Fast Fashion Turns Trends Into Trash
Fast fashion has completely transformed the way we think about clothing. Fast fashion is the rapid production of inexpensive clothing that copies current luxury or runway trends, making them quickly available to consumers at low prices.
What used to be a reflection of personality and style has become a race to keep up with trends. Stores overflow with new pieces every week, and social media constantly reminds us of what’s “in,” making it easy to buy more than we need and discard them just as quickly.
“I hate fast fashion because I think clothes should be a representation of who and what you are and not as a mask you hide behind,” said senior Marcello Pickett.
With major brands on the rise, such as Edikted, clothing often feels less about personal expression and more about blending in. Young shoppers chase trends, scrolling through endless options online, often losing sight of what they genuinely like in favor of what everyone else is wearing.
Still, not everyone sees fast fashion in a negative light. “I actually like fast fashion, not everyone can afford designer brands or small ethical shops. Fast fashion lets people experiment with different styles without breaking the bank. It helps you figure out what you like,” said Juanpablo Maldonado. For some, fast fashion is less about conformity and more about accessibility and creativity.
Behind the bright displays and cheap price tags lies a hidden reality. Garment workers,often working far from the cities where the clothes are sold, spend long hours in crowded factories under difficult and often unsafe conditions. Their work allows the fashion industry to churn out millions of garments every season, yet most shoppers never see the people who make the clothes they wear.
The environmental cost is just as steep. The materials, dyes, and production processes used to create these garments leave behind pollution, consuming resources at every stage. Once a trend passes, clothing is discarded, filling landfills or piling up in places overwhelming local communities. Fashion becomes fleeting, leaving behind more waste than beauty.
Culture fuels the cycle further. Social media, influencer marketing, and “haul” videos glorify constant shopping, making overconsumption feel like entertainment. Clothing becomes disposable, losing the personal significance it once held. What was meant to reflect individuality instead becomes a performance, a way to signal that you belong.
Fast fashion also affects our relationship with ourselves. The pressure to stay current can make people feel like they’re never enough, as if their identity depends on owning the latest trends.Instead of clothing expressing personality, it can feel like a mask we hide behind, a way to keep up rather than to stand out.
Breaking free from fast fashion requires reflection and choice. Small actions, like shopping secondhand, supporting local or ethical brands, and caring for clothes you already own, can help break the cycle of overconsumption. Fashion can return to being a form of self-expression rather than a disposable commodity, a way to show who you are instead of what the world tells you to be.
Ultimately, it’s about reclaiming the meaning of clothes. They should tell stories, mark memories, and reflect personality, not vanish after a season. By choosing thoughtfully, we can make fashion a force for creativity, self-expression, and sustainability
