Last year a friend of
mine had suggested that I should watch 'The True Cost'; a documentary
explaining the impact that fast fashion has on the world, it's
consumers, and the workers in the industry. It hasn't been until
recently that I have taken the time to watch the documentary, and as
you may or may not know, I have been heavily following the fashion
industry for a few years now and I wanted to share my thoughts on the
subject.
WHAT IS FAST FASHION? -
THE BREAKDOWN
'Fast fashion is
described as “low cost clothing collections that mimic current
fashion trends." These trends change incredibly fast, often
causing new styles and trends to become obsolete in a matter of
weeks. Fast fashion keeps up with these trends, but unlike with high
fashion, fast-fashion garments are cheap and usually made out of
lower-quality materials.' - Found on Leaf. Read more here.
Unbelievably, the
Fashion Industry is the second most polluting industry in the world.
There are roughly 40 million garment factory workers worldwide whom
make less than £2.33 a day. As I stated above I'm no stranger to
keeping up with current trends; my bedroom floor is covered with
magazines, I follow designers and models on Instagram, I tune into
Fashion Week, I've been to Fashion Shows, and I love love love to go
shopping.
I've always seen
Fashion as an art form. The idea that you can turn a design into
something you can wear is quite mind blowing in my opinion, but as
artistic as it is, it can be incredibly destructive. I'm also no
stranger to fast fashion. I'd probably state that my entire wardrobe
consists of 95% fast fashion items purchased from well-known brands
such as H&M and Zara.
We all know that sweat
shops are a thing, that workers are unfairly paid and that large
corporations are producing cheaply made clothing and selling them at
inexpensive prices. Not only does the 'True Cost' cover this topic,
but also shines a light on how and where cotton is grown, the GMOs
and pesticides used when producing cotton, the impact this has on the
local people of these small communities, how consumers in the west
are being lead into the marketing schemes of the fast fashion
industry and so much more.
In the last few weeks,
I have taken a greater interest in zero waste methods, buying
minimally, ethically and sustainably and although I will always be
into Fashion, sharing, talking and following the industry, it's
refreshing to have a deeper understanding of its current affairs, and
how I can make slight changes in my lifestyle. I'm not the epitome of
world change, or someone who is extremely experienced in this field (
at all ) but I do feel that every little helps, and gaining knowledge
is the first step to making adjustments.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Know your shit - Do
you really know where your clothing is being made, by who and at what
cost? Is it ethical, fair trade, do you know where the materials and
fabrics are being sourced? Research, research, research and
investigate as much as you possibly can. Don't be afraid to ask
brands questions. You're investing into their business, you have a
right to know where your money is going.
Buy from ethical
clothing brands - This can be quite a
tricky one. I personally don't know many clothing brands that are
ethical, affordable and are based in the UK, so if anyone does know,
please leave a comment below. However, as I stated above, research
into it. There are many YouTubers and bloggers out there that
specifically discuss buying from ethical fashion brands. One of my
fav YouTubers of the moment is Verena Erin ( you can watch her videos
here ) who shares content on how to build a sustainable and minimal
wardrobe, so I highly suggest checking her out.
Buy second hand - Purchasing second hand
and vintage items is a great idea. Not only are you finding something
that is a one of kind piece, but you're also giving a home to an item
that someone no longer needs or wants anymore. You can buy second
hand on websites and apps such as ebay, etsy, depop, asos marketplace
and so much more. Visiting vintage stores, charity shops and even
going to outlet stores and warehouse clearances is also another
magnificent way to shop sustainably.
Create a minimal
wardrobe - Using the capsule
wardrobe method is a fantastic way to cut down on how much you're buying.
Invest in classic, comfortable and quality pieces that you'll love in
years to come, and prevent buying trend items that will soon be out
of style. Avoid purchasing clothes that you're unsure of; buy items
that you need, and that fit
the current season. If you'd like to know more about building your
own capsule wardrobe, read here.
Spread the message - If it hadn't been for
the same friend who had told me about The True Cost, I would
definitely still be unaware of the fast fashion industry. It's
important to spread the message, and let others know the impact that
this is causing. Write blog posts, read, tweet, bring it up in
conversation and see how others feel about the topic.
This is probably one of
the longest post I've ever written on my blog. I hope you've enjoyed
it if you've managed to read this far!
Let me know what your
thoughts are on fast fashion, and have you seen The True Cost?
Watch 'The True Cost'
here.
*Picture featured above is mine.
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