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Is It Time To Jump Off The Fast Fashion Bandwagon?
Are you constantly jumping on the latest fashion trends? Do you buy new clothes every season only to throw them away within a year? If so, you could be a victim of fast fashion.
Fast fashion is a business model popularized by companies like H&M and Zara that involves taking the latest seasonal fashion trends and quickly (and often cheaply) producing clothing to imitate these trends. Many of us buy such clothing because it’s stylish and affordable, but such clothing can quickly go out of fashion and is typically not long-lasting. As a result such clothing is left to gather dust or is thrown away, quickly replaced by new clothing.
Abandoning fast fashion in favor of long-lasting, timeless clothing choices could have many benefits. Below are just some of the reasons to consider jumping off the fast fashion bandwagon.
Fast fashion is cheaper upfront, but more expensive in the long run
Fast fashion brands typically sell much cheaper clothing than slow fashion designer brands. However, this clothing is not designed to last as long, wearing more quickly due to its lower quality choice of materials. Because these brands embrace fads, such clothing is also more likely to go out of style more quickly.
You can save money in the long run by investing in clothing that is timeless in design and built to last. For example, when choosing menswear, look out for brands that use materials like mercerized cotton and embrace classic or distinct designs. These types of clothes may cost more upfront, but you’ll wear them more and won’t need to replace them as often.
Fast fashion isn’t good for the planet
Fast fashion encourages clothes to be thrown away at a faster rate. Many of these clothes are made of polyester and synthetic fibers, which are also not good for the environment.
Clothing that is made to last is less likely to be thrown away as soon and more likely to be donated and sold. Such clothing is also made from organic materials like cotton and linen, which is biodegradable and non-toxic.
Fast fashion often exploits workers
While not all fast fashion brands rely on cheap labor, many of these brands have been known to rely on this type of labor. Such clothes are often produced in factories abroad where workers can be paid a lower wage – often with few to no employee benefits.
Other designer brands may be more expensive, but this is often because they do not cut corners when it comes to labor and tend to pay workers more fairly.
Fast fashion does not encourage individuality
On a personal level, fast fashion also encourages people to simply follow trends rather than embrace their own style. People who follow fast fashion often become obsessed with fitting in and wearing what is currently ‘in’.
Breaking away from fast fashion can encourage individuality. Such people are typically happier because they wear what makes them feel comfortable and not just what is trendy. This post offers a few tips on how to find your look.
