Hot Take: Fast Fashion Is Canceled

While we see displays and mannequins showcasing the latest and greatest trends, we fail to see the tremendous impact fast fashion has on our surrounding environment. At first glance, fast fashion seems to be a real innovation: stylish and cheap. What more could a college-aged gal dream of? Unfortunately, cheap garments require cheap production, resulting in a long list of concerns. 

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Animal cruelty, environmental degradation, exploitation... fast fashion has it all. Here are the facts:

• 87% of the clothing produced ends up incinerated or in a landfill.

• It takes more than 2,000 gallons of water to create a pair of jeans. Yes, I said 2,000 gallons of water -- that is more than enough water to provide someone their daily 8 cups for 10 years.

• With more than 25 million individuals trapped in modern slavery, fast fashion continues to act as a haven for slave labor. 

So? What does this all mean? Well, hot take: fast fashion is canceled.

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But frequent shoppers have no fear. There are hundreds of alternatives to shopping at fast fashion brands. These brands work to incorporate environmental and ethical values, providing a conscious, chic look for consumers.

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It may take time to find your niche -- to learn which companies are genuinely ethical and which companies aren't. So let's start small. Let's start by being imperfectly ethical. Rather than focusing on a handful of people shopping perfectly, let's concentrate on everyone shopping imperfectly. Join the adventure of supporting companies that reflect your own values. Let's do it together -- imperfectly.