Standing in front of my wardrobe this morning, I noticed yet another perfectly good shirt developing those dreaded little balls of fabric that make it look worn and tired. It’s frustrating how quickly clothes seem to deteriorate these days, even from supposedly reputable brands that charge decent prices.

The decline in clothing quality isn’t just my imagination. The fast fashion industry has fundamentally changed how our clothes are made, prioritizing quick turnover and low costs over durability and quality. Walking through Bourke Street Mall recently, I realized that even traditionally reliable retailers have succumbed to this race to the bottom.