Fashion has always been a love of mine and I admit that I have been guilty of purchasing clothing from fast fashion brands. As a student with a limited budget and wanting to stay on-trend, I found myself increasingly buying clothes that served the purpose of one season. This clothing never seemed to stand the test of time. It was often decluttered to make way for the newest clothing that was trending. My wardrobe was constantly changing and I found myself justifying each new purchase due to its low cost, especially if the clothing was on sale. I was the perfect demographic for these companies.

In recent times, the extreme low cost and turnover of clothes has been criticised. PrettyLittleThing came under fire during its ‘Pink Friday’ sale in 2020 as they cut prices by up to 99 per cent and offered items including a dress for under £1. In the moment it seems like a great bargain but how many of us truly question the impact fast fashion is having on the environment.

The fashion industry is the second-largest polluter in the world and has a disastrous impact on the environment. It is estimated that a family will throw away on average 30 kilograms of clothing per year. With only 15 per cent of it being recycled or donated, the rest usually ends up in landfill or being incinerated.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has estimated that the fashion industry produces around 10 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions every year and uses 1.5 trillion litres of water annually. The UK in particular has a severe problem with fast fashion with the population buying more clothing per head than any other country within Europe. In previous years, I had never thought about the impact of buying from fast fashion brands. That was until I educated myself on this issue. It opened my eyes. I realised that it was time to change.

The past year, I stopped my shopping sprees. Pre-pandemic, I was guilty of ordering clothes online at a vast rate. However, with the ongoing pandemic, it has become increasingly harder to justify buying new clothes when the world appears to be closed for business. For the sake of the environment (and my purse), I began looking for clothing that was more sustainably and ethically made. Not something that was easy to come across. Coming into this journey, I was aware that the price tag would be much higher. In reality, I was extremely disappointed to see the lack of inclusivity that these brands offer. How do these companies expect students to part way with their money, when they only cater to a certain audience?

Becoming increasingly disgruntled by the fact that my search for alternatively sourced clothing was coming up short I turned to Depop.

Depop was an app I came across during the first lockdown in March 2020. Like many, I decided to have a big clear out of all my old clothing and with no charity shops opened I wasn’t sure what to do with it all. Recommended by a friend, I gave in and downloaded the app.

It allows people to sell second-hand and vintage pieces for often a fraction of the price. Think of it as your Instagram feed, but instead of the usual selfies, you’ll find yourself scrolling through an endless cycled of pre-loved fashion. It has become so popular that even brands such as Lucy and Yak have turned to Depop to sell imperfect pieces for a lower cost.

In the midst of the pandemic, Depop has provided a way for students to earn extra income. It is accessible and easy to use. All that is required is a camera and the patience of setting up a new account. For me, I’ve been able to give my clothes a new home, earn extra money and chat with people from all over the world. For many other students, they have been able to turn their hobby into a fully-fledged business.

Students today are more aware than ever of the seriousness of climate change. Making changes such as shopping second-hand can make an impactful change. It’s only when we stop giving money to these fast fashion companies that they will finally listen.

The rise of apps like Depop not only offers students the opportunity to experiment with their fashion at fraction of a cost, but it has the potential to disrupt retail stores. Why would we continue to give these companies our money when we can find size-inclusive clothing that's of a low cost, has a positive impact on the environment and provides students with an income?

When the world reopens again, I can’t wait to show off my Depop finds.

Hannah McGlade is a MA Law student at Queen's University.

LIFESTYLE - How Depop is Changing the Fashion Industry