Audrey Buckley

As the school year begins and with organizations and clubs calling for applications, updating and revamping wardrobes is a must. For many groups on campus, fashion is a form of expression indicative of an affiliation or desire to be a part of certain organizations. Sororities dress up for Work Week, spirit organizations get costumes for Big/Little reveals and business clubs require professional apparel for recruitment. 

Although it may seem excessive, it is necessary to wear certain clothing to demonstrate professionalism or excitement to be a part of something new. There tends to be an issue with the need for all this apparel when students resort to fast fashion. It is undeniably cheaper and more efficient to retreat to Amazon, SHEIN or Zara for clothing items. 

While these fast fashion brands are appealing contenders, given their affordability and convenience, there is a caveat to supporting these companies. Students must be aware of the human cost of the low prices of clothes. 

In exchange for an appealing price tag, the remainder ends up on the backs of labor workers. According to TIME Magazine, fast fashion brands are notorious for overworking and underpaying employees.

Many fast fashion pieces make up over 60% of synthetic fibers, which never decay. Textile waste, microplastic pollution, and excessive carbon emissions add to the environmental disaster that is our fast fashion industry. It is a grim reality. Our landfills are piling up with plastics, pollutants and forgotten trends. 

Jessi Drummond, Campus Environmental Center coordinator, claims that students have a say in the fashion industry. 

“When you are purchasing something, you are voting,” Drummond said. “That is your voice.”

After conducting research and understanding a company’s functionality and ethics, it’s up to students to determine whether purchasing a piece of clothing is a responsible choice. Staying informed and well-read is an effective first step.

Clothing is essential, and we wear it every day. Fashion can signify who we are and the social groups we are a part of, so leaning into your own aesthetic and branding is important. Buy the necessary apparel to make them a part of your long-term wardrobe. 

“Whenever I am buying new, I’m thinking about how many outfits I’m going to be able to wear, I think (about) if it really fits my personal style and the longevity of it,” said Ava Janak, a sustainability senior and member of Trash to Treasure. 

Social media and modern influencers constantly push a fashionista narrative, targeting the youth to give into fashion trends like leopard print and TikTok shop shapewear. As appealing as they may seem in the heat of the moment, these clothes have a linear life cycle.

“It’s overwhelming, especially in our generation, to be on top of trends, because we grew up with social media,” said Lance Bolastig, a medical lab science senior and member of Trash to Treasure. 

Consider alternatives to buying new, for example, going thrifting, buying second-hand clothing, borrowing from friends or up-cycling clothing you already have to achieve a similar look. 

So what are students going to stand for? With an informed and responsible mindset, UT students can approach trends and mandatory clothing requirements in a fashion-forward and intentional way. 

Shenoy is an economics and English major from Houston, Texas