The term ”Fast Fashion” is everywhere in media, though what is it? Wikipedia states that it is the, “business model of replicating recent catwalk trends and high-fashion designs, mass-producing them at a low cost, and bringing them to retail stores quickly while demand is at its highest.” Fast fashion is an endless cycle and allows for trends to be ever flowing. It is so easily accessible due to online shopping. With brands such as Shein making clothing pieces only a couple of dollars, it seems reasonable and simple to buy their clothing, though it is the exact opposite. Nearly all fast fashion brands spray their clothing with chemicals and pesticides because it is the the cheap, easy way out. For the buyer and the environment, it is the opposite, These chemicals are incredibly harmful towards our health on the long run (see my post about chemicals in clothing for more information) and the chemicals harm our Earth and ecosystems as you wash them and as the decompose in landfills.
To be more ethical in fashion it is important to not buy from and support fast fashion brands. Second hand stares are a great way to buy new clothes while not impacting the Earth and while not paying a high price tag. Ethical clothing brands are often associated with high price tags, though it is a result of ethical practices in sourcing materials and paying/caring for workers. If possible, it is great to support these companies, though these clothing pieces are brand new, so there still is somewhat of an environmental impact. Another option is to source clothes from your community. As a teenager myself, I love going through my parents old clothing to find the most unique vintage pieces for free. My friends and I also always cycle our clothes. Once someone is done with a clothing piece, we tell one another and first come first serve. I can think of multiple pieces that have had at least 4 different lives just because it has been passed through my friends. Another option is fixing your clothes. I have two favorite pairs of jeans and wear them all throughout the week, which results in wear and tear. I fix the holes in my pants using scrap denim and patching them up using a crisscross design with my thread. This allows for me to be able to wear them for years to come. My last tip is to devolve the urge for new clothing. Ever since I was young I loved to shop. I loved to keep up with trends and buy the newest clothing, though this was before I knew of the environmental impacts. The more and more I educate myself, the less and less I feel the need and want for new clothes. I am content with my three pairs of jeans and rotation of about 20 tops and three jackets. I can’t think of the last time I bought something from the thrift store and I know it has been a little over a year since I have bought something brand new. Because of the environmental impacts, I couldn’t care less about keeping up with the trends.
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