Fashion trends are nothing new. From corsets and neckline choices in the Victorian Era,
to the chunky jewelry and bold prints of the 2000s, clothing choices have always been a large
part of our society. Yet, only recently has the issue of “fast fashion” arised. What exactly is fast
fashion? And why is it such a large issue? Many people have questions like these, you aren’t the
only one.
Fast fashion itself is a business model for clothing brands. It involves creating quick and
cheap clothing items that respond to current fashion trends. These pieces are often made of cheap
fabric, but due to their pricing and relevance, they became quite popular. Yet, with the emergence
of new trends and their lack of quality, they can often be tossed to the side quickly. You most
likely see the issue with this already. A low price tag mixed with the ever-changing fashion
trends of the current world has led to one issue: waste like we’ve never seen before.
Earth.Org decided to dig deep into what exactly this textile waste looks like and
discovered some shocking findings. Stats like “1.92 million tonnes of textile waste are produced
every year”, “The average US consumer throws away 81.5 pounds of clothes every year”, and
“The number of times a garment is worn has declined by around 36% in the last 15 years” show
us how terrible the problem has truly become. Yet, you might wonder, why can’t people just
commit to a high-quality piece that they’ll wear for years to come?
Fast fashion has been able to appeal to consumers for several reasons. It isn’t that
many people simply enjoy throwing away more and more clothes; it is simply a byproduct of this
model and its engaging appeal to customers. These cheap clothes are the solution to many
people’s economic issues. It is the best that they can do with the resources they have, and it gives them a chance to participate in the trends they see around them. They are low commitment, with
the price they have, and can appeal to consumers in that way as well. The role of consumer
culture and societal pressure is also one that plays a large part in the promotion of fast fashion.
The marketing and advertising make it seem, to the consumer, that they must buy a certain shirt
or pair of jeans now, or they’ll be missing out. Other aspects of consumer culture include
psychological factors. The thrill of acquiring new items, especially at a cheap price, can often
incentivize consumers to buy more and more. Then, there’s societal pressure. It’s normal
nowadays, especially with social media, to want to seem in on every trend. The pressure of
wanting to fit in and wanting to appear relevant often pushes people to buy clothes even when
they don’t need them or if the clothes they already own are simply “out of style”. Even without
social media, consumers may feel a sense of peer pressure from their friends and even family.
Clothes have become a symbol of status. One can change how they are viewed, whether that be
as wealthy, smart, or cool, by simply changing what they are wearing. With clothes being so tied
to our identities as people, it is no surprise that fast fashion has achieved the heights it has. Yet,
fast fashion is an issue that has many implications, especially on others.
Firstly, the environmental impact. The production of these clothes creates so much
pollution, whether that be water, energy, or chemicals. The disposal of this clothing contributes
heavily to landfill waste and the degradation of the environment. Secondly, the issue of labor
exploitation. Many fast fashion brands have been investigated or confirmed to be relying on
cheap labor in developing countries. These countries often do not have as heavy labor laws or as
high of a minimum wage, and the workers often face poor working conditions and long hours.
The exploitation of these workers has become a major ethical problem tied to the issue of fast
fashion. There is also the issue of health risks. With these clothes being produced so quickly,
without a guarantee of their quality, many health risks come with them. The use of
harmful chemicals can often put workers and consumers at risk. Another large issue is
sustainability. The fast fashion model is in and of itself unsustainable, as it prioritizes rapid
production and quick discarding of products that are often meant to be used for long periods. This issue poses several challenges for achieving sustainable development goals.
Firstly, the environmental impact. The production of these clothes creates so much
pollution, whether that be water, energy, or chemicals. The disposal of this clothing contributes
heavily to landfill waste and the degradation of the environment. Secondly, the issue of labor
exploitation. Many fast fashion brands have been investigated or confirmed to be relying on
cheap labor in developing countries. These countries often do not have as heavy labor laws or as
high of a minimum wage, and the workers often face poor working conditions and long hours.
The exploitation of these workers has become a major ethical problem tied to the issue of fast
fashion. There is also the issue of health risks. With these clothes being produced so quickly,
without a guarantee of their quality, many health risks come with them. The use of
harmful chemicals can often put workers and consumers at risk. Another large issue is
sustainability. The fast fashion model is in and of itself unsustainable, as it prioritizes rapid
production and quick discarding of products that are often meant to be used for long periods. This issue poses several challenges for achieving sustainable development goals.
References:
10 Concerning Fast Fashion Waste Statistics | Earth.Org
What is fast fashion, and why is it so controversial? | CNN
Victorian Era Fashion: Clothing Trends and More | History Cooperative
