Fast Fashion: What is it and what can you do?

What is fast fashion?

The term was coined by the NYT in an article responding to Zara opening new stores and aiming to get items from concept to consumer in 15 days or less. Clothes designed in this system also tend to be designed for around 7-10 wears, sometimes less. Fast fashion aims to create clothes that are appealing in microtrends and current consumer desires, but also be out of fashion quickly so that people are always coming back for more. 

Why is it bad? 

Fast fashion accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, and demand is only growing. UNEP says clothing production has doubled since the 00’s, with consumers buying 60% more clothing, and wearing them for less time. Because prices need to stay low in order for clothes to remain appealing to the mass market, child labor and unsafe factory conditions/sweatshops are commonly used. Out of the 75 million factory workers in fast fashion, only 2% make a living wage (George Washington University). Fast fashion production also heavily relies on fossil fuels, and factories can emit toxic byproducts. 

Sources used on this page

McDonald, Amaya, and Taylor Nicioli. “What Is Fast Fashion, and Why Is It so Controversial?” CNN, Cable News Network, 24 Nov. 2023, www.cnn.com/style/what-is-fast-fashion-sustainable-fashion/index.html.