Sarah Ditty, policy director at Fashion Revolution, further explained the impact of purchasing a product that’s compromised mostly of polyester. “The problem is the message this sends about the value of our clothing,” she tells Teen Vogue. “This is a huge environmental problem because we are already sending too many clothes to landfill and incineration, about one garbage truckful every second. Plus, the fashion industry accounts for more carbon emissions than shipping and air travel combined and our polyester clothes are polluting our seas.”
She encouraged consumers to look past the price, no matter how low it may be. “We need to ensure that any garment we buy will be loved, used, and cherished for years, not just days or weeks,” Sarah said. “This is why, when garments are priced as cheaply as single-use items, it sends the message that our clothing is disposable. And if we buy that message, we are buying into a very ugly side of fashion.”
Patricia Maeda, womenswear editor of Fashion Snoops, explained how fast-fashion items, like the bikini, can contribute to an ongoing approach to clothing where our most affordable items become the most easy to get rid of. “Fast fashion is a fast-response system that encourages disposability, leading to the premature obsolescence of commodities,” she told Teen Vogue. “Due to its extremely low cost, the likelihood of shoppers tossing away the bikini once they get tired of it is pretty high. Central to this discussion, however, are the devastating environmental consequences such as pollution effects, resource drawdown, and waste, as well as the importance of corporate responsibility, ethical business practices, and our own agency as consumers.”
In a previous explainer, Teen Vogue detailed how fast fashion is often dependent on the labor of factory workers. Many fast-fashion companies rely on outsourced labor to produce their items, and much of these employees reside in developing countries. In the past, fast-fashion companies have come under fire for the working conditions at factories they use and the underpayment of factory employees.
It is worth recognizing that in some cases, affordable fashion options might be the only items that can fit in someone’s budget. As Orsola de Castro, co-founder, and creative director of Fashion Revolution explained, “There are very few options to navigate this situation, but lengthening the lifespan of cheap clothing by caring for them is one way of demanding better quality of product and a better life for its makers.” Additionally, she encouraged consumers to demand more from the brands they choose to support, saying, “Keep speaking up and asking questions, even if there absolutely aren’t enough satisfactory answers.”
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to save some money, especially when it comes to clothing. But instead of reaching for the cheapest item on the rack, consider whether you truly need the piece in your closet and whether it will be something that’s part of your outfit rotation for years to come. Taking small steps as consumers, whether it’s more thoughtful washing practices or reading the labels before you purchase an item can all help create a more sustainable future for fashion.
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