J's Musings

You must have heard the term fast fashion on social media. More specifically about how bad it is and why we should stop it, etc. etc. So, my goal for this post is to summarize what fast fashion is, why it is such a bad thing and a few of the best tips I’ve heard about being mindful with it.

Basically, fast fashion is the production of high volumes of products at low costs to maximize both profit and production. Due to this high margin, fast fashion brands can afford to produce new lines of products every season without delay.

While this benefits both the producer and consumer, it can be harmful for the environment and the factory workers. These workers are paid below minimum wage lines, and made to work for much more than permitted hours. Due to constant production, there is heavy use of raw material and quick disposal of finished goods once they are ‘out of fashion’. This leads to landfills and is often terrible for the environment.

Each time we add a “cute” item to our carts and throw out “last season” clothing, we unconsciously participate in this ethical dilemma.

So, how can we alter our habits to be more mindful and contribute as little as we can to fast fashion trends?

The most obvious answer is often to just stop, but as normal people, we too need affordable options that allow us to dress well, so how do we get that without the guilt?

We can try to focus on buying what we genuinely like, what we believe would make us both look and feel good when we wear it. Rather than just hopping on every mindless micro trend, one may focus on curating a personal style that they would want to wear in the long term, one that suits them and fits with their personality. This would also help us rediscover our individuality than just wearing what the latest influencer told us to.

It is also possible that we start repairing clothes more often. Rather than throwing out clothing at any sign of wear and tear, small tears or loose stitching can easily be sewn together again. It can be used as a canvas to embroider and enhance the personality of the outfit. This not only decreases the amount of clothing we discard, but also brings back a sense of personalization in clothes and accessories.

While my last suggestion isn’t popular, it is not impossible and should be considered as a genuine possibility. One can save up to invest in durable pieces that will last a long time and adhere to their style and wardrobe. Clothes by niche brands may be a bit more expensive, but tend to last longer and thus need to be replaced less frequently. Making them a better choice in the long term.

While these practices sound simple enough, it can be difficult to implement them in our regular routine. Old habits will die hard, but with patience and conscious practice, they will change. By consuming less, discarding less, and investing in lasting pieces, we can not only decrease the need for fast fashion, but also ensure that neither the environment, nor workers are exploited. These choices will impact the lives of many beyond those we see directly, and for that impact, we must make better choices, and be mindful of our consumption.

Pondering and trying,

Janhavi