With the rapid rise of micro-trends on social media, many people find themselves turning to fast fashion to keep up. Fast fashion, a term coined to describe the mass production of inexpensive clothing, has become a global phenomenon. Fueled largely by social media influencers, the trend of posting "hauls" has further entrenched the culture of overconsumption, with many influencers buying hundreds of dollars of items and discarding most of them after only one or two photos. Since 2000, clothing sales have doubled from 100 to 200 billion units a year but the average number of times an item is worn has decreased by 36% (Mulhern). The average American consumer purchases 68 items of clothing per year, the majority of them made from synthetic materials that are non-biodegradable, and more than half of those items are discarded after just seven wears. By 2030, it is estimated that over 134 million tons of clothes will be discarded yearly (Green America). Along with its catastrophic environmental impacts, fast fashion has been criticized for its negative impact on women.
The fast fashion industry is notorious for its cruel treatment of female workers. Women are often the primary factory workers, often working long hours for low wages, and are often subjected to exploitation and unfair labor practices. According to Fashion Revolution, it is estimated that up to 90% of the fashion industry's garment workers in some countries are women. Moreover, fast fashion's production process often involves the use of toxic chemicals and has been linked to health problems such as reproductive disorders, respiratory problems, and skin irritation in female factory workers. A 2017 study showed that pregnant Bangladeshi workers in several factories “felt coerced to meet excessive production requirements in order to avoid losing their jobs due to pregnancy.” Their stress and anxiety led to hypertensive disorders, a leading cause of maternal deaths (Akhter, Rutherford, Chu).
Additionally, there's a growing concern in the fashion industry about gender bias in clothing design and quality. Women's clothing, particularly clothing marketed to younger women, is often lower quality than men's clothing, leading to premature wear and tear. This is often done to incentivize women to purchase new items more frequently, as well as keep up with the ever-changing fashion trends, contributing to the fast fashion cycle. This means “using cheaper, synthetic materials, as well as making clothes in places where wages are low and the manufacturing process is unsophisticated” (Ngo). In contrast, men's clothing is often made with higher quality materials and designed to last longer, encouraging men to hang on to their belongings and delay purchasing new items.
Fortunately, there are many ways one can go about fighting fast fashion. One solution is shopping from sustainable brands that prioritize ethical production practices, fair labor standards, and environmental sustainability. These brands often use responsibly sourced materials, support fair labor practices, and reduce waste by encouraging consumers to care for and repair their clothing. Another option is thrifting and purchasing second-hand clothing, which has also risen in popularity in recent years. Although the rapid skyrocketing in popularity of thrifting has unfortunately caused increases in prices, the clothing generally still remains relatively affordable compared to buying brand new (Hanbury).
Still, it's true that for many people, fast fashion remains the most affordable and available option, given their financial situation. But alternative approaches, such as sewing, embroidery, and crochet, can help reduce the negative impact of fast fashion by reusing old textiles and secondhand materials that would otherwise be discarded, while also providing an opportunity for creativity and self-expression. In fact, about 80% of discarded fabric is still usable (Aus). This means that instead of throwing old clothes away, first consider what else they could be used for. For example, with a bit of cutting, sewing, and innovation, an old t-shirt can be repurposed as a reusable produce bag, a pillow case, or even a floral hair accessory. (Atkinson).
Finally, embracing minimalism is an ideal way to combat fast fashion. In doing so, we can learn to prioritize function, durability, and quality rather than excess and trendiness. With less clutter in our closets, we're able to appreciate what we do own and use it more often. It also helps us to consume less and create less waste, supporting environmentally friendly fashion choices.
While transitioning away from fast fashion may require a large shift in mindset and lifestyle choices, it can make a positive impact on the fashion industry, the environment, and society. It's up to us as individuals and a collective community to drive change and prioritize sustainability in our fashion choices.
Written by: an anonymous Like A Girl staff writer
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Image: © Zabed Hasnain Chowdhury/LightRocket/Getty
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