what The hell is wrong with shein?
“Marketing articles of clothing as “trendy” or producing a ridiculous amount of fashion and selling it for prices that are dirt cheap ruins the purpose of fashion itself”.
- joselyn Cruz
Fast Fashion has taken the world by storm due to its reputation as cheap and convenient. Mass production of clothing is becoming a huge issue, especially due to companies like Shein and Romwe. The clothing industry uses different textures, including polyester and acrylics, which require fossil fuel. The usage of fossil fuels is a key issue regarding global warming. This problem is not solely in America, but the entire world.
Image Courtesy: Instagram
People are funding illegal operations, with their only appeal being financial convenience. The fashion industry generally has its toxic ways of promoting outrageously priced “trendy fashion,” however, this is taken a step further through their ways of enticing people through financial attraction.
Shein and other platforms have also been caught utilizing children and other forms of harsh, forced labor. Although there have been some strides to put this reality to an end, there have been no serious campaigns made to cut the company off completely.
Instagram Courtesy: Instagram
So, what can you do to take action?
First and foremost, it is important to recognize that this issue is not subject to Shein, but many other franchises, including Temu, Romwe, Zaful, Forever 21, and many more! These companies are all at fault for the toxic fast-fashion movement of our century. It is hard not to use these companies, more so for college students who need to keep things on a budget, but there are other options for finding fashion that is not harmful to our environment.
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Thrifting is a perfect outlet to find a variety of fashions on a budget, and it is the perfect form of recycling to keep yourself environmentally conscious. Not only is it innovative, but fun! Thrifting makes shopping so much more enjoyable and keeps you on your toes for the surprise of what you might find.
The fashion industry is meant to be a form of expression that allows an individual to showcase themselves in ways that they choose. Marketing articles of clothing as “trendy” or producing a ridiculous amount of fashion and selling it for prices that are dirt cheap ruins the purpose of fashion itself. Fashion should be fun and exciting! However, next time you think about buying an article of clothing from one of these brands, think of the unethical values these companies hold and the harm to the environment that is being promoted with repetitive fashion.
Strike Out,
Joselyn Cruz
Saint Augustine
Editors: Maya Kayyal, Jessica Giraldo, Emily Brutnell
Joselyn Cruz is a Writer and Hair Stylist for Strike Magazine, Saint Augustine. They’re a caffeine addict, manga obsessive, and love to spend their time grounding on a patch of grass somewhere. You can probably find them watching Jersey Shore or drinking a slushy somewhere. You can reach them at cruz828@flagler.edu or on instagram @jozzy.lyn.
