By: Bernice Deng
You might have heard of fast fashion everywhere. However, what is it? “Fast fashion” is a buzz phrase but what does it mean? Fast Fashion is the design, manufacturing, and marketing method that aims to produce large quantities of garments quickly. The phrase is usually used negatively or in a harmful way.
Fast Fashion creates the framework of buying new styles and “trends” in the market as fast as possible, however, these clothes get misplaced within a few wears. This results in horrible human, environmental, and animal impacts.
Due to Fast Fashion production, these cheaply made products have resulted in harmful impacts on the environment and those who create the clothing. Let’s take a closer look at some of the fast fashion facts:
Creating one pair of jeans releases the same amount of CO2 as driving a car 50 miles!
Most garment workers work 60-70 hour weeks with a take-home pay of about 300 dollars.
In Bangladesh in 2013, over 1,100 people were killed due to a collapsed building. (This shows the lack of safety!)
Singaporeans throw away around 27 kg of clothes every year. Some are even BRAND NEW!
There are many instances where you can take part and help with this problem. Instead of buying Fast Fashion Brands (Zara, H&M Group, UNIQLO, GAP, Forever 21), try buying more sustainable brands! These may include Pact, Kotn, VETTA, Quince, Sézane, Reformation, Made Trade, and more.
Instead of buying new clothes, try thrifting or wearing the clothes again. Another option is to shop locally. This way, your clothing doesn’t have to travel overseas. Another way is to look for sustainable materials or shops. Sustainable Materials may include Recycled and organic cotton, Organic Hemp, Organic Linen, Organic Bamboo, and more.
Next time when you shop, look carefully before you buy. Ask yourself these questions:
Am I going to wear this multiple times?
What material is this clothing made of?
Is there a reason why this piece of clothing is so cheap? Is anyone across the globe getting impacted by this?
I also want you to take away the situations other people may be in. If you were in someone else’s shoes, someone in a rural area in particular, fast fashion may be the only option because it would be the only clothing that is affordable and accessible to them. Don’t urge one another if not given their circumstances, especially when their only option is to use fast fashion clothing.
Fashion is always changing these days and it’s easy to fall into the Fast Fashion trap! I hope you learned something about this urging topic and be sure to follow @girlscanfinance on Instagram if you haven’t already! Thank you! :)
“Fast fashion isn’t free. Someone, somewhere is paying.” — LUCY SIEGLE
Source:
Stanton, Audrey. “What Does Fast Fashion Mean, Anyway?” The Good Trade, The Good Trade, 2 Jan. 2023, https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-is-fast-fashion.
“What Is Fast Fashion and Why Is It so Bad?” Good On You, 20 Jan. 2023, https://goodonyou.eco/what-is-fast-fashion/.