Forget Fast Fashion

Fast fashion creates fast paced damage to so many aspects of society. Quickly made and distributed clothing has lead to the expansion of four seasons of fashion to an average of 52 "micro-seasons" in the industry. Designers and companies like Forever 21 push out new collections as quickly as possible at extremely low prices. As a result masses of consumers cycle through the cheap clothing quickly and ditch their old apparel for the newest styles. So, is the quick turn over worth the rippling effects it causes? No, not really. Here's why.
The most immediate reason that will affect the consumer themselves, is the low prices, at an even lower quality. As a result of the rushed production there is a significantly less intensive look over for quality control of the products. Merchandise is sent out that are missing buttons, don't tie correctly, or tear after one wear.
Outside of the consumer's personal experience, there is the person who is making the products life to consider. The manufacturing process is a  modern example of a blatant human rights violation. Long hours and harmful exposure to chemicals, paired with a lack of quality pay all add up to a low quality of life for workers creating various garments.
The common factor between consumer and manufacturer is simple: Earth. We all live on it, and all of us partaking in the consumption of fast fashion are participants in speeding up the Earth's death as fast as fashion is made. Since so much of the clothing purchased through fast fashion suppliers is cheaply made and goes out of style so quickly, the majority of it is thrown away. In fact, in the U.S. alone throws away 11 million pounds of clothing a year. Clothing that is made up out of countless toxic chemicals which are released into the environment as they break down. The fast fashion industry alone accounts for 10% of all of humanity's carbon emissions, along with the fact that it is the world's second-largest water supply consumer. The damage that is caused is extensive and vast, yet most don't see beyond the "cute" trends that turn over every week.
There is hope for the clothing industry though, as a move toward slow fashion is progressing. As more people become aware of the fast fashion epidemic, consumers are beginning to follow a "Quality, not quantity" mindset. Slow fashion encompasses a focus on mindful manufacturing, fair labor, and natural, lasting materials. Items like pineapple leather purses and jackets to recycled plastic threads are all better and sustainable options for those looking to avoid the fast fashion industry.
All in all, sustainability is soon to be the newest and longest lasting trend.