Essay on Fast Fashion: Is Appearance Worth the Hidden Dangers?

Fast Fashion is the term used to describe the process in which the models and designs of fabrics move at high speed from producers to consumers. When the demand is higher, the clothes manufacturing industries are required to produce fabrics at a high rate to reach market demand. In this way, the clients can have the items they need as soon as possible and more importantly at low price. Fast fashion industries have been drowned into drastically manufacturing process by the consumer's obsession with the appearance of fabric and designs, and this has resulted in forced labor and production of low-quality garments containing hazardous substances. The goal of this research proposal is to present and justify the need to study the dangers behind fast fashion. Below are therefore the pieces of evidence that give reasons to undertake this study on fast fashion and dangers that are behind it.

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Would anyone for instance consider that the dress or t-shirt we have put on is worth the risk for cancer? An individual may love a brand without really knowing the dangers behind it. Unlike the facts in the nutrition, clothing does not come with the effectively set list of ingredients and instead the considerable amount of the synthetic chemicals used in fast fashion manufacturing industries where most it contains hormone and carcinogens disruptors that remain hidden from the consumers (Cline, 16). There is a great fear of the harmful and risky manufacturing methods and chemical properties involved in making clothes appear as they are.

Many toxic synthetics are involved throughout many steps of making a garment right from the industrial basements where employees breath in the fumes produced during the manufacturing process. Running off dyes that are used for making a garment and some of the corrosive substances used for furnishing are let to flow into the water bodies and agricultural sectors. When harmful substances get into our skin and assimilated into the bloodstream as a result of heavy wear, our bodies are exposed to danger. The exposure to harmful compounds in the garments should be diminished rather than prioritizing the appearance.

The good-looking models of most garments can cause devastating effects on our health, putting on polyester garments extremely exposed to textile production facilities. Petroleum synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, acetate, triacetate or acrylic restrict toxin production on the skin; our skin is made in a way that they can secrete many toxins every time in order to keep us healthy. Therefore, we need not be fooled by the appearance of the garments we buy for our consumption.

The hidden dangers of garments worth research and creating awareness. Besides, synthetic underwear contributes to infertility in men despite the improvements that have made to make them comfortable and good looking.

Surprisingly recent studies have found out that microscopic fibers from petroleum-based synthetic cloths like acrylic, nylon, and polyester in a large percentage of drinking water this is because in every laundry garment is approximated to discharge 1,800 individual plastic fiber which rinses off to our oceans killing aquatic life ( Becker-Leifhold, 20).

Should one go for the appearance of the garment or the natural materials? It is obvious most people want to look good, and that is normal for anyone, but on the other hand, the risk is involved. It is vital for one to chose natural materials such as linen, organic cotton, silk, hemp and wool for they allow the body to breathe, regulate body temperature and detox properly. Also, these materials are biodegradable and hence when disposed to the environment can easily be composted while other materials such as synthesis do not readily break down and may take several years in landfills.

Cotton as a fast fashion may be a perfect material and excellent wear, but this material is made from a dry and chemically dependent trees. The fast fashion sweater or jeans consumed much water during its production process hence makes it responsible for the devastated ecosystems.

This topic is crucial as far as garments and our health conditions are concerned since most people are always affected by fast fashion. As mentioned before dye is one of the properties used in manufacturing fabrics, after purchasing a new clothing from a fast fashion retail shop and wash it, you will notice bleaching in color and the fabric begins to deteriorate, the fading property is the toxics such as nonylphenol, this harmful substance is linked to allergies and cancer conditions (David 19).

Fast fashion manufacturing industries are often called out as a result of the exploitative working conditions in their basements. In most cases, women are used as primary staffs, and many of them toil for little pay, and they are deprived of some of the rights. Women are discriminated. Fast fashion is defined by its turnover speed, low prices, designs, trendy items high order satisfactions and mass consumption. Most of the fast fashion retailers sell massive amounts of garments at a low price in order to make profits rather than selling smaller quantities of high higher quality. As a result of these designs and colors used to attract the consumers, the quality and health standards are not usually considered. There are selling standards in the market where the item in question is in social construction; the design and the appearance of the product give it the value in fast fashion markets. The standard of fast fashion products relies on the fashion perspective, and therefore we learn that the risk of acquiring low quality and toxic products is highly possible.

Fast fashion is worth a topic to discuss and argue about. The fast fashion products have contributed to human trafficking. A vast amount of garments manufacturing stores in a fast fashion chain demands for a huge workforce to keep stores in standard stock( Holroyd, 21). As a result of high demand for newly designed clothes with better looks producers become desperate for additional human resources and they cannot stop at whatsoever to attain their goals. With low-level labor laws and insufficient labor force, crimes such as human trafficking and child labor are common.

Moreover, fast fashion is one of the causes of climate change and global warming. We may appear reasonable on our garments, but ultimately our look leads to a problem. The production of garments is especially hazardous due to the use of harmful substances, and intensive use of transportation where vessels used emits poisonous gasses to the atmosphere.

It is challenging to keep wearing old clothes when there are newly designed clothes available in the market. This call is often irresistible, and we fail to think of the impact of fast fashion on our health and the environment. The designs are good looking, but the fact is that this is made possible by the use of toxic substances (Andrew, 18).

Most garment manufacturers focus on design, newness, trend and cheap and it has been found that this trick disempowers consumers from making the right choices especially women. Fast fashion is currently a disaster on the planet with most of its dangers hidden down the beauty of the garment. The unregulated burn of fast fashion is exerting much pressure on the planet as a result of CO2 emissions and water shortages for countries producing cotton.

The above problems resulting from Fast Fashion need to be explored for the safety of every consumer. It is hoped that the result of this research study will provide clear information to the readers on the hidden hazards of fast fashion.

Works Cited

Brooks, Andrew. Clothing Poverty: The Hidden World of Fast Fashion and Second-Hand Clothes. , 2015. Print.

Cline, Elizabeth L. Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion. New York: Portfolio/Penguin, 2012. Print.

Fernie, John, and David B. Grant. Fashion Logistics: Insights into the Fashion Retail Supply Chain. London, United Kingdom: Kogan Page Limited, 2015. Internet resource.

Heuer, Mark, and Carolin Becker-Leopold. Eco-friendly and Fair: Fast Fashion and Consumer Behaviour. , 2018. Internet resource.Holroyd, Amy T. Folk Fashion: Understanding Homemade Clothes. , 2017. Print.