Date of Graduation
5-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Apparel Merchandising and Product Development
Advisor/Mentor
Cheramie, Lance
Committee Member/Reader
Apple, Laurie
Committee Member/Second Reader
Hubert, Stephanie
Committee Member/Third Reader
Kim, Kyuree
Abstract
Fast fashion is poorly constructed clothing through wasteful production methods to meet the rapid demand of fads and trends. Consumers are the driving force behind what is sold and not sold. If there is a demand for fast fashion, those types of clothing and textiles will be produced. If consumers made a point to only buy sustainably made and ethically produced clothing, companies would pivot to meet those demands. Currently, fast fashion is prevalent rather than sustainable apparel, which means that consumers either do not care about their impact on the environment, or they are unaware of the production methodologies and do not have the information to make informed decisions. The waste problem and irresponsibility of the fashion industry is a problem that needs to be addressed. Generation Z (gen Z), the upcoming generation, is beginning to enter the workforce and will inherit the majority of the spending power. How they spend their money will set consumer trends for the generations to follow. It is necessary to understand how gen Z perceives the problems with sustainability in the apparel and textile industry so that they can be better informed in the future. Understanding their opinions will also show how they can be encouraged to make better purchasing decisions and set good habits for their future. The study quantitatively assessed gen Z’s perceptions of sustainability and eco-friendly apparel purchase decisions using an electronic survey to collect data. Research can be used to assess the degree to which gen Z should be educated about problems that exist within the industry.
Keywords
Sustainability; Fast Fashion; Generation Z; Purchase Behavior; Apparel
Citation
Andress, A. (2023). Generation Z's Perceptions of Sustainability in the Apparel and Textile Industry. Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/ampduht/26
