And we shouldn’t live like it is
Fast fashion is often deemed the culprit responsible for creating garments that aren’t made to last on a body but will outlive the people it was made for in landfills, creating massive graveyards of clothes that took valuable resources to produce. Fast fashion retailers like H&M, Nike, and Zara have been under scrutiny for these environmental blunders, as well as other failures such as appalling labour conditions. And when human conditions are not being disturbed, copyright is. The fast fashion machine that is Shein has plagued the fashion industry by stealing looks from designers big and small. In 2024, your choices at the mall have ethical implications, impacting decisions beyond just price and convenience.
Sinner by design
The topic of fast fashion has been the source of polarization in society in recent years. This mutual acknowledgement that fast fashion is bad has led to the formation of an “in-crowd” and an “out-crowd.” The in-crowd has turned away from fast fashion and sources their wardrobe essentials from more ethical alternatives like sustainable fashion brands and thrift stores. However, there are many reasons why someone might continue to give their business to fast fashion brands. As with most things, socioeconomic status is the biggest factor. Pieces from sustainable brands are usually a lot more money. Low-income consumers, like students, likely won’t have hundreds of dollars to shell out on clothes. Or perhaps it’s just apathy for a situation that is seemingly remote.
Sometimes, members of the in-crowd might perceive outsiders to be morally inferior because of their shopping choices. In April, photos emerged showing hundreds of shoppers lining up around the block, waiting to enter Shein’s pop-up store in Downtown Vancouver. Online comments denounced the brand and berated shoppers for their continued support. Similar sentiments are echoed all over social media, yet Shein remains a growing business, meaning the number of fast fashion supporters isn’t waning.
While fast fashion’s business model is unethical, the act of purchasing from it doesn’t have to be. If you manage to make your fast fashion garments survive more than a few washes and wear them again season after season, you aren’t the problem. It comes down to the difference between frugalness and excessiveness. If you buy ten outfits from Shein every week, you’re not buying from them because you don’t have a budget for clothes.
Fast Fashion is a Business, After All
The judgment targeting fast fashion buyers is counterproductive because it shifts blame away from the greater economic forces that let it happen. The existence and success of fast fashion is not the result of individual shopping decisions, it is a symptom of late-stage capitalism. While we can all make improvements in our lives, the onus shouldn’t be on the average person to make massive changes. Buying a sweater from Shein definitely shouldn’t be what weighs our conscience down. The responsibility and pressure should be on governing bodies to legislate changes that will improve the situation. For example, France’s parliament unanimously passed a bill in March that will allow France to penalize firms for importing fast fashion garments. One of the first of its kind, the law aims to reduce textile waste and push the fashion industry towards more sustainable practices.
You Gotta Do What You Gotta Do
At the end of the day, we are all trying our best; life is not simple. Knowing what happens in the business of fast fashion makes it hard, but if that’s what you can afford, know that you’re not committing a crime by buying that sweater. If getting that sweater will make you happier and make it just a little bit easier to make it through your day, don’t let the act of supporting Shein or H&M be a dark mark on your conscience. There is no shame in living within your means. What we can do is be mindful of the ramifications and keep spreading awareness of the situation in hopes that the larger forces can implement change.