Not So Fast, Fashion

Good things take time. Or at least that is what we've been told.

Fast fashion, on the other hand, became a global phenomenon precisely because well.. it made fashion fast. And cheap clothing produced on a massive scale means less spending and more saving for all.

Or does it?

In the past couple decades, fast fashion has been the trend for all trends. From crop-tops to over-sized tops, or street-wear to utility-wear, massive fashion brands, like Zara and H&M are in stock with whatever is deemed in season. Brands such as these have popularized the notion of high fashion with a low price, and with more than enough for everyone to go around. At least, that is one way to put it. Another way to put it: large companies rapidly produce a lot of clothing by copying trends and using cheap materials to sell shoppers style at cut-rate prices. On the surface, it may seem sensible that cheap prices mean cheap clothes. I mean, that was the hook of it all, wasn't it? However, choosing affordability over quality is not the only price we pay when buying into fast fashion. (literally).

What are the true costs?

1. Low-quality means less durability

We do not only trade in quality for a lower price, but we also trade in durability for a lower price. Because fast fashion is made with cheaper materials, it is more likely to tear, rip, or fade the more we wear it. As a result, we probably are not saving as much money as we think we are. We end up buying more, sooner.

2. Over-consumption means detrimental impacts on the environment.

Most of the fabric fibers in clothing are synthetics, which means they are produced using fossil fuels. Whatever clothes we do not buy off the racks filled to the max in our local Urban Outfitters or Forever 21 end up filling up landfills, instead, and they will never decompose.

3. Violations of human rights

Have you ever thought about who made the clothes you're wearing right now? The dyes used in conventional textiles produce toxins proven harmful to not only the environment, but also to human beings. In creating our clothing, garment workers can experience adverse effects from the chemicals needed to make them. These laborers are also often extremely underpaid, earning wages far-below minimum wage.

Fast fashion may boast more affordability, but the highest costs are those not shown on the price tag. That being said, shopping sustainably is known for its contrasting lack of affordability. However, there are definite ways to shop ethically without blowing your budget.

Going into 2021, what are some affordable ways to shop sustainably and ethically?

1. Buy Less

Keep a smaller wardrobe and lessen the environmental impact of your fashion choices! Choose to buy a few items from a sustainable, ethical brand-- they will last a lot longer. Then, if you still purchase clothes from bigger, 'faster' brands, buy less of them and wear them more often. There are many different ways to style the same clothing.

2. Thrift / Buy Second-Hand

Buy more of your clothes from thrift stores or second-hand shops! You can find a lot of cute, stylish items and for very affordable prices. I personally love thrift shopping and rarely feel the need to buy clothes elsewhere. Reduce and reuse!

3. Up-Cycle

Transform some current clothing items into different pieces! You could transform a short-sleeve shirt into a crop top, or make a dress into a two-piece set. There are many ways to up-cycle and a lot of different ideas out there.

4. Material-Awareness

When buying clothes, remember to look at or ask of what materials the clothes are made. Are they made of organic, eco-friendly fabrics? A lot of brands are switching to organically-based material. This can lessen your environmental impact when shopping.

It is important to note that we as buyers do not take all of the blame. It is clear that the fast fashion industry and even the fashion industry as a whole, needs a systematic re-boot. But, then, who are we to blame? I believe that it is crucial that we not immediately point fingers at any one person, or group of people when it comes to systematic issues, such as fast fashion. Coming from the perspective as someone coming out of 2020, it seems to me that, somewhere along the way, we lost a sense of what is important, what is meaningful in many aspects of our lives. While stuck at home, did we really miss browsing the GAP or Urban Outfitters? Did we miss the more materialistic parts of life? Or, were we missing the experience of being with other people, our friends, our loved ones, our communities, each other? What do we truly care about?

Before looking outside of ourselves, we must first take a step back and look into ourselves. Ask yourself.. why was fast fashion created in the first place? Why did I buy into it so quickly, without a thought to its consequences? Why does it still exist today? What really matters to me? What do I value? How can I make the world a better place? These are some of the questions we must ask ourselves if we are to not only rid of fast fashion industry, but also change how we live our lives for the better. Lasting, positive change will not happen overnight. But we can start making it happen, right now. It starts with you.

Good things take time. But how much time do we have?