‘Wear It Once for Travel Photos, Then Throw It Away’: Disposable Fashion Spreads Among China’s Youth

Some young Chinese travelers are buying clothes with a short life expectancy: wear them once or twice on a trip, take the photographs, and discard them. The trend has emerged as a way to match different destinations with a variety of inexpensive outfits.

The clothing is sometimes called “one-use clothing” in China. The term literally describes garments bought to be used once and thrown away. Unlike conventional clothing, these items prioritize how they look in photographs over long-term practicality.

The culture spread quickly among Chinese internet users this summer, according to the South China Morning Post. A related hashtag on one Chinese social-media platform drew more than 6.8 million views, while discussions exceeded 135,000.

The appeal is clear to travelers who want cheap, photo-friendly clothes without repeating an outfit. But the same pattern has prompted concerns about growing clothing waste and environmental pollution. Questions have also emerged over the safety of inexpensive garments.