Fast fashion, once the unbeatable go-to for last-minute fits and trend-chasing tees, is showing cracks in the seams. Between environmental backlash and growing awareness among young shoppers, we’re seeing the start of a style shift, one that’s pushing cheap clothing off its pedestal.
A Wake-Up Call in Our Wardrobes
Current archive spoke to Talia, 21, a photography student and fashion enthusiast, about why she stopped fuelling the fast fashion cycle:
“I was buying loads of stuff just to keep up with trends,” she says. “It felt fun until I started seeing how much ended up at the back of my wardrobe, or worse, in the bin.”
“What made it click with me was seeing the documentaries on waste and how workers are treated. I couldn’t ignore that. Now I thrift, swap with mates, and only buy from sustainable brands that actually say where their stuff comes from.”
So What’s Actually Happening with fast fashion?
- Landfills Are Overflowing: Fast fashion contributes to over 92 million tonnes of textile waste each year. Most of it isn’t biodegradable. Think polyester-heavy hoodies and tees — they’ll outlive us.
- We’re Buying More, Wearing Less: The average lifespan of a garment has dropped fast. We buy it, post it, store it, forget it. But the planet doesn’t forget.
- Trends come and go: Due to the nature of trends, especially in an era of social media, where we can be easily influenced to engage with trends, clothing that’s ‘in’ can quickly go out again and end up in landfill once the hype is over.
What’s the Alternative?
Enter the slow fashion wave , not a trend, but a rethink. Whether it’s thrifting, supporting ethical streetwear collectives, or just wearing what you’ve got, this isn’t about shame. It’s about moving different.
And it’s already here. Sustainable brands are stepping up. Community-led swaps are happening on uni campuses and Insta stories. DIY is back. Upcycling’s no longer just a Pinterest aesthetic, it’s a real thing people are doing with that old Champion sweatshirt.
Talia adds:
“Honestly, my best fits now are the ones I’ve either found secondhand or customised. There’s just something cooler about knowing no one else has it. Plus, I actually feel good wearing it.”
Final Word
We’re not here to guilt-trip you into ditching your entire wardrobe. But we are saying: the clothes you pick have power. It’s not just about what’s in. It’s about what’s next. For your wardrobe and for the planet.
Read about how you can become more sustainable with your fashion choices.
