A staple of my childhood wardrobe was neighborhood handmedowns. Clothes that had been passed from my neighbor to her sister, down to me, soon to be given to my younger sister and eventually our cousin. Clothes that were durable enough to withstand the adventures of at least four accident-prone kids. Clothes that were built to last. It wasn’t until these clothes had been thoroughly destroyed by grassy knees and thrice-mended holes were they finally retired, or were turned into jorts with a pair of kitchen scissors. Clothing used to be made well enough to last several lifetimes and generations. This ethical, sustainable and nostalgic notion has long died due to the current cycle of fast fashion, microtrends and overconsumption. Consumers that shop at fast fashion brands continue a cycle of cheap clothes that decrease the longevity of the garment, contribute to more waste in the landfills, and exploit employees of the brands.
Today, clothes are made cheaply, quickly and inhumanely. These are trademarks of fast fashion companies, which is inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the newest trends. Some of the bigger names in this industry are Shein and Temu, though there are many more. One of the consumption habits that defines fast fashion is microtrends, a phenomenon where a niche type of clothing will go in style for a short amount of time and then be discarded after it is no longer trendy. This causes alot of pressure for companies to produce a lot of clothes that only last for a season, which then find their way to landfills after that season is over.
To fulfill this demand, many companies outsource their labor to other countries where they can get away with unfair labor practices and conditions. However, it is clear that these practices do immense harm to their workers and the world. “Good on You” is a guide to sustainable and ethical consumption that rates companies on their treatment of labor force, environmental impact, and animal testing. According to these standards, Shein and Temu receive the lowest ratings a company could possibly score, and is listed as “highly not recommended” to anyone who wants to consider ethics in their consumption. Yet, they are one of the most popular brands among Gen Z. Does this generation not understand the effects of their choices? Or is personal style worth it, even if it comes at the expense of others?
One of the biggest arguments I hear as to why people choose to shop at Shein and Temu is because it’s cheap. You can buy more trendy clothing for less impact on your bank account. In a society where image is everything, and people seem to have more access to cute clothing than ever before, it seems like this is the only way to keep up. However, with fast fashion, someone always has to pay. If the consumer pays less for a garment, then the workers without a liveable wage pay more. Also, Shein clothes are flimsy and made of cheap materials, so they are more likely to unravel after a few uses, which makes consumers just buy more clothes, which continues the problem. The solution to this cycle is to invest in a few garments that are ethically and well-made, so that the consumer can be assured that they are investing in clothes that are built to last: sweaters that last your entire lifetime, shoes that will support you for years and pants that won’t rip at inconvenient times. Yes, it is a steeper initial price, but it is worth it considering that it will last much longer than a $4 shirt. If clothing from all-natural and ethical brands is not feasible for you right now, thrift and consignment stores are great ways to find unique and cheap clothing without the humanitarian consequences.
Shoppers today choose a bargain over basic human rights, which is unacceptable. Our clothes are reflections of our priorities; therefore, our shopping habits should point to respect for craftsmanship and longevity. Our wardrobes should not be sponsored by modern-day slavery, overconsumption and environmental degradation.
