Fast fashion is a term for clothing that is made quickly to keep up with ever-evolving fashion trends. These trends are generally associated with fall and spring collections from high-end brands, and mirror them at a lower price point.
Some of these retailers – H&M, Forever21, and ZARA, to name just a few – are incredibly popular with women (and men) in their 20s, in part because they’re so accessible.
While an easy way for lower-income people to take part in popular fashion, there are some major problems. Following the 2015 release of Andrew Morgan’s The True Cost, a documentary about sweatshop labor that goes into making some of these clothing items, people have started making a push toward more sustainable fashion.
And, as the world grows more aware of the impacts of climate change, it’s always good to know how to do your part to keep our planet (and its people) safe and healthy.
Here are two ways you can start cutting fast fashion brands out of your wardrobe without sacrificing your style (or your bank account).
1. Be aware of your own impact
The first (and arguably most important) step in cutting fast fashion out of your life is to know how much of it you own and why it’s bad.
On top of the labor costs and inhumane treatment of workers who manufacture many of these items, there is also an environmental impact.
According to The Guardian, “the fashion industry contributes more to climate change than the aeronautical and shipping industries combined. If trends continue, the industry could account for a quarter of the world’s carbon budget by 2050.”
And while it’s simply not realistic to cut these brands and items out of your life immediately – especially because of their affordability and accessibility – it’s important to know about the consequences of contributing to a potentially dangerous industry.
A good way to figure out how many fast fashion items you own is to examine these top brands – Forever 21, ZARA, H&M, and even online stores like Fashion Nova and ASOS.
Rather than simply throwing away items after you’ve finished wearing them, consider resale or simply donating these items in order to keep them in regular use.
2. Start shopping sustainably
When buying from fast fashion brands, it’s clear that you’re not buying for long-term wear. Further, as the world becomes more focused on limited their environmental impact, short-term fashion is becoming less popular.
According to Forbes, a recent study from the Retail Fashion Academy in London found that 39% of shoppers aged 18-35 would rather purchase more expensive clothes that last longer than fast fashion.
Even though it may be slightly more expensive than a quick trip to your favorite fast fashion retailer, it’s much easier than you might think.
Thrifting is a good way to get a lot of these same items at a more affordable price without actively contributing to these harmful brands. Since the turnover for these trends are usually quick, it’s easy to find clothing that’s still in style without going to a huge department store or a luxury retailer. Plus, resale has never been easier (or more popular) since the creation of resale apps like Poshmark, Relovv, and Depop, among others. These apps allow you to sell your old clothes to a large audience of buyers without stopping buy a thrift store.
For clothes that you need but can’t find at a thrift store, investing in higher-end capsule items (like professional clothing, or one really good pair of jeans) may lead to less money spent overall, especially because these clothes are designed to last longer. There are also tons of clothing brands that pride themselves on being eco-friendly and ethical, like Reformation and Alternative Apparel.
Whether just starting a journey toward sustainable living or simply looking for a way to Marie Kondo your closet, working to cut fast fashion out of your life is simple and good for our planet and all of its people.