planet or the suffering caused when we consume more than we need.

[@MenlorTEAMAH]

Always loves your vids

[@NiiloHargut]

I really like the way that you try to stay away from using titles such "x things you NEED for..." which is unfortunately common.. I think the way you have influenced me is in fact the way you described, critical thinking and learning about culture and its phenomena. Your perspective on fashion as culture and art form before products and consumerism is why I think of you as the #1 fashion KZbinr. Great video as always ✌🏻

[@DrewJoiner]

❤️

[@shon7425]

New subbie here. I enjoyed this video. I can't wait to see the rest

[@DrewJoiner]

Thanks for subbing! I hope I can continue to bring you value

[@Ray03595]

The prevailing question all of us who contemplate this is how can we balance personal morals with the economic reality we are all currently under. Is it possible to break a system that seems more powerful, more influential, and more detrimental to our planet than ever before? Does a KZbinr have the power to change this or only to continue to feed into the system? I think I’ve seen this come up many times online. Particularly a meme where it mocks people who try to change a system by participating in it. As you’ve stated we make thousands of choices a day that we don’t even realize affects millions of lives. Heck, we’re all on a Google platform, a company that has a tremendous amount of power in world government and economics. I’m not sure what my conclusion really is since this is a really large topic, but if our goal is to become eco-friendly, non-hypocritical beings, that’s never going to happen. Hypocrisy always gets a negative connotation associated with it, but truthfully we all live in hypocrisy every day. Think we need to view it more as an inevitable state of being human, and as a starting point for a larger conversation like this video.

[@systemofarain]

The influencer as we know it is precisely the face of the attention economy. Content is that which can be predicated by, or seamlessly integrated with, an advertising imperative. I think there is a collective desire for a discourse that exists somewhere outside of these lines, the hyper-consumptive doublespeak, beyond the conflicts of interest that have undermined the very notion of authenticity. A metamodern deconstruction still predicated by AdSense- can we imagine any alternative? We have dreams and desires, all bound up with this imperative to sell ourselves, can we untangle them? We want to connect, and be loved, but are reduced to simulacrum. The utopian fantasy of the internet as a tool for liberation still haunts us, and the content creator signifies this failed experiment, and the grave finality of capital. What do you imagine is beyond fashion as we know it, Drew?

[@littlesometin]

I like your comment

[@DrewJoiner]

I don't quite know

[@deepamehta1110]

This is a thoughtful and sensitive response. Well-written and edited.

[@katepadget-koh6910]

This is so uplifting and inspiring content. Finally someone speaks about ie.

[@Lahiwe]

I just stumbled upon this video, I suppose because I regularly view fashion-in-society analysts like Mina Le! I’d like to add my thoughts as a former fashion designer, and the daughter of an interior decorator. The short answer to this paradox is that it’s impossible to participate in the fashion industry as a designer/stylist/reviewer/etc without contributing to the harm of the industry. I know because that was the choice I made. I was born in 1996, and with both my parents being creatives with modest incomes (our annual household income ranged from $32k to $75k depending on the year), was raised in clothing from department stores like JCPenney, where my mom worked for about 25 years when they still had a custom interior decorating service, to outlets of mid-tier stores like Talbots, and largely thrift stores, especially as I became a preteen interested in choosing my entire wardrobe. That was the late aughts/early 2010s, and the fashion landscape was incredibly different back then. I was heavily influenced by Lucky Magazine, which was essentially a print version of the late-2010s, now-defunct blog Man Repeller. Unlike Vogue and comparable magazines, Lucky introduced its readers to small designers and curated picks deeply tied to the editors’ personal aesthetics. They presented things in terms of how individual items could be styled in multiple ways, and even released two books, The Lucky Guide to Shopping and The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style, to help readers learn the essential elements of quality design, tailoring and styling to fit one’s own silhouette, timeless looks, and most of all finding what aesthetic you tended towards in order to build what we’d now call a “capsule wardrobe”. I took issues of Lucky magazine or the style manual to thrift stores, and I’d generally be able to find something almost exactly like the spreads that resonated with me (I was and still am a mixture of their categories Posh Eclectic, Euro Chic, and American Classic on occasion). They encouraged readers to buy vintage/used high quality items over cheap early fast fashion or overpriced trendy items, too, which was extremely uncommon in the aughts and which helped me tremendously. I got my thrifted pieces tailored by the dry cleaners my parents used, and occasionally made simple alterations on my own. I occasionally bought from online boutiques, which weren’t aggregated back then-Etsy hadn’t taken off yet, and Amazon was still mostly a source for new and used books and textbooks. Importantly, too, social media was still mostly a way to communicate with friends. All of this is to say that not too long ago, if you had the know-how, it was very easy to build a quality wardrobe of high end and indie designer pieces with not much money and a low carbon footprint. You weren’t being bombarded with ads-seasonal catalogs, magazines, and TV shows + music videos were the main sources of inspiration, and most people my age had limited TV and computer time up until our high school years-and fashion, even fast fashion, was still seasonal and trickled down from the runways; again, most people my age and older got new clothes according to seasons, the biggest one being the back-to-school season. Parallel to all that, I began designing and sewing historical costumes for school plays as well as sketching original pieces at age 7. Over the course of the next ten years, I taught myself the entire history of Western fashion, and a good chunk of worldwide textile/clothing history (if you’re interested, I recommend the comprehensive book The Worldwide History of Dress by Patricia Rieff Anawalt. I see that the book now costs over $250; it was $75 when I asked for it for Christmas of 2011). For the vast majority of my pieces, I used cast-off fabrics from my mom’s decorating jobs as well as thrifted yardages, antique textiles, and repurposed, thrifted clothing and bed linens. I was aware of a certain level of toxicity and waste in mainstream fashion, from the abuse of models on ANTM, to the boring looks and cheap materials of Project Runway, to the unimaginative, overpriced and size-exclusive pieces mainstream magazines like Vogue, W, and Elle put in their spreads. By the time I got to high school in 2010, Lucky Magazine was struggling and would soon fold; fast fashion was cheaper and was releasing new collections year-round instead of seasonally, and e-commerce had taken off like a rocket. Borders had closed, Barnes & Noble was on the ropes, and Amazon sold pretty much everything. High speed internet was the norm, smartphones were becoming essential, Instagram took off, KZbin got more sophisticated, ads were everywhere. I didn’t realize how much was changing, as I only had a flip phone and therefore couldn’t access social media beyond Twitter and Facebook; our internet was also not very fast, though it was a major upgrade from dial-up. But I definitely saw myself as training to bring back high levels of craftsmanship and innovation in fashion, to the point of taking French in and out of class so I could attend the same couture trade school in Paris that Issey Miyake and Yves Saint Laurent had attended. I was also determined to use real people-my classmates-as models in the charity fashion shows I began to design for, and had zero tolerance for synthetic fabrics, high heels, or uncomfortable clothing. I carefully studied pre-elastic methods of designing clothing that could change to fit the wearer, and even began studying materials science for innovations in fibers to help with garment strength and size flexibility. By 2013, I was pretty much a crusader. I had learned about the conditions of garment creation from the tragic garment factory collapse in Bangladesh that year. I was concerned about fair trade + unregulated manufacturing, and had begun to be interested in organic and sustainable materials use. That was when my dream started to crumble. I knew that I wouldn’t have my mom’s decadent fabric cast-offs forever, but buying new organic, fair-trade imported fabrics for my designs was cost prohibitive. I refused to go abroad and get handmade organic textiles for cheap to avoid import tariffs. The only way I’d be able to make the ethical clothes I wanted, I realized, would be to sell to the wealthy. I talked to my mom for the first time about her feelings about only being able to work with extremely wealthy people to make an income (my father’s carpentry and fine woodworking didn’t have that element), and learned that it was quite difficult for her, especially given the discrepancy between their wealth and our family’s need to account for every dime. The last thing I made was my prom dress, and I felt bad about getting silk that was high quality but not fair trade or organic, as it was all I could afford, and was almost $200 even then. I started focusing more on photography and writing, and now, ten years later, I’m a writer and a curator for an environmental justice museum. I’ve collaborated with Slow Factory before and hope to do so again. And I’m less stylish than I was when I was a teen because things have changed so much. I have a huge wealth of knowledge, but I don’t have the money to participate as a content creator, and even if I did, I know too much about how the sausage gets made-and the fact that I can’t design in a way that I can live with and live on is still a huge loss. I prefer to focus on the new directions my creativity has taken. In sum, it’s no longer possible to educate, let alone design or consume, without being part of a problem that didn’t exist just a few decades ago. I’m glad content creators like you do exist to help people understand their choices; I just want folks to know that participation isn’t hypocrisy, it’s a necessary evil, at least at this point. We haven’t yet reached a point where handmade, local, sustainable clothing is accessible to the majority of consumers. I personally am not willing to compromise, but that’s why nobody knows me as a fashion-anything. Maybe you’ll see my work on fashion out there someday, but as things are now, I’m just glad to watch more and more people care about the impact of fashion. This is only the beginning of the revolution.

[@summerrutherford]

I know I watch your videos to be objectively educated about the fashion industry - you should be proud 🫶🏻

[@envisionvlog8843]

Love this and really liked your analogy regarding the button maker/seamstress.

[@themerrybeggar941]

I would be interested to see a video or videos in which you go back to old pick up videos and review what items from those you ended up wearing and enjoying more than others and why that is. Sort of a pickup "review" just to see which products had more longevity for you personally.

[@DrewJoiner]

great idea

[@glaciergang]

I find channels like these actually lead me to more well-informed purchasing. I have a lot less buyers remorse and get more life out of items. This is the way.

[@rowbro9358]

I understand what you’re saying about having to consume as essentially a part of your job (the example with the button maker), but I think it undercuts what you and many other fashion influencers talk about in regards to having a minimal sustainable wardrobe. Preaching that you should have a minimal sustainable wardrobe then martyring yourself to having a large wardrobe “for your job” does seem like it has some underlying hypocrisy and takes a little from the message you are saying. Yes, the pieces you pick up are found in the most sustainable ways possible, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that your wardrobe is still excessive. A content creator from a completely different community I think of in regards to minimalism is 5 watt world. He is a guitar influencer who makes history videos on specific guitar models, but throughout much of his content he preaches minimalism and he himself has shown how his own guitar setup and how he has reduced it to only one guitar. He is still able to talk about other guitars in his content while not owning those instruments, holding true to his value of minimalism. While fashion influencers are different from guitar influencers, they are similar in the ways they preach minimalism and sustainability, yet always over consume “because it’s their job”. 5 watt world shows that that’s not necessarily true in the guitar community, and while I don’t know exactly what that would look like for a fashion influencer to do something similar, I think it could be done. The argument of this over consumption being “part of your job” makes sense in some ways, but the beauty of being a content influencer is really you choose your job. You choose how you go about what you do and you touch on this in your video, discussing the videos that aren’t just pickups videos. You do more than just pickups videos, you have a lot of great content outside of that, so to say that this consumption is “part of you job” does feel like a thinly veiled excuse to avoid talking about the critique on yours and all fashion influencers content. It’s a hard and complex issue to talk about with fashion influencers, but I think it’s one that show be discussed with regards to the influencer’s that passionately hate fast fashion (which I stand by I don’t like fast fashion) and the over consumption it promotes, but then many influencers turn around and proceed to over consume “for their job”. It just feels hypocritical to compromise on many of the values that are preached among you and other fashion influencers, for the sake of the content you choose to make. Apologies if this sounded harsh. I absolutely don’t mean this to come off in an aggressive way, I don’t want to attack you or any other influencer. I think this is just a critique that should be addressed in some manner. I love your content and I enjoy watching you as a creator, the critique I bring up is just something to consider more than anything.

[@AZKicksnFits]

good job Drew!

[@dimplesd8931]

New to your channel. I’m liking what I see/hear….I shop brick and mortar fast fashion; H&M, Zara, Target, Old Navy and have for decades but I treat FF like I do my heritage brand clothing because I don’t subscribe to “potato chip” usage of clothing. So a $20 Zara t-shirt is gently laundered and flat dried just like my vintage Todd Oldham sweaters. It’s okay to wear a Target dress from 10-15yrs ago if it’s the right fit for your body and well kept. PS old B&M FF from 10-20years ago is such good quality. I have 100% baby soft lined linen pieces from GAP that would cost $100’s- $1000’s now because you only get that quality from luxury brands now.

[@Sherickfran718]

Well said! I think you do a great job for responding to the question and also staying true to yourself! Continue doing your thing fam! I look forward to hearing more about small brands! You should do a deep dive into JFG, Bricksnwood and Kids of Immigrants! They are some of my fav brands who encompass that story telling aspect with their products

[@jcheungtv]

Drew even through a camera lens I think you are one of the most geniuine YTers I’ve seen which is why I F with your channel 💯🙏

[@fiftyseventh]

i love your channel bro. DON'T CHANGE!!!! I disagree with that commentor. Your perspective is why I follow you. There aren't many YTers doing what you do. All the other guys seem like they're sponsored by big brands/uniqlo. I like that you discuss a variety of brands and continue to explore fashion rather than stick to one brand like so many of the other guys do.

[@younghazelk0021]

Hey bro keep doing what you doing and the world will be grateful whit you for that, I love Drew because is the real fashion talker that everybody needs . Forgot about the Balenciaga boys who just go to the stores to try all the clothes that they cannot buy , forgot about the artist who wait years to get free pair of shoes and close that they and nobody can afford . Fashion is about be different , about how much knowledge you can put to build some them different for you and the walkers around you … Drew keep doing what you doing my men , shine and elevate your style to the stars .

[@dinessicardenas514]

This video made me subscribe . Love it

[@emil-cz2vp]

if you are interested in the aspect of ethical consumption and capitalism, i highly recommend alice chapelles new video on fashion within capitalism. great vid drew

[@gotworc]

Honestly who gives a fuck. Imagine spending all your time worrying about this stupid shit. Just live your life and try and do what you feel is right. Stop spending your time worrying about all this crap and you'll probably be happier

[@D4VIDFL4GS]

simply love this channel

[@DrewJoiner]

❤️

[@joseperezthe3rd]

One thing I want to add Drew and make abundantly clear. Most of the “influencers” I watch on KZbin isn’t because I agree or enjoy their opinion. I mostly watch to get exposure to new clothing, ideas, or even see things from a different point of view. From there I make my own opinion on the matter. Similar to how you said the new balance 550 are going out of style but yet I see almost everyone and their mom still wearing the shoe.

[@jacobsklar]

I think there is no such thing as sustainable fashion but like you do, we can buy from small brands that make high quality clothes that will last a long time and have timeless style. With quality clothes, even when you are done with a garment it can be resold to another fashion enthusiast who will enjoy it for years to come. Also incorporating vintage and pre owned into your wardrobe is a great way to consume without adding textile waste to the environment.

[@MyTaylordCloset]

We put so much on the consumer to consume less. And yes, consuming less helps, but the company's need to produce less. Whether we buy new clothes or not, they continue to over produce. That overproduction ultimately ends up on discount racks, donated to thrift stores , and often times shipped off to the global south. Ultimately, the over production becomes waste.

[@strawberrythiefproductions]

I really like your take about consumption, and fashion as a job vs how a regular person should/does relate to fashion. Its one of the phenomena of social media that where before there was a fairly high barrier to entry for publication, now anyone can have a stab at becoming an influencer. On one hand, this has made fashion way more democratic - its not just the major houses and the magazines shaping the meta. But on the other, where before large collections of clothes existing for publication and review would have been pretty exclusive to the likes of Vogue, now anyone with $500 to sink into a Shein haul or a weekend to spend trawling the bins can have a go at having an oversized wardrobe. I do think your approach of emphasising that your collection does not represent a normal 'wardrobe', but the oversized collection of someone whose job it is to provide commentary on new pieces is a very neat way of circumventing this problem - the goal of fashion for the everyday person is not to have the oversized collection that is constantly expanding, but rather a well curated wardrobe of pieces that fit your life and your tastes. Always love coming over to your channel, I think you do a really great job of thinking about things in depth and integrating critique without loosing your own perspective on it. Truely a model for the rest of the internet 💚

[@justinejustice_league1857]

The point of the matter is people dont like being told "what to do", they shouldn't do something or maybe rethink their choices. Even if your message is clear and they mostly agree with what you're saying. They'll always find a reason to disagree, twist or convolute your message.

[@WesleyAnna]

I love this. I’ve been hesitant to introduce fashion content to my own channel because of the consumerist aspect, but you’ve addressed the fine balance of paid work and ethical responsibility so eloquently it’s making me rethink. Keep it up🤝🏼

[@danieldeleon5216]

I think it’s important to stay mindful of our individual purchasing decisions. However it is also important to not hyperfixate on consumption-side solutions for what is largely a production-side problem. Overconsumption is definitely a thing that is worth considering, but the vast, vast, vast majority of waste is a result of overproduction. I view it the same way as “carbon footprints”, a concept pushed heavily by oil companies who sought to redirect attention and pressure from them onto the individual consumers while they continue to scale up their own unsustainable business practices.

[@ambisubero4587]

Dude you are the fucking best man To be honest your opinion and words make me feel happy

[@christopherburtjr4998]

He has the powerrrrr!!

[@barbaragillett9904]

Very well said I really appreciate and respect you making this video it’s not easy to just ignore it and move on but thank for sharing this 👏🙏👍🇬🇧

[@davidzabokrtsky]

I believe it's ok to buy whatever you want and own as many clothing items as you like as long as you actually make use of those items. If you get bored of an item or it's not your style anymore, you should try to sell it on or gift it to someone instead of throwing it out. The worst thing you can do is to throw a usable piece in the garbage. It is also important to buy high quality clothes that will last.

[@patparker7]

Another quality contribution by Drew. Thanks! #pvv

[@DrewJoiner]

Love Alice's channel

[@paigewillow8768]

Drew you are a very good influencer, creator, and human. We enjoy your content and views. People like albino are always so negative and pseudo analysts that personally drive me crazy. Its much ado about nothing with them. I ignore them. Its very good of you to try and make some sense of their diatribe. They are the hypocrites imo. They make no sense. Keep doing what you do. Many enjoy your content. No one forces anyone to listen or conform in any way. Their username is a deliberate contradiction and likely represents their personality very well. A contrarian. Nothing else.

[@Killjoy_Mel]

You are insulting Drew's intelligence by insulting and dismissing a respectful fan and critic of his. It is good to listen and review your own behaviours. A dialogue is always a benefit, willful ignorance and refusal to listen and review is not. You could use a more open mind yourself, even if you end up disagreeing.

[@sxt4447]

I have a lot of friends who model in the fashion industry or have become fashion influencers. Brands send them clothes for free because they know if they wear their garment in an Instagram post, the brand will get residuals from that free advertising. Every clothing item they purchase with their own money becomes a lucrative business investment, and most of the pieces are tax deductible for them. Obviously, from an environmental standpoint, hoarding clothes is not sustainable, but you could say the same thing about writers (like me) who hoard books because I need a wide array of titles to pull from when I’m writing an essay or a story. We all have a consumption problem and we’re encouraged to over-consume because we see a direct correlation between consumption and productivity. The problem is way deeper and more philosophical than this man’s closet can contain…

[@DrewJoiner]

I like that last part a lot haha, you hit on some good points

[@Cookitlikeastirfry]

I think the criticism of you owning too many clothes is valid, in a sense, but also leaves you vulnerable. I would personally not listen to a reviewer/talking head when it comes to a specific piece that they don’t own or have any experience with. Not having experience with the pieces could potentially lead to your brand being delegitimised, and I don’t think anybody wants that to happen to Drew. On the other hand the broadcasting of owning so many pieces certainly does have an impact on the watcher’s personal spending habits, and leads to an increase in consumerism. Idk the best way to toe the line, but maybe my perspective added something

[@kat_thefruitbat]

I do think you’re trying to do your very best, which is what we all should be doing. Do be careful when considering statements like “things will be produced whether or not I buy them” and “there is no ethical consumption under capitalism”…these are cop-out arguments that suppress progressive values and ideas. Both overproduction and capitalism are evils that do exist, but they only persist when we continue to fund them with our dollar, our vote (or lack there of), our complacency, our inaction…

[@kennypaige]

I really appreciate your videos. I walk away with a new question for myself, or a new point of view or a perspective on something that I hadn’t had before. I think you speak quite concisely and critically of the fashion world in the best way possible, while also bringing joy and positivity in your videos. I can understand the commenters point of view, as I have had similar thoughts before. However, I feel the way that you create content and videos in the fashion world is completely unique and that’s why I love your channel. I just appreciate your content and I hope that you continue exploring different perspectives and starting conversations like you have. So thanks 😊

[@DrewJoiner]

❤️