How I Feel About Fast Fashion

Fast Fashion: What's the True Cost?

In our capitalist society, there is a disconnect between the consumer and the product. In the industry of fast fashion, the cost of the garment is only a part of the full price paid. Behind the scenes, we can see the true cost of buying cheap; sweatshops often have poor working conditions, unfair wages, child labor, and unreasonable hours for its workers.

As consumers, we are unconsciously supporting unethical and unsustainable practices. Well known companies such as H&M, Forever 21, Zara, Walmart, Adidas, and Victoria’s Secret are just a few  of the major corporations taking advantage of the consumer to make a profit at the cost of humanity. By purchasing products from such companies, we are supporting these practices and only feeding into the inhumane treatment of workers throughout the world.

However, the power is in the hands of the buyer. Major corporations depend on the money of clients. As consumers we have the choice to either support unethical production or buy sustainable items that are made in humane wor

k environments that provide fair wages for all their workers.  While there is a fine line between the value of ethicality versus the importance of supporting third world countries, due to a rise in globalization over the past decade, it has become increasingly more tangible to stimulate these economies while, at the same time, providing ethical work environments.  One may think that sweatshops are giving jobs to people who need them, however, we must demand higher ethical standards for companies in underdeveloped countries. If influential brands see the sales of ethical items increasing, they will follow the money and join the trend of manufacturing fair and ethical products.

Do you think fast fashion is humane?