Four Ways to Take Down Fast Fashion and Save the World

Let’s take a break from talking about what we’re putting inside of our bodies, to discuss what we’re throwing on the outside. Fashion: you either care, or you don’t. But whether you’re Sarah Jessica Parkering around the streets of New York City in tulle dresses and sky-high stilettos or making your way downtown in your softest sweats and most supportive sneakers, we all share a responsibility to help keep our planet alive. And boy oh boy is it not going well.

We’ve let fast fashion take almost entirely over, especially for the very large, perpetually-growing middle class. “Fast” fashion refers to the extremely disposable, cheaply-made clothing that is intended for short-term wear. To keep you ballin’ on a budget while sporting the hottest, most recent trends at all times. Most fast fashion fabrics are synthetics; ultimately plastic that sits in landfills for upwards of 200 years. It’s really, really bad.

“Sustainable”, or “ethical” fashion exists! It’s an entire movement meant to combat its evil twin. We just need to make sure that it does. Here’s how:

Hit Up the Thrift Shops

The most eco-friendly items are the ones that are already made — the more we all buy used, the less of a demand there will be for new. That’s energy and resources saved right off the bat. The best part is: the 90s are back full-swing, and vintage items have all of the clout right now. Take advantage of that.

Discover the Good Guys

Familiarize yourself with the Earth-friendly brands. While sustainable fashion carries with it a price tag slightly higher than fast fashion, it is still extremely affordable due to the fact that recycled goods are always cheaper than brand new. Additionally, buying sustainable means longer wear, so in the long run, it does actually prove to be cheaper. Check out Reformation, Levi’s, Athleta, Patagonia, and a few others. If your own favorite eco-conscious brands aren’t on this list, please feel free to mention them in the comments. This is a never-ending journey of discovery!

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Unsubscribe from emailing lists from the bad guys (this list begins with 5 of the worst culprits, then ends with 5 eco-friendly favorites. Replace your current subscriptions with the latter!). The “flash” sales are part of fast fashion brands’ essence — 30–80% off sales make it very hard to say no. I’ll give you a hint: if you don’t see it, you can’t be tempted. I’ll give you another hint: it’s always 30% off. The 80% off is just the stuff nobody wanted, in the bottom of the sale section. 80% off is still probably 10% more than it cost to make said garment. You’re getting played every which way. Don’t play yourself.

Support New Technologies

Wholesome geniuses around the world are working on different ways to make textiles out of food waste. Two women in Sicily have been working on fiber made from citrus waste. Isaac Nichelson founded a startup called Circular Systems that focuses on turning agricultural waste into textiles, textile scraps into new fibers and is currently working on a way to spin both food waste and textile waste into a new moisture-wicking yarn. A startup in New Jersey called Modern Meadow is developing a lab-grown leather. Stay on top of new developments by subscribing to Google Alerts and support them as they make their way into mainstream consumption.

While fast fashion is everywhere, in your face, and almost addicting in nature, it is important to step back and understand the bigger picture. These unsustainable fashion companies are destroying the earth, endangering lives (we’ve created these supply chains that put profit over human welfare, and people are dying), and creating more waste than we know what to do with. Please do your best not to support them. Love you.

sources:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40584274/food-waste-is-going-to-take-over-the-fashion-industry

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/clothing/g27154605/sustainable-fashion-clothing/

https://goodonyou.eco/five-fast-fashion-brands-we-avoid/

https://www.wri.org/blog/2019/01/numbers-economic-social-and-environmental-impacts-fast-fashion