The Rapid Cycle of Fast Fashion: The Hidden Cost of Our Wardrobe
Large piles of clothing. Photo by: Francois Le Nguyen
The Problems of fast fashion
In our fast-paced world, fashion trends come and go in the blink of an eye. Enter the enticing realm of fast fashion - the affordable, on-trend clothing catered to our ever-changing whims. But have you ever stopped to consider the true cost behind those budget-friendly pieces hanging in your closet? The fast fashion industry has been on an extreme rise over the past years. As new trends come in, more clothes are thrown out. The never-ending cycle of fast fashion has become concerning with no end in sight.
Fast fashion is considered to be fast because of the quick production time it is produced and how short-lived the trends are. These fashion companies will upload hundreds, or thousands of new clothes to their website per week. Their catalog expands rapidly in such a short period of time. People will spend money on clothing that is trendy, only for the trend to end and the cycle repeats itself. While people bought 60% more garments in 2014 than in 2000, they only kept the clothes for half as long. The consumer feels like they need the best new outfit to fit into the trend that is going on at any given time. The quick overturn of the new trend coming in leaves them with something that is no longer “trendy.” The person consumes more to keep up, leaving a lot of waste left behind.
People purchase fast fashion because of the extremely low prices. There is cheap labor being used to make clothes in large quantities for low costs. The clothing is made out of inexpensive materials, so the cost is very little. This makes the clothing very affordable, so it is convenient for people to buy large amounts of these clothes in their orders.
It is eventually thrown out because the clothes are not “trendy” anymore. The clothes will then either be thrown away or given to thrift stores. Thrift stores are overstocked with clothes from these companies. Most clothes are thrown out because of the quality. After a couple of washes, the clothes are no longer intact. When they are produced with cheap materials they may break or rip easily. This leaves the consumer with clothes that are no longer wearable so it goes straight into the garbage. The true price of our obsession with fast fashion is far greater than the numbers on the price tags.
Shopping for clothing. Photo by: Becca McHaffie
Environmental problems
Waste is one of the largest effects of this problem. The clothing that is discarded in the landfill produces an alarming amount of waste. “Every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is landfilled or burned.” The clothes do not break down quickly so they sit in the landfill for years. Textiles can take up to 200+ years to decompose in landfills. Textile waste causes a lot of damage to the earth. Since there are so many clothing items going into the landfill, there is a big problem that needs to be fixed.
Dyes and chemicals used to make the clothes are poured into the waterways, damaging the environment. There is an excessive amount of water used in making these clothes. Textiles are also estimated to account for approximately 9% of annual microplastic losses to the ocean. Water pollution is also occurring in these businesses which is extremely damaging to the ecosystems and us.
Using up resources to produce something that is inevitably going to be tossed out is not environmentally friendly. Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions and by 2050 the fashion industry will use up a quarter of the world’s carbon budget. The fast fashion industry is on the rise and will only get bigger if nothing is done about it.
The world of fashion is evolving, and it's time that we, as consumers, evolve with it. By understanding the true cost of fast fashion, we can make smarter choices, cherish our garments, and protect our environment. Let's create a new fashion narrative – one that values quality over quantity, uniqueness over conformity, and sustainability over mindless consumption. Together, we can make a difference, one conscious fashion choice at a time. Fast fashion has become a ruthless cycle that is damaging the environment. Making an effort to be aware and avoid products like fast fashion will help keep a lot of clothes out of landfills.
Clothing factory. Photo by: Rio Lecatompessy
Tips to be More Sustainable & How To Avoid Fast Fashion
Quality over quantity. Buying a clothing item made with strong material will prolong the lifespan of the clothes. Instead of buying lots of clothes, that money can go towards buying a nice item that can last for years.
Mindfulness while shopping. Being mindful of what you consume when shopping can help prevent unnecessary items from being purchased.
Thrift, or swap clothes. Thrifting helps recycle the clothes to give them a whole new life.
Donate or textile recycle old clothes.
Know what stores are unethical, Do research about the store before buying. Websites like Good On You rate the sustainability of different clothing brands so shoppers can make informed decisions.