The TikTok-driven boom for fast fashion brands like Shein has made it easier than ever to keep up with trends, but at what cost?
When most of us buy things, two important questions pop up—do I need or do I want this? When buying clothes, cost is usually the paramount thought that percolates through our minds. But we also seesaw between
the occasion — do I need a new dress for a wedding?
the frequency — I definitely need another workout top for the gym
the need — it’s getting cold and I really need a warmer jacket
As consumers, few of us think about clothes beyond our immediate life contexts. In this article, we’ll explore the effect of fast fashion on labor and the environment. But remember, this isn’t an attempt to shame (any of) us from buying fast fashion. Let’s be honest if this is what our budget allows. There are ways to balance our love for fashion today and the near future. Between second-hand and slow fashion, we’re here for you!
Low price tags and rapid turnover hides a harsh reality for workers in developing countries (and sometimes even workers in developed countries). Garment workers often face hazardous conditions, long hours, and inadequate pay, highlighting the troubling ethical implications behind our “affordable” clothing. But this isn’t anything new. We know and have come to expect higher prices if it’s “Made in France” versus if it’s “Made in Bangladesh.” Can we truly feign ignorance knowing that labor costs more in developed countries?
So why hasn’t more been done to change this? The Fashion Law writes:
The problem is if brands are to eradicate labor exploitation, they must take more control of their supply chains. And if they take more control over their supply chains, they open themselves up to the risk of tremendous legal liability.
Being held accountable for every single worker may not be financially feasible for any brand operating across complex supply chains with suppliers and suppliers’ suppliers. This won’t be solved overnight, but the first step forward is consumer awareness and following that, legal framework changes. As with many things, quite often easier said than done.
Will fast fashion brands finally work on improving supply chain oversight if more consumers vote with their wallets?
Fast fashion's environmental impact is just as severe. The industry already ranks among the world’s top polluters, and rapid production exacerbates the issue. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
Textile waste totaled more than 1.7 million tons in 1960 and grew to more than 16 million tons as of 2015, according to EPA data.
Toxic dyes leach into rivers, synthetic fabrics shed microplastics, and clothing waste piles up in landfills.
Ghana's struggles, where millions of discarded garments arrive weekly, highlight this crisis. As Solomon Noi from Accra's Waste Managementexplains, a significant portion is "complete chaff," adding to unmanageable waste.
Linton Besser writes:
These problems have only accelerated with the advent of so-called “fast fashion” — cheap, low-quality clothes produced quickly to respond to changing trends. Where brands once had two fashion seasons a year, many now produce 52 micro-seasons, flooding the market with new styles.
This never-ending cycle of mass production and distribution has worsened the fashion industry's carbon footprint, pushing climate change to alarming levels.
Sounds doomsday-ish? Well, there is movement on the horizon. The EU just passed its The Waste Framework Directive (WFD), which mandates that
from 2025, EU Member States must establish separate collection systems for used textiles.
We don’t have to wait for fashion conglomerates or the government to make changes, though. With the Gen Z crowd leading the charge, there’s already a shift toward sustainability, with the circular fashion economy rapidly gaining traction in recent years. Brands are exploring recyclable materials, and consumers are opting for rental, resale, and upcycling. Resale sites like Poshmark, Depop, Mercari and ThredUp are solid options for second-hand shopping and selling. These alternatives encourage a break from throwaway culture. Re/make even has a #NoNewClothes challenge:
to buy no new clothes—whether that’s buying nothing at all or only secondhand—for 90 days.
Slow fashion promotes quality over quantity, encouraging consumers to invest in timeless pieces. This movement has inspired a shift toward ethical brands and sustainable choices. Brands like dot.zero are at the forefront. David Braccini found that sneakers on the market
were always composed of more than one material, which made them unrecyclable as a whole, no matter what companies like Nike, or even All Birds, advertised.
and in tandem with his father, “developed a sneaker made of one material, lignin, which is found in most plants.”
Here at Carouge, we’re helping to reshape how you interact with fashion by enabling you to create a digital archive of your closet. When you’re ready to give a second life to your item, you can instantly list across multiple resale sites like Poshmark. If you’re wondering what your item is worth, check out our Commission Calculator to compare your potential earnings across different resale platforms.
With growing transparency in supply chains and innovations in sustainable materials, the industry is changing. Informed consumers are pushing brands to adopt more responsible practices. By recognizing the hidden costs of fast fashion, we can make better choices that benefit workers, the environment, and the industry’s future. The future of fashion depends on our choices today—let’s make them count.
The TikTok-driven boom for fast fashion brands like Shein has made it easier than ever to keep up with trends, but at what cost?
When most of us buy things, two important questions pop up—do I need or do I want this? When buying clothes, cost is usually the paramount thought that percolates through our minds. But we also seesaw between
the occasion — do I need a new dress for a wedding?
the frequency — I definitely need another workout top for the gym
the need — it’s getting cold and I really need a warmer jacket
As consumers, few of us think about clothes beyond our immediate life contexts. In this article, we’ll explore the effect of fast fashion on labor and the environment. But remember, this isn’t an attempt to shame (any of) us from buying fast fashion. Let’s be honest if this is what our budget allows. There are ways to balance our love for fashion today and the near future. Between second-hand and slow fashion, we’re here for you!
Low price tags and rapid turnover hides a harsh reality for workers in developing countries (and sometimes even workers in developed countries). Garment workers often face hazardous conditions, long hours, and inadequate pay, highlighting the troubling ethical implications behind our “affordable” clothing. But this isn’t anything new. We know and have come to expect higher prices if it’s “Made in France” versus if it’s “Made in Bangladesh.” Can we truly feign ignorance knowing that labor costs more in developed countries?
So why hasn’t more been done to change this? The Fashion Law writes:
The problem is if brands are to eradicate labor exploitation, they must take more control of their supply chains. And if they take more control over their supply chains, they open themselves up to the risk of tremendous legal liability.
Being held accountable for every single worker may not be financially feasible for any brand operating across complex supply chains with suppliers and suppliers’ suppliers. This won’t be solved overnight, but the first step forward is consumer awareness and following that, legal framework changes. As with many things, quite often easier said than done.
Will fast fashion brands finally work on improving supply chain oversight if more consumers vote with their wallets?
Fast fashion's environmental impact is just as severe. The industry already ranks among the world’s top polluters, and rapid production exacerbates the issue. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
Textile waste totaled more than 1.7 million tons in 1960 and grew to more than 16 million tons as of 2015, according to EPA data.
Toxic dyes leach into rivers, synthetic fabrics shed microplastics, and clothing waste piles up in landfills.
Ghana's struggles, where millions of discarded garments arrive weekly, highlight this crisis. As Solomon Noi from Accra's Waste Managementexplains, a significant portion is "complete chaff," adding to unmanageable waste.
Linton Besser writes:
These problems have only accelerated with the advent of so-called “fast fashion” — cheap, low-quality clothes produced quickly to respond to changing trends. Where brands once had two fashion seasons a year, many now produce 52 micro-seasons, flooding the market with new styles.
This never-ending cycle of mass production and distribution has worsened the fashion industry's carbon footprint, pushing climate change to alarming levels.
Sounds doomsday-ish? Well, there is movement on the horizon. The EU just passed its The Waste Framework Directive (WFD), which mandates that
from 2025, EU Member States must establish separate collection systems for used textiles.
We don’t have to wait for fashion conglomerates or the government to make changes, though. With the Gen Z crowd leading the charge, there’s already a shift toward sustainability, with the circular fashion economy rapidly gaining traction in recent years. Brands are exploring recyclable materials, and consumers are opting for rental, resale, and upcycling. Resale sites like Poshmark, Depop, Mercari and ThredUp are solid options for second-hand shopping and selling. These alternatives encourage a break from throwaway culture. Re/make even has a #NoNewClothes challenge:
to buy no new clothes—whether that’s buying nothing at all or only secondhand—for 90 days.
Slow fashion promotes quality over quantity, encouraging consumers to invest in timeless pieces. This movement has inspired a shift toward ethical brands and sustainable choices. Brands like dot.zero are at the forefront. David Braccini found that sneakers on the market
were always composed of more than one material, which made them unrecyclable as a whole, no matter what companies like Nike, or even All Birds, advertised.
and in tandem with his father, “developed a sneaker made of one material, lignin, which is found in most plants.”
Here at Carouge, we’re helping to reshape how you interact with fashion by enabling you to create a digital archive of your closet. When you’re ready to give a second life to your item, you can instantly list across multiple resale sites like Poshmark. If you’re wondering what your item is worth, check out our Commission Calculator to compare your potential earnings across different resale platforms.
With growing transparency in supply chains and innovations in sustainable materials, the industry is changing. Informed consumers are pushing brands to adopt more responsible practices. By recognizing the hidden costs of fast fashion, we can make better choices that benefit workers, the environment, and the industry’s future. The future of fashion depends on our choices today—let’s make them count.
