Thanks to fast fashion, clothes are more affordable than ever before.

As a result, the average wardrobe has increased by 60% from 2000 to 2014.

But what is the true cost of fast fashion and is it worth it?

The fast fashion industry sacrifices quality, morality, and the environment to get ‘affordable’ clothing in the customers hands.

As a result of the cutting costs and maximizing efficiency, the fast fashion industry hands out clothes that just won’t last.

The fast fashion industry relies on quantity and is glad to see you toss your clothes after a few wears.

Because they know you’ll be back, with your money, to spend some more at their stores.

And you have to consider the moral standards (or lack thereof) in the industry.

Labor workers have complained of unsafe working conditions, low wages, and poor treatment.

And many fast fashion brands still take advantage of child labor to cut costs.

As a result, workplace accidents and deaths are not uncommon.

Unsafe working conditions resulted in the deadliest disaster in the history of the garment industry.

On April 24, 2013, in Bangladesh, a building collapsed, killing more than 1100 people and injuring another 2500.

It has gotten so bad that employees had sewn pleas of help on clothing sold by Zara.

Big corporations exploiting their employees in this way is unacceptable.

Then comes the environmental impact.

The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of the world’s total greenhouse emission output. 

It is the second leading polluter of water due to dangerous toxins that are disposed of in our water supply.

Then we have to consider the billions of tons of clothing being dumped in our landfills, annually.

There is a reason Northbound Gear is anti fast fashion.

We focus on quality and are design apparel that will last for years.

We inspect our factories to ensure workers are treated with dignity and respect and the surrounding communities are not negatively affected.

And we place an emphasis on eco-friendly products that are safe for the environment and designed to last.

You can check out our line-up of high quality eco-friendly products here.

Fast fashion has a huge negative trade off.

And we believe the industry needs a major facelift!

What do you think?