The True Cost Of Your Wardrobe

Is Sustainable fashion The New Luxury?

Shein made its return to India, and while some people are cheering this, others like me do not find Shein attractive due to its disastrous environmental consequences. Shein is the most unsustainable and unethical fashion brand, having a massive impact on the environment. The company produces around 10,000 styles per day, with most of its clothes made from polyester, which takes 200 years to decompose.

Shein does not disclose its carbon emissions and launched the EvoluShein line, which does not even use sustainable fabrics. One study reported that less than 1% of its clothing contains sustainable materials. Surprisingly, the brand markets itself as eco-friendly. A study by Greenpeace found that Shein encourages overconsumption, contributing to a 92-million-ton textile waste crisis.

Aren't we more responsible for the impact fashion has on environment? Today's generation see an overhaul video on social media and buy cheap clothing which contains harmful dyes that have big impact on the environment. Over 60% of Gen Z shoppers feel guilty about buying fast fashion but continue due to affordability and social media pressure.

"The revolution starts with the consumer. When we demand better, brands will be forced to change."

What is Fast and Slow Fashion Actually?

                  Image Credits: Prakati India

Slow Fashion was introduced after the 'slow food' movement. Designers, retailers and consumers know the impact of fashion products on the community and ecosystem. There is conscious consumption and consumers are aware about the raw materials used and the impact it will have on environment. Low prices of products make the consumer believe that they are consciously spending whereas these savings come with high environmental costs.

Sustainable fashion uses biodegradable components from natural or recycled fibers. These materials consumes less water and energy and also reduces the carbon footprint of brands.

Slow fashion is not only concerned with raw materials but increasing the value of products, reducing waste and healthy labour practices. 

Fast Fashion is a business model which focuses on selling large quantities of trendy clothes at cheap prices. Fast fashion brands constantly introduces new items and promotes "throwaway" culture.  

Image Credits: The New York Times 

But the problem while choosing between fast and slow fashion is why would someone choose expensive clothes over cheap clothes. Everyone can't afford it so it is usually convenient to buy cheap trendy clothes which makes you Sonam Kapoor of the town. A 2023 survey by The Guardian found that over 60% of Gen Z shoppers feel guilty about shopping fast fashion but continue due to affordability. People who are in a high position should slow down and cement their status.

Is The Impact Really Worth Worrying About?

Every article I read about the environmental impact of fast fashion convinced me to boycott Shein completely. But it’s not just Shein, there are countless brands you and I know that contribute to the same problem. Fast fashion produces a large amount of waste, much of which ends up in landfills or is incinerated. Every year, 92 million tons of textile waste are generated and that’s a garbage truck full of clothes being dumped every second.

Less than 1% of discarded clothing is recycled into new garments due to poor fabric quality. Meanwhile, the clothes that end up in landfills take hundreds of years to decompose, releasing methane and microplastics into the environment. It’s estimated that $172 million worth of garments are discarded annually, often after being worn just once. A piece of clothing worn for years has a far smaller environmental footprint than one used only once and quickly discarded.

The fashion industry is the world’s second-largest polluter, just behind the oil industry. One major culprit? Microfibers- tiny fibers that shed from synthetic fabrics during washing, wearing, and disposal. Studies show that the textile industry is responsible for 34.8% of microplastics in the ocean, largely from materials like polyester, polyethylene, acrylic, and elastane. Research from the Plymouth Marine Laboratory in 2020 suggests that the actual number of these particles may be at least twice as high as previously estimated. If no action is taken, experts warn that by 2050, an additional 850 metric tons of plastic debris could accumulate in the ocean.

The damage doesn’t stop there. Clothing production and disposal release harmful chemicals into the environment. Dyes and fabric treatments seep into the soil, while burning unsold stock releases carbon dioxide (CO₂), worsening climate change. The fashion industry alone accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions—more than the aviation and shipping industries combined.

France took action in 2019, banning the destruction of unsold fashion items to combat overproduction and waste. But with over 40% of fashion goods ending up in discount sales, the industry’s rapid cycle of production and disposal remains a pressing issue. By 2050, global municipal solid waste is projected to reach 3.4 billion metric tons, driven by urbanization, population growth, and excessive consumerism.

While fast fashion continues to dominate, sustainable brands are emerging with an alternative approach. They focus on high-quality, durable materials and timeless designs that reduce waste in the long run. The choice is ours: keep feeding the cycle of waste or support brands that prioritize longevity and sustainability.

The environmental cost of fast fashion is undeniable. The Citarum River in Indonesia, once a vital water source for millions, is now one of the world’s most polluted rivers due to textile factories dumping toxic waste.

"There is no such thing as ‘cheap’ clothing. Someone, somewhere, is paying the price—whether it’s the workers, the environment, or future generations."