Dress to Depress

For the people. For the planet. For the culture.

Author: Yashvi Patel

  • What’s the Deal With Synthetic Fibers?

    What’s the Deal With Synthetic Fibers?

    Yashvi Patel

    Synthetic fibers have made a name for themselves in the textile industry, but most prominently in the fashion industry. The majority of activewear is solely composed out of these chemically sourced materials, such as polyester and nylon. This can be attributed to the fact that such fibers are moisture-repellent, letting sweat dry quickly, durable, and lightweight. Nowadays, people tend to wear casual, professional, and formal wear that are made out of polyester, and they don’t even realize it.

    That is, until the chemicals in the fabric start to seep into the pores of our skin, interrupting our bodily systems and hormones. Maybe people begin to realize that spandex and acrylic clothes leave their skin feeling irritated and uncomfortable. Or, perhaps consumers realize how the clothes provide no breathability and retain odors that are impossible to get rid of.

    Lately, people have been discussing ‘non-toxic living’, where one of the key lifestyle elements is to wear natural, clean fibers rather than the artificially designed ones. This seems impossible in our current world where there is always some form of polyester or nylon in our clothes, regardless of the style is. Even with its consumer concerns, these synthetic materials are everywhere.

    So, what IS the deal with synthetic fabrics?

    Takeover of Synthetic Fibers

    Synthetic fabrics dominate the textile industry, making up more than 60% of the global fiber market as of 2021 [1]. The reason behind this? Corporations find that using them is the easiest way to mass produce products in a short amount of time.

    Natural fibers like cotton and wool rely on biology to grow. If a devastating weather event occurs, these crops could be destroyed. To successfully grow, the plants need a consistent climate, lots of land, and an abundance of water [2]. This elongates the length of time to grow and harvest natural materials.

    Moreso, the process to cultivate natural fabrics is risky and expensive, driving corporations away as they seek more cost effective materials that can be quickly manufactured. Their prayers are answered in the form of synthetic materials (polyester, acrylic, spandex, nylon, etc.). To create such fibers, petrochemicals and fossil fuels are transformed into a liquid, which are then spinned into long threads. 

    No abundance of land, intensive extraction processes, or risky moves are required to produce synthetic fabrics. Since it saves companies the money and effort, many of them use the materials as their sole source of production. That’s why it seems like all our clothes are constructed out of polyester fabric. It’s grown on consumers due to the materials’ durability, affordability, and overall versatility.

    When you look at how beneficial it is for these corporations to produce synthetics, as well as the appeal it has to consumers, questions on why other condemn these chemically manufactured goods continue to arise.

    Environmental Degradation

    The textile industry in itself is a major producer for carbon dioxide emissions. However, synthetic fibers take it to another level. Unlike natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, or linen, most synthetic fabrics are made of nonrenewable fossil fuels. Manufacturing these textiles requires significant amounts of energy and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions before a garment is ever worn. The European Environment Agency states that nylon production generates up to 5.5kg of CO2e per fiber [3]. 

    Additionally, every time synthetic clothing is washed, tiny plastic fibers break free. These microfibers travel through wastewater systems, and many eventually end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Once there, they can be consumed by fish, shellfish, and other wildlife, becoming part of the food chain [4].

    Researchers have found synthetic microfibers in marine ecosystems, drinking water, and even the air we breathe. Eventually, we will begin to be exposed to microplastics, polluting our bodies and causing health issues.

    Probably the biggest problem with human made materials is how they are disposed of. Fast fashion encourages frequent purchases and quick disposal. Because synthetic fabrics are essentially plastics, they do not biodegrade like natural fibers. Instead, they slowly break down into smaller and smaller plastic particles over decades or even centuries [5]. So, millions of discarded garments pile up in landfills every year, creating museums of all past fashion trends, long after they have changed.

    Human Health Concerns

    Beyond the environmental concerns, synthetic fabric can significantly disrupt bodily functions. As previously mentioned, microplastics from washing these products end up in the water we drink and the air we breathe, eventually causing us to drink or breathe in these substances. The biggest concern regarding microplastics in our bodies is that they may expose us to chemicals or bacteria that cling onto the tiny plastics. The Stanford Medicine News Center has reported that “studies have linked microplastics to biological changes including inflammation, an impaired immune system, abnormal organ development, cell damage, and more” [6].

    Even the appealing qualities of these materials, like wrinkle resistance, water repellency, and stain resistance come with risks. The positive attributes come from chemical treatments. Some of these chemicals have been linked to serious health problems, from both the worker and consumer sides.

    Workers are repeatedly exposed to toxic substances during production. Some have reported to have suffered from chemical burns, cracked skin, and even respiratory illnesses [7]. A research report revealed that prolonged occupational exposure to microplastics and toxins have led 4% of textile workers to develop conditions like fibrosis and bronchitis. 

    On the consumer side of things, individuals with chronic skin conditions may notice rashes, irritation, and even contact dermatitis developing after wearing synthetic fiber clothes all day. Artificial fabrics trap sweat, so your skin becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, weakening the skin barrier over time [8]. An estimated 60% of individuals with sensitive skin have claimed that they experienced rashes or something similar after wearing synthetic clothes in humid weather, making the issue alarming [9]. 

    Final Thoughts

    Synthetic fibers have engraved their place in numerous industries, and it’s for a reason. The versatility, affordability, and efficiency of such materials is something corporations and consumers have looked for. But convenience can come with some serious drawbacks. 

    They are a growing environmental concern, with their reliance on fossil fuels, contribution to microplastic pollution, and role in overflowing landfills. It has created a detrimental impact that is only continuing to be bolstered by trends. 

    At the same time, many individuals have come forward to state that they’ve experienced some significant health concern when wearing or producing these artificial fabrics. Namely, workers have opened up about situations where they got chemical burns from dyeing the fabric, cracked skin and itching from particles, and major lung diseases from inhaling microplastics. Consumers, especially those with sensitive skin, have expressed issues with skin irritation and dermatitis after wearing polyester clothes.

    People condemn the usage of synthetic materials due to the numerous threats they pose against our environment and our bodies. When compiled in a list like this, it makes it clear that the $10 shirt has a larger cost not present on the price tag.

    Resources

    [1] Textile Exchange. “Synthetics.” Textile Exchange, 2026, https://textileexchange.org/synthetics/. Accessed 10 May 2026.

    [2] Midani, Mohamad. “Reversing the shift back to natural fibers.” International Fiber Journal, 4 February 2021, https://www.fiberjournal.com/reversing-the-shift-back-to-natural-fibers/. Accessed 10 May 2026.

    [3] SELVANE. “Natural vs. Synthetic Fibers: Carbon Footprint Revealed.” SELVANE, 3 March 2026, https://www.selvane.co/blogs/knowledge/carbon-footprint-of-natural-vs-synthetic-fibers-a-life-cycle-assessment-comparison?srsltid=AfmBOor0yeGjHvT1vaVo3bnprRqNLeICmayj9FrQ7LqULPakrBJ-w0u0. Accessed 10 May 2026.

    [4] Akyildiz, Sinem Hazal. “Release of microplastic fibers from synthetic textiles during household washing.” ScienceDirect, 15 September 2024, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749124011692. Accessed 10 May 2026.

    [5] Nicolaus, Teddi. “Textile waste a growing issue as Americans consume more.” The Nation’s Health, May 2025, https://www.thenationshealth.org/content/55/3/1.1. Accessed 10 May 2026.

    [6] Savchuk, Katia. “Microplastics and our health: What the science says.” Stanford Medicine, 29 January 2025, https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/01/microplastics-in-body-polluted-tiny-plastic-fragments.html. Accessed 12 May 2026.

    [7] Munarriz, Jordy. “The Hidden Health Risks of Synthetic Fibers.” Arms of Andes, 19 June 2025, https://armsofandes.com/blogs/news/health-risks-of-synthetic-fibers-microplastics?srsltid=AfmBOoq9pOM_5ZXy0dq86QUO1hprdIyhP_ofpm8SlbdfTuWsYvSN_NKG. Accessed 12 May 2026.

    [8] Broadhead, Rosie. “The Future of Functional Clothing for an Improved Skin and Textile Microbiome Relationship.” PMC, 31 May 2021, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8226598/. Accessed 12 May 2026.

    [9] Farage, Miranda A. “The Prevalence of Sensitive Skin.” PMC, 17 May 2019, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6533878/. Accessed 12 May 2026.

  • The Exploitative Nature Behind Fast Fashion

    The Exploitative Nature Behind Fast Fashion

    Yashvi Patel

    Fast fashion has been a major win for consumers. Easily accessible, trendy clothes come at lightning speed through fast fashion giants. There is no need to worry about falling behind on trends since Zara has a new collection this week that only costs $10. However, what seems like a victory for consumers is quite the opposite for those in the global south.

    The purpose of fast fashion is to produce massive quantities of clothing as quickly as possible at a low cost. To reach this goal, corporations outsource production to factories in developing countries where labor costs are minimal, and regulations aren’t strongly enforced. 

    While not every factory operates under poor conditions, investigations over the years have documented cases of long working hours. These wages do not meet basic living expenses, and workplaces have limited labor protections. The pressure to produce garments quickly often falls on workers who have little bargaining power.

    The Human Cost

    The people making our clothes are often invisible to consumers. Women make up the majority of the global garment industry workforce, with approximately 60% of laborers being female [1]. Some factory workers are even children, which is where ethics start to disappear. The fast fashion industry relies on children to work due to their obedient nature, yet they give them almost nothing in return.

    The average monthly salary for a garment worker stands at $470 USD per month [2]. In Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and various other global south nations, the monthly income can stay within the double digits. 

    This devastating statistic becomes more (depressing) when it is revealed that many of these children and women are working to support their families [3]. So, kids are deprived of their right to education, freedom, and protection, which we will dive deeper into.

    Common reports coming from workers include excessive unpaid overtime during peak production periods, while others have fought against the unsafe work environments and abysmal standards of living. George Washington University posted an article detailing the 16 hour work days, with more sources coming out on how laborers are routinely exposed to harmful substances (like chemical dyes) without adequate ventilation [4,5]. 

    One of the most catastrophic events that exposed the poor conditions of facilities in developing countries was the Rana Plaza Factory incident. Taking place in Bangladesh in 2013, this factory building collapsed, killing 1,138 and injuring far more [6]. Though they may not be to this degree, accidents and injuries happen frequently in these environments but are often left out of the news and media. 

    Consumers rarely see these realities because supply chains are complex, involving multiple factories, subcontractors, and suppliers across different countries.

    More Than Just Cheap Clothes

    The consequences of fast fashion extend beyond labor practices. The industry’s emphasis on rapid production and disposable trends creates enormous environmental challenges.

    Millions of tons of clothing are discarded every year, much of it ending up in landfills or being incinerated [6]. Producing textiles requires significant amounts of water, energy, and raw materials, while dyeing and finishing fabrics can contribute to water pollution if not properly managed [5].

    Synthetic fabrics such as polyester also shed microplastic fibers during washing, adding another environmental concern.

    Learn more about the dangers fast fashion imposes on the environment here…

    Learn more about what synthetic fabrics actually do to yourself and our planet here…

    Why Consumers Keep Buying

    The success of fast fashion can be attributed to psychological and cultural forces [7]. This includes the fear of missing out on the next big thing due to changing trends. Since social media encourages numerous and frequent outfit changes, this has become engraved in young consumers’ minds. Additionally, impulse purchases are fueled by the low prices, which make them seem harmless. These factors make it easy to buy more than we need without considering the broader impact.

    Can Fast Fashion Become Ethical?

    Evaluating a company’s practices requires looking beyond marketing claims and considering independent reporting, transparency, and measurable commitments.

    Numerous brands have implemented programs and initiatives to improve sustainability efforts. This includes H&M, which launched a garment collecting and recycling program to encourage people to drop off unwanted clothes to give them a new life [8]. These efforts are well appreciated as they represent meaningful progress, but many argue that they still don’t address the underlying issue of the business model: the exploitation of workers.

    Unless companies can find another way to produce garments and clothes at such a high speed without putting workers in unsafe situations and endangering the environment, fast fashion cannot be ethical. 

    What We Can Do

    No one can solve the industry’s challenges alone, and ethical shopping isn’t equally accessible for everyone. But making even the smallest choices can make a difference.

    Rather than buying piles of clothes, invest in fewer, quality pieces that you will wear often. Buy your clothes secondhand, such as in thrift stores or off of Depop when able to. Additionally, make attempts to repair clothes when something happens. If salvaging isn’t possible, recycle clothes responsibly instead of throwing them away.

    The most ethical thing you can do is to support brands that are transparent with their supply chains and labor practices. Look for clothing companies that have a Fairtrade certification, as that indicates safe working standards are in place. The Global Organic Textile Standard should also be scouted out for, as this guarantees organic integrity throughout the production and farming processes.

    A few brands with these labels include KOTN, Pact, and Toad & Co. 

    Learn more about ethical, clean alternative brands to fast fashion…

    Final Thoughts

    Fast fashion isn’t inherently harmful because clothes are affordable. Affordable clothing plays an important role for many people. The problem arises when extremely low prices depend on systems that can place pressure on workers, encourage overproduction, and contribute to environmental waste.

    As consumers, we have more influence than we sometimes realize. Asking questions, shopping thoughtfully, and valuing quality over quantity can help shift demand toward a more responsible fashion industry. Every purchase tells companies what we value, and those choices can help shape the future of fashion.

    Resources

    [1] Amnesty International. “Why are workers’ rights in the garment industry a gender discrimination issue?” Amnesty International, 27 November 2025, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2025/11/workers-rights-in-the-garment-industry-a-gender-discrimination-issue/. Accessed 17 April 2026.

    [2] Lu, Sheng. “Minimum Wage Level for Garment Workers in the World (Updated in December 2020).” FASH455 Global Apparel & Textile Trade and Sourcing, 4 December 2020, https://shenglufashion.com/2020/12/04/minimum-wage-level-for-garment-workers-in-the-world-updated-in-december-2020/. Accessed 17 April 2026.

    [3] Wijngaarden, Melissa. “Child Labour in Fashion: Are Your Clothes STILL Made by Kids? | Sustainable Fashion Blog.” Project Cece, 20 August 2025, https://www.projectcece.com/blog/559/child-labour-in-the-fashion-industry/. Accessed 17 April 2026.

    [4] Ross, Emma. “Fast Fashion Getting Faster: A Look at the Unethical Labor Practices Sustaining a Growing Industry.” Student Briefs, 28 October 2021, https://studentbriefs.law.gwu.edu/ilpb/2021/10/28/fast-fashion-getting-faster-a-look-at-the-unethical-labor-practices-sustaining-a-growing-industry/. Accessed 17 April 2026.

    [5] Nguyen, Lei. “Fast Fashion: The Danger of Sweatshops.” Earth.Org, 10 October 2022, https://earth.org/sweatshops/. Accessed 17 April 2026.

    [6] Lundberg, Dielle, and Julia Devoy. “The Aftermath of Fast Fashion: How Discarded Clothes Impact Public Health and the Environment.” Boston University, 22 September 2022, https://www.bu.edu/sph/news/articles/2022/the-aftermath-of-fast-fashion-how-discarded-clothes-impact-public-health-and-the-environment/. Accessed 18 April 2026.

    [7] EarthDay. “Driven to Shop: The Psychology of Fast Fashion.” EarthDay.org, 5 August 2022, https://www.earthday.org/driven-to-shop-the-psychology-of-fast-fashion/. Accessed 18 April 2026.

    [8] H&M. “Garment Collecting & Recycling.” H&M, 2013, https://www2.hm.com/en_us/customer-service/product-and-quality/garment-collecting-reycling.html. Accessed 18 April 2026.

  • The Best Materials to Include in Your Wardrobe

    The Best Materials to Include in Your Wardrobe

    Written by

    Yashvi Patel

    Most people have heard about the worst materials your clothes could be made out of: Polyester, nylon, and more. The takeover of these specific materials comes from how inexpensive they are, making big corporations more keen to use them, and the convenience it provides consumers. Clothes containing synthetic fabric are considered durable and less prone to shrinkage and mold. These benefits make them the most appealing materials to use in the fashion industry.

    However, using synthetic fabric can come with some detrimental causes. Those causes directly affect our environment. The accessibility of polyester and nylon have made it easier for companies to mass-produce articles of clothing. When this overproduction happens, more waste occurs, meaning more clothes end up in landfills. That’s where the second issue comes in: synthetic materials are non-biodegradable. Since they cannot be naturally absorbed by the environment, they end up being in landfills for what could be a hundred of years. In the meantime, they shed microplastics that end up in our water and our air (Cornell University). The ingestion of these hazardous materials can affect our bodies, with some instances resulting in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and reproductive issues. 

    Additionally, nylon and polyester tend to retain odor much more than environmentally conscious materials do. Sweat is absorbed easily by these fabrics, which over time leads to the clothes starting to smell. Skin irritation is also a prevalent problem caused by synthetic fibers, due to their poor breathability.

    Learn more on how hazardous synthetic materials really are…

    So, what materials should consumers and companies look into more? 

    1. Cotton

    Right behind polyester and nylon, cotton is one of the most used materials in the fashion industry, and for good reason. It is one of the softest fabrics you can find, which is beneficial for those with sensitive skin. Often described as hypoallergenic, skin allergens such as Eczema and Dermatitis are soothed by cotton clothing (AllÓRA).

    Cotton is a hydrophilic material, meaning it absorbs water. While this may deter people from buying it (especially in warmer weather), this means that moisture and heat will not be trapped on your skin, leading to less skin irritation. 

    The fibers of cotton are also exceptionally strong, making them more durable, similar to those of synthetic fibers. This makes the clothes easy to take care of as you won’t have to worry about the shape changing or pilling occurring. 

    Common articles of clothing that contain cotton are T-shirts and dresses, providing that breathability that you would lack with synthetic materials. Brands that are predominantly cotton include CottonOn and Pact.

    2. Wool

    Perfect for seasonal changes, wool is a great choice for thermal regulation. It is the go-to material for cold weather, since it keeps people warm and dry. It is also effective in warmer weather, absorbing moisture away from the body and keeping the wearer cool. Even better, wool doesn’t retain odor like synthetic materials do! It allows the body to remain dry without trapping sweat and bacteria that causes smells in the fabric, as stated by Norilia. 

    Similarly to cotton, wool is a breathable material, preventing skin irritation just as effectively as cotton. It is a more elastic material, since each fiber is like a ‘coiled spring’. So, means that even though wool clothes can be stretched out, they can spring back into their original shape once the tension disappears.

    Common articles of clothing that contain wool are coats and sweaters, keeping yourself warm and regulating your temperature. Brands that commonly have wool in their fabric compositions include Unbound Merino and Ibex..

    3. Linen

    Repeating the pattern the previous 2 natural fibers established, linen is a great choice for those looking for breathability, hypoallergenic, and durable clothing. Commonly used in the summer, linen also keeps moisture away from the body without leaving an odor stuck to the fabric, making it suitable for warmer weather.

    Linen is also highly favored due to the versatility of its pieces. Linen pants have been the latest trend, and they are suitable for both casual and special occasions. It’s a material that can elevate your wardrobe, regardless of how ‘simple’ your other clothes may be.

    Common articles of clothing that contain linen are pants,shirts, and formal wear, giving the wearer a lightweight feel and look. Brands that have linen-based clothing include Quince and Eileen Fisher.

    4. Silk

    A material that is considered luxurious and elegant, the smooth feel and shiny look silk provides isn’t the only reason people want it. The fabric is also highly beneficial for the body! Just like the other fabrics, silk is hypoallergenic, helping to fight skin inflammation off. It can additionally keep the skin moisturized, making it the most favorable material for the skin.

    Silk is also considered an investment due to its durability and breathability. From improving your sleep to improving your skin, the benefits of silk are well worth the expense of it. Like linen, incorporating silk into your wardrobe can elevate it immensely, giving an elegant look to your outfits.

    Common articles of clothing that contain silk are formal wear and undergarments, which are best suited for the smooth texture and appearance silk has to offer. Brands that incorporate silk into their clothing include Quince and Lilysilk.

    Find more brands that sell clothes made out of natural fibers…

    Final Thoughts

    Natural fibers are often the second choice to synthetics. This is because they are less accessible, making it more costly to obtain and manufacture, whichu deters companies from producing them. Since it’s expensive to produce them, these corporations will charge consumers more to purchase them, which also drives them away.

    But the benefits of these fibers are amazing, for both the environment and the body. A common characteristic shared among these fabrics are that they are all breathable and hypoallergenic, preventing skin irritations from occurring. They are all also biodegradable, allowing them to be absorbed back into the environment in a matter of months or years, rather than staying in landfills for decades.

    Synthetic materials are the inexpensive option, but natural fibers are an investment that most consumers don’t regret. Swapping out your polyester shirt for a cotton one makes all the difference.

    All images are accredited to Pinterest!

  • Quality to Quantity: The History of Fast Fashion

    Quality to Quantity: The History of Fast Fashion

    Dress to Depress Founder

    Yashvi Patel

    For decades, fast fashion has ruled the fashion industry. This constant cycle of new, trendy, and incredibly inexpensive clothing has fundamentally changed how we shop, how we dress, and the massive impact our closets have on the planet.

    This phenomenon is the result of decades of technological advances, global trade shifts, and evolving consumer behavior. To truly understand the environmental and social cost of our five-dollar t-shirt, we have to look back at the history that laid the groundwork for this rapid-fire industry.

    Fashion Before Speed

    Before speed and mass production made their way into lives, the cycle of fashion was slower and much slower-deliberate.

    Throughout the 20th century, industry was strictly seasonal, operating on four collection launches in a year: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Trends were started by high-fashion houses, but now they are dictated by ready-to-wear manufacturers. The next vital difference lies in the clothing value. Most garments are made of good-quality natural fibers that could withstand regular wear and professional cleaning. 

    Clothing was considered an investment. Consumers often had smaller wardrobes but expected each piece to last for years, and the skill of tailoring and mending was common, extending the life of a garment well beyond a single season. We can see how dramatically this mindset has shifted when we look at consumption today: the number of times a garment is worn has declined by around 40% in just 15 years, clearly illustrating the rapid shift toward a throwaway culture (Ellen MacArthur Foundation). This decline highlights how modern practices have minimized the perceived value of clothing.

    The Beginning Threads of Fast Fashion

    We can track down the seeds of fast fashion to the rise of the fashion brand Zara in the late 20th century. Zara’s genius wasn’t just in designs, but in fundamentally reimagining the supply chain. Before Zara, the traditional fashion calendar required six to nine months from design to store; Zara reduced this “concept-to-consumer” timeline to as little as three weeks.

    Zara achieved this revolutionary speed through vertical integration, controlling key stages of production internally. While competitors outsourced nearly everything, Zara kept design, complex dying, and cutting largely in Spain, allowing them to respond instantly to consumer demand. They employed a “Test and Repeat” Model, releasing small batches of many styles. If a style sold out, they would rapidly replenish it; if it didn’t, they moved on quickly. This created a powerful sense of scarcity and urgency, training shoppers to buy now or risk missing out. This innovative, speed-focused approach was the genesis of fast fashion.

    (ModernRetail)

    Popularization of the Industry

    Zara’s strategy set a trend that countless other powerful retailers, including H&M, Topshop, and Forever 21, were quick to adopt and scale globally. However, unlike Zara’s initial focus on local production, these followers focused heavily on aggressive global outsourcing.

    The economic pressure to produce vast quantities of clothing at ever-decreasing prices necessitated finding the cheapest labor and materials available, sparking the Race to the Bottom. Manufacturing was increasingly outsourced to countries in South and Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, which offered lower wages and minimal enforcement of labor and environmental regulations.

    This disparity reveals the enormous human cost hidden in the price tag: today, the global garment industry employs approximately 60 million factory workers worldwide, yet less than 2% of them earn a living wage (EarthDay.org). Furthermore, to keep costs down, the industry massively shifted away from cotton and linen toward inexpensive, oil-based materials like polyester and nylon. This is reflected in the market: about 70% of clothing materials are now made from synthetic fibers. These materials are cheap to produce, but they shed microplastics and do not biodegrade (UniformMarket).

    Our Current Day

    Today, fast fashion is everywhere. The rise of e-commerce and social media in the 21st century has injected jet fuel into the fast fashion engine. Algorithms and influencers drive unprecedented demand, accelerating the cycle from a few seasons to dozens of “micro-seasons” per year. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have turned wearing the same outfit twice into a social faux pas, promoting a culture where newness is prioritized above all else. Brands are able to identify a trend on a Monday and have a viable product in stores by Friday.

    This hyper-consumption comes with a devastating, quantifiable price tag. The environmental disaster is stark: fast fashion production comprises 10% of total global carbon emissions, more than the emissions from international flights and maritime shipping combined. Furthermore, 92 million tonnes of textile waste are produced globally every year. That is the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothes being dumped in a landfill or incinerated every second (UNEP).

    (The Week)

    In addition to emissions, the industry is the world’s second-largest consumer of water, requiring about 2,700 litres of water to produce one cotton t-shirt, enough to meet one person’s drinking needs for 2.5 years. This production often occurs in water-stressed regions, contributing to drought and pollution from chemical dyes (World Resources Institute).

    Learn more about the impact fast fashion has on our planet here…

    Final Thoughts

    The history of fast fashion is a complex story of market ingenuity and global exploitation. What began as a clever strategy to bring runway trends to the masses has evolved into a global crisis of consumption and waste.

    Understanding this history is the critical first step toward changing the future of our wardrobes. It’s time for us to slow down, demand transparency from brands, and remember that true style is about durability, not disposability.

    Top image from InStyle

  • Greenwashing in Fashion: What It Is and How to Spot It

    Greenwashing in Fashion: What It Is and How to Spot It

    Dress to Depress Founder

    Yashvi Patel

    Fast fashion is inescapable in our current day, from social media hauls to the $10 dresses arriving at your door in two days. But behind the cheap prices and quick deliveries are detrimental environmental costs: textile waste, toxic dye pollution, and carbon emissions that can make up a lifetime’s worth of output.

    As more and more people start to become environmentally conscious, fashion brands have responded with “sustainable” lines and “eco-friendly” marketing campaigns, which can be deemed as progressive and promoting sustainability. But do brands truly give up the low-grade, non-biodegradable but easily accessible materials that make up half of their collections, or are they just saying what we want to hear?

    Enter greenwashing: one of the fast fashion industry’s favorite tricks.

    What Is Greenwashing?

    Greenwashing is a business model where a company’s products, services, or overall operations are presented as environmentally friendly, while behind the scenes, harmful practices are still pursued. Rather than using their funds to make meaningful changes to reduce their environmental impact, companies spend money to paint a picture of themselves as being eco-conscious, using marketing language, labels, and imagery that suggest it even in the absence of proper proof (British Vogue).

    Focusing on fashion specifically, greenwashing often comes in the form of environmentally friendly fashion lines or ‘recycled’ packaging (Ethical Sustainable Clothing) despite the mass production many fashion brands participate in.

    This practice ultimately deceives and confuses customers who are trying to practice sustainability, weakens trust, and disrupts genuine sustainability efforts. Torrens University Australia notes:

     […] 63% of consumers think fashion brands are making misleading claims about how environmentally-friendly their business is at least some of the time, and 29% think this happens regularly.

    (Fordham University)

    Examples of Greenwashing in Fashion

    Greenwashing is subtle and difficult to find, which is what fashion brands are aiming to achieve. That is why recognizing clear signs of greenwashing is important. Some common tactics and real-life examples of this method include:

    Use of Buzzwords

    The use of ambiguous, vague terms without any verifiable data to back these titles up is a major red flag for greenwashing. Terms like “eco-friendly”, “sustainable”, “natural”, and “conscious” often fall into this category. They sound good, but they lack a standardized definition, making it easy for brands to exaggerate the truth.

    Example

    The brand H&M heavily advertised its “Conscious Collection”, implying a shift towards sustainability. The marketing claimed that garments were made with at least 50% recycled content. However, according to The Sustainable Fashion Forum, a lawsuit filed against the brand revealed startling contradictions. The “conscious” line actually contained materials like 100% virgin polyester with zero recycled content, directly undermining the core sustainability claim and deceiving environmentally conscious shoppers. While the lawsuit was eventually dropped, this represents a common scenario where positive buzzwords are used to mask the reality of what our clothes are truly made out of.

    ‘Environmentally Respectful’ Brands

    Fast fashion thrives on high volume and rapid turnover. One way brands boost sales is by launching small “sustainable” lines to appear environmentally viable, all while secretly maintaining their usual practice of overproducing cheap and low-quality clothes. These sustainable collections are red herrings for the massive environmental and ethical impact of the other collections these brands put out.

    Example

    Zara’s “Join Life” collection is marketed as using recycled or sustainably sourced materials, such as organic cotton, which is a step up from their usual materials. But the collection’s actual environmental impact is dwarfed by the brand’s business model, fast fashion. In fact, this relentless cycle of introducing new collections weekly fuels overconsumption, as Zara is notorious for its ultra-fast business model, releasing an estimated 20,000 or more new designs per year. The “Join Life” label is a token effort that attempts to justify an unsustainable business model (Marley’s Monsters).

    Limited or Selective Transparency

    In this form of greenwashing, brands selectively disclose positive environmental practices while remaining silent on the less flattering aspects of their operation. They will boast about minor water-saving initiatives for their singular small capsule collection, but conveniently keep quiet on critical information regarding their massive carbon footprint, widespread production waste, or unethical labor conditions in their supply chain.

    Example

    The ultra-fast fashion giant SHEIN has been under fire for putting out sweeping sustainability statements. The brand put out statements about their usage of recycled materials, but investigative sources suggested that the fabrics of their textile products were found to have 64% polyester instead (The Wellness Feed). Furthermore, while making these vague eco-claims, brands like SHEIN have faced severe allegations of exploitative labor conditions and wage theft. Using a ‘green’ collection to distract from underlying human rights abuses is one of the most egregious forms of selective transparency.

    Greenwashing Hurts Real Sustainability

    The problem with greenwashing isn’t only misleading advertisements; it is also a key contributor to the lack of progress on recovery from climate change.

    Every time a company labels itself as being ‘green’ while practicing non-eco-friendly standards, customers get misled. If shoppers believe they’re truly making sustainable choices when they are in fact not, then the potential positive impacts of their consumption decisions are reduced or negated. Even from a brand’s viewpoint, once they are caught lying to their consumers, the trust between the two begins to crumble.

    Furthermore, greenwashing allows brands to channel resources and focus on appearing more green in advertising, rather than on creating real change. Investment is diverted away from meaningful efforts, such as implementing waste reduction programs and ensuring labor practices are up to standard, and onto having a respectable public reputation.

    This means that this mode of advertisement allows companies to maintain their usual method of production. The destructive business model that is fast fashion is allowed to persist with this green filter on. Systemic issues of overproduction, short product life cycles, the use of poor-quality materials, and low-cost labor are thus left untouched.

    For real, impactful sustainability to improve in fashion, the entire industry needs genuine transparency, accountability, and systemic change that is not just clever PR. Greenwashing is the most prominent obstacle standing in the way of that.

    How to Not Fall Victim to Greenwashing

    (Prime Biopolymers)

    Thinking critically about where you spend your money is something everyone should do, and it is an effective way to prevent yourself from making meaningless purchases. Next time you find a brand that claims to be eco-friendly, ask yourself some questions about the legitimacy of that claim.

    • Where is the proof? Do some research and look for outside sources or detailed reports. Don’t solely rely on pretty marketing slogans or what the brand’s page tells you!
    • Do they have third-party certifications? Brands with certifications from organizations like GOTS (organic cotton), OEKO-TEX (chemical safety), and Fair Trade are usually good signs.
      • Some companies, like H&M, have certifications such as these. However, they are still not safe brands to shop from due to their handling of unethical labor standards and promotion of overconsumption (Good On You).
    • Do they disclose necessary information about their supply chain? Eco-friendly fabrics are the main part of practicing sustainability, but fair wages, safe working conditions, and emission reduction are all crucial aspects, too.

    How to Shop More Sustainably

    If you are looking for ways to shop more sustainably, without worries about being misled, here are some ways to avoid greenwashing and shop with impact:

    • Buy less, choose well, make it last. The words of fashion mogul Vivienne Westwood are the ones everyone should keep in mind. Make your purchases have a purpose by choosing items that are designed to last and making the most out of them.
    • Shop secondhand. Thrifting, vintage shops, and resale apps like Depop or Poshmark give clothes a second life and reduce demand for new production. Not to mention, many of these alternatives are more cost-friendly than these larger corporations.
    • Support truly transparent brands. While you shouldn’t rely solely on brand-given information, you should look for brands that aren’t afraid to tell the truth. Companies that consistently publish sustainability reports, share factory information, and have clear goals towards protecting the planet are examples of these.

    Learn more about safe and sustainable clothing brands here…

    Final Thoughts

    Increasing pressure from consumers has rightfully led the fashion industry to become more sustainable, and that is a positive trend. But as we’ve seen, not all green claims are equal to one another. Greenwashing poses serious challenges, preventing real change and misleading consumers, but once you know what to look for, it becomes easier to see through.

    The future of not only our planet, but the means of fashion, depends on us as consumers staying informed, asking questions, and prioritizing brands that are truly committed to healing and protecting our world.

    That being said, we shouldn’t completely villainize companies that are attempting to make eco-friendly choices. H&M making efforts to become more sustainable shouldn’t be brushed aside, but neither should actively and purposefully misleading your customers. Accountability is what will make change happen, and holding brands accountable is up to us as consumers.

    Because at the end of the day, we shouldn’t just want trendy clothes.

    We should want a fashion industry that respects us and the planet.

    Top image is credited to Pinterest!

  • Alternatives to Fast Fashion: Affordable, Accessible, and Authentic

    Alternatives to Fast Fashion: Affordable, Accessible, and Authentic

    Dress to Depress Founder

    Yashvi Patel

    Fast fashion has become a prominent part of the fashion scene, offering affordable yet trendy clothing that is readily available to consumers worldwide. Although it seems like a win for our wallets, it comes with a hidden cost: exploitation of workers, environmental damage, and an abundance of waste.

    With that in mind, it’s important to remember the best thing about fast fashion: You don’t have to buy it! There are plenty of alternatives to fast fashion that have clothes you can feel cute and comfortable in, without having to support these big brands.

    This blog post will help guide you through those other ways, going over the affordable, accessible, and authentic options you can choose!

    What is Fast Fashion?

    To go over what fast fashion is, it is the mass production of cheap, trendy clothes that are supposed to mimic the essence of high-end clothing. These pieces, accessories, and even furniture are made by scarcely paid workers with low-quality materials to reduce excessive spending, leading to short lifespans of garments and lots of waste. The biggest perpetrators of this include brands such as SHEIN, Temu, ZARA, and H&M, but the sad truth is that almost all brands have participated in the vicious cycle of fast fashion, only to a lesser extent than others.

    The New York Times

    Learn more about the environmental damages and human cost deriving from fast fashion…

    Thrifting!!

    One of, if not the most sustainable, alternatives to fast fashion is thrifting! Although it’s often chalked up to rummaging through clothing racks (which can be considered a part of the thrifting experience), secondhand shopping is a gateway to finding unique pieces of clothing at an affordable price, all while actively reducing waste.

    Where to Look?

    • Local thrift stores and charity shops ($-$$)
    • Vintage boutiques ($-$$$)
    • Larger-known department stores such as Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, Ross, and Burlington (While not traditional thrift stores, they carry clothes that appeal to multiple styles, along with excess stock or unsold items, correctly reducing waste!) ($-$$$)

    Most thrift stores take donations, meaning individuals in search of donating clothes can help out local shops and possibly expand other customers’ catalogues, with the additional benefit of not thoughtlessly discarding clothes. Reach out to local shops to see if they take any donations!

    Online Shopping

    The charm of fast fashion often relates to how accessible it is, being online. Consumers see a cute top on their devices, and all it takes is a few taps to get it. No need to allocate a part of your day to go shopping when you can find the ‘perfect’ basic tee on the H&M app. That being said, there are some amazing online alternatives to SHEIN, TEMU, and H&M. 

    Online Stores

    • Pact: Selling garments that are composed of cotton, as well as reusing old clothes to create something new, Pact has been effectively and actively reducing textile waste. 
    • Kotn: Kotn, fast fashion adjacent through pricing, has proven that you can create quality clothes while maintaining safe working conditions. Sizes go from XS to 2X. 
    • Patagonia: If you’re shopping to replace a well-loved article of clothing, Patagonia can repair any piece with a small charge. They use renewable energy to power clothing production, and advocate for fair compensation and good labor standards for low-wage workers.
    • Depop: Depop, Poshmark, and even Facebook Marketplace – these are all shopping platforms tailored for people who need cute clothes or items quickly, but at a reasonable price. Just like thrift stores, these platforms allow consumers to buy clothes, while also being able to dispose of their old ones safely, and you can make money from it as well!!
    • Small businesses online: Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter (now known as X) are all homes to unique and creative designers, who often work alone or with a small team. Although some businesses can be on the pricey side, these stores can be amazing alternatives when it comes to style. 

    DIY / Upcycling

    We as consumers actually have the resources to revamp our wardrobe, through upcycling! Upcycled and DIY clothes are fantastic ways to create something you will love with items already available to you and some creativity, and at little-to-no cost. 

    How to Get Started

    The following videos are your building blocks as beginners who are learning to DIY and upcycle.

    Check this website out too!

    No Sew Ideas

    Most of us don’t have access to sewing kits and all the stuff that comes with transforming clothes, but that doesn’t mean upcycling is out of the question for us. Here are my favorite no-sew DIYs!

    Truly, some of the best tutorials out there.

    The Gray Area

    Avoiding fast fashion is an impossible mission, especially in today’s world. Whether limited by budget, accessibility, or simply time, the fast fashion industry can cater well to consumers, but at the cost of the Earth and the workers behind those garments. Even brands that claim to be green are subtly taking part in the vicious cycle. 

    The goal of this post is not to bring shame or guilt to those who shop at places like Zara, SHEIN, or H&M. Different restraints lead to different circumstances, and that is completely valid.

    What this post is trying to do is to remind people to be mindful and make changes where we are able to. Even actions we deem as small can play a part in combating the epidemic that is fast fashion. Buying secondhand items instead of brand new clothes counts as much as learning to repair tattered shirts!

    Final Thoughts

    Fashion is something that we should all be able to enjoy, regardless of constraints that are in our way, and there are multiple avenues in which we can bring out the fun and expression fashion has to offer without supporting shops built on poor labor conditions and overproduction.

    Whether you’re thrifting, upcycling, or just want to be more mindful with your purchases, the effort you make matters.

    Top image is credited to Pinterest!

  • Fashion’s Dirty Secret: The Real Cost of Cheap Clothes

    Fashion’s Dirty Secret: The Real Cost of Cheap Clothes

    Dress to Depress Founder

    Yashvi Patel

    You’re scrolling through TikTok, and see this girl on your feed with the cutest cardigan that could fit any outfit you put together, so you ask where she got it from. It is only a couple of minutes until you get a notification saying, “Oh, it’s from SHEIN!”. 

    The fast fashion industry has taken the world by storm, offering trendy clothes at incredibly low prices, with just a click away. The convenience of it has revolutionized the way we consume clothes. Major fast fashion brands, such as Zara, H&M, and Shein, churn out new collections at breakneck speed to keep up with rapidly changing trends, making it easy to stay on top of them without breaking bank. Yet, as the industry allows consumers to buy without worrying about draining their wallets, it comes at the expense of our planet and our people.

    What is fast fashion?

    Fast fashion refers to the rapid production of inexpensive, trendy clothes. The term was first coined in the early 1990s, with one of the most prominent fast fashion brands, Zara, making waves globally by aiming to get articles of clothing from the initial stages of development to their customers’ hands in just a few days.

    That’s the mission of fast fashion retailers: to get consumers the trendiest clothes as quickly and as cheaply as possible, even at the expense of sustainability, quality, and, to a greater extent, morality. This priority of speed and affordability only promotes overconsumption, allowing for more clothes to be wasted, and for more damage to be done to our environment through that waste and pollution. 

    Mountains of Waste

    Impakter, 2023

    A key issue with fast fashion is how disposable it has become. With brands rapidly producing clothes for consumers, it encourages them to buy more, wear less, and discard quickly.

    Out of all the clothes produced, 92 million tonnes of textiles are wasted (Copenhagen Fashion Summit). In the United States alone, the average person discards 81.5 pounds of clothing. 

    On top of that, the David Suzuki Foundation found that 25% of new clothes remain unsold in factories. These discarded garments often end up in landfills, overflowing them and releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere during decomposition. And only a small fraction of the clothes decomposes quickly. The majority of non-biodegradable garments decompose over long periods, releasing microplastics into our oceans and air.  

    Many articles don’t get recycled or donated, either. Furthermore, the very few that do get donated end up being shipped to developing countries, overflowing their local markets and causing economic issues within.

    Water and Air Pollution

    During the years it takes fast fashion textiles to biodegrade, pieces of non-biodegradable textiles – coming from the garments in landfills – end up in our oceans, harming aquatic wildlife. In fact, 35% of microplastics in the oceans come from such clothes (International Union for Conservation of Nature). But this is only one of the ways the fast fashion industry pollutes our waterways. 

    The most damage derives from inside the factories, where chemical and textile dyes are present. According to The George Washington University, the second-largest polluter of water is textile dyes, as factory workers often dispose of leftover remains into bodies of water. This method of disposal can be attributed to the fact that many fast fashion factories are built in developing countries, where strict environmental regulations are not present. 

    The fashion industry is the second biggest consumer of water after agriculture, followed by the energy, meat, beverage, construction, mining, and car industries. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), it is also responsible for producing 20% of wastewater worldwide.

    What’s even more shocking is that when combining the annual carbon emissions coming from international flights and commercial shipping, the fast fashion industry manages to exceed that number. This can be attributed to the fact that many articles of clothing end up in landfills, where they are then incinerated, releasing countless poisonous gases into the atmosphere. The University of Pennsylvania even states in an article that the fast fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions. 

    The Human Cost

    The New York Times, 2013

    The ethics of fast fashion are also controversial. As stated, factories are usually built in developing countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, and many others. This is because larger corporations would be more likely to exploit factory workers in third-world countries, allowing them to underpay and overwork them. 

    In 2013, around 1,134 workers were killed in Dhaka, Bangladesh, when an 8-story factory building, the Rana Plaza, came crashing down. The day before the devastating collapse, cracks were found in the Rana Plaza building, but when expressing their concerns, the factory workers were ordered to return to work, highlighting the clear disregard for human lives.

    How Can I Make a Difference?

    Studies have predicted that in the upcoming years, the fast fashion industry is going to face a decline in revenue. While a comforting prediction, it does not diminish the harm our environment is currently facing.

    Chances are that if you speak to someone on the street and ask them where they got their accessories from, they will most likely say TEMU. Online, when you see others asking influencers where they got their clothes from, another commenter will be saying how they found something similar on SHEIN.

    Fast fashion is revolutionary, and it is difficult to erase a revolution. However, as individuals, we have the power to make a difference. Here’s how:

    • Shop Second-Hand: Go to your local boutique, thrift store, or even a neighborhood garage sale! There are hidden gems everywhere, and this is a way to find those gems without spending too much.

    • Buy Less, Choose Well: Next time you buy something, ask yourself questions on WHY you want that item or HOW OFTEN you would use it.

    • Care for Your Clothes: Accidents happen, but even basic steps, such as properly washing and storing your clothes, can significantly increase the lifespan of your garments.

    • Educate Yourself and Others: By reading this post, you’re already making a difference. Awareness is a huge step to meaningful change, and educating yourself and others, even if they may not listen, spreads the word and allows you to feel better.

    Learn more about finding alternatives to fast fashion here…

    Final Thoughts

    The short-term satisfaction brought by fast fashion is overshadowed by the long-term damage caused by the practice. It is time that we, the consumers, start thinking about the quality of our clothes over the quantity, as well as the true cost of them. Our choices may seem small, but collectively, they can steer the fashion industry in a new direction: one where people and the planet come before profit.

    As stated by Vivienne Westwood, one of the most prominent fashion designers of the century, and a true environmentalist: Buy less. Choose Well. Make it last.

    Top image is credited to Pinterest!