The True Cost of Fast Fashion

Cheap and trendy clothing pieces are finding their way into the markets very quickly. The harm they are causing to the fashion industry and the environment is concerning. Fast fashion brands are getting more and more popular and the harm it is causing might be hard to see. If you have no clue what we’re talking about, or fast fashion meaning, then let us explain. It is the practice of creating cheap clothing inspired by trendy runway fashion available at retail outlets and department stores. While everyone who loves women’s fashion can appreciate a bargain, let’s explore the true cost of it.

The True Cost of Fast Fashion Meaning

Fast fashion is an environmental killer because not only is it destroying the atmosphere with all the chemicals and fuels. Those harmful chemicals seep into the ground soil and the water near the factories. Fast fashion manufacturers use sweatshops to mass produce millions of garments yearly.

Cheap Labor and Pesticides

The laborers that make the fashion-forward garments are not even paid a minimum wage. They work round the clock to meet the increasing demand. The cotton used in the production of these clothes contains high levels of pesticides and insecticides. Which in turn harms the atmosphere severely.

Microplastics in the Ocean

The ocean fills up with microplastics used in the production of garments to keep this industry going and meet the demands of the customers! This kills marine life and thereby reducing our resources and harming the environment.

Chemical and Fumes– Air Pollution

Chemicals and fumes created by production are released into the atmosphere and create air toxins. The polluted air could cause diseases in people living near the factories and the workers who work there may develop lung diseases.

Production Waste

The toxic cherry on top is the waste produced by these factories. The waste is dumped into the ground or into the oceans, harming the natural soil and water reserves! There are links to climate change with an estimated 8-10% rise in global emissions.

List of Fast Fashion Brands– The Real Culprits

Most of the well-known and popular brands are fast fashion brands meaning it’s in most store. The biggest culprits in the market include:

TJMaxx

This fashion retailer is a giant in the fast fashion market and it produces trendy outfits in mass and makes them available at super affordable prices to make the most out of the newest trends.

H&M

H&M is another popular fast fashion brand that is just the place for teenagers these days! It’s swarming with the newest trends and a plethora of variety in clothes, H&M derives most of its revenue by selling catwalk trends at reasonable prices.

Other Fast Fashion Brands

Apart from these market leaders, Zara, Fashion Nova, ASOS, and Shein are some examples of fashion brands that are benefitting from the quick inflow of the newest trends!

Pros of Fast Fashion

• It is fast earning for manufacturers and retailers. This trend is in such demand, retailers and producers can profit from high sales.
• It is quick. Fast fashion makes the latest trends available to customers fast.
• Everyone can dress in the latest trends. Not just those who are wealthy or have a large shopping budget.

Cons of Fast Fashion

• Cheap labor and materials– not paying even the minimum wage to hard-working workers is one of the bad sides.
• Intellectual property theft is rampant. These mass producers get their ideas and designs from high-end brands and catwalks, not by the original design. The companies steal the intellectual property of these brands without their consent.
• Harm to the environment– all the production processes and waste materials cause all kinds of pollution to the environment!