By Jenna Munswami
One of the most exhausting parts of today’s fashion trends is how fast everything falls out of public favor and will inevitably be made fun of. As someone who loves fashion, I absolutely denounce fast fashion and the increasing speed of trend cycles. Fashion should be a reflection of who you are as a person and you should not love clothes solely because they are trendy. Fast fashion does not just hurt your wallet, but it also greatly affects the Earth.
The environment is what ends up paying the price of a company’s business practices. Articles published by Earth.org and the David Suzuki Foundation have said the fast fashion industry is responsible for producing around 10% of the world’s carbon emissions. Making plastic fibers, such as polyester, into textiles relies on fossil fuels and production that releases massive amounts of carbon.
Water quality is also greatly affected by the production of fast fashion. The fashion industry is the second-largest consumer when it comes to water. It requires 700 gallons to make just one shirt. Business Insider also reported that “textile dyeing is the world’s second-largest pollutant of water.”
Due to the decrease in quality of clothes from fast fashion trend cycles, a lot of material ends up in a landfill. Not everyone ends up donating their clothes or repurposing it, so they get thrown out. The David Suzuki Foundation reported that nearly 87% of total fiber input for clothing ends up in landfills.
Photo by Jenna Munswami/The Rider News
To combat the ever growing problem of fast fashion, we should opt to be more resourceful instead. Most importantly, use the clothes you already have. No one needs a new outfit or pair of shoes for every single occasion. It is OK to buy stuff that you need, but wear what you have first!
Wear those shoes until the bottoms are worn or that shirt you love until it rips. If the damage is not bad, try to fix it. Learning to sew is a great skill that can save your clothes and accessories. You can even try your hand at making your own stuff, too! Fashion is limitless; altering your clothing is a fun way to try new styles.
If you do need an article of clothing, thrifting is a great alternative to department stores. While it might be difficult to find good clothing due to how popular thrifting has become, it is still worth trying out.
Thrifting is a less expensive option which is helpful for many of us college students. You might even be able to find something that is better quality than anything you can find in a regular store. You are also not actively contributing to fast fashion when you purchase secondhand clothing.
If you are on the opposite side and need to empty your wardrobe, do not just throw out old clothing.
Donating to local shelters or charities is one way to get rid of clothes you do not wear, while also giving back to the community. Clothes you have fallen out of love with just might be someone’s new favorite piece! Donating to thrift stores is another alternative, with some even paying for donations.
In the end, we all play a part in protecting the environment and our planet. It is our only home, after all.
Jenna Munswami is a junior communication studies major
