Effects of Fast Fashion

Effects of Fast Fashion

Written by: Danya Almoghrabi

Fast fashion is a controversial world-wide business. There are many fast fashion brands like Forever 21, Zara, H&M, etc. Basically, they are clothing companies that renew their clothing very quickly, specifically every one or two weeks. They lower their clothing prices by using cheaper material in order to create more products and sales. Although it may seem like fast fashion is an irrelevant topic, it has many negative externalities towards the economy and the environment. People should stop or reduce their purchases of fast fashion clothing in order to  improve our economy and environment.

       Fast Fashion Brands

Many costs are put into the fast fashion industry. With more products being made and more technology being used, they cause pollution that negatively affects the environment we are living in. According to EcoWatch, “The clothing industry is the second largest polluter in the world ... second only to oil”. This proves how bad fast fashion companies really are. These companies create what is called “sweatshops” that consist of underpaid workers, usually oversees, that are put to work in harsh conditions for people to wear. Many consumers are unaware of how poorly these workers are being treated.

Example of a Sweatshop

Additionally, there are economical disadvantages of shopping at fast fashion stores. Although “Americans carry over $800 billion in credit card debt”, many continue to regularly shop, increasing that debt even more. Brands like Zara earn a yearly revenue of about 19.7 billion which only a small fraction goes to their workers producing the clothes (Josephson).

Think about where your clothing is from and how it was made. Almost everyone is a contributor to fast fashion companies. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the real costs of fast fashion. One solution is to thrift shop instead of shop at fast fashion stores. This reduces waste of unworn clothing. Another solution is to buy designer items. Although this may be unrealistic for many, buying fewer, well-made items last much longer than cheaply-made clothing.

Waste Produced by the Fast Fashion Industry

The clothing supply of fast fashion companies is very high compared to designer brands which produces much more waste. The demand for the fast fashion clothing should decrease, while the demand for thrifted and designer items should increase to improve our economy and environment. Consumers need to rethink their opportunity costs and educate themselves on this topic in order to lessen the negative externalities of this industry.

Josephson, Amelia. "The Economics of Fast Fashion." SmartAsset. N.p., 27 Nov. 2015. Web. 08 Jan. 2017.

EWContributor. "Fast Fashion Is the Second Dirtiest Industry in the World, Next to Big Oil." EcoWatch. N.p., 02 Oct. 2016. Web. 08 Jan. 2017.

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