Graphic by DJ Hernandez
By Chandler Cates and Yaderlin Bojoy Aguacuata
Senior Tiam Famet refuses to buy Crocs.
Famet chooses not to purchase Crocs simply because she doesn’t like their design. But the fact that they’re “fast fashion” makes some students feel conflicted about buying them. Design is just one of the many factors students consider when purchasing their clothes.
Crocs are one of the most popular types of shoes at Riverside. They cost as little as $20, come in dozens of colors, and are worn by numerous celebrities, including Lil Nas X, John Cena, Saweetie, and many others.
The company also comes out with new models every month. According to Sole Retriever.com, a company that tracks and publishes information about sneaker release dates, Crocs released 141 different models in 2024.
“Crocs is a world leader in casual footwear for all, combining comfort and style with a value that consumers know and love,” the company wrote in an October 2024 press release.
According to its website, Crocs are sold in more than 85 countries through wholesale and online.
“We are continually building upon our guiding pillars of sustainability, community, and inclusivity and will always invite the world to come as you are,” the website states. “Rooted in comfort, our purpose is to create a more comfortable world for all.”
Famet, however, believes consumers should think about what happens before and after they add products to their wardrobes before they buy.
Famet thinks it’s great that Crocs are taking steps towards being more ethical and sustainable. But, she isn’t completely sold.
“Only time will tell how serious they care about these actions,” she said.
“On the most basic level, fast fashion is quickly-produced trends sold at low price points,” writes Alyssa Hardy in an April 2024 Vogue article titled “Everything You Need to Know About Fast Fashion.”
The U.S. fast fashion market has been valued at $41.15 billion in 2023 and is predicted to reach $59.85 billion by 2030, writes Hardy. The fashion industry is accountable for up to 10% of global carbon emissions annually.
Shein is considered an ultra-fast fashion brand, it can create new styles in a few days using advanced algorithms. Brands like Forever21 and Zara began producing clothing at upwards of 52 “micro-seasons” a year. Online-only brands like Shein and Temu are producing at a faster rate due to the fact that social media helps to amplify fashion trends.
Fast fashion products are significantly cheaper than traditional options. For example, a top from H&M retails for $8.99, while a similar item at Toad & Co. costs $30.
However, the practice of buying cheaper clothing more frequently has serious global implications. According to earthday.org, an environmental advocacy organization, fast fashion contributes to dangerous working conditions.
“Workers endure unsafe working conditions, wage theft, minimal pay, gender-based harassment, and working exhausting hours,” its website states.
Additionally, when consumers buy clothing more frequently, they also get rid of old garments, too. According to a Jan. 2 BBC article, buying fewer clothes is a simple way to help the planet.
“The fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of global emissions, more than the combined emissions from aviation and shipping,” the article states.
It also notes that fast fashion items are often made from materials that are not eco-friendly. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, an environmental non-profit, the equivalent of a garbage truck’s worth of clothes is either burned or buried in landfills.
Some Riverside students consider the global impact of their wardrobe decisions more than others.
Junior Jasmine “Jazz” Griffin prefers to shop in-store rather than online.
“I find it more fun to do retailers,” Griffin said.
“I like both,” said junior Mikayah Simmons.“When you go in-store, it just gives you [a] thrill.”
Senior Kris’Ani “Krissy” Hunt prefers to shop online, claiming that stores can be overwhelming.
“I feel like when I go to the store,” said Hunt. “They don’t have what I’m looking for but I know that if I look it up online, it’s going to be there”.
Famet and Dre’ma Harris run a fashion club at Riverside. Famet described it as a safe space where students can talk about all things fashion.
At club meetings, students go over different trends, subcultures, and current events in the fashion industry.
“I wanted to create an environment for students to express themselves freely and to find the significance in something many people view as shallow or superficial,” says Famet.
The club meets on Fridays in room 113.
