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Do you know that the clothes you wear come at a hefty price of our planet? Yep that’s true, the fashion industry gulps down a whopping 20% of the world’s wastewater. That’s like filling 32 million Olympic sized pools every year just to create the clothes we like. And it doesn’t stop there. Emissions are thrown up by the fashion industry like they are nobody’s business, accounting for 10% of the global carbon footprint - this is more than the maritime and the international shipping combined!
At the center of this crossroad stands a battle between the two: Fast Fashion vs Sustainable Fashion. While on one hand, Fast Fashion with being trend driven and budget friendly had new collections dropping at a very alarming speed offering an endless variety at the price of rock bottoms making itself a source of instant gratification. But beneath the glitter lies a dark secret – Environmental degradation, unfair labor practices and a huge amount of clothing ending up in landfills.
Sustainable fashion, on the other hand is a part of slow fashion movement and is something different and unique. It is a responsible, quality conscious choice for our planet. While championing a slow and mindful approach of eco-friendly material choices, ethical production and the high quality pieces built to last, it is a healthy choice towards the reduction of the environmental footprint left by fashion.
Selecting between these two choices – Fast Fashion vs Sustainable Fashion - is not a matter of aesthetics but a decision made towards the world we want to inhabit. Every choice made by us speaks about our priorities and commitment to the wellbeing of our planet.
Fast Fashion – promising endless trends at bargainable prices. Before getting swept away with it, let’s peel back the curtain and see what’s really making up this trend machine work.
It is a term that was coined in the late 1960s and since its origin it has become synonymous with the fast-paced advancement of the fashion industry. It is a model built on the production of trendy and stylish clothing at the expense of quality, ethics, and environmental harm.
Here are some key characteristics that may prove helpful in defining the term more precisely:
The clothes in your closet are not just threads and fabrics but a story woven with responsibility towards a kinder future for our planet and its people. That’s what Sustainable Fashion is built on. It is not just about looking good, but also feeling good in knowing that the clothes you have worn are made on ethical and environmentally conscious fashion practices.
On the contrary to fast fashion, were the clothes are designed to worn once and tossed off, sustainable fashion is built on the production of mindful designs. It involves the creation of clothes that are built to last with high quality materials and techniques involving fair labor practices and working in safe conditions. Sustainable fashion brands champions ethical sourcing and is a cornerstone for basic human rights too.
While on the surface if the two terms appear to have different pictures, beneath the surface they also have some surprising similarities that offers intriguing insights:
While on the surface both fast fashion and sustainable fashion may seem like cousins sharing their common love for the latest trends but on the back, their approach to achieve the runaway fresh looks diverges differently.
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Rapid rate of production at the expense of quality is what prioritized most. |
Prioritizes slow and mindful production with the ethical sourcing of quality materials. |
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Uses non-biodegradable and toxic synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon in their production processes. |
Natural biodegradable materials like hemp, and cotton that reduces the dependence on fossil fuels and decompose organically lays the foundation for the sustainable garments. |
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Clothing made on the model of fast fashion is designed to be worn once or few times and then discarded. They are cheaply made and are prone to wear and tear. |
Longevity is ensured in the sustainable fashion model. The clothes are built to last and are made from quality materials that encourages upcycling and reducing the need for frequent replacements. |
As we wrap, it is clear now that the choices we make on clothing not just only impacts our wardrobe but also shapes the world. Fast fashion may hold a glam but sustainable fashion offers a path that is both charismatic and environmentally responsible.
You can make a step towards healthy future by supporting sustainable brands, researching about their certifications, exploring vintage clothing and giving them a new lease on life. Vivienne Westwood once said, “Buy less, choose well, make it last”. Let’s make this not just a mantra but a movement!
Answer: Investigating the ethical implications of fast fashion is complex as serious concerns are raised on its labor practices and impact on the environment, contrary to the benefits of fast fashion of being cost- efficient and trendy.
Q2. What are some alternatives to fast fashion?Answer: Looking up for some eco-friendly brands that prioritizes sustainable production practices and embracing second hand clothing are some of the sustainable alternatives to fast fashion that promotes a culture of more conscious consumption.
Q3. Why is fast fashion an ethical issue?Answer: On various basis, ethical concerns are raised upon the fast fashion practices including exploitative labor practices, and environmental degradation. The rapid clothing production often compromises the right of workers necessitating a critical reassessment of its ethical implication.
Q4. What are some most sustainable fast fashion brands?Answer: Patagonia, Nike, Adidas, Reebok are some of the fast fashion brands that offers the benefits of sustainable fashion to their customers and utilizes environmentally friendly practices.
