Chapter 10: Let’s Talk Fast Fashion.

Welcome to the tenth edition of Behind The Drapes—your exclusive, all-access pass to everything going on behind the scenes at My Authentic Colors. Can you believe that I made it consistently 10 weeks in a row with free educational (& hopefully entertaining) content for all of you? To be honest, I did not think that I could do it, but here we are! This isn’t just about fashion; it’s about uncovering who you are and expressing that with confidence and joy. Whether you're a longtime color enthusiast or just beginning your style journey, I’m so glad you’re here.

 

🏡 Studio Updates

GIFT CARDS NOW AVAILABLE! You can now purchase Gift Certificates on the website! Here’s some directions on how you can purchase Gift Certificates

  1. Head to my website www.myauthenticcolors.com

  2. Click on the Top Right Hand Corner and click on “Color Analysis Consultations”

  3. Click on “Book an In-Person Color Analysis Consultation”

  4. Scroll to the bottom where you will find Gift Certificates under “Products & Packages”

We only have Gift Certificates for the full amount of our Full 3 Hour and Mini (60) minute Color Analysis Consultations at this time.

Did you know that I was a guest on the Wake Up New Bedford Podcast? I talk about my journey from being a fitness professional to talking about how I started the journey as a Color Analyst. My episode is broken into two parts and you can watch and listen to them down below.

Did you know that you can host a Private Party with me? This is a fabulous event to do for your employees if you own a business or for a fun girl’s (or guys) day! Email info@myauthenticcolors.com for more information.

I will be O.O.O from 9/27/25 - 10/7/25 for a work/fun-related vacation to Canada and Chicago. Please plan to book your appointments accordingly!

Milton, MA area, I may be coming your way in the future…stay tuned!

Filmed some content with another Stylist and Color Analyst this weekend, so stay tuned for content on my Instagram!

MINI Appointments: Did you know that I started offering 60-minute Consultations every Tuesday and Friday based on your requests? More time, more insights, more YOU.

 

📅 Upcoming Events

Here’s where you can catch me next—and yes, I’m bringing the full-color energy:

Diversity Consignment
📍 Jamaica Plain, MA | 🗓️ July 26th | ⏰ 11:30pm-7:30pm

Boutique on the BuyWay
📍 Falmouth, MA | 🗓️ July 31st | ⏰ 4PM - 7PM

Back To School Event at Westend Grill
📍 New Bedford, MA | 🗓️ August 16th | ⏰ 3PM–7PM

Gloria & Co
📍 Marion, MA | 🗓️ October 11th | ⏰ 10AM-3PM

Halloween Extravaganza at Westend Grill
📍 New Bedford, MA | 🗓️ October 18th | ⏰ 3PM–7PM

Community Perk: As part of my vibrant community, you can book a 30-minute Color Analysis Consultation for 20% off with a special discount code “BTD20”—for any of my 30-minute Color Analysis Pop-Ups! Physical Products included in my 3-hour Consultation are not included in my Mini Appointments and can be purchased separately.

Don’t miss your chance to get draped and dazzled at a discount!

 

Today’s Topic: Let’s Talk About Fast Fashion.

So, let’s get into it: fast fashion. That term alone can stir up a lot of feelings. Guilt, confusion, maybe even a little eye roll if you’re just trying to buy a cute top without unraveling the entire global textile supply chain. This was also a topic recommended by YOU!

Here’s the truth: I’m not an expert on the fashion industry’s impact in a deep, academic sense. I’m not perfect either—I’ve made impulse buys, ordered trendy pieces on a whim, and donated things I barely wore (and trust me, I’ve had to talk myself off a few online shopping checkout ledges more than once).

But I do understand some of the impact fashion has—on our planet, on people, on our wallets. And I think it’s worth talking about. Without shame. With nuance. With compassion for ourselves.

What Even Is Fast Fashion?

Fast fashion is clothing that’s made quickly and cheaply to keep up with trends. Think mass production, super quick turnarounds, and low costs. You’ve probably heard of the big brands doing it, but the deeper issue isn’t just where we shop, it’s how we consume.

Listen, if you’re buying something, wearing it once, and tossing it aside because it’s “out”—that’s the real problem.

But if you’re buying a $25 dress and styling it ten different ways, wearing it season after season, and making it yours? That’s not wasteful. That’s smart styling.

The "Color Analyst" Take

Here’s where I bring in my lens as a color analyst and personal stylist: When you know what colors flatter you and what styles make you feel amazing, you automatically shop smarter. You don’t buy five black tops hoping one works—you find your black (or navy or olive or camel or coral…) and you commit. It’s about making intentional choices instead of panic purchases.

Color analysis and style clarity create less waste because you’re not constantly chasing trends. You’re curating a wardrobe that speaks your language—and that doesn’t go out of style, no matter how much you spend on your clothing.

Rewear, Restyle, Repeat

We don’t all have the budget for ethically-made, slow fashion brands 100% of the time. I think that even most brands that preach about sustainability and caring about our planet also contribute to pumping out collection after collection, just like a fast fashion brand. If they practiced sustainability and slow fashion, wouldn’t they have fewer collections and only produce items when needed? Just saying…

Here’s what I always recommend to clients (and practice myself):

  • Shop with intention: Ask yourself, “Can I style this at least 3 ways with what I already own?”

  • Buy for you, not the trend: If it’s not in your color palette or doesn’t fit your style, it’s going to collect dust.

  • Care for your clothes: Fast fashion pieces last longer when you wash with care, air dry, and store properly.

  • Mix high and low: Pair that thrifted denim jacket with a well-loved designer bag or a crisp white tee from a sustainable brand.

  • Outfit repeat like a pro: Confidence is the best accessory. Rewearing pieces isn’t a fashion fail—it’s a style win.

Final Thoughts

The fashion industry has a long way to go in terms of ethics, sustainability, and transparency. But we can also be honest about where we are personally, financially, and emotionally when it comes to how we dress.

It’s okay to buy the fun, trendy thing. Just wear it. Love it. Make it yours.

We don't have to cancel fast fashion completely, but we can slow it down in our closets.

As a stylist, I want to help you create a wardrobe that feels personal, wearable, and expressive, regardless of where you shop. If you're ever stuck, unsure about how to make what you own work better for you, or want to figure out what your “signature style” actually looks like, you know where to find me.

Let’s wear what we love, wear it often, and wear it with purpose.

 

💖 Swatch This/Scratch That

Welcome to Swatch This / Scratch That. Your weekly scroll through the glossy, the gaudy, and everything in between. I’m serving a mood board of what’s in… and what’s getting cut out. Let’s go!

Swatch This:

Lifting Small Business Owners.

Behind every small business is someone pouring their heart, vision, and late-night hustle into what they create. Whether it's handmade jewelry, curated vintage, or personalized styling services, shopping small means supporting real people, not just transactions. It’s about community, creativity, and choosing quality over mass production. Uplift the dreamers, the doers, the independents.✨ Ever since starting my own business, I’ve been less likely to go to big box retailers and start supporting more locally owned businesses to not only make connections but supoorter other entrepreneurs in their journey!

Buying the Best Quality that you can afford.

As a stylist, I always encourage clients to invest in the best quality they can realistically afford. Not because luxury equals style, but because well-made pieces last longer, fit better, and elevate your entire wardrobe. It’s a mindset shift away from fast fashion’s quick fix toward intentional, sustainable style. Fewer pieces, better choices, more impact.

Scratch That:

Hauls on Hauls on Hauls.

Endless hauls aren’t a flex—they’re a symptom of a bigger problem. As a stylist, I cringe at influencers who constantly push random products with no intention behind them. If your entire online presence is just promoting stuff to sell stuff, you’re not influencing—you’re just selling. Real influence is about taste, trust, and thoughtful curation. Not overconsumption masked as content.

Thrift Stores only have crappy clothes now.

When thrift stores are filled with SHEIN, Temu, and ultra-fast fashion castoffs, it’s clear we’ve crossed a line. Thrifting used to be about giving quality garments a second life, not reselling clothes made to fall apart after three wears. We’ve turned sustainability into a trend instead of a value. It’s not just bad for style—it’s bad for the planet, too. As a stylist, I want better for our wardrobes and our closets of the future.

 

🎨 The Color Connection

This week, we’re embracing the tender charm and quiet strength of one of the most emotionally resonant hues—pink. If red pulses with passion and white whispers of simplicity, then pink hums with warmth, affection, and quiet confidence. It’s the color of cherry blossoms, rosy sunrises, and cozy heartbeats—soft, inviting, and beautifully expressive.

What makes pink so compelling is its emotional breadth: it can be playful or powerful, delicate or daring. Whether you’re a Light Spring or a Bright Winter, there’s a pink in your palette that communicates love, strength, and radiant joy.

Let’s explore pink not just as a romantic classic, but as a color of compassion, confidence, and emotional intelligence. 💗

🎨 Color Theory: Pink

Tinted Color: Technically, pink is a tint of red—red mixed with white, creating a softened version of one of the most intense hues.

Color Temperature: Typically warm, though cooler pinks (like rose and fuchsia) offer a crisp freshness.

Visual Characteristics: Gentle, charming, and expressive. Pink conveys tenderness, optimism, and emotional intelligence.

Complementary Color: Light green or soft teal. The contrast is refreshing and romantic (imagine a dusty rose dress with mint accessories).

  • Tint (Pink + More White): Blush, baby pink—delicate, youthful, and soothing.

  • Shade (Pink + Black): Deep rose, raspberry—rich, dramatic, and passionate.

  • Tone (Pink + Gray): Mauve, dusty rose—subtle, vintage, and refined.

🧠 Psychology of Pink

Emotional Associations:

  • Love & Nurturing: Evokes feelings of care, safety, and empathy.

  • Calm & Reassurance: Soothes emotional tension and encourages relaxation.

  • Optimism & Joy: Brings a lightness that uplifts and energizes gently.

Physiological Effects:

  • Can lower stress levels and foster emotional openness.

  • Promotes calmness and connection.

  • Stimulates warmth and generosity.

Cultural Significance:

  • Western Cultures: Associated with femininity, romance, and sweetness (but also modern empowerment and self-expression).

  • Eastern Cultures: In Japan, pink symbolizes youth and celebration.

  • Global Views: Often seen in contexts of care, love, and healing—frequently used in awareness campaigns like breast cancer awareness.

Marketing & Branding:

  • Widely used in beauty, wellness, and lifestyle industries.

  • Conveys approachability, kindness, and emotional intelligence (e.g., Glossier, Barbie, T-Mobile).

🌸 What’s Every Season’s Best Pink?

Pink is incredibly versatile—each shade speaks to a different mood and personality. Whether soft or bold, it’s a color that invites connection and radiance.

  • True Spring: Sweetpea

  • True Autumn: Salmon Pink

  • True Summer: Dusty Rose Pink

  • True Winter: Fuchsia

  • Warm Spring/Autumn: Coral Pink

  • Cool Summer/Winter: Rose Pink

  • Bright Winter/Spring: Bright Orchid Pink

  • Deep Autumn/Winter: Mulberry or Berry Pink

  • Light Spring/Summer: Bubblegum Pink

  • Soft Summer/Autumn: Rosewood

Pink is a color of empathy, elegance, and quiet strength. Whether worn as a whisper or a statement, it carries a message of tenderness and unwavering resilience.

Up next in our Color Connection series: Neutrals—starting with White. A color of clarity, simplicity, and serene strength. From clean minimalism to soft winter whites, white is more expressive than it seems. 🤍

💸 Discount of the Week

🎨 This Week’s Code: WEARWISE

Take 20% OFF your Color Analysis Consultation and start building a wardrobe that feels intentional, not impulsive. Fast fashion tells you to keep buying—color analysis helps you buy smarter. Wear what works for you, not what just fills space.

✨ Offer valid through Sunday, July 20th, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST

💌 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Thanks for spending time Behind The Drapes. I’ve got so much more in store, and I want your input! Do you have a burning-style question? A favorite color combo? A topic you’d love me to cover next? Email me your ideas at info@myauthenticcolors.com—I’m all ears (and full spectrum lighting).

If you haven’t followed me on Instagram yet, this is where I hang out the most! I’m pretty cool on there if I say so myself.

Until next time, keep shining in your authentic colors. 🌈

With color and care,
Mac Carvalho
CEO, My Authentic Colors

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Chapter 11: Not Every Store Has to Be for Everybody — And That’s Okay.

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Chapter 9: Stop Waiting for a Smaller Body to Show Up.