Fast fashion and its environmental consequences have become increasingly prevalent topics in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. This trend reflects growing global concerns about sustainability and responsible consumption. As an IELTS instructor, I’ve observed a rise in questions related to this theme, and I predict it will continue to be a significant subject in future exams. Let’s explore a relevant essay question and learn how to craft a compelling response.

Analyzing the Essay Question

Some people think that the fashion industry has a negative impact on people and society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

This question directly addresses the influence of the fashion industry on individuals and society. It requires candidates to express their opinion and provide supporting arguments. The key aspects to consider are:

1. The scope of the “fashion industry”
2. Potential negative impacts on people and society
3. Possible positive aspects to balance the argument
4. Personal stance on the issue

Sample Essay (Band 8-9)

Here’s a high-scoring sample essay addressing the question:

The fashion industry, particularly fast fashion, has faced increasing scrutiny for its impact on both individuals and society at large. While some argue that it provides affordable clothing and job opportunities, I largely agree that its negative consequences outweigh these benefits.

Firstly, the fast fashion model promotes unsustainable consumption habits. By constantly introducing new trends at low prices, it encourages people to buy more clothes than they need and discard them quickly. This not only leads to financial waste for individuals but also contributes significantly to environmental degradation through increased textile waste and pollution from manufacturing processes.

Moreover, the industry’s practices often exploit workers in developing countries. Many fast fashion brands outsource production to factories with poor working conditions and inadequate wages. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty and can lead to tragic incidents, such as the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh, which highlighted the human cost of cheap clothing.

Additionally, the fashion industry’s marketing tactics can negatively impact mental health and self-esteem. Constant exposure to idealized body images and pressure to keep up with rapidly changing trends can lead to anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and even eating disorders, particularly among young people.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that the fashion industry also provides employment for millions worldwide and can be a form of creative expression. Some brands are making efforts to improve sustainability and ethical practices, demonstrating potential for positive change.

In conclusion, while the fashion industry has some positive aspects, I believe its current model predominantly has a negative impact on individuals and society. To mitigate these effects, consumers should prioritize sustainable and ethical fashion choices, while companies must be held accountable for their practices.

(Word count: 275)

Sample Essay (Band 6-7)

Here’s a mid-range sample essay addressing the same question:

The fashion industry is a big part of our lives today. Some people think it has a bad effect on people and society. I mostly agree with this idea because there are many problems with how fashion works now.

One big problem is that fast fashion makes people buy too many clothes. Companies always make new styles and sell them cheap, so people keep buying more than they need. This is bad for the environment because it makes a lot of waste. It also makes people spend too much money on clothes they don’t really need.

Another issue is how workers are treated in clothing factories. Many big fashion brands make their clothes in poor countries where workers don’t get paid enough and have to work in dangerous places. This is not fair and can hurt many people.

Fashion advertising can also make people feel bad about themselves. They show perfect-looking models all the time, which can make regular people feel like they’re not good enough. This can cause problems like low self-esteem, especially for young people.

But it’s also true that the fashion industry gives jobs to many people and lets people express themselves through clothes. Some companies are trying to be better by using eco-friendly materials and treating workers fairly.

In conclusion, I think the fashion industry does more harm than good right now. People should try to buy less and choose better brands, and companies should change how they make and sell clothes to be kinder to people and the planet.

(Word count: 253)

Key Writing Tips

1. Essay Structure: Both essays follow a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The higher-band essay demonstrates more sophisticated paragraph transitions and a more nuanced conclusion.

2. Vocabulary: The Band 8-9 essay uses more advanced vocabulary and phrases, such as “perpetuates a cycle of poverty” and “mitigate these effects”. The Band 6-7 essay uses simpler language but still conveys the main ideas effectively.

3. Grammar: The higher-band essay employs a wider range of complex structures, including relative clauses and conditional statements. The mid-range essay uses mostly simple and compound sentences.

4. Coherence and Cohesion: Both essays maintain a logical flow of ideas, but the Band 8-9 essay demonstrates better use of cohesive devices and more sophisticated paragraph linking.

5. Task Response: Both essays address all parts of the question, but the higher-band essay provides more detailed examples and a more balanced perspective.

Fast fashion environmental impact

Essential Vocabulary

1. Fast fashion (noun) /fɑːst ˈfæʃ.ən/ – Inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends

2. Sustainability (noun) /səˌsteɪ.nəˈbɪl.ə.ti/ – The quality of being able to continue over a period of time while avoiding depletion of natural resources

3. Ethical practices (noun phrase) /ˈeθ.ɪ.kəl ˈpræk.tɪ.sɪz/ – Business operations that are morally correct and adhere to proper conduct

4. Textile waste (noun phrase) /ˈtek.staɪl weɪst/ – Discarded material from the textile and garment industry

5. Outsource (verb) /ˈaʊt.sɔːs/ – To obtain goods or services from an outside supplier

6. Consumption habits (noun phrase) /kənˈsʌmp.ʃən ˈhæb.ɪts/ – Patterns of acquiring and using goods and services

7. Environmental degradation (noun phrase) /ɪnˌvaɪ.rən.menˈtl ˌdeg.rə.deɪˈʃən/ – The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources and pollution

8. Body dissatisfaction (noun phrase) /ˈbɒd.i ˌdɪs.sæt.ɪsˈfæk.ʃən/ – Negative subjective evaluation of one’s physical body

9. Eco-friendly (adjective) /ˈiː.kəʊ ˈfrend.li/ – Not harmful to the environment

10. Accountability (noun) /əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/ – The fact of being responsible for what you do and able to give a satisfactory reason for it

Conclusion

Understanding how to approach essays on reducing the environmental impact of fast fashion is crucial for IELTS success. Practice writing essays on this topic, focusing on structure, vocabulary, and coherent argumentation. You might encounter similar questions about sustainable practices in other industries or the broader impact of consumerism on society and the environment.

To further improve your skills, try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice will help you refine your writing abilities and prepare effectively for the IELTS Writing Task 2.

For more insights on related topics, check out our articles on how to promote sustainability in fashion and why ethical sourcing is crucial in fashion.