It’s not news that the fast fashion industry has been harming the environment and affecting the world negatively through numerous designer styles at a low cost. As such, they try to make fashion-forward trends to boost sales. However, locating trendy clothes in stores and buying these items only boosts one’s mood for a brief period of time. Numerous studies have proven that shopping without thought could have an adverse psychological effect. Basically, fashion practices do not benefit our mental health.
If you’re an environmentally conscious consumer, changing your wardrobe and staying current with the latest trends in fashion without the stress of shopping mindlessly is a daunting task. In addition, the growing numbers of fashion bloggers and the growing popularity of social media have created an urge to desire exactly what other people are looking for.
The reason that fast fashion is so popular is because it’s created an ever-growing demand in the minds of consumers. Through the years, it’s been discovered that fast fashion causes issues with our mental health through two different sources:
- Environment
- Social Media
Let’s look at an in-depth, specific explanation of how this allows for fast fashion to negatively impact our mental health
Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion on Mental Health
Many people have a keen awareness of the negative environmental impact of fast fashion. It is believed that it is responsible for the biggest negative impact on the environment. Experts believe that it is among the most environmentally harmful industries in the world. Therefore, the guilt of buying a variety of trendy clothes for a green person may disturb their peace.
It can trigger depression and anxiety and create the impression of being unworthy. So, an environmentally conscious person should make sure that he or she takes the time to shop with sustainable brands. Unfortunately, buying from a sustainable company is not accessible to many consumers due to the prices that typically accompany these brands. However, certain companies, e.g., Girotti and many more, have fashionable clothing accessible to the average consumer.
An excellent shopping method for the fashion-conscious consumer is to choose eco-friendly fashion brands that fall within the budget of the average consumer. Another benefit is that these fashion clothes are typically well-made and last for a long time.
Contrarily, fashion brands that are trendy are made to be disposed of quickly, but you’ll regret buying them if you dispose of them soon after having made the purchase. However, sustainable fashion clothes can last for years.
If a garment from a sustainable fashion label breaks, you can ask an expert tailor to repair it since they’re made from top-quality fabrics that are simple to repair.
Social Media Impact of Fast-fashion on Mental Health
If we look at the effects of social media on our lives today, it’s hard to imagine a world without it. Anywhere you look, there’s a person using one platform or another. While some users log onto their preferred social media platform to share content, others make use of the platform to check out the posts that other users of social media post to the site.
Fashion, as you already know, is a product of mass production. Therefore, the fashions generated by social media are essential for them to flourish. If a user is looking at an interesting trend on social media sites, it will inspire the buyer to buy the item. But this is a trap if it is embraced because there are always new trends.
Another reason for mental health issues arising from fast fashion is fear of not being noticed (FOMO). While this condition has been around for a while, the advent of social media websites such as Instagram and Facebook has made it more difficult to overcome this issue. The thought of not being on the hottest trends in fashion can cause anxiety, impact self-esteem, and cause an overinflated sense of need.
The best way to come back from this anxiety is to feel fulfilled in yourself and by focusing your attention on brands that focus on mass customization. We’re focusing on mass customization due to the fact that they create based on the preferences of the customer. This allows you to feel satisfied based on your own desires without having to seek out an external source of ideas.
IN SUMMARY
Fashion has been proven to be the cause of mental health issues. One reason for that is the pressure of social media to stay up-to-date with the newest trends in fashion and the self-consciousness that comes with having the latest fashions from a fast-fashion brand.
When you have a closet with clothes of low quality and worth, this can cause an uneasy feeling of regret and self-reflection as you begin to see your desire for quantity with quality with the person you are.