The fashion industry overall are some of the world’s biggest polluters — and fast fashion brands are a major culprit. It thrives on overproduction, underpaid labour, and short-lived trends. But growing awareness means more people are asking: Who made my clothes? and What’s the cost of cheap fashion?
In this article, we highlight 5 major fast fashion UK brands to avoid and offer ethical alternatives that won’t compromise on style.
🚫 1. Shein
- Why to avoid: Ultra-fast production model, no supply chain transparency, high synthetic content
- Sustainability issues: Massive waste, questionable labour practices
✅ Try instead:
Lucy & Yak – UK-based, colourful, ethical, and transparent
🚫 2. Primark
- Why to avoid: Fast fashion brands producing extremely low-cost items with unclear sourcing
- Sustainability issues: Disposable fashion, little transparency
✅ Try instead:
Thought Clothing – Offers timeless basics made with organic and recycled materials
🚫 3. Boohoo
- Why to avoid: Investigated for exploitative labour in the UK and abroad
- Sustainability issues: High volume, poor durability, greenwashing
✅ Try instead:
People Tree – Pioneers in fair trade fashion with GOTS-certified fabrics
🚫 4. PrettyLittleThing
- Why to avoid: Owned by Boohoo Group, with similar concerns
- Sustainability issues: Encourages impulse buying and trend-chasing
✅ Try instead:
Know the Origin – Curates sustainable brands with full transparency
🚫 5. Zara
- Why to avoid: Though slower than Shein, still operates a high-turnover model
- Sustainability issues: Claims to be sustainable but still mass-produces with synthetic blends
✅ Try instead:
Rapanui – UK-made, circular fashion with organic fabrics and traceable supply chains
👗 Why Fast Fashion Is a Problem
- Waste: The UK throws away 300,000+ tonnes of clothing a year
- Emissions: Fashion contributes up to 10% of global carbon emissions
- Human impact: Garment workers are often underpaid and overworked
🛍 How to Shop More Sustainably
- Buy fewer, better-quality pieces
- Support local or small brands
- Choose second-hand via apps like Vinted, Depop, or eBay
- Learn to repair and re-wear what you already own
Final Thought
Ditching these fast fashion UK brands doesn’t mean giving up style — it means choosing clothes that align with your values. Fashion should feel good, look good, and do good.
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Discover 5 fast fashion UK brands to avoid and explore ethical alternatives. Choose better fashion with less waste and more impact.
Tags: fast fashion UK brands, ethical fashion UK, sustainable clothing, what brands to avoid fashion, slow fashion alternatives