Photo Credit: Fashion Revolution
“As the fast fashion industry verges on environmental disaster, why have so few taken action? Here are solutions to balance your moral dilemmas while remaining stylish.” – June Price, 7th grade
With textile production creating 10% of global carbon emissions and using 1.5 trillion liters of water every year, more and more people are becoming aware of fast fashion, or the mass production of cheap, stylish merchandise. With this knowledge, why has the public made less than sufficient changes to their buying habits?
Reeghan Walsh, a 7th grade Literary Arts student at OSA, usually shops at Hot Topic. “I tried thrifting for a while, but it was hard to find things in my size, and a lot of things weren’t in the style I was looking for. Fashion is my self expression so it’s very important to me to find things I like.”
Bugsy Buckley, a 10th grader in Vocal Music at OSA said, “If I’m buying from, say, Shein, I know exactly where those clothes are coming from, and that can be kind of disturbing. I mean, you get cute stuff from fast fashion, but you’re hurting other people while doing it.” Shein is a clothing company known for its cheap, mass produced merchandise.
Finding stylish, well fitting clothing at thrift stores can be difficult at first glance, but after a few minutes, gems begin to pop out. Because of this, keeping an open mind while thrifting is key.
“Fast fashion is easy and cheap, and that’s why it appeals to people,” said Simon Singh, a senior in OSA’s Theater Sub-Pathway. “But thrift stores are very widespread and affordable as well. I would say, look out for them, and give them another chance. “
Hana Geckeler is a 7th grader in OSA’s Vocal Music sub-pathway. “When you’re thrifting, there aren’t multiple sizes for one clothing item, so it’s hard to find stuff that would fit. They can also have rips and stains. But overall, it’s pretty easy for me to find stuff in my style at Goodwill and thrift stores and things,” she says.
Sometimes online shopping can be easier due to the search feature, which is another reason people support fast fashion companies.
Reeghan Walsh, a 7th grade Literary Arts student at OSA, usually shops at Hot Topic. “I tried thrifting for a while, but it was hard to find things in my size, and a lot of things weren’t in the style I was looking for. Fashion is my self expression so it’s very important to me to find things I like.”
Bugsy Buckley, a 10th grader in Vocal Music at OSA said, “If I’m buying from, say, Shein, I know exactly where those clothes are coming from, and that can be kind of disturbing. I mean, you get cute stuff from fast fashion, but you’re hurting other people while doing it.” Shein is a clothing company known for its cheap, mass produced merchandise.
Finding stylish, well fitting clothing at thrift stores can be difficult at first glance, but after a few minutes, gems begin to pop out. Because of this, keeping an open mind while thrifting is key.
“Fast fashion is easy and cheap, and that’s why it appeals to people,” said Simon Singh, a senior in OSA’s Theater Sub-Pathway. “But thrift stores are very widespread and affordable as well. I would say, look out for them, and give them another chance. “
Hana Geckeler is a 7th grader in OSA’s Vocal Music sub-pathway. “When you’re thrifting, there aren’t multiple sizes for one clothing item, so it’s hard to find stuff that would fit. They can also have rips and stains. But overall, it’s pretty easy for me to find stuff in my style at Goodwill and thrift stores and things,” she says.
Sometimes online shopping can be easier due to the search feature, which is another reason people support fast fashion companies.
Fast fashion website, Photo credit: Epicly Shop
However, filtering is available using online thrifting websites such as ThredUp, Swap, and 299Thrift.
“I like using DePop, which is basically thrifting except online” says Singh.
Another alternative to thrift stores is finding or organizing clothing swaps in your area.
“I think clothing swaps are literally the best things,” said Buckley. “You just donate any number of clothes you have, and then you just pick up anything for free!”
One of the benefits of not supporting fast fashion is that clothing will last longer. Fast fashion is not manufactured for long term use, but most sustainable or used clothing is.
However, filtering is available using online thrifting websites such as ThredUp, Swap, and 299Thrift.
“I like using DePop, which is basically thrifting except online” says Singh.
Another alternative to thrift stores is finding or organizing clothing swaps in your area.
“I think clothing swaps are literally the best things,” said Buckley. “You just donate any number of clothes you have, and then you just pick up anything for free!”
One of the benefits of not supporting fast fashion is that clothing will last longer. Fast fashion is not manufactured for long term use, but most sustainable or used clothing is.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
”There are good, fair trade brands, but they’re so expensive. and that’s the problem. Another downside to sustainable clothing is they’re usually made for skinny people,” Buckley continued.
The lack of accessibility in sustainable clothing can be discouraging, but there are some sustainable brands made for larger bodies.
It’s also important to remember to use or upcycle the clothes and items you currently own before buying new ones.
Bryce Harper is a senior in Fashion Design. “I try to get good quality clothes. I also make sure I reuse my clothes and keep them as long as I can,” he said.
“I think we should hold fast fashion brands accountable and not buy from them because that’s the only way they’ll face the repercussions of what they’re doing,” Harper said. “It’s not okay to mistreat people like that.”
”There are good, fair trade brands, but they’re so expensive. and that’s the problem. Another downside to sustainable clothing is they’re usually made for skinny people,” Buckley continued.
The lack of accessibility in sustainable clothing can be discouraging, but there are some sustainable brands made for larger bodies.
It’s also important to remember to use or upcycle the clothes and items you currently own before buying new ones.
Bryce Harper is a senior in Fashion Design. “I try to get good quality clothes. I also make sure I reuse my clothes and keep them as long as I can,” he said.
“I think we should hold fast fashion brands accountable and not buy from them because that’s the only way they’ll face the repercussions of what they’re doing,” Harper said. “It’s not okay to mistreat people like that.”
