Recently, we have seen a rising number of trends on social media, and this is encouraged by the availability of fast fashion from companies like Shein and Temu. Those who need to shop on a budget see it as okay because their clothes are cheaper. However, a Le Monde article shows that it might not be the safest option.
“Formaldehyde, a chemical commonly used in home building products, was detected in Shein’s caps at double the allowable threshold. Two bottles of nail polish from Shein were found to have dioxane − a possible human carcinogen that can cause liver poisoning − at levels more than 3.6 times the allowed limit and methanol concentrations 1.4 times above the acceptable level,” Le Monde writes.
It talks about how the chemicals used in clothes from Shein and Temu are being excessively used above the government’s limits for clothing production.
Sometimes even goes up two or three times the chemical usage limit for producing clothes. Overpassing the government’s chemical limit can cause complications to be even worse than what they would have originally been.
The true cost of fast fashion
In 2015, Andrew Morgan filmed the documentary “The True Cost” about the cost of fashion production. The film particularly focuses on what happens in developing countries and in places that allow the use of sweatshops; these are the nations that produce most of the clothing sold by fast-fashion companies.
“The True Cost” discusses Bangladesh a lot, as it is one of the most frequently selected countries across the world to outsource clothing production. This outsourcing typically occurs because the price of producing a product in foreign countries is often lower in cost than if the brand had their products made in the country they are based.
These countries charge businesses less in taxes, the employee’s wages are lower, and the rules about the quality of working conditions are spares; this allows fast fashion brands to produce more and for the companies to have higher profit margins after the finished goods are sold in wealthier countries for a competitive price.
If a company produces clothing in their own country, the taxes and employee wages are higher; this results in companies making fewer products for a higher price and ultimately reduces a company’s profit margin.
Morgan mentions topics and themes like poverty, low-income jobs, worker rights, consumerism, and the hardships that the workers have to face within the fashion industry. However, Morgan also discusses the effects that fast fashion has on the environment, such as the chemicals that are polluting and endangering the global ecosystem.
Although the documentary was filmed in 2015, it is still pretty relevant today. Most people know Shein for what it is today– a popular company that makes and sells clothing at a lower price than U.S. department stores.
However, back in 2011, Shein was originally a bridal wear company known as “She Inside.” In the 12 years that Shein has been in operation, they have seen a major boost in revenue. In 2023, Shein made more than $30 billion; this is arguably a direct result of fast and cheap production.
The Business of Apps, a platform that focuses on the analytics of various mobile device applications, also states how much Shein has grown.
“It is now the leader of a new generation of fast fashion that puts Zara and H&M to shame, producing thousands of new items to match the current trends every week. On an average day, Shein adds 2,000 new items to its store,” The Business Apps writes.
Consumers guilt
The true cost of fashion to me is everything that a person thinks about when it comes to the way clothes are being produced; the true cost needs to take the treatment of employees, the ecological impact, the financial impact, and the actual quality of the finished product into account.
Many people agree that the process of creating sustainable and socially ethical products is very hard, and some say that the process is not even worth it at all. Despite this, I think that the cost is more important than we could ever imagine.
Even though consumers don’t typically have to deal with the consequences of their decisions directly, we should be aware of those who live in places like Bangladesh who do have to deal directly with the problems we often ignore. We should consider how the buildings they work in are being filled to the maximum capacity by the sheer number of workers. We should think about how those who run the factories are driven by greed that allows them to only think for themselves and profits; those who run the factories only care about their money. They do not appear to care if their employees are mistreated or underpaid; their main concern is whether profits are going up or down.
On a good day in the United States, a person may get lucky and experience a day without any problems. However, for those working in sweatshops, it does not matter if their day is good or bad; every day comes with high risks.
“The True Cost” features some interviews with some workers who spoke about their harsh working conditions. One of the workers mentions an altercation. She talks about how on a bad day in the factory, the fears and complications that arise can lead to the factory owners locking all the entries and exits to force employees to complete their assigned tasks for the day.
Within these factories, many workers constantly worry if the production building will collapse today due to lack of maintenance or poor design; they work with the fear that if it isn’t today, it may be tomorrow, or perhaps in the next week, month or even a couple years down the road.
Many in the U.S. question why the employees put up with the poor conditions, and the reality is that people who live in these places that are slowly being consumed by factories have essentially no way out. Alternative job options are limited, but the employees still have families to feed; it isn’t just feasible for many of these individuals to relocate either.
The number of growing factories has been increasing, and this allows fashion brands like Shein to double their production. This is great for consumers in countries like the U.S., but it can be devastating for those working in the factories.
As the consumer, we should feel guilt, just as those who run the factories should. Although we aren’t physically making them follow the abusive conditions in the factories, consumers should feel guilty about turning a blind eye to their struggles. We will scroll through social media when we see something that we like on someone else.
The consumer needs to fulfill themselves by getting those fast fashion products that create the demand. Yet, the worst part comes once consumers get the finished product– the temporary satisfaction of their purchase only lasts momentarily.
Once individuals have made their purchase to satiate their need to consume, that so-desperately sought feeling of satisfaction starts to decrease until it inevitably disappears. When we first buy an object, it does make us feel better at that moment; this feeling never lasts. Soon after a couple of wears, that trendy fast fashion purchase will be tossed to the back of our closet and forgotten about. As consumers, our continued purchases are saying that we believe our ability to temporarily satisfy ourselves by obtaining cheaply made items is more important than the well-being of those who make them, but we ultimately disregard the products that are the very reason those people are even in the factories.
While I try to keep my wardrobe small and use what I already have, I should still be aware of what is happening around me and around the world to produce these pieces of clothing, and so should everyone else.
Here are some things we can do:
- Look into buying sustainable clothes
There are sustainable clothing brands for all whether you’re looking for something cheap or expensive.
The most common myth about buying anything sustainable, or even just more environmentally friendly, is that it is always expensive; this isn’t always true. There are a variety of brands at different price points.
If you’re looking for something stylish and trendy, try shopping from Stella McCarthy. For something more casual and comfortable, try Toad&Co.
2. Try thrifting
Thrifting is an inexpensive way of getting clothes, but the prices will really depend on where you go.
Some thrift stores have raised their prices to such a high price that some people might not think that it’s worth it, and that’s okay. However, there are a variety of local thrift stores to explore that are affordable. If you find a piece of clothing that is bought from the thrift store that you find boring or doesn’t look like it’s much, you can always modify it or turn it into something you would like to wear.
While Bakersfield has some chain thrift stores, like Salvation Army and Goodwill, there are several local shops too. Some local shops include In Your Wildest Dreams Consignments, Encore! Boutique, and the Miller’s Family Thrift store.
3. Minimize your closet
Minimizing your closet doesn’t mean that you have to get rid of everything you have. It simply means to declutter what you aren’t wearing. Focus on keeping the pieces that you wear frequently in your wardrobe because you know that you are using them. Donate the clothes you don’t wear.
One decluttering tip that went viral included turning all of the hangers in your closet so they hung backward; as you wear a piece of clothing for the first time that year, hang it back up so it faces the right direction. At the end of the year, declutter by getting rid of any clothing that is still facing the wrong way.
4. Use your pieces efficiently
Focus on clothing that makes you feel comfortable or you feel suits your body type well; this will help ensure that piece of clothing is going to be used a lot. Even if it’s almost worn out, it might still be the most worn item in your wardrobe. Using pieces to the best of your ability and expanding their longevity is a great way to use your pieces while being conscious of any ethical impact.
