Fast fashion: you may have heard the term in passing, but it’s become a growing issue all over the world. Fast fashion is defined as clothing that is mass produced in an inexpensive and quick manner in order to keep up with changes in fashion trends. Fast fashion hurts both the environment and the people in countries producing these clothes, but it isn’t completely hopeless. Although consumerism has become ridiculously inflated over the past few years, there are ways we can all reduce our contribution to the fast fashion industry.

 

Only Get Necessities

 

This is definitely one of the hardest things to do, especially in a world that praises extreme consumerism. In reality, you have to come to terms with yourself. Do you really need that brand new, stylish coat? Will you wear it next season, or the season after that? If you plan on getting something that you probably won’t wear again, it might be best to skip it in order to limit your support of the fast fashion industry.

 

Buy Sustainable Clothing

 

If you do want or need some new clothes for the season, there are several companies that use ethical means to produce clothing. Their selections are often limited and their prices heftier, but their clothing isn’t mass-produced. Everlane is possibly the most famous sustainable company and they have everything from jeans to sweaters and coats to shoes. Able, Pact, and Alternative Apparel are also good options, as they’re cheaper than many ethical clothing companies tend to be.

 

Thrift

 

If you’re looking at the prices of the ethical companies listed above and freaking out about how high they are, don’t worry! Thrifting is maybe one of the best ways to limit your support of the fast fashion industry. Not only are you not purchasing anything new, but thrifting is essentially the same thing as recycling. Older clothing is being repurchased as if it’s something new which helps save waste. Plus, thrifting is cheaper than purchasing clothing at a store. Because items are often used, shirts that go for $15 or $20 are often marked down to $5 or $10 dollars.

With Forever 21, one of the leading companies in fast fashion, closing over 100 stores to bankruptcy, I think it’s not only possible but necessary to continue destroying fast fashion companies by refusing to support them. Of course, no one is perfect, and sometimes supporting companies like this is unavoidable, but even trying to thrift more often can make a world of a difference.

About The Author

-- Senior | Emeritus Vine Editor -- Film,Television and Media Arts

-- Emeritus Vine Editor -- Film,Television and Media Arts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.