During our panel at FGILA a few weeks ago, we discussed a new concept running rampant among women under the age of 25 – Fashion Hauling Videos.

Since early May, hauling videos have gained online momentum, so much so that even the mommy bloggers are jumping on the band wagon.

In haul videos, women open up their bedrooms, closets, and medicine cabinets and show off their their latest “finds” to thousands of anonymous viewers on YouTube. In regards to fashion brands, most hauling videos feature consumers obsessed with Juicy Couture, Forever 21, H&M, Charlotte Rousse, Target and Marshalls Department Stores.

Critics of haul videos say the subjects promote a financially wasteful and superficial pastime that distracts young women from more important pursuits. Haul fans counter that it’s a harmless way for women to enjoy their shopping passion with other virtual girlfriends, and that the lemming for new things benefits the economy in the end (Stylelist).

From a brand standpoint, fashion companies that fit into the low level to mid-tier retail demographic are flocking to haulers to create videos. Some work with them, some don’t.

I’m with the critics; haul videos promote a financially wasteful consumer spending behavior and continue to promote fast fashion. I’m just not a fan.

From three hours of watching hauls, here are three videos that I believe to be the best, while representing the worst of all hauling videos on YouTube.

#1: Forever 21, Good Morning America

Stylelist.com and Good Morning America feed the never ending quest for 15 seconds of microfame. Can you said “Like OMG” more than 25 times in a video? Apparently, the answer is yes! Why are we promoting low-budget clothing along with that Paris Hilton, glam girl personality? Do success and intelligence just not sell on the Internet?

#2: Fashion Hauling at Marshalls

Hauling is bad enough for girls under 25, but taking it to the mommy level is wrong. This is not flattering for someone with and established, business brand online.  This just makes you look desperate for attention. What’s worse, your kids in the background are horrible. They are distracting and turn me and most viewers off to the thought of having children.

#3: Forever 21 Haul + Spring 2010 Clothes Haul

This is the worst hauling video on YouTube. We promise! But it’s also the funniest, and she’s so cute that we died laughing. But we still couldn’t watch the whole video. It was just too painful.

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