Kritika Sah 

In today's world, the global community is confronting a substantial issue brought about by fast fashion, impacting both the economy and the environment.Fast fashion has rapidly taken root in the western part of the world over the past few decades. We can now observe its impact on Nepalese societies, affecting individuals from teens to adults. Just a few years ago, Nepalese people typically purchased a maximum of 3-4 sets of clothes annually, usually during festivals and special occasions.But in recent years, clothing has become more important than an individual's self-worth. People's economic status, taste, personality, and worth are all determined by the clothes they wear, so they are forced to buy more clothes unwillingly.

Nepal, being a multicultural and diverse country, frequently celebrates one festival or another. An average Nepali used to buy new clothes only during Dashain, Tihar, Teej, and other festivals. It's essential to remember that Dashain is a time for family gatherings and celebration, and wearing new garments is considered a chance to start fresh and gain benefits for the coming year. However, people are getting the wrong meaning of it, considering festivals as a compulsory reason to buy new clothes, which is a misconception. Because fashion changes every month, individuals are buying clothes for every minor occasion and are unwilling to wear the same clothes twice because they've already posted on social media, which has become a major problem in Nepalese culture, particularly for low-income families. During Teej, women often find themselves purchasing undesirable sarees in an attempt to be accepted by their peers or to conform to societal expectations. This trend is causing significant economic strain on many women who cannot afford these purchases but feel compelled to make them. Consequently, the financial burden extends to the entire family, resulting in widespread suffering.

We must understand the economics behind fast fashion and the manipulations behind it. Nepalese people are rational consumers, always willing to buy clothes at a lower price. Places like Asan Bazaar, Lagankhel, Mangal Bazaar, and Baneshwor offer cheap clothes, influencing consumers to buy because of the low price and the promised long-lasting quality, which is often a lie. Buying cheap clothes may seem like a good deal, but it often comes with hidden costs, and we might be getting manipulated. This is especially true for women, as producers create trends for sarees, kurtas, and umbrellas, making them want to keep up with the latest styles and buy more to stay fashionable.

People rarely buy clothes made in Nepal; instead, manufacturing often occurs in countries like China, Thailand, Japan, the USA, etc. It's crucial to realize that employees in these countries are often deprived and mistreated in the production of goods. Observations reveal that clothing companies often employ youngsters without providing them with adequate salaries. Due to popular demand, fast fashion is considered quick and cheap, which is never good for the environment. Garment trucks end up in landfills, oceans causing significant pollution. The world faces considerable pollution due to the widespread dumping of clothes, with people often discarding them not because they are damaged but mainly because they are out of style. The world is suffering greatly due to the impact of fast fashion.

Therefore, keeping in mind that Nepal is slowly becoming prey to fast fashion, the government must take the necessary steps to prevent the upcoming dangers posed by this trend. The government should also raise awareness about the importance of preserving cultural clothing and encourage people to stick to cultural attire, minimizing excessive Western influence.On an individual basis, people must realize that they should not try to modify themselves to keep up with fashion trends. They should be aware that doing so is a waste of time and money and not worth it. It is essential to make people value the clothes they own and understand that clothes don't influence their personality or define who they are. We must live by the motto "simple living, high thinking."