Dress to Depress

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

Tag: Sustainability

  • 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.

  • 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!