Slogan tees and why they're not cool.

https://instagram.com/kai.pilger/

If you follow my Instagram... (@forgetmenotsfashion )

You'll know I'm a big fan of the tee and jeans combo, specifically band tees!

Slogan tees however, are a different story.

About two years ago, I couldn't walk into Penney's or any other high street shop on Grafton street and not pick up the latest t-shirt with a catchphrase from the latest movie or a saying that went viral because of a goddess-like creature from Love Island.

I had to have them!

Now, however, the more I research the fast fashion industry the more I realize how much damage those slogan tees are inflicting on the environment and humanity.

Cotton is seen as a nice, clean fabric. How could it be harmful when it's so soft and grown naturally unlike synthetic fabrics? But you may be surprised to learn that, in fact, cotton isn't that great at all.

It takes 2,700 litres of water to make one single cotton t-shirt, which is enough water for one person to drink for 900 days! In 2015, the fast fashion industry alone consumed 79 billion cubic metres of water. That sounds like a lot doesn't it? It is.

That's enough water to fill 32 million Olympic sized swimming pools! A figure that is set to rise by 50% by 2030.

Cotton farmers also use lots of chemical pesticides when growing the cotton. These pesticides can poison farm workers, pass onto neighbouring communities, contaminate the ground harming the soils natural micro-organisms, and the insects that are beneficial to the environment.

85% of water used in the textile processing goes into dying the fabric. This process can pollute nearby water sources and be harmful to people and livestock.

I have mentioned it before in a previous blog, but the factory workers behind our clothes are grossly ill-treated, have little to no rights, work long hours without breaks, and make a fraction of a living wage.

80% of factory workers are women, these women are under pressure to make deadlines, working insane hours, some will wear nappies while working so they don't have to take a bathroom break. There are no trade unions, if they try and form one, they risk losing their job and are frequently threatened by management.

An example of how quickly these tees come into fruition, earlier this year, in the days after Caroline Flack passed away, fast fashion brands suddenly all had t-shirts with the words "be kind" emblazoned on them.

These proved popular of course, with many fashion brands giving the proceeds of the tees to various suicide prevention charities. It's important to note, I think it's great that they gave the money to a very deserving charities. What's not great is the exploitation of the workers in the factories that make their clothes.

Another example is, just last week an online fast fashion brand advert popped up in my news feed, the models adorned "Team Carole" and "Team Joe" tees. These tees were of course in relation to the hit Netflix docuseries "Tiger King".

We are currently in the middle of a global pandemic, where the whole world has come to a standstill. Yet some factory workers are risking their health and the health of others by going to work in crowded factories because they will lose their job if they stay home. While others have been laid off because some fashion brands have refused to pay the factories or have cancelled orders worth millions.

fashionrevolution.org

Warehouse workers have also noticed a surge in their levels of business, with more people stuck at home online shopping has become a new favorite pastime. Some are working 12 hour days in factories where it is very difficult to practice safe social distancing.

Online brand Pretty Little Thing have reported an increase in orders of up to 400,000 compared to its usual 120,000. Workers have complained that they don't feel safe while at work but if they refuse to go or fall ill, they are marked with "unauthorized absence" and will not be paid.

PLT have said they "will not furlough employees because there remains sufficient work activity". In layman's terms - they will not close their factories and furlough employees because they are raking in the dough! Fashion is not an ESSENTIAL service. 

If you do want to treat yourself to some retail therapy while in quarantine, why not shop with independent retailers on eBay, Depop, or local businesses. Remember, they are the one's that will really need your support during this pandemic. I have bought a few things during my time in lockdown, mainly from Depop sellers or my local vintage shops. 

So in conclusion, I'm not asking you to swear off fast fashion forever but to be more mindful of what you are buying. Honestly, do you really need a t-shirt with " Carole fuckin' Baskin" written across the chest?

Stay home, stay safe.

Yours sustainably, 

                      Hayley x