Cheap Clothes, Real Cost

Fashion and Sustainability

© 2026Based on the ideas of:   Goron, Ana-MirelaCC BY-NC-SA 4.0CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Biology
Learning Goal(s)
Learners learn how to identify problems caused by fast fashion and develop sustainable solutions.
Learners will be able to create and present ideas for sustainable fashion projects, such as upcycling, repair workshops, or awareness campaigns.
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Potential Misinformation and Exploitable Learner Misconceptions

Learners may think that cheap clothes are inexpensive only because companies make less profit, rather than because of low wages, cheap materials, and environmental costs.

Some learners may believe that all clothes are produced under fair working conditions.

Learners may think that buying cheap clothes has no major environmental impact because individual purchases seem small.

Some learners may assume that synthetic fibers are always worse than natural fibers, or that natural fibers are always sustainable.

Learners may believe that recycling clothes completely solves the problem of textile waste.

Learners may not realize that the price of clothing often does not include the social and environmental costs of production.

Lesson Plan Details:

Subject-Specific Learning Goals

Learners will be able to identify the environmental and social consequences of fast fashion, to explain the link between textile waste, pollution, and sustainability as well as to evaluate different viewpoints on fast fashion considering ecological, economic, and social dimensions. Furthermore, they develop the ability to form an informed opinion on a socio-scientific issue.

Required Infrastructure & Teaching Materials
Teacher computerRequired Infrastructure & Teaching MaterialsStudent smartphonesRequired Infrastructure & Teaching MaterialsInternet accessRequired Infrastructure & Teaching MaterialsPrinterRequired Infrastructure & Teaching MaterialsProjectorRequired Infrastructure & Teaching Materialsshort video about fast fashionRequired Infrastructure & Teaching Materials

Activity 1

Duration25 minutesSuggested Social FormClass activity

Teacher Instruction

Introduce the concept of fast fashion with real-life examples (brands, prices, trends)

Present the issue of textile waste and its environmental and social impact.Guide the learners through the Padlet activity.Encourage debate and reflection at the end of the activity.

Activity Instruction

1. Learners observe the label of their T-shirt and identify the material.

2. Learners identify the country where the T-shirt was made.

3. Learners estimate the distance between the producer and the consumer.

4. Learners classify the fiber as natural, synthetic, or mixed.

5. Learners evaluate the possible environmental impact of their T-shirt, including production, transport, and waste.

6. Learners post their findings on Padlet.

7. Learners compare their results with their classmates.

8. Learners formulate a personal opinion or argument about the real cost of cheap clothes.

Student Output Form

Text; Oral presentation

Sources & Materials
Material Sources

Yes; Yes

Resource Type

Yes; Yes

App

Other

Activity 2

DurationMultiple days minutesSuggested Social FormGroup work

Teacher Instruction

“Repair and Recycling” Workshop

Learners learn to repair simple clothing items: sewing on buttons, fixing seams, adding patches.

They create new objects from old textiles, such as:

reusable tote bags,

pencil cases,

textile bracelets,

headbands with traditional patterns,

T-shirts embroidered with symbols inspired by traditional Romanian blouses (ii)

Activity Instruction

Organize a clothing swap event (exchange used clothes instead of buying new ones).

Student Output Form

Service-learning project

Sources & Materials
Material Sources

Yes

Resource Type

Yes

App