Nothing satisfies me more than buying something on sale. The amount of satisfaction I feel when I approach the checkout knowing I am not paying the price written on the tag gives me a rush- probably more than it should. The truth is, behind the companies that blast out mass produced products at cheap prices is a dirty reality.
The awareness of fast fashion and its effects has exponentially grown in recent years. Webster’s dictionary defines fast fashion as, “an approach to the design, creation, and marketing of clothing fashions that emphasizes making fashion trends quickly and cheaply available to consumers” (“fast fashion”). Initially, the concerns regarding this issue dealt with the conditions workers endured to produce clothing. Companies are known to hire children and women in sweatshops where they are overworked and underpaid.
The conditions of these work environments appear to pull at peoples heartstrings. Knowing a child in an impoverished country may have been slaving to make the clothes we buy on sale at a store constitutes some type of moral conflict. I have considered this many times before- how entitled can I be knowing the truth behind the clothes I own and continuing to partake?
Another issue that’s gained some attention in recent years is the effect fast fashion has on the environment. Fashion is an enormous contributor to the emission of greenhouse gases. According to an article published by Vox magazine, “apparel and footwear production currently accounts for 8.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions” (Chua). In a world where climate change is increasingly becoming a bigger concern, this is another factor to consider before purchasing from these stores.
Overall, the fashion industry, in simple terms, is a complete wreck. Despite the obvious vices surrounding this business, we continue to give them our money. As much as people are aware of these circumstances, the mass majority of buyers continue to give these companies business. In a way, this completely goes against the basic human ethics we’re raised with. Think about it- any balanced person would be extremely disturbed to see a child slaving away, simply to produce clothing that we consider stylish. This also goes for the environment. More and more individuals are altering their lifestyles to help the planet; yet fast fashion stores are just as busy as always.
Has society’s pressure to maintain a certain appearance shifted our moral compass? This issue regarding fast fashion projects the fact that people are willing to sacrifice their moral values for societal approval. Based on general moral principles, it is silly to assume that anyone would genuinely approve of this issue. In an age where information is always at our fingertips, ignorance is not a good defense. As a whole, our society has become so consumed by physical appearance that we are willing to overlook the lives being negatively impacted along the way. Fashion can be a vessel to bring confidence and empowerment, but how valid is that if it takes those same attributes away from someone else?
“Fast fashion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fast%20fashion. Accessed 24 Feb. 2020
Malik Chua, Jamsin. “The environment and economy are paying the price for fast fashion — but there’s hope”. Vox. September, 12, 2019. Accessed from https://www.vox.com/2019/9/12/20860620/fast-fashion-zara-hm-forever-21-boohoo-environment-cost
The Fashion Phenomena 