The definition of fast-fashion is the mass production of cheaply produced apparel for the masses based on emerging seasonal trends. Fast-fashion is incredibly wasteful and harmful to the environment with the fashion industry contributing to 10% of total global carbon emissions and releasing 1.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year.
As big fashion labels and clothing brands are constantly staying up with the ever-changing seasonal trends, they are pumping out cheaply made clothing (80 billion new pieces a year) that more often then not, end up in landfills.
Fast-fashion requires outrageous amounts of water to quickly produce clothing and in turn, dumps polluted water into rivers and billions of microplastics (that take hundreds of years to biodegrade) into the ocean. This kind of production and waste is not sustainable, which is why as consumers, it’s important to get educated about fast-fashion and start making more responsible choices when shopping for clothing.
We the people must stop supporting irresponsible brands and companies and force them to change their ways by simply saying no. This puts major pressure on the fashion industry to evolve and begin making sustainable choices when it comes to producing clothing. If enough people change their ways, big brands will have to change theirs. Otherwise, they won’t stay in business.
Shopping second-hand is the fast-fashion solution. By choosing to thrift, you are ensuring the clothing that otherwise would be in the trash, lives on. You not only find unique treasures that you can’t find in stores today, but you can save money too. It’s a win-win for you and the planet. Now that’s more like it.
Thanks for reading and shopping thrift and vintage at Fishtoes. Happy thrifting!
Resources: TheGoodTrade.com | FashionChecker.org | Earth.org | Zippia.com | TheWorldCounts.com | Statista.com | PBS.org | TheFactShop.com | SustainYourStyle.com | TheGoodTrade.com