4 reasons why fast fashion is always a bad gift
Words by
Noah Redman Bennett
Christmas is swiftly approaching, and many of us will classically leave our Christmas shopping until the very last minute. It's always stressful buying gifts for all our loved ones, making sure that we’ve covered all bases and are buying gifts that will be cherished. Clothing is always a good option, and is something we all need, but when buying into fashion as gifts this Christmas, we suggest that fast fashion could be the worst option. What’s wrong with fast fashion? you may ask...read on, we’ll tell you what.
Photo by Becca McHaffie on Unsplash
1. Fast fashion uses more polluting materials
While buying fast fashion is much more affordable and often accessible to the mass market, the cost of it is much worse for the planet than buying from other brands. Indeed, fast fashion garments, typically worn less than 5 times, produce 400% more carbon emissions than clothes worn 50 times. Many of these items will take over 100 years to break down, leading to more waste and the emission of toxic gases and chemicals; as synthetics break down, they release harmful gases like methane into the atmosphere. Buying garments made from organic and sustainable materials means that they will break down much quicker, and therefore are safer for the planet.
2. Poor quality designed to be replaced quickly
Making clothing on such a large scale and at such high speeds means that often, cheap materials are used - keeping costs low for the company and for consumers - which is something that many people rely on. But this low cost comes at a price. Fast fashion clothing is made with planned obsolescence, meaning that it is designed to be damaged or ruined easily, contributing to its low-wear, throwaway nature. The materials used in fast fashion manufacture are lower quality, and are most often not natural materials like cotton or wool, but usually synthetic fibres, which can end up in our oceans and water systems - with each wash, around 1,900 microfibres are leaked into small aquatic organisms.
It is not only more eco-conscious to buy clothing which is made to last, but can also save you money in the long run, because your clothing lasts longer and saves the need to buy new as regularly. Take our Denim Worker Jacket for example, hand-made in small batches and designed to last.
3. Fast fashion uses more water than more sustainable clothing
It’s also estimated that 20% of the world’s water pollution is as a result of the fashion industry’s dyeing and cultivation processes, with over 800 chemicals used to transform raw materials into fabrics. So even while these clothes are being manufactured, there are many damaging effects to the planet. A pair of jeans for example, uses approximately 1800 gallons of water just to grow the cotton needed to make the jeans compared to a 90% decrease when buying organic, ethically sourced cotton. All Our Organic cotton T-shirts are all made from cotton farmed in the Indian region of Ahmadabad that receives up to 95% of its water from the monsoon rain - drastically reducing water consumption. Try our Unisex Raise Wages Organic Cotton Tee - a design based on the importance of a living wage and the exploitation that many still face.
Birdsong’s Unisex “Raise Wages” Organic Cotton Tee
4. It’s cheap for you, but others pay the price
Finally, fast fashion brands can afford to produce their garments for low prices because the clothing they sell is often made in sweatshops. Many brands still use these sweatshops in the far east, paying their workers less than minimum wage, and forcing them into poor working conditions. Even in the UK, in 2020 it was found that garment workers in Leicester were working for less than minimum wage in unsafe conditions during the height of the pandemic. Not much has actually changed since the Rana Plaza disaster, when a factory collapsed and killed at least 1,132 people in 2013. Buying into these brands means that you are effectively supporting this manufacturing technique, which is exploitative and dangerous to workers. We suggest buying from slow-fashion brands, who’s production methods are much safer and more ethical. Our Vegan Reclaimed Fur Open Slippers are hand-made to order for the London living wage.
“Many brands still use these sweatshops in the far east, paying their workers less than minimum wage, and forcing them into poor working conditions”
When shopping for clothes this Christmas (and beyond), we should all really be thinking about the effects of our spending on people and the planet, as it is now more important than ever that we are all doing our bit to help slow the effects of climate change, before it's too late.
Photo by Pascal Meier on Unsplash
At Birdsong, we pay all our workers the London living wage, and work with women and communities to help give back locally. All our clothing is made to order, meaning that waste is reduced from the word go. We upcycle all our offcuts into wearable scrunchies and facemasks, and source only the most sustainable materials we can, whether that's naturally derived - like the TENCEL™ Lyocell which is made from wood, or reclaimed materials which we divert from landfill, everything is sourced in the most eco-conscious way.
Our jewellery is all Hand made at a Living Wage jewellery making co-operative in Jaipur, India, with responsibly sourced 0.925 Sterling Silver or with 18k Gold Plating on that base. Our Silver and Moonstone Open Ring is a popular choice, with a simple and elegant design.
Buying from Birdsong and other sustainable brands, means that you are helping to reduce fast fashion consumption which is so damaging to the planet. Shopping sustainable means that you can be proud of your wardrobe.
Words by Noah Redman Bennett from Birdsong