Fast fashion, a term that's been buzzing around for a while now. But what does it really mean and why is it often painted in a negative light? Let's delve into the world of rapid clothing production and its implications.

What is fast fashion?

Fast fashion is cheap, trendy clothing that samples ideas from the catwalk or celebrity culture and turns them into garments in high street stores at breakneck speed to meet consumer demand

  • The idea is to get the newest styles on the market as fast as possible so shoppers can snap them up while they are still popular and discard them after a few wears
  • It plays into the idea that outfit repeating is a fashion faux pas

Yes Friends is a UK-based fashion brand that creates sustainable, ethical, and affordable clothing for everyone

Their t-shirts cost less than £4 to make and the brand only charges £7.99 for a t-shirt in sizes 2XS to 2XL.

Harvest & Mill

The brand makes basics for everyone, always ensuring they are not dyed or bleached, greatly reducing the use of water, energy, and dye materials.

Why is fast fashion bad?

Polluting our planet

  • Using cheap, toxic textile dyes, cheap, low quality materials like polyester, causing clothes to degrade after just a few wears and get thrown away-not to mention the microfibre shedding issue.
  • Exploiting workers
  • Harming animals
  • Coercing consumers
  • Encouraging a “throw-away culture”
  • Disposing of clothing waste
  • Introducing new, sustainable, and environmentally friendly initiatives

Ethical brand ratings

Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals

  • Use the app to discover ethical brands and see how your favourites measure up.
  • It may earn a commission on sales made using offer codes or affiliate links.

Whimsy + Row

An eco-conscious lifestyle brand founded out of love for quality goods and sustainable practices

  • Uses deadstock fabric, and by limiting each garment to short runs, reduces packaging waste and takes care of precious water resources. Find most products in XS-XL.
  • Organic Basics
  • High-quality sustainable fashion basics for men and women in organic materials
  • Only chooses fabrics that care for our environment
  • Partners with factories that care about their impact

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