The Planet is Dying – but Cutting Back on Fast Fashion Could Slow its Demise [OPINION]

There’s no denying it: climate change is happening. Avoiding plastic bags, skipping plastic straws and participating in Meatless Mondays are all great ways to lessen your carbon footprint. There’s another switch you can make in your life that would make Greta Thunberg proud: avoiding fast fashion.

Fast fashion retailers produce inexpensive, trendy clothing in mass quantities in response to the latest fashion crazes. A few fast fashion retailers you may be familiar with include Forever 21, H&M, Zara, Boohoo and Fashion Nova. There are some less expected culprits, too, including GAP, TopShop and Target.  

If you’re a broke college student, you’ve probably shopped at these stores once or twice – or many times. Hey, I’m not judging you – but I encourage you to consider these sobering statistics. According to Vox, apparel and footwear production currently makes up 8.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. That’s as much as the total climate impact of the entire European Union. The New York Times says more than 60 percent of fabric fibers are now synthetics. These materials are derived from fossil fuels – meaning they won’t decay like natural fibers. The $2.5 trillion fashion industry is the second largest user of water globally. In the U.S. alone, 13 trillion tons of clothes wind up in landfills each year, leading to soil and groundwater pollution.

Ouch.

Fast fashion chains may be the most affordable options for many people, but cost shouldn’t be the only factor when shopping for new clothes. ASure, a trendy dress from Forever21 may only cost $20 – but it may not even make it through the washer and drier without completely warping. (Trust me, I’ve been there.) The old phrase “You get what you pay for” most definitely applies to fast fashion. A $5 t-shirt may only cost $5 upfront, but you’re essentially throwing money away when you spend it on clothing items that won’t last longer than a few months – or even weeks.

Aside from poor quality, these massive chains rely on a massive overseas workforce. As of 2018, the average monthly wage for a garment worker in Bangladesh is $64 USD. There have also been many major garment factory accidents. In 2013, 1,136 people were killed when the Rana Plaza collapsed in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Association of Foreign Affairs explains that the incident “exposed poor safety standards and regulation and raised questions over the responsibilities of the big retail brands given their push to keep prices low as possible in an era of fast fashion.”  

The bad news is fast fashion is not a sustainable option for consumers. The good news is there are plenty of ways to avoid fast fashion. Many companies are now pivoting to “slow fashion.” Everlane, Reformation and Patagonia are a few brands who are committed to global sustainability and fair labor practices. They’re also very en vogue, popular with Instagram influencers and NYC fashion girls alike.

The downside of these brands is they tend to be more expensive – meaning consumers have to pay a higher price to be both sustainable and chic. If you can afford to spend a little more on clothes, that’s great – you can invest in high-quality pieces that are likely to last for years instead wasting your money on mesh crop tops that will rip after the first wear.  

Get ready to pop some tags, because secondhand shopping has never been cooler. Stores like Goodwill, Value Village and the Salvation Army are packed wall to wall with used clothing items that are ready for their second, third or fourth life. The prices are low – we’re talking $5 or less per piece – and the process feels like the ultimate treasure hunt. Hello, gently used Ralph Lauren blazer!

If you prefer a more curated selection of used clothing, you’re in luck. Reselling apps like Poshmark, Depop, eBay and thredUP are great places to start. Shoppers can easily search by brand, size and style to find their perfect garment at a great price. In fact, one report from Fortune says the resale market is taking over fast fashion, growing 21 times faster than the traditional retail market.

Even though the fast fashion market seems more saturated than ever, there’s evidence proving that many consumers are already jumping ship. On September 30, it was announced that Forever 21 is filing for bankruptcy and will be closing up to 178 stores in the United States alone. Fashionistas may finally be realizing that fast fashion isn’t worth their time or money – and there are plenty of other options available.  

Next time you’re shopping at the mall or surfing the web for the latest trends, remember where your fast fashion finds are coming from. Though the clothes may be inexpensive, they have a much greater cost.