Fast Fashion

An exchange of commerce is depicted at the center of a noxious cloud -- a hand offering a credit card for a pair of heels against a purple background of twisting lines. The image towers over rows red desks, dark figures sitting at them, ominously overshadowed by the product they labored over for someone else.

Dutch Colonialism in Southeast Asia was Always a Humanitarian Crisis

Vera Pavlovich, Loyola University Maryland

Colonialism is not a thing of the past; rather, its facets have evolved into industries like fast fashion.…

March 1, 2024

A drawing of fall fashion shows clothes floating against a blue background

Fall Fashion Trends You Can Expect This Year

Vanessa Rivera, James Madison University

As the weather begins to cool down, new style guidelines are starting to warm up, for better or for worse.…

September 12, 2022

Crochet Fashion Is Here To Stay: Here’s How To Do It Sustainably

Maria Merlo, Eastern Michigan University

Maybe you want to pick up a hook, or maybe you just wanted someone to talk you out of clicking 'buy' on that crocheted crop top. Here is how you can craft with a clear…

September 4, 2022

Are the Shein ‘HELP’ Messages Real?

Kaitlyn Anderson, Cornell University

Customers are reporting hidden 'help' messages in the tags of Shein clothing, but are these really concealed messages from their workers?…

July 6, 2022

Why You Should Shop at H&M This Summer

Kaitlyn Anderson, Cornell University

With its commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices, this retailer is the perfect store for the season's shopping needs.…

June 28, 2022

In an article about Gen Z, three people with different outfits stand in different poses.

Aesthetic Overload: How Gen Z Builds Characters, Not Outfits

Anna Merlo, University of Queensland, Australia

Internet culture dominates every aspect of modern life for the newest generation, especially in the world of fashion.…

June 8, 2022

Showing off her microtrends, a vibrantly dressed young woman poses as she takes a selfie.

5 Problematic TikTok Microtrends for the History Books

Lena Bramsen, The New School

While these fast-paced trends come to life and then die in record time, fast fashion companies rake in the profit through unethical practices.…

February 18, 2022

Illustration of the dire impact of fast fashion.

Fast Fashion: The Golden Child of Overconsumption

Isabella Savides, University of Pretoria

Although this problem is a big one among trendy online clothing retailers, its severe impact on the environment and our wallets is often overlooked.…

October 26, 2021

Guide to Thrifting Responsibly in New York City This Summer

Arianna Taylor, University of Rochester

It's tempting to run to second-hand stores for trendy summer clothes, especially in the Big Apple, but the affordable shopping craze can be harmful to low-income communities.…

April 13, 2021

Illustration by Lucas DeJesus for an article on sustainability

Sustainability on a Budget: How To Live Green Without Breaking the Bank

Beth Jordan, Aquinas College

Greenwashing companies and influencers have made it seem like an environmentally-friendly lifestyle is out of reach for the average person. Here are some easy, everyday solutions.…

March 1, 2021

The Problems With Fast Fashion and the Problems With Hating On It

Sarah Gudenau, Oakland University

The efficient business model may not be environmentally friendly, but it’s unrealistic to expect everybody to shop slow fashion.…

December 27, 2020

Dressember. (Illustration by Eri Iguchi, Minneapolis College of Art and Design)

Dressember Is the Fashionable Fight Against Human Trafficking

Anna Wurm, Texas A&M University

Wear your best dresses and ties for the entire month of December to advocate for a critical cause.…

December 20, 2020

An illustration of someone using Depop, an app for buying and selling clothes

Why It’s Unethical to Resell Thrifted Items on Depop

Katherine Brand, University of Michigan

Reselling thrifted items for outrages prices is contributing to the gentrification of thrift stores, harming those who rely on cheaper prices.…

August 13, 2020

In an article about fast fashion company Shein, an illustration of factory workers sewing clothes

Shining a Light on Shein’s Unethical Labor Practices

Reem Farhat, Fordham University

Their recent release of offensive products has consumers outraged, but the company's fast fashion practices and sweatshops hurt much more than feelings.…

July 23, 2020

Taking photos of your used clothes to upload online on Depop is an easy way to make money and save the planet.

Depop Provides a Creative Way To Crush Fast Fashion

Cathleen Luo, Columbia University

The app allows users to embrace their artistic side and reimagine what we wear, all while making it easy to shop sustainably.…

July 3, 2020

four recycling bins in an article about sustainability

Sustainability Isn’t Always Accessible, But Here’s How It Can Be

Katherine McLaughlin, The New School

It's important to the future of this planet, but it's not an investment that everyone can make. How can we change this?…

April 15, 2020

Forever 21 Is the Latest Casualty of Gen Z’s War on Fast Fashion

Taylor Sprinkle, University of Texas at Austin

With its negative social and environmental implications, the death of fast fashion is long overdue.…

September 12, 2019

The Pros and Cons of the Fast Fashion Industry

The Benefits of Fast Fashion for College Students

Flavia Martinez, Amherst College

Yes, it gets a bad rap for a variety of reasons, but it has a pretty important redeeming quality.…

April 1, 2017

Why the Rana Plaza Collapse Should Change How You Shop

Julia Dixon, Texas State UniversityandGuest Contributor

The death of more than 1,000 Bangladeshi garment workers and the conviction of 41 people for murder has sent tremors through the fashion industry. Here's what you can do to shop responsibly.…

January 6, 2016

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