Introduction
The development of instant fashion in the world has been moving at the speed of light, and there has been no surprise about its persistence. Instead, firms like Shein stood out from their rivals, thus appealing to people’s desires for unique and stylish pieces that still gave them a feeling of luxury and comfort yet arrived at their destination in a snap. However, while modern intelligent technologies provide us with access to many straightforward things, a complex network of consequences is involved at the social, environmental, and ethical levels. This paper will uncover the downside of fast fashion, which has both the prettiness and the hidden cost.
Summary of the Article
Fast fashion is the recent evolution of ubiquitous fashion in the last few years, is indicated by the rising demand for apparel. Shein’s is the most egregious case. Sales, which have increased more than twenty times, remain our priority number-one goal back to six years ago when Shein emerged in the United States. The Shein company collaborated with Style on an IPO, and an article was prepared. Being aware of the social factors that make me tempted to buy fast fashion clothing makes me be able to avoid them. The lack of regulation in this field brings out the good and the bad and, at times, also leads to the downfall of its business model. While consumer demand for these products is evident, we need to realize all invisible costs, such as social costs and environmental degradation associated with this business.
My Opinion
After reading the article, I learned that Instant fashion provides you with the retrieval of fast, cheap, and trendy apparel; however, the downside is alarming. It entrenches the mentality of utilization or occupation rather than investment for the long term instead. The fact that extracting, processing, manufacturing, and transporting release waste into the environment while clamouring for bargain deals is ignored; however, the fashion industry accounts for a large amount of pollution, emissions, and scarcity. We should understand that our decisions have implications beyond our garments’ appearance. Shoddy labour gets low wages and worse work ethics to make the goods we need and enjoy, which overlooks workers and makes their lives horrible. Not following fleeting trends but staying with classic considerations of a hierarchical, timeless, elegant style is a solution to the onward march of fashion. Settling for quality rather than quantity bears significance and longevity. On the one hand, the affordability of fast fashion allows you to dress immediately, but on the other hand, it has adverse effects on the environment and people. As consumers, we hold great power by how we shop and stand for more transparency and ethicality, which are critical factors in shaping the fashion industry and balancing fashion and responsibility.
Takeaway
My understanding of the article highlights that it is fast, affordable, and trendy and has some adv,erse imp, acts. It promotes a throw-away mentality rather than cultivating a classic, timeless, tasteful approach. We do not see how the depletion of resources, vectoring from fast fashion, production, and transportation, is the industrialized and appealing aspect of grabbing a bargain. Still, fashion is one of the biggest polluters, contributing to pollution, emissions, and scarcity. We certainly impact this world, which is way beyond our closets. The low add, achieved by low price, means those workers are treated poorly and paid badly. Such kind of circumstances exploit vulnerable workers. Eternity is a more important goal than following fashion trends; timeless elegance goes beyond fads. Emphasizing quantity over quality is a sign of value, and it is trimmed to withstand the test of time. Indeed, I am for speedy fashion since it gratifies our impetuousness, yet it harms the planet and people. As consumers, we manifest a tremendous prowess to turn to change through conscientious purchases and campaigning for honesty and sustainability, thus creating an industry that considers both Style and responsibility.
Conclusion
As consumers, we find ourselves at a crossroads with the capability to elicit instant gratification and yet have to process the wisdom of sustainable decision-making. The within-reach cost of a trendy wardrobe is only a part attributed to the payment infrastructure. It affects our world and the lives of people who work to make our garments. Fashion transforms how we will be dressed; however, it doesn’t have to conflict with the environment. We can advocate for transparency, support sustainable brands, and reconsider our purchasing choices to to shape an industry that inspires us but prioritises safety. To be safe, we would choose the latter as the future price of the fleeting fashion is likely to last far longer than the time spent trend-watching.
Works Cited
Pucker, Kenneth P. “The Lingering Cost of Instant Fashion.” Harvard Business Review, 27 Feb. 2024, hbr.org/2024/02/the-lingering-cost-of-instant-fashion. It was accessed on 28 Feb. 2024.
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