Bright signs, sales, and stores in every mall you can imagine. These brands invite you to buy more and more because their clothes will only last a few months anyway. Their prices are cheap, but behind them lies a dark story of how they achieve that.
Do you know what we’re talking about? It’s fast fashion and the brands that promote it, damaging our planet and putting the human rights of people around the world at risk.
In this article, we’ll explain what fast fashion is and share our stance on the issue, highlighting the ethical, environmental, and human consequences that come with supporting this industry, as well as why slow fashion is the future we should all embrace.
What is Fast Fashion and Why is It Problematic?
Fast fashion refers to the production of clothing on a large scale and within a short period of time. This type of production prioritizes low cost over quality—whether it’s sneakers, t-shirts, pants, or any other type of clothing—with the goal of generating quick profits.
Fast fashion is not a new concept; it has existed since the 1970s and began to be discussed as such in the 1990s. During the first half of the 20th century, people valued the importance of high-quality garments, often making them themselves. However, with the rise of consumerism, fast fashion started to attract more and more people.
While fast fashion involves clothing produced cheaply for big brands, it isn’t always inexpensive for consumers. Fast fashion garments are designed to have a short lifespan, prompting customers to buy new items frequently. As a result, people inevitably end up spending more money.
Brands commonly associated with fast fashion include H&M, Forever 21, ASOS, Zara, Old Navy, Uniqlo, and many others. As you can see, these brands share a common trait: they are popular and widely consumed around the world. However, this only serves to further obscure the issues underlying fast fashion.
The Hidden Costs of Cheap Clothes
As we mentioned earlier, fast fashion garments are made with materials designed to have a short lifespan, leading you to spend more money in the long run. However, there are many other costs associated with fast fashion, which are essential to understand, even if you plan to keep consuming these brands.
The pollution caused by fast fashion is immense, with landfills filling up with textile waste. Since these clothes don’t last, people often can’t resell them as second-hand items and end up throwing them away, resulting in vast areas of land being used solely for this waste.
During the production process, the environment suffers from carbon dioxide emissions. Natural water sources are also affected, as washing these garments releases microplastics that harm ecosystems.
There is also an ethical dilemma behind fast fashion: while the prices of these garments are low, the wages of the workers who make them are even lower. To keep production costs down, brands outsource their factories to developing countries with fewer labour protection regulations. Workers are paid wages below the minimum needed to survive and are subjected to inhumane working conditions.
What is Slow Fashion?
Slow fashion represents an ethical approach to clothing production, where workers are fairly compensated for their labour, and environmental pollution is minimized as much as possible.
This approach is embraced by brands that produce clothing either artisanally or on a smaller scale compared to major fashion companies. They also use higher-quality fabrics designed to last longer, with the goal of extending the lifespan of garments to around five years or more.
Although the term “slow fashion” has gained popularity in recent years, it is, in essence, a return to the basics: clothing that is elegant, well-made, long-lasting, crafted with attention to detail, and that does not harm our planet in the process.
Why Consumers Are Turning Away from Fast Fashion
At first, people didn’t fully understand the negative effects of fast fashion. After all, it’s very appealing—clothes that look good from a distance and come at a lower price than other brands. But as we mentioned earlier, not everything that glitters is gold.
Since 2010, numerous campaigns have emerged to raise awareness and educate people about the harmful impact of fast fashion. What began as an environmental movement soon expanded to include human rights advocacy, as factories exploiting workers in developing countries were uncovered.
It’s hard to ignore the negative effects of fast fashion and the dark truth behind its production process while continuing to support it. Every purchase from these brands adds another grain of sand to the problem. While it may seem costly, there are countless ways to embrace the slow fashion way of life.
How to Embrace Slow Fashion in Your Life
The first step is to leave behind the brands that promote fast fashion. On an international level, these include some of the names we mentioned earlier.
We recommend choosing independent brands like Hartwell Clothing, where we take pride in our craft, ensuring you get garments that will last for years with timeless styles.
Another option is to combine shopping at these brands with thrift shopping, where you can find second-hand clothing in good condition and of high quality at a more affordable price. It’s one of the best ways to start, but you’ll need to be careful and inspect the garments thoroughly before purchasing.
A helpful tip is to approach this as a group effort. Talk about it with your friends, family, loved ones, or even co-workers. Not everyone knows what fast fashion is, so spreading the word is an invaluable way to make an impact.
Once you’ve sparked interest among those around you, you can embark on this change together. You can swap clothes, share tips on brands or places to shop, and keep taking action to help slow fashion reach more places and people.
The Future of Fashion: Can Slow Fashion Take the Lead?
Here at Hartwell Clothing, we are always optimistic and firmly believe that the future of fashion lies in slow fashion. It’s environmentally friendly, easy to adopt on various budgets, and a more ethical way to consume.
We are proud to lead by example, not only by producing high-quality garments that stand the test of time, but also by fostering a deeper connection between you and what you wear. Our mission goes beyond creating clothes—it’s about inspiring a shift toward mindful consumption, where every choice contributes to a healthier planet and a fairer industry.
Together, we can create a fashion movement that values people, the environment, and true craftsmanship.
