25/09/2025
In the early-mid 2000s, shopping in Bologna-my hometown, felt completely different from shopping in Sicily. And going abroad? Spain, Austria, France, the UK, each place had its own vibe, its own boutiques, its own things. I’d come back to Italy with clothes no one else had, feeling like a diva because I knew my style was unique.
Now? Amsterdam, Rome, anywhere, it’s all the same. The same chains, the same synthetic fabrics, the same overpriced junk disguised as quality. Independent designers still exist, but you have to dig to find them.And online shopping? Not better. Just a different kind of exhausting.
Is that “100% cotton” actually cheap cotton marked up? Is that “wool blend” just polyester? Are those reviews even real? Shopping used to be fun, something to do with friends, an adventure. Now it’s me, my laptop, and a mountain of skepticism.Even in stores, it’s the same Zara, the same H&M, the same soulless experience.
Assistants don’t care, prices are inflated, and everything feels like it’s designed to fall apart in a year.I used to love shopping. Now? It’s a chore. A skillset. Want to buy a shirt? Better spend hours researching fabrics, supply chains, sewing techniques. A coffee machine? Now I’m an expert on brewing methods. A lawnmower? Suddenly I know more about blade types than I ever wanted to.
I didn’t sign up for this.
I just want to trust that what I’m buying won’t fall apart, or that I’m not being scammed. And if I pay “luxury” prices, I really want the item to be luxury.
I’m done with the fast fashion traps, the fake quality, the endless research just to buy anything. I want to love what I wear again, not just settle for what’s left.
The “ensh*ttification” is a big issue. Late-stage capitalism has turned shopping into a minefield.
Small designers? Buried under scammers on Etsy.
Thrift stores? Selling Sezane shirts for more than retail (true story, I saw this recently).
Do you feel this way too?
If so, I can’t fix capitalism, but I can help you cut through the noise. Find your signature style, shop smarter, and maybe even reclaim a little of that old magic. (Lawnmower advice sold separately.😅)