May 23, 2022

Lara Villard

9th Grade

Lakeland High School

More often than not, the stores from which we buy our clothes are major contributors to the “fast-fashion” crisis undertaking the world in the twenty-first century, which is directly feeding global emissions. Take a moment and think about the last item of clothing you bought. A graphic tee, a pair of boots, or possibly a new outfit for your high school dance? Now think about where you bought that piece of clothing. Was it H&M, Zara, or Forever 21? Fast fashion, a relatively new term, was coined to describe the practice used by companies to make cheap clothing, and consistently cycling in the newest style or trend. Consumers are encouraged to buy new clothing as the trends change and discard it after a few wears, in what is known as “throw-away” culture. This negatively impacts not only the environment, which according to the eco experts, fashion is the third largest polluting industry, but also exploits workers and harms animals. 

Before the 1800s, people had to source their materials, weave them, and then sew them to make clothing. Garments, at the time, were made to last. A hole in your sock was a problem that could be fixed instantly with a few stitches with a needle and thread. Today, people throw out the pair entirely and buy a new one without giving it a second thought. 

Clothing has become easier and quicker to manufacture due to the rise of the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s and the invention of the sewing machine in the 1830s, making fashion cheap and accessible to all, not just to the wealthy. In the nineteenth century, sweatshops began to emerge and consumerism was on the rise. Clothing transitioned from a basic necessity to a form of expression for the common people. Imagine, once upon a time, there were only four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. Now there are about fifty-two: one for each week. Clothing companies are overproducing like crazy, so it's no surprise when it comes to the amount of fabric that is being thrown away, it’s estimated that 92 million tons of textile waste are generated every year. 

So how do we change this? We need to transition into what is known as slow fashion. Much like what it sounds, clothing in slow fashion is produced at a slower pace and lasts for an increased amount of time. It is a more mindful approach to the industry as a whole, striving to fairly treat humans, animals, and the planet. Slow fashion brands tend to make clothing that is high quality, local, and seasonless. Buying secondhand clothing is also a great way to hop onto the slow fashion movement. Thrifting can save a piece of clothing from becoming waste, and conserve resources that are being used to make new clothing. While similar to sustainable fashion, slow fashion includes ideas of low consumerism and increasing the lifetime of clothing, elements that are not focused on in the sustainable movement. 

Within the science community, innovation in textiles has been making huge strides towards creating greener clothing. Alternatives to cotton, leather, and synthetic fibers are being made to substitute the materials that are being used today. 

Unfortunately, while more sustainable than fabrics made from virgin materials, recycled synthetic fabrics can have harmful effects on the environment. When washed or worn, they shed what is known as microplastics, which then make their way into the water, air, and even to the food we eat. Microplastics especially hurt organisms in the water, who easily ingest the tiny particles. It can cause abrasion in the digestive tract or poisoning from toxic chemicals picked up by the particles. Microplastics can also end up in the water we drink and the food we eat. Based on research, humans approximately eat 100,000 microplastics per year or more. It’s clear that recycled material fabrics are not perfect, but they are a better solution than clothes made directly from fossil fuels.  

These innovative textiles are just a few of the many ways the fashion industry is looking towards a greener future. To transform fast fashion into a slow fashion track, more companies, especially major players in the fashion industry, must aim to take initiative to change their practices and switch to more eco-friendly materials. This is no easy task, and can’t be achieved overnight, but with effort from all sides of the globe, this can be a real possibility.