Why Fast Fashion Needs a Makeover
The fashion industry has gotten a bad rap in recent years, and one of the main reasons is the rise of fast fashion. The new way of selling and producing clothes cheaply and en masse has created some serious problems, not just with the environment but with the people producing the clothes as well. It’s time for us all to take a stand, and say that fast fashion has to go.
What is Fast Fashion?
At its core, fast fashion is a business model that aims to bring the latest trends in fashion to consumers as quickly and cheaply as possible. It’s a combination of manufacturing and marketing strategies that allow stores to produce high volumes of inexpensive clothing that can be sold for relatively low prices.
These companies want to get people to buy as much cheap clothing as possible, as quickly as possible. Rather than seasonally changing their lines, fast fashion stores now release new collections every week or even more frequently. By using sweated labor and polluting materials, they undercut other stores, who produce more responsibly.
The Hidden Costs of Fast Fashion
When people buy a few cheap shirts and dresses without considering their production, they may be making a conscious decision to buy something temporary because they quickly want to satisfy a style craving, or perhaps because they only need something to last for a short period of time. Either way, even though nothing may seem to be wrong with purchasing something like this, there still are plenty of hidden costs to the production of these pieces.
Environmental Cost
Making clothing fast and cheap has a major impact on the environment. From the dyes and other chemicals used, to the amount of water used in production, and to the fabric waste, this type of production has a huge effect on the planet.
The polyester and nylon used to produce clothing produce greenhouse gases in their production. Not only this, but the transport of the finished product around the globe also comes with a serious carbon cost. Shipping clothes from factories around the world to their final destination also uses a considerable amount of energy.
Social Cost
The fast fashion industry is also built on the backs of low-paid workers, who often work long hours in sweatshops, sometimes under highly dangerous conditions. Lack of labor laws or enforcement means that workers are often subjected to pressures and working conditions far beyond any safe scope.
The effect of this type of production has been felt in horrific tragedies over the years. In 2013, a garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing over 1,100 workers. Just a few months later, the Rana Plaza building, also in Bangladesh, collapsed, killing over 1,000 workers. All of the garments in these buildings were being produced for fast fashion companies.
Making a Change
As the public has become more aware of the true cost of fast fashion, there has been a rise in awareness of the industry’s practices and an effort to keep it in check.
We all need to do what we can to stop the continued prevalence of unethical production. There are a number of ways to create change.
Shop Second Hand
A great way to combat fast fashion is to buy secondhand clothing. Shopping secondhand helps to keep much-needed resources away from fast fashion, buying more sustainable items with fewer external costs. It’s also a great way to take part in the circular economy, where items keep getting reused rather than thrown away.
Buy from Sustainable Brands
Instead of selecting that trendy top from a giant fast fashion store, why not think about buying something from a responsible brand? There are a number of sustainable fashion brands that specialize in creating responsibly sourced, ethically produced clothes that don’t cost the Earth. Many such stores produce high-quality garments that look amazing and last a lot longer.
Be an Informed Consumer
The more people become aware of the ills of fast fashion, the less likely they will be to buy its products. Nobody wants to support a company that doesn’t have the same priorities they do. Be an informed consumer, take the time to research the companies you’re buying from and make sure that you’re buying from a responsible company.
Supporting a Change
Finally, individual’s can make a real difference by supporting efforts to bring about change in the fast fashion industry. Getting involved in campaigns, boycotting unethical stores, or even donating to charities that are campaigning for better human and labor rights in the industry all will make a real change in the long run.
Fast fashion is having a devastating impact on the environment and the people who manufacture our clothes. It’s high time we make a real change. Shopping more responsibly and being more conscious of the true cost of the clothing we buy will help to reduce the demand for fast-fashion products and fight against the ills of this industry. We all have a part to play in making sure we don’t create a future that inflicts a heavy burden on the planet and its people.
