Fast Fashion

Closet Chaos

Fast fashion: the ethics, controversy and alternatives

By Adrianna Armijo and Haily Seguiran

There are many places where people can get clothes from either online or in person .But due to the pandemic and stores being shut down people have turned to or have already been shopping online as a way to get quicker and cheaper clothes from shops like Shein or Fashion Nova. ¨How I feel about online shopping is that I like it so far.¨ Helhey said.

Sophomore Cami Helhey the preppy style is currently trendin. She also gets her fashion inspiration from her mom since her mom used to dress like her when she was in high school. She prefers online shopping to in-person. The most she has spent doing online shopping was $112.

“I would rather prefer fashion online shopping because I’m not a fan of crowded places.” Helhey said.

Fast Fashion is a site of unexpensive clothes that keep up with the upcoming style trends. Article by the New York Times has said that Shein, a fast fashion site, is now valued at $100 billion, more than H&M and Zara combined. Due to the rapid growth of these businesses have come with criticism. On top of the additional environmental issues now, fast fashion garments spark a lot of ethical concerns. Its negative impact includes cheap, toxic textile dyes, making the fashion industry one of the largest polluters of clean water globally. Fashion productions comprises 10% of total global carbon emissions. It also promotes child labor because it is often low skilled so children can be exploited at a young age

Fashion is nothing new to Senior Mayo Jack. His interest in fashion started at the end of his elementary school year to the beginning of his middle school year. Before his interest in fashion, he shared that he used to not care what he wore until he started gaining nicer clothes for his birthday.That started his interest in styling.

“Since I only can afford certain clothes, I stick with street wear style, so, like Urban Outfitters and sometimes Forever 21.” Jack said

Freshman Kristina Saragena has a different shopping experience compared to Helhey. Saragena gets most of her inspiration for her style from Tiktok and goes shopping at least once a week at malls; She roughly spends around $200 each time. She mentions how she doesn’t really use websites as much as she goes in-person shopping. ¨I usually get them [my clothes] from H&M and Hot Topic¨ Saragena said.

But why do some people avoid fast fashion shops? English teacher Jorja Santillan mentioned how she goes shopping once a month. She shops for clothes that are comfortable and more accessible.When she does get new clothes, she tries to retire some of her other clothes so they don’t end up in the landfill like most of the clothes from the fast fashion websites. “If I get something new, what can I retire that I may not use as much anymore,[I am] being cautious on how I dispose or pass down my clothes so they don’t end up in the landfill. It’s important to me because it’s giving them a new life.” Santillan said. Everyone has their preferences of where they enjoy shopping. Helhey believes fast fashion websites are better than shopping in person. She mentioned how she has social anxiety so shopping in a mall is not her ideal way to go shopping. Plus she “I would say that said it is so much easier to get clothes without anyone I’m glad I don’t fighting about it. “Payment is easier and use [fast fashion quicker. You don’t have to look everywhere for money sites]” senior and with people like myself Mayo Jack said. with social anxiety, you don’t have to interact with people.” Helhey said. Jack had mentioned that he is glad that he no longer uses any fast fashion sites because of the quality of the clothes and how they don’t have great options for people who don’t look like the models on the site. “I would say that I’m glad I don’t use them, because of multiple reasons. One is because they aren’t eco friendly, like at all. Two is because the quality isn’t that good. I value quality over quantity, and usually those sites don’t have good options for people of anything but the light skinned, thin women, making the garments unappealing on any other body type.” Jack said

COST COMPARISON

Comparing popular fast fashion bands to the alternatives

Shein Off Shoulder Top: $9 Hollister Off Shoulder Top: $19

Shein Straight Leg Jeans: $23 Levi’s Straight Leg Jeans: $68

Shein Frame Fashion Glasses: $5 J.Crew Calabar Square Sunglasses: $360