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Lauren Kent

Professor Williams

English Composition II

24 March 2021

Literature Review

Fast fashion has taken over the world with new fashion trends and online shopping

availability. The question is, do people know the effects of what the $12 dollar bikini is? Is the

cheap clothing worth the irreversible problems we’re creating on the Earth? Or even are there

more sustainable options that should be promoted?

Fast fashion has become a very popular option for shopping due to the fashion trends

changing very quickly. Companies have started to market new products daily compared to

seasonal. The effects of this is mass production. To keep up with the demand of such popular

products, companies make large amounts of one product, the problem is with today’s trends

changing so fast, only a small percentage is sold leaving an unprecedented amount of product left

to just be thrown away. (Oshri)

Due to fashion trends changing so quickly, people don’t use their clothes as long as they

used to. (“What is Fast Fashion and Why is it a Problem”) People have begun to buy 60% more

clothes compared to 15 years ago and only wear them for half as long. Another issue is younger

generations have started to only wear outfits for one outing and will never wear it again. 37% of

people of the ages 16-24 wouldn’t wear an outfit twice compared to adults over the age of 55

which is 12%. (Crumbie)

The effects of such cheap clothing hits both an environmental issue and a human rights

issue. Popular companies such as FashionNova and Gildan Activewear have come under fire due
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to their involvement in exploitation of cheap labor. Sweatshops are consist of undocumented

workers more often than not, who are desperate for work. Workers making $2.77 right here in

America in Los Angeles. If not that pay out, workers have a three cent per product pay.

(Meagher)

Producing clothes as such a fast rate has taken its toll on the environment. The use of

synthetic fibers and textiles have become a major issue concerning microplastics. As the

products are washed and dyed, these microplastics are being put into our waterways, lakes, and

oceans harming our waterlife. Fish are easily consuming these plastics which are eventually

eaten by whatever or whoever eats it next. Not only is it a problem in our waterways, the fast

fashion industry has made up four percent of greenhouse gas emissions. (Ultra-Fast Fashion Is

Eating the World) Concerning the product waste as a whole is a very big issue. The amount of

clothes that Americans toss has doubled in the past 20 years. Not only that but there’s been a 750

percent increase of textile waste since 1960. (Monroe)

It’s very easy to get swept up in the cheap prices and fast deliveries of these companies

without giving it a second thought. The good thing is, many people are starting to realize the

harmful effects of fast fashion and have begun spreading this information. Doing research on the

brands people frequently buy from is important. Another alternative is if you can afford it, is

buying from sustainable companies like People Tree. Brands like this tend to be more expensive

because the products are higher quality and adequately pay their employees livable wages. (Reid)

One of the bigger sustainable options that won’t break the bank is thrifting. Due to

younger generations changing the outlook on thrifting that used to have the representation of the

lack of money, has now become a popular option of purchasing environmentally friendly
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products. Many products in thrift stores are items that have never been worn and are of higher

quality and value. (Buckner)

Fast fashion has not only had a negative impact on the environment but on humanity as well.

Providing more sustainable options will help us limit the amount of waste and irreversible effects

to come in the future. This will take time but as more information is put out, the more people will

start to realize the harm that is being done for buying such cheap and available clothes.
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Buckner, Dianne. “Eco-Minded Consumers Drive Boom in Used Clothing Sales | CBC News.”

CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 19 Nov. 2019, www.cbc.ca/news/business/used-clothing-

boom-ecofriendly-1.5356675.

Crumbie, Alex. “What Is Fast Fashion and Why Is It a Problem?” Ethical Consumer,

Ethical Consumer Research Association Ltd, 31 Oct. 2019,

www.ethicalconsumer.org/fashion-clothing/what-fast-fashion-why-it-problem.

Fraser, Kristopher. “5 Main Hazardous Chemicals in Clothing from China Named.”

FashionUnited, FashionUnited, 9 Mar. 2021, fashionunited.uk/news/business/5-main-

hazardous-chemicals-in-clothing-from-china-named/2018102939678.

Meagher, Syama. “The Not-So-Hidden Ethical Cost Of Fast Fashion: Sneaky Sweatshops

In Our Own Backyard.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 6 Apr. 2020,

www.forbes.com/sites/syamameagher/2020/02/05/the-not-so-hidden-ethical-cost-of-fast-

fashion-sneaky-sweatshops-in-our-own-backyard/?sh=1817331225d1.

Monroe, Rachel. “Ultra-Fast Fashion Is Eating the World.” Shibboleth Authentication

Request, The Atlantic Monthly Group, Mar. 2021, www.eds-b-ebscohost-

com.sinclair.ohionet.org/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&sid=19be8af3-e3f7-48cb-a7cf-

de58a58c0c66%40pdc-v-sessmgr03.
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Oshri, Hadari. “Council Post: Three Reasons Why Fast Fashion Is Becoming A Problem

(And What To Do About It).” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 17 May 2019,

www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2019/05/13/three-reasons-why-fast-fashion-is-becoming-a-

problem-and-what-to-do-about-it/?sh=48f53574144b.

Reid, Lindsey. “Fast-Fashion: Unethical and Unsustainable.” UAB Institute for Human

Rights Blog, 22 Jan. 2020, www.sites.uab.edu/humanrights/2018/04/26/fast-fashion-

unethical-and-unsustainable/.