In recent years, the consumption of apparel has soared. It is apparent in the way people dress, as a wide range of fashion inspires them. This essay will discuss the major reasons for the influence of fashion on people and whether it is positive or negative for the public and the individuals’ health.
There are various reasons for the strong domination of fashion trends. One primary one is digital connectivity. This is because, in this digital era, social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok give high exposure to individuals, which urges them to pursue contemporary trends. Another major reason is the fast fashion companies and accessibility. Companies, for instance, Zara and Uniqlo, make trendy clothes affordable and widely available. Due to these factors, people often change their styles and afford to buy a surfeit of clothes, which makes companies produce different styles quickly. Thus, digital media and apparel companies continue to inspire people to adopt different appearances.
In my view, as for whether it is a positive or negative development, I believe this is harmful as it impacts individuals’ health. This is primarily because fast fashion produces a ton of clothes for profit, and the unused clothes end up in landfills, which pollutes land. In many African countries, for example, fresh and non-sellable garments are dumped in their living areas. These clothes often catch fire and produce dark smoke that affects people’s health. Furthermore, the garment companies exploit cheap labor and employ children to meet the high demands of fashion. Clearly, the high consumption of fashionable garments affects both health and young children.
In conclusion, the major reasons are media and fast fashion industries that encourage people to buy and adapt to different trends in a short span of time. Ultimately, in my perspective, while these garments often become non-sellable and end up in landfills, and affect people’s health, garment industries employ cheap laborers to meet their demands.