Every day you look into your closet to pick out what to wear, but you have likely never given much thought to the impact your outfit has on the world. Thanks to social media, many people are discontented with what they have and feel the need to constantly buy more to keep up with trends. Fast fashion is a product of this overconsumption, monopolizing off of consumers’ craving for more, and rapidly turning out tons of new trendy clothes at the expense of the environment and workers’ safety.
It feels like we need to have an overflowing closet to be considered fashionable. Fashion has turned into pure consumption. Social media encourages viewers to buy and buy until they’ve curated the perfect closet. Influencers post massive closet cleanouts alongside even bigger hauls. However, this isn’t realistic or sustainable. Most people just end up impulsively buying poor-quality clothes that they don’t really like. The combination of fast fashion and online shopping makes it easier than ever to purchase clothes on a whim without feeling guilty about the price tag.
Fast fashion companies are able to keep up with quickening trend cycles and keep their prices low by using low quality materials. The synthetic fibers that the garments are made of such as polyester and nylon, contribute greatly to microplastic pollution. These materials aren’t made to last and the low price makes consumers feel more comfortable throwing them out quicker. According to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, about a garbage truck full of waste is dumped in a landfill or incinerated every second.
Even if you donate these items, they will still likely end up in the same place. Fast fashion is filling up thrift stores because the turnover is so quick. Every time I go, almost half of the racks are Shein or Forever 21. Many people skip over fast fashion at thrift stores because they know the garments won’t last long, so the majority of it goes to landfills.
Fast fashion companies pay their employees unlivable wages, whether they are in developing countries or in the US. It is easier to exploit workers in countries with looser government regulations, so many fast fashion companies outsource their labor. Even in the United States, some employees are paid some of the lowest wages in the country, sometimes less than $2 an hour.
Many people like fast fashion because it’s so affordable. Anyone can easily access trendy styles no matter their economic status. However, most people end up spending more money because the clothes aren’t long-lasting. It’s not okay to shame those who can only afford fast fashion, because the main issue is the overconsumption and waste of fast fashion.
Past decades have commonly been defined by a singular style, while the 2020s have just been a muddle of microtrends so far. Brand names and particular pieces have become the norm for trends rather than broad styles. Inevitably, people get sick of looking like everyone else and toss the piece, just for it to be replaced by another microtrend.
Microtrends have replaced personal style and creativity has been replaced by quantity. The easiest solution is for the fashion industry to move away from these harmful materials and practices, but consumers should also move away from fast fashion. If you must buy from fast fashion, think about the clothes you’re buying, rewear your clothes as many times as you can, and experiment with the pieces you already have. We also need to forget this idea that overconsumption is the only way to consume fashion because not only will the planet thank you, but your wallet will too. Putting thought into what you wear each day and understanding the footprint of fashion is much more stylish than anything from a fast fashion brand.