In a world where trends change weekly and clothes can be delivered for less than the price of a coffee, fast fashion seems like a dream come true. But behind the glitter of bargain prices lies a system that costs far more than we think—socially, environmentally, and ethically.
At Tellar.co.uk, we’re passionate about helping you shop smarter, not just in size, but in impact. In this article, we’ll uncover the hidden costs of fast fashion, how it affects the planet, and what you can do to make more conscious choices—without sacrificing style or convenience.
What Is Fast Fashion?
Fast fashion refers to the rapid production of cheap, trendy clothing that mimics catwalk styles and celebrity culture. Brands like Shein, Boohoo, PrettyLittleThing, and even mainstream giants like Zara and H&M operate on fast fashion principles—releasing hundreds of new styles each week to keep up with consumer demand.
The business model is built around low cost, fast turnaround, and short shelf life. The result? A cycle that encourages overconsumption and waste.
The Environmental Impact
Fast fashion is one of the most environmentally damaging industries in the world. Here's how:
🌍 1. Textile Waste Crisis
Globally, we discard over 92 million tonnes of clothing every year. In the UK alone, more than 300,000 tonnes of clothes are sent to landfill annually. Most of these garments are made from synthetic fabrics that can take up to 200 years to decompose.
💧 2. Water Consumption
Producing a single cotton T-shirt uses 2,700 litres of water—the amount a person drinks in nearly three years. Dyeing and processing textiles also pollute rivers and lakes, especially in regions with lax environmental regulations.
🛢️ 3. Carbon Emissions
Fashion accounts for up to 10% of global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. The rise of ultra-fast fashion delivery has only worsened the industry's footprint.
The Human Cost
While fast fashion boasts affordability, someone else is paying the price:
👩🏭 1. Exploited Labour
To keep prices low, many fast fashion brands outsource to countries with the cheapest labour. Garment workers—often women and sometimes children—earn as little as £1 an hour in unsafe, unregulated conditions.
The tragic Rana Plaza collapse in 2013, which killed over 1,100 garment workers in Bangladesh, was a wake-up call to the true cost of cheap clothes. Yet little has changed.
⏱️ 2. Forced Overproduction
Workers are expected to sew hundreds of garments per day, often without breaks or contracts. If they fall short, they risk losing their jobs.
🩺 3. Toxic Exposure
Dyes, chemicals, and synthetic fibres expose workers to toxic substances that can cause respiratory issues, skin diseases, and reproductive harm.
The Social Cost: Disposable Culture
Fast fashion teaches us that clothes are disposable. New arrivals are constantly promoted, encouraging shoppers to buy more than they need. Items are worn an average of 7 times before being thrown out.
The constant pursuit of trends fosters:
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Overconsumption
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Wardrobe clutter
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Emotional detachment from clothing
Worse, it promotes the belief that value lies in quantity over quality—a dangerous mindset that undermines both sustainability and personal style.
How Tellar.co.uk Is Part of the Solution
At Tellar.co.uk, we don’t just help you find your perfect size—we help you make more thoughtful, long-term wardrobe decisions.
By matching your measurements to 1,500+ brands, we:
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Reduce the need for multiple size purchases and returns
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Cut down on carbon-heavy shipping
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Help you buy less, but better
Our free platform ensures you never have to check a confusing size chart again, saving time, money, and waste.
How Sizing Errors Contribute to Fast Fashion Waste
You might be surprised to learn that over 40% of online clothing returns are due to incorrect sizing. Many of these returned items are not resold—they're destroyed or landfilled.
Fast fashion thrives on this inefficiency. But with tools like Tellar’s size lookup, you can eliminate the guesswork.
Use our:
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✅ Free printable measuring tape: Download here
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✅ Smart profile system: Save your measurements once and reuse them forever
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✅ Instant brand size matching: Real-time size recommendation for each brand
How to Break Free from Fast Fashion
Changing habits isn’t easy, but it’s doable. Start with these small but powerful steps:
1. Buy Less, Choose Well
Invest in timeless, quality pieces instead of chasing trends. Look for brands that value craftsmanship and longevity.
2. Know Your Fit
Stop buying multiple sizes “just in case.” Use Tellar.co.uk to find your correct size the first time.
3. Shop Second-Hand or Vintage
Explore platforms like Depop, Vinted, eBay, or curated vintage shops. It’s fashion with history—and far less waste.
4. Support Ethical & Recycled Brands
Brands like People Tree, Pangaia, Reformation, and Stella McCartney are paving the way. And yes, we support sizing