#WISDOMWEDNESDAY WITH LOOP - NOVEMBER '25

The Want vs. Need Economy: Paying with Intention rather than our Attention

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about where our money goes and why. Inspired by voices like Chelsea Fagan (founder of @TheFinancialDiet) and Simran Kaur (@FriendsThatInvest), I’ve been asking a tougher question: Am I spending on things that make me look good, or on things that help me build a good life?

So often, our spending is a reaction. An algorithm shows us the next "it" bag, and we want it. A feed full of picturesque trips taken "for the gram" makes us feel we need one, too. This is the Attention or Want Economy, and it’s designed to captivate us with a new shiny toy, not serve our intention.

But there’s another way. An Intention or Need Economy, where we ask: Does this purchase add meaning, connection, or lasting value to my life?

This shift is especially powerful in fashion. Chelsea Fagan recently shared that her nearly $500 "leather" bag from an Instagram-favorite, mid-tier brand fell apart in 18 months. When she refused their replacement offer and suggested they instead donate the cost to a food bank, they sent her a candle. A candle?!

This is the true cost of the Want Economy: it costs us our money, and it costs the planet its resources.

And the solution isn't just to recycle more. Recent, heartbreaking reporting from the recycling capital of Panipat, India, shows the grim reality: the process itself is often hazardous, a far cry from the neat, green circle we imagine - more on this soon!

This is why our focus must shift upstream, to what we bring into our lives in the first place.

This holiday season, this is the shift I invite you to make with me: from an attention economy to an intention economy.

So, what’s truly worth investing in?

It’s the pieces you’ll wear for years. It’s the brands that stand behind their products and their principles. At Loop, we aspire to be that for you. We’re not just selling swimwear; we’re offering a place in a different system. This is especially relevant for categories like swim and intimates, where the secondhand market often isn't a viable or hygienic path - a reality even big brands are now recognizing.

If a new, responsibly made swimsuit that can be returned to us for recycling is a considered need for you, we’re here to support that intentional choice with 20% off this November.

Let’s invest in less, but better. Let’s choose the Intention Economy. Your wallet, and our world, will thank you for it.

With intention,
Itee 🩵
Co-founder, Loop