What is Fast Fashion?
Forever 21, H&M, and Fashion Nova are considered fast fashion brands. The goal of these companies is to make cheap, unsustainable pieces of clothing that is on trend. These garments are meant to last a season and be discarded quickly. Their goal is to capitalize on the ever changing industry and market usually to young girls who want to look like the influencers they watch on YouTube or Instagram.
Quantity over Quality
Social media and the economy have a large part in the quantity over quality outlook. When the economy took a turn for the worse in the early 2000’s, consumers didn’t want to spend their money on higher quality items. They wanted the instant gratification at a cheap price. This is where fast fashion companies became popular. Consumers could now buy clothing that mimicked celebrity style that was affordable. When the next hot look was out, consumers could toss their old pieces and buy the new trendy thing.
Why is Fast Fashion Dangerous?
Fast fashion is appealing to the younger generation. Why would they spend $30.00 on a t-shirt, when they can get one from H&M for $5? Financially, it makes sense, save the money and buy the cheaper shirt. However, the environmental and ethical cost to make the shirt is expensive. Here are some facts:
The Fashion Industry makes up to 10% of the humanity’s carbon emissions.
The industry is also dries up water sources and pollutes rivers and streams when produces the clothing.
85% of textiles go to a landfill each year ; every second, approximately one garbage truck of textiles is burned/dumped at a landfill.
Polyester is found in 60% of garments. Polyester doesn’t break down and creates double the carbon emissions than cotton.
35% of micro-plastics in the ocean are from textiles.
How can Fast Fashion be Combated?
Fashion fashion’s impact on our environment will have lasting impacts. Instead of supporting these types of companies, consumers can shop at thrift stores or consignment stores. It’s an affordable option and it saves clothing from ending up in a landfill. Consumers can also vow to shop less. Sometimes all it takes is a second look in your closet to find pieces that can be styled in ways that make them feel new. Finally, when you have the desire to buy a new article of clothing, invest in the piece or find a brand that has solid environmental values. Everlane, an online clothing company, is an option. They built a following based on their ethical values and vow to make environmentally friendly pieces.
- https://2ndstreetusa.com/article/19/09/17/how-quantity-is-beating-quality-in-today-s-fashion
- https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/03/books/review/how-fast-fashion-is-destroying-the-planet.html
- https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-is-fast-fashion
- https://www.greenmatters.com/p/what-is-fast-fashion
- Title taken from: https://thefederalist.com/2019/10/10/forever-21s-failure-is-a-good-time-to-prioritize-fashion-quality-over-quantity/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/fast-fashion-environmental-impact-pollution-emissions-waste-water-2019-10#the-fashion-industry-is-responsible-for-10-of-humanitys-carbon-emissions-11
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