Introduction
One word that has gained a lot of momentum in recent years, especially in the fashion industry, is "sustainability and sustainable practices." Fast fashion, a trend whereby companies literally churn out clothes that are heavily influenced by the latest fashion trends, cheaply made, and just as swiftly thrown out, has been all the rage, causing major environmental degradation and social injustices. Yet, where there is a will, there is a way, and with growing awareness comes ascending demand for sustainable fashion alternatives. Let's discover how fast fashion impacts us and some rockin' eco-friendly options.
The Dark Side of Fast Fashion
Fast fashion has forever changed the nature of shopping and given the entire world trendiness at pocket-friendly prices. This convenience, however, comes with a high cost to the planet and the people.
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of fast fashion is mind-numbing. The fashion industry is responsible for producing 10% of global carbon emissions, exceeding both aviation and shipping. The manufacture of synthetic fibres, especially polyester, as one of the most common fibres in fast fashion, is dependent on fossil fuels, and the processing alone has extremely high emissions of greenhouse gases. Moreover, the dyeing and treatment of fabrics use toxic chemicals that end up polluting water bodies.
Waste Generation
Fast fashion creates a throwaway culture, meaning clothes are changed after a few wearing. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw away approximately 12.8 million tons of textiles each year, with most of this waste going to landfills, where it can take hundreds of years for textiles to decompose. This problem is also greatly inflated since fast fashion garments have an extremely short life span, often made from low-quality materials that wear easily.
Social Impact
Concerns for the sector also include the poor working conditions and low wages that garment workers face, as most quick fashion brands outsource their production to countries with lax labour laws. For example, the Rana Plaza disaster, which occurred in Bangladesh in 2013, highlighted dangerous working conditions in factories caused by collapses and fires.
Sustainable Fashion Alternatives
Yes, as the adverse effects of fast fashion are exposed, this can serve as a starting point for both consumers and designers to delve into new and sustainable fashion. Below are key practices and the brands leading the way in sustainable fashion.
Ethical Brands
Many brands are now turning towards the ideology of ethical production. Surprisingly, Patagonia is an environmentally conscious product world-famous for labour equality. This company matches fibres and other available materials that are used and promotes the repairing and reusing of garments instead of throwing them. Another world-famous brand is Eileen Fisher, which focuses on simple styling, longevity, and ethical sourcing.
Slow Fashion
The slow fashion movement is geared towards mindful consumption with the approach of buying a few pieces of better quality that would ideally last for longer. Brands like People Tree and Everlane have centered their marketing around transparency and sustainability within their supply chains. Customers buying into slow fashion encourage fewer quantities of environmental impact and labour.
Second-hand and Vintage
Another stronger way to fight the negative impacts of fast fashion is to look at second-hand or vintage clothing. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online platforms such as Depop and ThredUp offer a plethora of preloved clothing options, which not only divert waste from landfills but expand the lifecycle of garments.
Sustainable Materials
Opt for eco-friendly clothing: Organic cotton is grown without the use of harmful pesticides and also involves significantly less water in the growing process than non-organic cotton. Brands that are more organic cotton-specific include Pact and Organic Basics. One can also buy other material clothing, such as Tencel, a material derived from the pulp of wood from responsibly managed forests, and materials obtained from recycling.
DIY and upcycling bring a fresh lease of life to old garments. Small alterations or the addition of embellishments can sometimes give an out-of-date piece a completely new, unique, trendy outfit. Many online tutorials and workshops will help guide a beginner in upcycling their wardrobe.
Conclusion
Quick fashion leaves a pretty big mark on both our environment and society, but there's hope for a greener, more ethical future as sustainable fashion gains more and more attention. Everyone makes a difference when they support ethical brands, adopt the slow fashion stance, buy second-hand, choose sustainable materials, and even DIY a little.
Let's remember to be aware and make efforts towards pursuing sustainability and sustainable practices in our fashion choices.