Learn about the term Fast Fashion and what it is about

Many of us love fashion and everything that has to do with the industry and what it implies. We love to go shopping and get excellent prices, promotions, and discounts: the lower, the better for our budgets and economy.

 

But what are the consequences of these low-priced clothes that we like so much to get in stores and warehouses because mass-produced clothes are usually low-priced?

 

Well, one answer to these doubts is that this corresponds to the Fast Fashion category. Contrary to the positive, this model of production and marketing of clothing does much damage to the planet.

 

For this reason, we will talk today about this term that we read and frequently hear to know and understand with the responsibility it deserves.

 

What is Fast Fashion?

 

The term “fast fashion“ refers to the mass production of clothing by the textile and fashion industry.

 

In this way, brands put into circulation a large number of pieces of clothing at prices accessible and available to all and encourage consumption by the population.

 

 

 

 

 

How this Fast Fashion scheme works

 

When a new trend appears on the fashion scene, certain brands take advantage of it. They make serial or mass models and thus cover the demand that will be generated. This is why, during specific periods, we see the same style repeatedly in people.

 

In this way, a cycle begins to form, where brands produce collections acceleratedly to impose fashions or trends that drive people to consume and buy compulsively. Even given the need to conform to what is being worn and fit into society. This translates into a lot of revenue for these brands and industries.

 

Another detail to know is that a large economic workforce is necessary to rapidly respond to this demand for clothing that is created and to manufacture large quantities of clothing. Since the final sales prices are low, which also means that the raw material used is not the highest quality. Thus having a combination of cheap labor, more cheap raw material, excessive working hours, a very accessible product, and large amounts of clothes in the market.

 

Fast Fashion Results

 

Once we analyze the above, and with knowledge of the low quality of the garments, it is logical that the duration of the masses in good condition is of a short period. In addition to the fact that this type of trend was created and promoted by the brands that are dedicated to fast fashion. And also, they are temporary since, as they release one collection, they quickly release another.

 

Thus, the customer’s need for the latest fashion to be in tune with launches and trends will increase. This is quite a way to discard what is “old fashioned” to wear the new put on the market.

 

So, we have clothes that no longer work or aesthetically no longer look well cared for. All either because their quality is low, they broke, they lost color, etc. We have clothes we no longer want to wear. This consequently translates into many textile garments that go to the garbage to pollute the environment.

 

Environmental Consequences of Fast Fashion

 

As we mentioned before, this clothing production scheme, called fast fashion, affects our economy and the environment. Since the garments, being of poor quality, don´t have the estimated or average duration of a garment made with premium material verified as optimal. So, it is a type of clothing that ends up being discarded and not donated or reused.

 

To this, we must also add that manufacturing this type of clothing represents 10% of CO₂ emissions globally and reaches the land and water.

 

Another problem to consider is that this type of discarded clothing ends up being incinerated. In landfills, which also implies atmospheric and terrestrial contamination. And also, for its preparation, highly harmful chemicals are used for health and dumped into rivers and seas.

 

Therefore, waste is one of the premises that champions the fashion industry. And fast fashion implies, as its name suggests, a rapid transition from one trend to another. But also a quick transition from the closet to the dump, which ends up causing all the pollution we’ve mentioned.

 

Solution

 

Despite all the negative aspects of Fast Fashion, not all garments are reprehensible. Since some are made with better finishes and raw materials to last much longer than others.

 

So, the recommendation is to buy responsibly. And if you are going to give in to this type of brand, select clothes that you know you will use for a long time. And that can be part of the wardrobe basics. Avoid buying over trends that will quickly go away and leave you with a bunch of useless clothes.

 

Another option is to choose sustainable brands that manufacture for the environment. And  also, repair and renew your garments to reuse them and avoid discarding them.

 

Buy intelligently and consciously, and always think about your economy and the planet you inhabit.