Our closets are fuller than ever, but so are our landfills. The rise of fast fashion has turned shopping into a habit, instead of a necessity. The average U.S. citizen purchases 53-68 new articles of clothing per year, about five times more than the average amount purchased in the 80s. This surge in purchasing comes from a shift in our culture where we value cheap, trendy clothing over higher-quality, timeless pieces. As a result, we buy far more than we need in an attempt to keep up with all the latest trends, throw away most of it, then buy even more, creating a cycle of constant overconsumption.
Most of the items we buy are the product of fast fashion, which is the rapid mass production of inexpensive, low-quality clothing that follows the latest trends, at the expense of the environment and workers, who face low wages and unsafe conditions. The industry relies heavily on cheap, synthetic fabrics, such as polyester. They release microplastics after every wash and wear, pollute our oceans and air we breathe, and take over a century to decompose. These items have a massive impact on our environment at every stage of a garment’s lifetime, from production to when it eventually ends up in a landfill.
Fast fashion isn’t limited to $5 items from SHEIN or TEMU; in fact, you might be surprised to learn that brands like Hollister, Uniqlo, Urban Outfitters, Princess Polly, PacSun, Brandy Melville, are all considered fast fashion and drop new items daily. All these new trends and collections pressure consumers to buy more than they need in order to fit in, and social media and influencers only intensify this feeling with constant hauls, restocks, and endless must-have lists that make it seem normal to own hundreds of pieces of clothing. Algorithms are designed to constantly show you new products, making shopping feel easy and unavoidable.
So what can you do? Reducing your impulse spending is a great start. Make sure you actually want the product because you like it, not because it’s trending, or everyone else is wearing it. Make sure you give yourself time to ask: Will I wear this a year from now? Or will it be sitting in the back of my closet collecting dust?
Another great option is secondhand shopping, going to your local thrift store, neighborhood yard sale, or markets such as the Georgetown Flea Market, which all offer affordable, unique pieces. However, if you don’t feel like leaving the comfort of your home, you can turn to online secondhand shopping from companies like ThredUp and Poshmark. Just know your dollars have meaning, and every purchase you make can either support or hinder the fast fashion industry.