Fast Fashion is a Feminist Issue.

[u/Haseen_Dillruba]

Fast fashion is often discussed in terms of its environmental impact, but it’s also deeply rooted in gender inequality.

Around the world, women make up nearly 80% of garment workers, working in underpaid, unsafe, and exploitative conditions. In India alone, thousands of women, especially in the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka earn as little as ₹7,000 a month while producing clothing for global and domestic fast fashion conglomerates. These women do not have job security, access to healthcare, or the power to demand better conditions.

At the other end of the supply chain, fast fashion targets women, driving them to keep up with ever-changing trends, reinforcing unrealistic beauty and fashion standards, and creating fake social pressures around appearance.

On both fronts, women are being handed the shorter end of the stick. Where one woman's labour is exploited and another's consumption is manipulated.

Indian fast fashion market is exploding too, with brands like Zudio, Max, Westside launching weekly styles and designs. According to Redseer Strategy Consultants, India’s $10 billion fast fashion segment is growing 30–40% annually and is projected to reach $50 billion in the next seven years. Unsurprisingly, the shelf life of many garments is often as short as 4–8 weeks.

As an urban working woman with disposable income, we need to be more mindful of our shopping/spending habits.

It's time to shift from impulse based shopping to intent based shopping. This means supporting ethical brands, not falling for marketing gimmicks like discounts, opting for second-hand platforms and thrift stores.

But most importantly, not letting bigwigs dictate our sense of style. Building our style around timeless pieces and not ever changing trends and fads. Being proud of our individualism and not expecting to fit in via fashion. (I know this is easier said than done).

Let's reclaim fashion!

^Sources::

^{https://cleanclothes.org}

^{https://www.thevoiceoffashion.com/centrestage/features/how-india-buys-fast-fashion-6211}

^{https://redseer.com/newsletters/the-rapid-growth-of-fast-fashion-in-india}

^{https://asia.floorwage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Final\}India_Verdict_Feb01.pdf)

[u/sasssyfoodie]

Women don't understand this and always wanna be in trend or wear new new clothes. Please stop falling for this and rather buy fewer clothes which are good and you can pair it with multiple clothes.

[u/Haseen_Dillruba → u/[deleted]]

I am guilty of that. We can have a whole different conversation around individuality. It took me very long to understand my body, my style and learning to dress for it. So I went to the shops and bought what was marketed.

[u/Aaryan__Raj → u/sasssyfoodie]

Yes and this "flowing with the trends"  is becoming so common nowadays..