The pitfalls of Fast Fashion
Mesh pullovers, knitted tube tops and faux-tweed miniskirts itch against the body like sandpaper, the artificial smell of plastic wool as strong as cologne. Finding a comfortable fit seems hopeless, as tags that are exempt from reading “100% polyester” are few and far between. Fast Fashion in this day and age is impossible not to consume, and to own a garment of truly “good quality” and of ethical production is unlikely. Many that strive to find affordable closet staples that are sourced ethically often find little to no success. With the inescapability of Fast Fashion now, is there a truly ethical way to find the perfect fit?
A fast background on Fast Fashion
Fast Fashion is “an approach to the design, creation, and marketing of clothing fashions that emphasizes making fashion trends quickly and cheaply available to consumers,” according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. While the concept doesn’t sound terrible at first, deeper research into the ethics behind many Fast Fashion companies suggests otherwise: polluted waterways, poor working conditions and excess CO2 emissions. According to Earth.org author Rashmila Maiti, 35% of all microplastics found in the ocean can be attributed to the amount that polyester emits, a material commonly used in Fast Fashion.
In a report conducted by the United States’ Department of Labor, an investigation conducted in southern California concluded that 80% of contractors in the region’s garment industry were violating both minimum wage and overtime laws of their employees. With this in mind, the ethics of the Fast Fashion industry are questionable. What is equally as questionable is the reason why Fast Fashion has become a staple in most wardrobes.
Cheap thrills and low-priced steals
Easy accessibility makes Fast Fashion so prominent in everyday lifestyle. As of 2023, 40% of consumers in the U.S. purchased from Shein and Temu, both pillars of the Fast Fashion industry. Accessing clothing that is in style and inexpensive with a quick push of a button is a fantastical reality, despite its poor impact on ecosystems and populations.
In an unending cycle of production, Fast Fashion retailers have created “micro-seasons” within their rotation of clothing to promote and sell more merchandise. Traditionally, the seasonal rotation of clothing runs on a fall/winter season from July to December and a spring/summer season from January to June. Fast Fashion has disrupted the system in order to market more disposable clothing and motivating the desire of many to stay within the rapid trend-cycle. Recently, up to 92 million tons of discarded clothing are found in landfills each year.
Solutions and slowing down
With an industry so harmful and oversaturated, the “slow fashion” movement serves to advocate for the environmental sustainability of clothing and the rights of employees producing them. In an explainer about slow fashion, Francine Vito philosophizes that the “slow fashion” movement includes providing living wages, producing clothing in small batches and using natural fibers or recycled fabrics. “Slow fashion” companies that have been met with great success include Patagonia, Reformation and Amour Vert, each exemplifying the idea that quality should not be abandoned for the sake of demand.
Graphic gallery by Shannon Cusack. Cusack is a high schooler producing content as a part of The Stanford Daily’s 2025 High School Multimedia Workshop.