Fast Fashion at the cost of the planet
Fast Fashion first started in the 1990s when brands from all over the world started looking for new ways to gain profit. The result of that was millions of consumers, ready to buy clothes only because they wanted to own them because they were “trendy”. There is no connection between the manufacturer and the product anymore. There is no contact between the designer and the client because even the production is moved to other countries, where labour is more cost-effective. Fast Fashion uses replication of trends, fast production and low-quality materials, to bring cheap, semi-luxurious clothes to the public.
Unfortunately, this whole process damages the planet.
Every year the clothing, which is unused and thrown away, is around 11 million tons just in the USA. These clothes, filled with lead, pesticides and numerous other chemicals, hardly ever decay and release these toxic chemicals into the air.
Along with the effects caused on earth, Fast Fashion also damages us, the people, too.
Some of the clothes and accessories have dangerous amounts of lead in it. Exposure to lead is known to cause sterility, heart attacks, etc. The skin is the biggest organ of our body and placing these badly manufactured products is dangerous by itself. These hazards are occurring in factories and cities, where these clothes are produced.
The main question is - do we really need this?
New trends every week that don’t allow us to wear our favourite clothes from our wardrobe? Trends change so quickly that by the time we buy the right clothing, it’s already old-fashioned.
I wonder, do we need to be slaves to this business, to run from one shop to another, following the advice of bloggers, magazines and online media, to keep up with fashion. And what if we don’t want to? What if we are these old-fashioned souls which buy one beautiful wristband or a pair of boots and wear them until they get ripped? Investment in something classic, with good quality, is the way to maintain our style, to slow down the tempo and to remain in the present, without rushing after new trends and chasing the image imposed upon us by someone else, even if that someone is Gucci. What is the point of you and also half the world owning the same handbag as Chiara Ferragni? If our clothes are a way to express ourselves without the need to talk, isn’t fast Fashion doing the exact opposite — we show our triteness by buying any piece of clothing, one after another, week after week. Where does our authenticity go after we buy that must have fluffy coat or bag with appliques?
Fast fashion is running out
More and more consumers no longer want this and are giving up fast fashion, especially younger ones, to the age of 35, which fast fashion companies target. They are more likely to look for clothes made from high-quality materials, invest in classic models, wear them longer or shop for second-hand clothing or recycled clothing.
This trend threatens the fashion industry, which requires consumers to quickly change styles and follow “hot” trends. The sector faces a fateful choice - either start marketing themselves as ethical and environmental players or keep targeting 21-year-olds following assumptions that the positives of fast fashion production and distribution out way the negatives.
If you often make reckless spending at a mall or simply want to know more about sustainable and ethical clothing consumption, the following tips will help you:
The most important thing is to plan your visits and the purchases you make at the store. Consider what your wardrobe really needs and how much money you would spend to avoid situations where you go home with empty pockets and an eye-catching, but totally impractical, dress.
Shop in your own wardrobe. Try to pull out all those nice clothes that are hiding anywhere in the cabinets or among your hangers. Now consider if you can find new ways to wear and match them.
Take care of your clothes so that they remain as new for longer. Do not drop them after the first ripped button or broken stitch.
Give a chance to second-hand stores because you don’t know what treasures you can find there.
It is known that when we are depressed, shopping can lift our spirits. But a few days after the endorphin inflow goes down, you will feel the same way, with only a few hundred pounds less. So instead of overloading your credit card, why not try other positive experiences like riding a bike, reading a book, or cooking something tasty.
