The Cost of Fast Fashion

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The throwaway culture has meant an unprecedented number of people purchase clothes, wear them just once, and then discard them. It leads to fast fashion, where consumers seek less expensive clothing, which drives up sales globally, but has a significant negative impact on the environment.

Watch the video below to learn more about the true cost of fast fashion.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the word “castoff“. “This is where wardrobe castoffs end up.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does the word “swanky” mean, “Today she’s looking for a new outfit for a swanky industry event.” Could you think of an antonym and construct a sentence using the word “swanky”.
  3. What does “to get mileage out of” mean? “Rent the Runway is getting more mileage out of items of clothes, it’s also helping tackle an increasing number of throwaway culture.” Think and make your own sentence using the idiom.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is fast fashion a trend in your country? Talk about it.
  2. What effects do you anticipate it will have on the environment and the economy?
  3. Would it be preferable to stop this expanding industry? Explain your stance.
  4. How else can the throwaway culture be tackled?
  5. What do you think of Patagonia’s philosophy, “To buy once, buy well, and mend clothing”? Share your thoughts on this.
  6. What are your thoughts on Rent the Runway’s business model?
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6 replies on “The Cost of Fast Fashion”

1.- I suppose that fast fashion is a trend around the world due to globalization. I have noticed from some years now, that clothes are made of lower quality, but it does not mean that prices have been decreased in the same proportion. I think that fashion is a reason for anyone to change their wardrobe so rapidly, but another reason is that due to the poor quality of the clothes they do not last more than one season.
2.- The main effect is on the environment. Companies are polluting more and more to make clothes, transport companies pollute to deliver the products all over the world, and, when the clothes have been recycled and sent to developing countries are polluting again during the transport. On the other hand, people are working in bad conditions since the wages have to be low so that the companies get their profits.
3.- It would be a utopia to think that fashion industry is going to stop just because it is harmful to the environment. It makes too much money and people working in his sector is powerful enough to keep it.
4.- Little do I occur to me to solve this problem. We are living in a culture of consumerism and while this does not change, it will be difficult to convince people to change their minds.
5.- Patagonia is applying the same philosophy that was used some decades ago. I remember as a child that if something was broken, my parents had it fixed before buying a new one. But nowadays, it is cheaper to buy a new product rather than to try to repair it.
6.- I think that renting clothes can be an alternative but it is not the solution, because it also has impact on the environment. When the clothes are given back, they will have to be cleaned and ironed, therefore it will be a waste of energy and water.

It is clear that you put a lot of thoughts and efforts into writing your responses. Way to go!

Take a look at how you can revise this one slightly to improve it:

I think that renting clothes can be an alternative but it is not the solution, because it also has impact on the environment.

I think that renting clothes can be an alternative, but it is not the ultimate solution, because it also has an impact on the environment.

Keep doing a good job with your writing practice.

1. Do you know the word “**castoffs**” _This is where wardrobe **castoffs** end up.”_ Use it in your own sentence.

I think, everyone has castoffs in theirs wardrobe

2. How about the word “**swanky**” _Today she’s looking for a new outfit for a **swanky** industry event.”_ Could you think of an antonym and construct a sentence using the word “swanky”.

Modest. Most of people wear modest clothes because it more affordable than a swanky one

3. What does **“to get mileage out of”** mean? _“Rent the Runway is **getting more mileage out of** items of clothes, it’s also helping tackle an increasing number of throwaway culture.”_ Think and make your own sentence using the idiom.

I think in the past clothes got more mileage out of with people who bought it than nowadays

**Discussion Questions:**

1. Is fast fashion a trend in your country? Talk about it.

Yes, of course. I think, Inditex is one the big brands which promoves that kind of fashion

2. What effects do you anticipate it will have on the environment and the economy?

I am not clear about the effects on the environment but I am sure they will not be good, and on the economy of families it does no good either. I think the only ones who profit from this are the big companies

3. Would it be preferable to stop this expanding industry? Explain your stance.

Unfortunately, I think this has no remedy

4. How else can the throwaway culture be tackled?

Perhaps oriented to rent rather than to sale

5. What do you think of Patagonia’s philosophy, “To buy once, buy well, and mend clothing”? Share your thoughts on this.

I think it is very coherent and environmentally friendly.In my opinion, it was the philosophy of companies before starting this maelstrom of earning more money every year. For example, an appliance used to last a lifetime. Now a family will surely buy 3-4 at least

6. What are your thoughts on Rent the Runway’s business model?

I think it’s good and it’s been going on for years. For example with expensive wedding costumes and people usually wear it only once

You did very well in answering the vocabulary and discussion questions for this lesson.

Here is a sentence that you can still revise:

Perhaps oriented to rent rather than to sale

Perhaps one way to tackle the throwaway culture is to make it more oriented to renting rather than to sale buying.

Keep up the good work in your writing practice.

1- Is fast fashion a trend in your country? Talk about it.
Yes, definetely. Global companies that sell low cost clothes are also operating is Spain for quite a long time.
2- What effects do you anticipate it will have on the environment and the economy?
I think that the impact on the environment is quite significant but consumers are not very aware yet. On the economy side, I assume big industries are making enormous profits.( as labour cost ist usually extremely low)

5-What do you think of Patagonia’s philosophy, “To buy once, buy well, and mend clothing”? Share your thoughts on this.
I find it very interesting and responsible estrategy.
I wish all the brands could offer such thing: a maintenance service.
This is thougt for good quality clothes so all the industry should adjust to this new model of business.

6-What are your thoughts on Rent the Runway’s business model?
I find it interesting but I don´t think I could rent clothes.
For higienic reasons I rather buy my own clothes.

Welcome to the Phoneenglish blog. Thank you for your interest in practicing your writing by doing this exercise.

Here is a sentence you can revise:

I find it very interesting and responsible estrategy.

I find it as a very interesting and responsible strategy to reduce the impact of fast fashion on the environment..

Looking forward to more entries from you!

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