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:
- Define the word “castoff“. “This is where wardrobe castoffs end up.” Use it in your own sentence.
- 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”.
- 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:
- Is fast fashion a trend in your country? Talk about it.
- What effects do you anticipate it will have on the environment and the economy?
- Would it be preferable to stop this expanding industry? Explain your stance.
- How else can the throwaway culture be tackled?
- What do you think of Patagonia’s philosophy, “To buy once, buy well, and mend clothing”? Share your thoughts on this.
- What are your thoughts on Rent the Runway’s business model?
4 replies on “The Cost of Fast Fashion”
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:
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:
Looking forward to more entries from you!