Fast Fashion

I think it is about time we discuss "Fast Fashion". Americans love a bargain, we like new things and we have so much space that it is easy to accumulate far more stuff than we need. Who doesn't like a good shop at "Fast Fashion" houses like H&M, Zara and Forever 21? The items are inexpensive and fun and are one of the few affordable treats left. While these are all good reasons to participate in the "Fast Fashion" machine, there are plenty of good reasons not to.

"Fast Fashion" is bad for the environment, bad for the worker force involved in production and bad for society. Valuing things has actually become a luxury! Let's take a look behind those trendy, cheap clothes:

•They are produced in a developing country by a mostly female and child work force who are working long hours for very little pay. According to Jezebel's Clothes Call,"Of the 2.5 million Bangladeshi garment workers, 75% are women and children, who earn approximately $5 a week."

•We are throwing out tons of clothes every year. Many are heading straight to the landfill and are not made of environmentally friendly materials. Much of "Fast Fashion" is not suitable for charity or reclamation.

•Many of the styles offered by "Fast Fashion" houses are trendy and have a very limited life-span. They are often lower in quality and that reduces the life of the garment. These are two big factors in the vicious cycle. Trends are out quickly so 'fashion' needs to turn faster. Short life garments require replacement more quickly so the consumer must replace items at a faster pace.

•Store workers are often harried and abused. Store conditions are often not comfortable for the workers or consumers - loud music, crowded racks, long fitting-room lines, etc.

Another issue often not discussed regarding "Fast Fashion" is that everyone looks the same. We like to think that budding fashionistas scour racks at H&M and Forever 21 and create highly individual style based on the pieces they select and the accessories they choose to go with them, but in reality these consumers invariably look the same.

Last year, while traveling in the UK, my friend and I experienced Primark, partly out of necessity - lost baggage and forgotten items and partly out of my need to see it as part of my job. Thankfully they have not hit the US, so we were sure that whatever we got there would not be on every woman in America. My companion purchased a dress which quite suited her. She didn't wear it on our trip, however, we saw plenty of women wearing it all over the UK in the 2 weeks we were there.

Consider your participation in the "Fast Fashion" cycle and remember often a higher quality basic is the better choice.

Until next week -- Recycle, Restore, Rescue, Renew