For several years, fast-fashion companies have made shopping easy by pricing items at a low cost. These retail companies have also been the first to release trendy clothing.

For example, stores like H&M, Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe are considered fast-fashion; companies with on trend clothing for less.

In order to keep prices low, clothing pieces are made from low-quality materials which are very toxic for the environment. Chemicals and harsh dyes linger into water supplies, often endangering the people.

In addition, most fast-fashion clothing is made in foreign countries. The work space consists of a dangerous factory, staffed by impoverished women. These textile workers have little pay, and no rights.

The three main places fast-fashion retailers base their factories at are Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Society’s view on fashion has changed, bringing a rise in sustainable brands. Shoppers are now looking High-quality pieces with longevity. Companies like: Adidas, Levi and Nike are booming with success in the fashion industry.

Since the decline in fast-fashion, companies like Forever 21 have filed for bankruptcy. The loss of loyal shoppers have left the retail giant to extreme lows. Adding to the loss, Forever 21 has recently announced their ongoing lawsuit with pop musician, Ariana Grande.

The key when shopping for sustainable clothes is to look at the brand’s ethics. High-quality companies are often ethically-made with fair-trade. Clothing can also be made vegan, or even up-cycled.

Another aspect to consider are the materials being used within the clothing. Harsh dyes and chemicals can be dangerous to the ecosystem and humans in general. Every time you wash your clothes, those dyes are contaminating water systems; not just in the foreign countries that they are made.

Since these fast-fashion items are massed produced, there is a high demand for workers. While searching for good brands, consider how the pieces are made. For example, are they slow-produced? Are they handmade in a certain region? Also, take in to account how the workers are paid and what the environment is like.

Deals and low-prices are always a goal when shopping for clothes. Quick and inexpensive pieces make shopping simple and easy. In fact, most people only shop where items are priced low and easy to access. However, there are more options than fast-fashion clothing.

The next time you are shopping, consider how the item was made, how it got here, and where it came from. Evaluate the worth of the piece, and remember that all “good deals” are not necessarily good.