Threads of Change: The Rise of Fast Fashion and the Teen Turn to Thrifting
- Julia Kuczynski
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
By Julia Kuczynski
6/10/25
If you’ve ever bought a trendy top for under $10 or grabbed a whole outfit for the price of lunch, you’ve probably shopped fast fashion. Stores like Shein, H&M, and Zara have exploded in popularity among teens because they make trendy clothing cheap and easy to get. But behind the low prices are some big costs—to the planet, to the workers who make the clothes, and even to the way we think about shopping. At the same time, thrifting and secondhand shopping have become more popular, offering teens a more sustainable (and unique) alternative.
What Is Fast Fashion?
Fast fashion is clothing that’s made quickly, cheaply, and in huge amounts to keep up with trends. Unlike traditional fashion seasons, brands like Shein release new items daily—thousands at a time. The clothes are designed to be affordable and trendy, but not necessarily to last. This creates a cycle where consumers buy more, wear items only a few times, and then replace them.
The Costs of Cheap Clothing
While fast fashion feels inexpensive at checkout, it has hidden costs. Environmentally, the fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters. The UN reports that it accounts for up to 10% of global carbon emissions and is the second-largest consumer of water worldwide. Producing a single cotton shirt, for example, can use over 700 gallons of water. When clothes are thrown away, synthetic fabrics like polyester can take centuries to decompose in landfills.
There’s also the human cost. Much of fast fashion is produced in factories with unsafe working conditions and extremely low wages. The 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, which killed more than 1,100 workers, exposed just how dangerous the industry can be. While conditions have improved in some places, many workers are still underpaid and overworked to keep costs down.
Why Teens are Turning to Thrifting
Even though fast fashion is tempting, many teens are becoming more aware of these issues. Climate change and sustainability are top concerns for Gen Z, and fashion is one area where our choices can make a difference. Thrifting and resale apps like Depop, Poshmark, and ThredUp make secondhand shopping accessible and affordable.
Thrifting also allows for individuality. Instead of everyone wearing the same Shein top, thrifted pieces feel more personal and unique. On social media, “thrift hauls” and “upcycling” videos have turned secondhand shopping into a trend of its own. What used to feel embarrassing is now a flex: finding a vintage jacket for $5 is cooler than buying something cheap that falls apart in a few washes.
Finding Balance
Not everyone can completely avoid fast fashion, and that’s okay—affordability is still a huge factor. But even small shifts matter. Buying fewer pieces, choosing thrifted or higher-quality items when possible, or just making clothes last longer are all ways teens can make a difference.
Fast fashion isn’t going away tomorrow, but the rise of thrifting shows that our generation is rethinking how we shop. We care about sustainability, creativity, and authenticity—and we’re proving that style doesn’t have to come at the expense of people or the planet.
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