Fast Fashion;Whats going on
Every time I log onto Tiktok, Instagram, or even my beloved Pinterest, I'm flooded with all the new fast fashion trends, and the microtrends that are not only causing impressionable people to waste money, but damage the environment. It's hard to tell what the bigger issue is, whether it's the fact that these trends are cheaply made, quickly established, and just as quick to go. Or maybe it's the increased consumerism and excessive spending on items that will just end up in a landfill. Why do the younger generations especially feel so compelled to feed into these trends, and how are we supposed to know what stores are safe to shop at?
Personally, when I hear “Fast-Fashion” I think of stores like Shein, Romwe, Forever 21, H&M, Fashion-nova, and Zara. But how can somebody really tell where they are shopping? It's impossibly hard to figure out if the newest trend is something timeless, that will stick, or if it's just another microtrend, that will blow past us within the month. Generally the best ways to tell, are just by looking around the store, and at the price tags on the garments. Clothing production takes a lot of work to be done ethically, it's a lot of human labor. When prices are shockingly low, it almost always means that corners are being cut, and somebody is not getting paid a livable wage. Stores selling fast fashion, almost always have tons of microtrends, examples of this being checkered print, chunky plastic rings, and almost anything that's part of the constant flow of meteoric popularity. To keep up with these fast moving trends, clothing stores have to pump out clothes so quickly. Stores like this are oftentimes going to have a TON of inventory, they are putting out new clothes at such a rapid rate, trying to beat the trends but oftentimes just can't keep up. Leaving themselves no option but to mark down items, and try again.
The fast fashion industry is said to be responsible for 8-10% of the world's carbon admission. Hearing this would make almost everybody want to vow to only shop 100% ethical brands, but this just isn't a realistic thing for the average American to do. It's impossible to say all, but most, and every ethical, eco friendly brand that i've come across, prices their clothes with outrageously high prices, that just aren't going to be in budget for most. The reasoning behind this being, these brands make an effort not to over produce. Rather, they make just enough to meet demand. Making products in small quantities. Making it harder for them to find factories, on top of paying every employee a fair wage with ample benefits, providing a safe working condition, they all ensure they are being environmentally responsible for their materials. Putting this much intention behind any business would call for a higher cost of production, therefore justifying the higher price tags.
So what are the young Americans, on a budget expected to do; where are they supposed to shop? For most it's an unrealistic expectation to exile fast fashion, and buy a pastor raised, hand made, alpaca wool sweater every winter. If everybody does their part, of shopping in vintage stores, repurposing, or handing down old clothes, and buying with intent this issue would be drastically changed. Saving hundreds of thousands of people from unsafe working conditions, and saving the environment from the fashion industry.
Plus- Who can even keep up with all these trends.
