Alternatives to Fast Fashion

PHOTO: Students seek alternative clothing options.

By Sean Campbell and Naneh Grigor,

BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–

Recently, fast fashion brands like H&M, Zara and Shein have been dominating the market due to their low prices and “on-trend” clothing. 

“When it comes to fast fashion, I don’t really like how it’s made and then just thrown away,” senior Heath Gerber said.

Fast fashion brands cut corners when it comes to materials used and production methods in order to save money. Since these pieces last for less time, consumers are forced to come back a lot quicker and spend more money at the store. This creates a consumer loop that ends up only benefitting the brand itself.

Popular styles change very quickly, with some brands making as many as fifty two “seasons” or collections per calendar year. This rapidity exacerbates the consumer loop. There’s always more to buy. 

“Because the prices are so accessible, and the brands are quick to jump on trends… it is hard to escape the hold that these brands have on youth right now,” senior Nola George said.

These “fast fashion trends” create a lot of waste due to not only the sheer quantity of pieces made but also the poor quality with which the clothes are made, leading to a shorter lifespan for each garment and more waste. 

One alternative to buying from fast fashion outlets is the growing thrifting market. Davis has a multitude of thrift stores, including Goodwill, Tree House Vintage and Bohème.

“Sustainability is very important to me, and I am lucky enough to have access to thrift stores in my area, which everyone should explore,” George said.

Thrifting not only provides affordable clothing options but also extends the lifespan of pieces and leaves them out of landfills, at least temporarily.

“Thrifting is a way for old clothes to be recycled and a chance for those old clothes to be enjoyed by someone new,” junior Katie Lin said.

However, thrifting has always been a way that people in need of clothes can find them for cheap, but the growing resale market and environmentally conscious groups have made finding desirable clothes much more difficult. 

“I think people that have the money should save thrift stores for people who can’t afford clothes,” junior Harmony Tun said.

Another option is buying “timeless” or higher quality pieces that will last you much longer, but for double the price.

“For the people that can afford higher-end clothing that lasts longer, I think it’s a great idea for them to purchase these items,” Tun said. “Unfortunately, due to the price, there’s no way it’s affordable for everyone.”

A good middle ground is to consume less overall but to either invest into quality pieces or thrift for the clothes that you do have. “Sometimes the best solution to most issues involving waste is to use less stuff,” said Jennifer Gilbert, the City of Davis Conservation Coordinator.

Gilbert thinks that fast fashion companies are taking advantage of the consumer by ensuring they come back for more due to the low prices, at the cost of the environment. 

“Products that are designed to be thrown away after only a few uses necessitates the creation of new products to replace them, increasing the impact on the environment,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert also thinks it is important to consume less and take care of the clothes you have to make them last longer. “Treat them gently and follow the care instructions written on the tag,” Gilbert said. 

“I try to not excessively wash my clothes unless it’s necessary,” Tun said. “I end up hand washing a lot of clothes, so I don’t (damage) them.”

By taking care of your clothes through proper washing, drying, and maintenance you can extend the life of your pieces while also decreasing your overall effect on the environment.

“When I want to get rid of clothes, I’ll ask friends if they want them, or I will cut parts of the clothes off and sew them onto other clothes,” Gerber said.