The Dangers of Fast Fashion

Alba Rosa/ Staff writer

Fashion production is the second biggest polluter of our environment, particularly fast fashion –  something we all have contributed to. In light of this revelation, let’s take the opportunity to find better alternatives.

Fast fashion is the quick and cheap production of merchandise that stresses convenience for the consumer. As trends come and go, we feel the need to stay in the loop. Retail stores comply with this need by offering trendy apparel at a low cost. 

It may seem like a typical win-win situation, but that’s not true.

The quality of what you’re purchasing won’t be the best. When it comes to the fashion industry, the final price is calculated by the price of raw materials, the time it takes to make the garment and the overall expected price. This means that quality always matches the price.

That’s part of the reason why a hoodie you bought from Shein feels awkward and is sewn weirdly.

It’s perfectly fine as long as you’re aware, but that’s simply a basic rule of fashion: If you want a garment at a cheap price, you must settle for its quality. If you want something of decent quality, you must settle with the price. 

In fact, on top of low-quality clothes, some of your favorite retailers have faced a few ethical strikes.

A few years ago, some investigators found that Fashion Nova owned sweatshop-like factories in Los Angeles, paying sewers $2.77 per hour— alarmingly below California’s minimum wage. Reports also showed terrible working conditions, like the presence of pests. 

Shein, on the other hand, came out with a Sustainability and Social Impact Report for 2021 that readers found vague. While it promised to discuss working conditions, it failed to provide details that are required by law in the United Kingdom. The company is widely known for its lack of transparency.

Another problem stems from a trend on TikTok where influencers purchase more than $300 worth of clothes from these retailers and do hauls— where the person shows what they’ve bought and the price they got it for. 

It enables their audience to buy more clothes than they need. Clothes that will probably be worn only once or twice in their life before throwing it away.

All of those clothes, shoes and more will eventually add to the rising percentage of textile waste that directly sickens our planet.

Let me be clear: While these retailers have a problem of their own, the consumer who needs new merchandise at a low price is acceptable. There’s no problem with someone buying out of necessity. It’s also fine if you want something every once in a while. What matters is that you cherish your new clothes.

Here’s my advice. Don’t throw your clothes out, nor excessively buy from fast-fashion retailers.

Unless the clothes you’re wearing are torn beyond belief, don’t ever throw them out. Instead, donate them to a local thrift store, give some away to your friends, or sell them if they’re in good condition.

Shopping at local thrift stores and trading clothes with friends is a great way to avoid purchasing from fast-fashion retailers. You can also join markets to get a chance to meet new people and sell clothes.

We’re in the midst of an alarming change in our climate. As humans, directly responsible for this change, we must act accordingly.

We must change our perspectives. Simple changes like these can surely make a difference.

DISCLAIMER:

The opinions presented on this page do not represent the views of the PantherNOW Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.