Fast Fashion
Fast fashion is clothes that are made quickly so that they are with the trends. Fast fashion is also inexpensive. Fast fashion seems like a good thing because the clothes are pretty cheap, but it’s not a good thing. The workers that work in the sweatshops work in awful conditions and don’t make nearly enough money. Also Fast Fashion is bad for the environment, the factories and wasted clothes hurt the earth.
Fast fashion is something that shouldn’t be supported. The workers that make the clothes for these fast fashion companies and sweatshops are working in terrible conditions. A lot of the workers are also children. Labour Behind the Label says that “these workers work around 10-14 hours every day, and are forced to work overtime.” If they refuse to work overtime, they will be fired. Workers have to continue to work even while they are hurt. If the workers get hurt, they have to work through the pain or they will be fired. Many workers die while working in the sweatshops because there are no emergency doors. The windows and other doors get locked. The factories they work in are also not designed for the equipment they use, so the factories often collapse with the workers inside. To make matters worse, the factories are pretty warm and the workers can’t have food or drinks. They are even restricted from using the restroom while working. Workers are making less than minimum wage. The business is the only one really making money.
Not only is fast fashion bad for the workers who make the clothes, but it is also bad for the environment. A lot of the materials get thrown away and end up in landfills or the ocean. Morgan McFall-Johnson, from Business Insider, said that “85% of all textiles go to the dump each year.” The factories also pollute the air. Dana Thomas, from The New York Times, said that the fabrics are driving from fossil fuels, so it won’t decay in a landfill.
There are many brands that support fast fashion, but there's quite a bit that doesn’t. Here are some stores that you should try to avoid because they support fast fashion; Urban Outfitters, Victoria Secret, Guess, Fashion Nova, Boohoo, GAP, H&M, Zara, Forever 21, Rue 21, Shein, Hottopic, Hollister, and more. Here are some sustainable clothing brands: Levi’s, Patagonia, Vera Bradley, Columbia, Athleta, and more. Buying sustainable clothing can be a little more on the pricey side, but in the long run, it’s worth it. Sustainable clothing will last longer because it is made better. Thrifting is also a good way to not support fast fashion, help the environment, and get inexpensive clothes.
There are a few pretty significant issues with fast fashion. The effects on the earth from the sweatshops and fast fashion are horrible. The unsafe and long hours at the sweatshops need to be fixed. It’s not right for the children and people to work in those awful conditions, especially to not make enough money. I recommend spending a little extra money and buying sustainable clothing, or go thrift shopping.
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