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The Hidden Costs of Fast Fashion: What Your Clothes Are Really Worth

  • Writer: Anis Kothia
    Anis Kothia
  • 23 hours ago
  • 4 min read

Introduction: That ₹500 Shirt? It's Not As Cheap As You Think


We've all been in this position — browsing your go to online shop and suddenly discovering the latest trend for under the price of a cinema ticket. ₹500 for a dope tshirt? Grabs! But before you hit "Buy Now," let's pause. What actually goes into creating that bargain shirt? Spoiler alert: You're not paying the full price.


 



 

The Illusion of Fast Fashion: Trendy or Tragic?

 

Fast fashion brands are great at making us believe we’re getting luxury for peanuts. But here’s the catch — those ₹500 tshirts and ₹1,000 jeans are the result of exploitation, environmental damage, and yes, you’re unknowingly contributing to it all.

 

Some fast fashion retailers release new styles as often as every week—or even daily. They’ve perfected the art of encouraging constant consumption, getting you to buy more often, even when you probably don’t need it.

One major brand drops over 24 collections every year. (Seriously, who has time for that?)

Another pumps out over 10,000 new items weekly—like a never-ending clothing factory.

And the average lifespan of these trendy pieces? Just 23 wears before they’re tossed aside.


That ₹500 shirt you grabbed on impulse? It'll likely be forgotten in your closet within a month—if it even lasts that long.

 

 

What You Don't See: The Real Costs Behind Your 'Cheap' Clothes

 

You may be pocketing a few hundred rupees, but let's discuss the hidden costs of fast fashion.

 

1. The Environmental Price Tag


Fashion is the second largest water consumer in the world. That's correct — making one cotton tshirt can take up to 2,700 litres of water. To put that into perspective, that's enough water to drink for 2.5 years!

85% of clothing winds up in landfills. Yep, that shirt you thought was so adorable just contributes to the world's trash.

 Fun fact? Synthetic clothing such as polyester (one of the fabrics used in fast fashion) release microplastics when they're washed, contaminating rivers, oceans, and even your tap water.

 

2. The Human Cost: The People Behind Your Clothes


Cheap labour is dependent on fast fashion. Laborers in countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Vietnam get paid ₹150-₹300 per day to make thousands of clothes.

Remember the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh in 2013? Over 1,100 workers died in a building collapse while making clothes for fast fashion brands. It was one of the deadliest industrial accidents ever.

 

3. Psychological Price


Fast fashion isn't just expensive — it tricks your mind. Clothing is considered disposable, such as an occasional snack that one throws away after use a couple of times.

Companies get us hooked on new things. No wonder so many of us have closets packed with garments we don't wear often.

And the more we shop, the more unhappy we are — in pursuit of the latest trend rather than creating an enduring, meaningful wardrobe.

Greenwashing: The New Buzzword

 

We're in an era where nearly every fast fashion retailer is attempting to appear ecofriendly. But this is what's true: not everything that shines is green.

 

Swedish Brand has s "Conscious Collection" — sounds good, right? Well, it's actually still using a lot of nonrecyclable materials.

A Chinese brand boasts about being "ecoconscious," but their garments are frequently constructed with materials which cannot be recycled and cause damage to the environment.

 

Companies such as these specialize in wearing the green mask. They employ buzzwords such as "organic," "recycled," and "ecofriendly" without giving complete transparency of their practices.

 

 

 

What You Can Do: Be a Fashion Rebel (In a Good Way)

 

1. Buy Less, Choose Better


We love bargains, but not at the planet's cost. Rather than purchasing 10 cheap products, purchase 23 investment items that will stand the test of time.

Timeless fashion over trends! Go for timeless jeans, plain tees, and neutral colour clothes that never fall out of favor.

 

2. Do Your Homework Before You Buy


Download apps such as Good On You (they score brands on ethics and sustainability).

Visit Remake for information about how brands treat workers and the environment.

 

3. Support Brands That Do Good


There are many fashion labels around the world that focus on fair trade, sustainable materials, and slow fashion. Some worth exploring include:

  • In India, look for small-scale, ethical brands that combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.

  • In Dubai, some emerging labels are leading the way in promoting sustainability and fair wages.

  • In the UK, you'll find pioneers in eco-friendly and fair trade fashion that prioritize both style and ethics.

  • In the US, several companies emphasize transparency, ethical production, and modern, minimalist aesthetics.

 

4. Go Thrift Shopping


Thrift shopping—also known as flea market or secondhand shopping—is becoming increasingly popular in India, especially in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. Online resale platforms and local vintage sellers are quickly becoming go-to spots for unique, budget-friendly fashion finds.


5. Make Your Clothes Last Longer


Wash your clothes less. Yes, you read that right. Your clothes will actually live longer if you airdry them rather than dumping them in the dryer.

Repair, don't replace: If your jeans rip or your shirt gets worn out, have them repaired or redyed. It's more economical and kinder to the environment.

 

 

 

Closing Thought: The Real Price of Fashion

 

Fast fashion may look cheap, but once you factor in the environmental and human costs, that ₹500 top is way pricier than it looks. Fashions about quality, self-expression, and sustainability, not about waste. Next time you press the checkout button, take a moment to ponder: Is it worth it?



 


 
 
 

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