The trendier, the better, is what we often see being utilized today as part of consumer consumption. Given the accessibility of shops through online stores or e-commerce, it is easier to purchase without much of a hassle. Though this could be a good thing economically, being mindful of what we purchase could also bring some rewards. Fast Fashion, what it’s aboutFast Fashion refers to the rapid or hasty production of trendy and inexpensive clothing inspired by the latest trends often seen on social media, internet influencers, and/or celebrities. They are fashion items that are made affordable and accessible for public consumption. The commencement of fast fashion could be dated back to the Pre-19th century. However, its boom came in later in the 20th century. In the 1990s, brands started to revolutionize how the public conceives them through ready-to-wear, easy-to-purchase, and greatly affordable clothing items that are readily available to the masses. Fast-forward to its continuous impact and ever-changing trends of consumerism, fashion, and its related items have become more disposable, making consumers be encouraged to purchase more and discard old trends or styles faster. While fast fashion made new trend items like clothing, accessories, bags, etc., within reach and reasonably priced for the masses to buy, it also comes with significant environmental concerns: Waste GenerationOverproduction of fast fashion items can lead to massive amounts of unsold inventory and unused and discarded clothing from consumers. Many of these garments and accessories are often made from non-biodegradable materials that can take hundreds of years to decompose. Water Pollution and OverconsumptionTexting dyeing is the world’s second-largest polluter. The fast fashion industry uses approximately 700 gallons of water to produce cotton shirts and about 2,000 gallons for a pair of jeans. Fast fashion items are accessible and affordable; thus, we often overconsume because there is a fast-paced trend that we also frequently witness via social media that also influences us to purchase. Such consumption might not be totally wrong; however, there are impacts to the environment, to humans, and to other species that we should also be mindful of. Overall Climate CrisisWhile success is a collective effort, so are the crises that everyone is experiencing. While we cannot blame fast fashion alone and its consumption, it is a contributing factor to what we often witness as a climate crisis (e.g., the proliferation of chemicals and microplastics in both land and water, excess amount of waste that cannot be broken down easily, etc.). Kudos to the fashion brands that are already making their way to sustainability by addressing these discourses. While there are a huge number of initiatives to be done, truthful efforts shall count; thus, consumers also have a role to play in terms of consumption—all these between uplifting the economy and ensuring relatability of brands, the industry, and their overall contribution. The Take There are some ways that both brands and individuals can combat the negative impact of fast fashion, by making sustainable choices, rewards could be sowed, albeit not instantly, but eventually. By buying less and choosing well, not only consumers can prioritize quality over quantity but also reef stellar financial rewards for not spending so much on certain items that they will only discard after. Brands can also focus on ensuring economically considerate price points without also deteriorating the quality to accommodate bulk production. Adopting a capsule wardrobe approach can also help mix and match style pieces and create a more versatile look.  Brands should also look into more responsible production, marketing, and ethical labor practices. Implementing circular fashion that encourages recycling, repurposing, and reusing rather than discarding and offering certain incentives for participants. While the above efforts could be done by both brands and consumers, the government also plays a significant role in making sure that these initiatives will be consistently applied. By crafting strict environmental laws and policies, incentivizing businesses that ensure fair wages and production through tax benefits and other grants, and educating consumers could go a long way. References: Business Insider (2019). Fast Fashion Environmental Impact Pollution Emissions Waste Water. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/fast-fashion-environmental-impact-pollution-emissions-waste-water-2019-10#fashion-causes-water-pollution-problems-too-textile-dyeing-is-the-worlds-second-largest-polluter-of-water-since-the-water-leftover-from-the-dyeing-process-is-often-dumped-into-ditches-streams-or-rivers-19 Center for Biological Diversity. (n.d.). At What Cost? Unraveling the Harms of the Fast Fashion Industry. Biologicaldiversity.org. Retrieved from https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/population_and_sustainability/sustainability/fast_fashion#  Maiti, R. (2025). The Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion, Explained. Earth.org. Retrieved from https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/