By Meghan Javier, Staff Writer | December 14, 2022
Photo courtesy of Meghan Javier
Fast fashion is quick, easy, and trendy which is why it’s so popular, especially among younger
generations. Additionally, trends come and go and the fashion industry is trying desperately to keep up. Because of the new economy, fast fashion has been at an all-time high.
Though fast fashion is easy and convenient participants don’t understand the consequences or the negative effects of fast fashion.
Fashion trends first picked up and changed at lightning speed during the 1960's. And because of this quick and consistent change in brand popularity, fashion has had to keep up in order to make a profit.
According to the article “What Is Fast Fashion and Why Is It So Bad?” by Solene Rauturier,
fashion from previous years consisted of raising sheep to gather wool in the summer to make
clothes. Later in the century, the sewing machine was invented which lowered the cost of
clothing considering its ability to make clothes faster than hand-sewn items or knitted clothing. Now, your favorite brands are hiring immigrant workers on low wages and minimal rights factories to create clothes that practically cost nothing.
Yet, it is imperative to consider that fast fashion pollutes the planet severely because the goal is to be fast and cheap. Environment-safe clothing does not matter when the demand is high.
According to “Fashion History Lesson: The Origins of Fast Fashion” by Sara Indcavage, toxic
textile dyes are used to make the bright and vivid colors we see in shops, malls, and boutiques. This toxic dye is the result of the pollution of clean water. Furthermore, fabrics such as polyester are a key part of why global warming is at its all-time high. In accordance to the Indcavage’s article, other materials like cotton and leather put our green environment and our animals at risk. Indcavage reports that it is estimated that 300kg of chemicals is added to every 900kg of animal hides tanned.
Besides the environmental cost of fast fashion, there are consequences that real people have to face. The clothes that we wear today are being made in mass production by immigrant workers who work for loose change. Additionally, the factory working environment can be dangerous and cause injuries their low wages cannot pay and that lack credible insurance that would assist.
To think about it deeply, many people are putting their lives and health on the line for clothes that will be out of season in a month.
According to a 100-student poll conducted at Carson High School, 74.84% of students
participate in fast fashion! Over half of the participants purchase fashion that is detrimental to the environment and to humans.
Of course, there are two sides to the story, so it is good to hear from fast fashion’s top
consumers.
“I never really thought about how fast fashion negatively affects the planet or the people around us. I always [think] about the good things about fast fashion like how cheap it is, especially for people our age,” said Carson High School senior Garcelle Galeon. “It makes it easier for us to buy a lot of clothes for an affordable price. I also think about people who aren’t as fortunate to buy expensive clothes. At least fast fashion allows them to buy nice clothes for an affordable.”
Hesha Jaranilla Some fans simply love fashion and the convenience that fast fashion brings to others.
“I really enjoy dressing up and buying cute clothes that make me feel good. Shopping is
more feels more like a hobby now because it’s satisfying getting good deals and [taking] home something I love,” said CHS senior Hesha Jaranilla. “I do want to address the negative effects of fast fashion which is why I thrift a lot and try to buy clothes second-hand to minimize waste. Also, if I ever [get tired of my] I usually sell or give them away instead of throwing them away. I think you can upcycle anything which is why I try my best to not let the clothes I buy go to waste.”
It is doubtful that fast fashion will slow down anytime soon because of its convenience and
affordability. But, let’s hope to limit the harmful effects of fast fashion by buying and shopping second-hand and finding ways to upcycle clothing so it doesn’t go to waste.
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