Fast fashion has taken the world by storm; websites like Shein, Aliexpress, Romwe, and Temu are some of the many popular fast fashion websites that mass-produce clothes that are popular according to current trends. They follow short-term and long-term trends, meaning that if something only stays popular for three weeks, the clothes following that trend are no longer popular after those three weeks and, therefore, no longer as profitable for the companies. This sparks a lot of controversy among people because most fast fashion stores dispose of their out-of-fashion clothes via landfill; an estimated 92 million tons of discarded clothes end up in landfills. This can be problematic because of the materials used in the clothing; for example, the dyes and chemicals used in production can seep into the ground, which can then go into water sources that people need to produce drinking water or fish for food. This creates lots of controversy around the fast fashion industry.
While there is controversy around fast fashion, many people still shop there and see no issue. This is for several reasons. Usually, fast fashion stores are incredibly cheap. For example, the average dress price on Shein, arguably the most popular fast fashion website, is about five to ten dollars. This is much cheaper than many other stores and significantly smaller businesses that rely on the income made from the dresses. Another plus of fast fashion is that they have a lot of variety. The websites cater to everyone; you can easily find a dress for you, your younger sister, your mom, and your aunt all in one place on a fast fashion website. Fast fashion websites are also keen on keeping up with all the current fashion trends, no matter how long they last, hence the name Fast Fashion. Websites like Shein and Aliexpress ensure that there are always pieces that fit the current styles from all the most significant cities; if it’s gone viral on social media, you’ll see it on a fast fashion website. Many websites also make copies or “dupes” of popular but more pricey items. This allows everyone to dress like their favorite influencers without the seemingly unlimited bank account. A student, Summer Thomas (9), does support fast fashion websites. She says she knows the supposed negative environmental impact and bad conditions for workers. Still, she believes that buying from fast fashion is more convenient than other in-person stores. Summer is not alone in her views, as 40% of consumers in the U.S. shop for fast fashion.
There is also a lot of controversy surrounding fast fashion. For many people, the cons outweigh the pros listed above. People are concerned about the conditions that workers must work in when it comes to fast fashion. Many of these companies are confirmed or alleged to have workers as young as ten working in sweatshops. These shops have terrible conditions, usually without heating or air conditioning and without proper safety management. The employees can work an average of sixteen hours a day and seven days a week for less than minimum wage, nowhere near enough to sustain a happy life in this economy. This sparks much controversy around possible customers, especially the child labor aspect. The exploitation of elementary-age kids in the fast fashion industry is what keeps a large number of potential buyers away; these children are working under unsafe conditions, usually without much supervision, to make money for their impoverished families. Another aspect of the fast fashion industry that repels customers is the environment. As said in the paragraph above, fast fashion brands are keen to keep up with current trends, no matter how long that trend lasts. They won’t make as much money from products that were popular two months ago compared to products that are popular this week. This causes older, less popular products to be thrown out into landfills. This causes many chemicals and dyes to seep into the groundwater and run into local water sources, thus affecting the people and environment that rely on the water. Many materials used in making these clothes and products also don’t break down easily and can’t be recycled like other more natural products.
Morgan Clark (9) also makes an important point about the quality of the clothes produced. “I’ve seen them in thrift stores, like stuff from Shein, and they always seem thin and just not good quality.” While many people shop fast fashion for cheap prices, those cheap prices also make up for a lack of quality compared to other, more expensive clothes. Nomizza Mathu (9) says that she doesn’t think the clothes are the best quality and is aware of the controversial manufacturing process, “When you need cute clothes fast, you gotta do what you gotta do.” This is how many people feel on websites like Shein and Aliexpress. They’re aware of the issues it causes and the lack of quality, but low prices, fast shipping, and cute, trendy clothes seem to be more critical to most people. The real question is, do the pros outweigh the cons?
