The towering pile of clothes in your closet including the shirt that you purchased this week for $9.99 are all horror signs of fast moving fashion.
Statistics reveal that the average American family spends $1,700 on clothes annually.
Clothing that used to be more of necessity has now turned into a deadly addiction called “shopping.” We prefer taking a stroll at the mall and grab every clothing item we get hands on without realizing that we are actively pushing brands to introduce new products to only fuel our addiction. Sadly our spending habits are contributing towards the fast moving fashion culture.
The Birth of Micro ‘Fashion’ Seasons
Fast moving fashion has given birth to more than fifty “micro-seasons” as opposed to the two seasons that the previous generations knew about.
With brands like Zara, H&M, and GAP all focusing on introducing fashion pieces that supersede designs that were perhaps released last week – we are victims of the fast moving fashion crisis. While our upcoming generation is more conscious about the environment than the previous generations, they appear to be lacking valuable knowledge on how fast fashion is adversely affecting their lives as well as the environment.
Understanding fast moving fashion:
Fast moving fashion is a secretive move by the fashion industry to introduce new products for the consumers to feed on continually. Without caring about how excessive production of clothing is destroying our mother Earth, the fashion industry focuses on maximizing their profits with the help of fast moving fashion.
So, how is fast moving fashion bad for us?
Fast moving fashion means that there will always be a bulk of un-worn and out-of-date clothing that no one wishes to wear because it is “outdated or so last season.” These clothing items are found in warehouses and prove to be very toxic to our environment.
Take polyester, for example, which happens to be the most preferred fabric for athletic clothing items. You need to understand that fossil fuels are required to produce a polyester fabric, and the carbon footprint of this material exceeds the carbon footprint of cotton by up to three times.
What’s worse is that fast moving fashion constitutes cheap, and easily exploited labor. Individuals, even children from developing nations such as Pakistan, Vietnam, and Bangladesh are hired by retail giants at low rates and are forced to work under harsh conditions.
How You Can Fight Fast Fashion Crisis
Wonder how you can fight trends that promote the fast-moving fashion crisis?
Here are five easy ways you can help:
- Take Action
Accepting that fast moving fashion is becoming a crisis is one thing. However, taking the initiative to bring about change is another story. Save yourself from falling into the fast-fashion trap by taking measures such as limiting the amount you spend on seasonal and trendy items. Instead focus on buying things that fulfill your necessities and could last a lifetime.
- Change your purchasing habits
The answer to spending less is not using discount or coupons. You have to shop less. That’s right. The easiest way to fight the fast fashion crisis is by not buying into it (literally). Buy less, narrow down your wardrobe to only the items that you absolutely need and love.
- Make complete use of all fabric near you
Down-cycle your unwearable clothing items by using them around the house. An old t-shirt can make a perfect cleaning cloth for your kitchen and is an excellent way to keep items out of the landfills.
- Shop from small businesses
Turn to your local artists when looking to purchase necessary clothing items. Not only will these local designers ensure that all your clothing needs and requirements are looked after, but would also help you select durable clothing.
- Give away an item, every time you buy one
Every time you purchase something new, we suggest that you pass one item from your closet to those near and dear to you. In case you don’t have a sister/brother that shares the same size as you, you can always look for the nearest charity shop in your area and donate your old clothing to those in need.
Guest Post by Carla Adams
