The fast fashion industry is at an all time high in the current year of 2020. The fast fashion industry, which some may find subjective, is the fashion industry that “utilizes trend replication, rapid production, and low quality materials in order to bring inexpensive styles to the public” (The Good Trade). The fast fashion industry has taken a toll on society and its citizens, and is currently booming. The garment workers are not paid minimum wage and work in unfit conditions, also, the fast fashion industry is damaging the environment.
Firstly, the fast fashion industry is constructed of countless brands all across the world, but the most well known brands are Urban Outfitters, Fashion Nova, Zara, H&M, Adidas, and Shein (Minimalism Made Simple). All of these brands should be avoided for reasons that tie into the fast fashion industry, they either do not pay their garment workers nearly enough, use synthetic materials that are not sustainable in their product, or produce their products as cheaply as possible using harmful materials. There are ways to cut ties with fast fashion, the first is to go to your local thrift store before online shopping. Thrifting second hand items gives clothing new and a longer life, it will take longer for the item to end up in a landfill (Minimalism Made Simple). If you do not want to spend money, you can borrow or swap clothing items with a friend. This saves your money and prohibits you from fueling the fast fashion industry. If you are going to buy a new piece of clothing, examine the brand beforehand. Research how sustainable the brand is and if they are a fast fashion brand. The last and most simple and straightforward way to stop yourself from adding to fast fashion is to only buy clothing pieces you need. Make a pro con list of buying the clothing piece in question, how often will you wear it? Is it worth your money? Is the brand sustainable? If your answers are not often, no and they are a part of the fast fashion industry, try to thrift the item or buy it sustainably.
Secondly, the fast fashion industry takes an enormous toll on their garment workers. The workers are oftentimes not cared for, work long shifts, are exposed to chemicals that could potentially harm them, they are underpaid, and oftentimes abused (The Good Trade). In addition to the chemicals harming the garment workers, they also damage the environment. The fast fashion articles of clothing do not break down, therefore always emitting harmful chemicals into our oceans and hurting the land. The fast fashion industry is responsible for about 10% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions each year ( The Guardian). Dr Perry Patsy spoke on the fast fashion industry and its environmental effects, “The waste water is going out into freshwater streams and polluting the rivers that people are fishing from [and] living from.” This is one more example on how the fast fashion industry is affecting the environment and is causing changes.