Every time I see a new article about the "Ugly Truth About ITS FASHION," my eyes glaze over. These articles are always focused on just one aspect of the clothing industry and they're never quite addressing the issue at hand. To get to the root of what's wrong with it, we've compiled 15 much-needed truths that need to be addressed.
So, here goes nothing: The Ugly Truth About ITS Fashion
1. Most clothing isn't really "unique" - And it's not necessarily for a good reason2. Many celebrities change their style every season3. All clothing is mass-produced and can easily be purchased with ease4.
2. Buying more than you need is a waste of time and money5. The same clothing can be purchased at different prices depending on where you buy it6.
3. Buying clothing that makes you uncomfortable is uncomfortable7.
4. Buying used clothing saves you from paying for something that was made by a child8. You don't actually need to buy anything new9.
5. The United States consumes about 80 billion garments each year, but only 2% are recycled10. The average American throws away 70 pounds of clothing each year11. Fast fashion is cheap because it's made in countries with low labor costs and no regulations12. Fast fashion is sometimes dangerous to workers13.
Why is all the clothing the same?
The clothing industry is a business and businesses try to make as much profit as possible. To turn a profit, everything must be mass-produced and that means you end up with a bunch of products that all look similar.
Why does fast fashion exist?
Fast fashion exists because it's profitable for companies to do so. When clothing is designed, samples are produced and sent out for approval. This process takes a long time and costs a lot of money, so companies will only prepare samples in styles they know people will buy (projected by sales from previous years).
If fast fashion is so bad, why does it exist?
It's a matter of supply and demand. People want clothing that looks good without having to do a lot of work. Companies deliver what is being demanded. The same thing happens with technology. The more convenient it is, the more people buy it, regardless of how environmentally or ethically sound it may be.
Does fast fashion affect the environment?
Yes. Clothing goes through a lot of steps before it reaches your closet. The production of clothing is destructive to the environment and chemicals are often used to make it as cheaply as possible. Even when you buy organic cotton, the use of water during processing is incredibly wasteful.
How do I avoid supporting fast fashion?
First, you need to buy less clothing – just because it's cheap doesn't mean you have to buy it all! Reduce your clothing consumption and avoid buying things on impulse. Second, be conscious of where and why you buy things. When buying something new, don't just look at the price – look at how the item was made. If you want to make a difference, buy secondhand clothing. Third, avoid fast fashion completely (clothing from fast fashion companies will always be expensive). The last thing you'll want to do is continue supporting fast fashion companies.
What is my responsibility as a consumer?
As consumers, we are all responsible for protecting our environment and making sure other people's lives improve too. We need to choose our current and future purchases wisely. When choosing something to purchase, make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. Think hard about what you're buying and never buy something that everyone else has.
Conclusion
The fashion industry is complex and there are many different ways to think about it. The truth is, it's changing and what you've been taught might not be true. There are real issues that need to be addressed – ones that affect people all over the world. But here's the thing: It doesn't have to be like this. With your help, we can fix our broken system and make clothing a fair business again.
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