Kendall Perez
Currently there are many places that push fast fashion, which promotes low quality clothing for a cheaper price that follows trends. The brands that are most known for their fast fashion are Forever 21 and Zara. Both companies promote fast and cheaply made products that are in style but are also harming the planet. In theory, this is a great idea because a person can change their wardrobe as the trends change without breaking the bank. When looking at the environmental effects of fast fashion, the toll it takes on our planet does not seem worth the slightly smaller price tag.
Fast fashion can be defined as inexpensive clothes that are mass-produced and stay up with the latest trends. In order to produce the massive amounts of clothing, places that produce fast fashion need large factories, which are terrible for the environment. The factories that fast fashion companies use are not the only environmental drawbacks to this issue. Aside from factories, fast fashion has caused an increase in textile waste, an increase in water pollution, and an increase in the use of toxic chemicals to produce the clothing. According to an article found on independent.co.uk, polyester is one of the most popular fabrics that is used in fast fashion. While this does not seem like it has much relevance, when washing polyester in washing machines, they shed plastic microfibers. These fibers are so small that they can pass through the sewage and end up in the water. While fast fashion seems like a seemingly un-harmful way to stay current with trends and save a few bucks, the impact it has on the environment could make it .
An eco-friendlier way to shop is at places that promote slow fashion. Slow fashion is a way to buy high quality clothing that is also good for the environment. Slow fashion is defined as clothing that is produced in a clean environment and is made with good quality fabrics and supplies. Some fabrics that are used a lot in slow fashion are linen, organic cotton and hemp fibers (Sustainable Fabrics). Slow fashion is a part of the “slow movement” which advocates for cleaner and better quality items. Not only does slow fashion promote ethical working conditions, it also promotes and encourages more sustainable practices to produce fashion items (Slow Fashion). While the price for some of the clothing may seem higher in brands that are slow fashion, the clothing lasts longer and is also much better for the environment. The fabric that companies use is high quality and sustainable as opposed to the more inexpensive fabrics and textiles used in fast fashion. Some slow fashion brands that are well known are Levi’s and Madewell. Both of these brands participate in making higher quality and more environmentally friendly clothing options. While the price of the clothing might be higher, the quality and the smaller environmental toll make them a better investment. Most fast fashion brand’s clothing usually lasts for a couple of months if they are not worn on a regular basis, but when a person buys items of clothing that are higher quality, the clothing lasts longer and they are able to wear the clothing more frequently. On top of this, they do not have to constantly buy new clothes. While there might seem to be nothing wrong with fast fashion to the blind eye, if you were to look into the actual effects and cost of producing these items you would see that it is not worth it.