How to resist fast fashion
We’ve known for years that fast fashion is to be resisted, however my recent interview with SBS World News on the topic (link at the end of the page) has prompted me to revisit this topic and to reinforce the reasons why.
As with so many things this year, tariff wars feature here. With the steep tariffs slapped on China by the US, the profits of Chinese fast fashion companies have shrunk dramatically as the ‘bargain’ clothing US consumers once enjoyed are no longer ludicrously cheap. So the fast fashion companies have set their sights on new markets (without steep tariffs) in which to expand. Australia is one of those bunnies. We have surpassed the US to own the dubious record of being the largest consumers of fast fashion. Ugh!
Here are just some of the reasons to avoid it, and surely (surely!) if you understand this, you WILL be able to resist fast fashion:
It is poorly made and will not last beyond a few wears and washes, meaning it is not a bargain
Most of the synthetic fabrics used, such as polyester, are by-products of fossil fuels, requiring more mining of the earth
Synthetics are plastic, and plastic is so ubiquitous now that it’s found itself in our food chain (via marine life) and even inside the human brain (yes)
Synthetic clothing doesn’t breathe as natural fabrics do, so requires more laundering and microplastics shed into our waterways every time
Because it is made so cheaply, the dyes used are of very poor quality and can cause skin irritations
The dyes are so poor that garments lose their colour very quickly
Chemicals used to manufacture cheap clothing (such as dyes) are toxic and are often not disposed of safely, again ending up in our waterways
Toxic chemicals used in fast fashion manufacturing harm those who make the clothes
The people who make fast fashion are not paid a living wage (that should cover food, housing, education and health)
Daily manufacturing quotas are extreme, resulting in physical injury to those making fast fashion, and severe penalties to workers inflicted if personal quotas are not reached
There is already a glut of unwanted clothing and textiles, enough apparently to clothe the next six generations of people on earth
Many of the fast fashion designs are stolen / copied from other designers (often small) with no acknowledgment, credit or compensation to them
I hope that even one of these reasons is enough to have you decide to spread the word about fast fashion and to avoid buying it yourself. It will be difficult with the strong marketing campaigns we expect to see here, but please, please resist! There are so many unethical reasons the stuff is so cheap.
It is a buzz acquiring new clothing but think about this; your peak high is the moment right before you pay for it. From then on you will never feel quite as excited about the piece. I hope that is more reinforcement to pause and think more strategically about your purchases.
More fulfilment and longer lasting joy will come from understanding how you want to show up in the world and refining your personal style to reflect that. If you’d like some guidance, I’m very happy to help.
Here I am on SBS World News, trying to get through all the reasons! I was speaking on behalf of Better Futures Australia, for whom I’m a Climate Champion.