With over one hundred billion pieces of clothing being produced globally each year and almost one hundred million of used material waste being produced, the fashion industry has gotten problematic and overwhelming.
While many fashion brands have started to focus on combating issues facing the fashion industry, consumers have also taken a much-needed interest in improving the current situation.
Slow fashion has been seen as a growing movement toward creating an industry that benefits both consumers and the environment. It advocates for reducing our environmental impact by making more conscious decisions related to our fashion choices.
Our comprehensive guide touches upon the importance of slowing down for the sake of our planet Earth. Read on and learn how you can implement slow fashion principles into your lifestyle.
What Is Slow Fashion?
Slow fashion is basically the opposite of fast fashion, which emerged around 20 years ago when clothes became cheaper, and trends changed faster. As a widespread reaction to fast fashion, slow fashion aims to refocus our energy on becoming more conscious and mindful fashion shoppers.
This rapidly growing movement promotes various sustainable practices, including creating a healthy connection with the environment. Slow fashion addresses overproduction and advocates for such initiatives as cutting CO2 emissions, reducing pollution and waste, and supporting biodiversity. It also tackles the issue of working conditions, ensuring garment workers are paid fair wages while being provided with a safe working environment.
Slow fashion is about manufacturing as well as shopping for high-quality products that are designed to last long. It supports the idea of buying better quality garments less often with the intention of reducing waste.
Slow Fashion - How It Started?
The fashion industry has seen a wave of change over the past decade. A growing number of brands are turning from trend-crazed fast fashion to more sustainable options for manufacturing clothes.
The term ‘slow fashion’ was introduced by Kate Fletcher of the Centre of Sustainable Fashion which followed the famous phenomenon of the slow food movement. Similarly to the slow food initiative, Fletcher thought there was a need for a significant change within the fashion industry that required a slower pace.
Why Is It Called ‘Slow’ Fashion?
Slow fashion asks the fast fashion companies to hit the brakes and slow down on overproduction of clothing and unethical manufacturing practices that plague the fashion industry.
What’s more, it tells the consumers to take their time to re-evalute their relationship with fashion and become more mindful about their shopping habits.
The movement stands for slowing down the process of clothing production which also means spending more time on the design process, ensuring that each piece of clothing is made to the highest quality standard.
Slow Fashion and Sustainable Fashion
Realistically, slow fashion and sustainable fashion have a lot in common. In fact, they are considered to be sister movements as they follow the same overall guidelines related to more ethical manufacturing processes and consumption of fashion.
Sustainable fashion is an all-inclusive term that refers to clothing and accessories that are designed, produced, distributed, and used in environmentally friendly and socially responsible ways. It pushes towards greater ecological integrity and social justice. Among the main characteristics of sustainable fashion are local sourcing and production, eco-friendly raw materials, and safe working conditions.
The most common sustainable fashion practices include:
- Buying secondhand clothing
- Thrifting
- Swapping
- Sharing
- Renting fashion
All of these habits promote the reduction of the negative impact of fashion manufacturing on the environment. Sustainable fashion is considered to be a change in the ways of thinking, wearing, and enjoying fashion that promotes diversity as well as social and environmental well-being.
The Difference Between Slow Fashion and Sustainable Fashion
The main difference between slow fashion and sustainable fashion is that the former is aimed at reducing consumption and production in a more specific manner. Slow fashion challenges the obsession with mass production of fashion and facilitates a new and better manner of consuming fashion. It approaches the way of manufacturing fashion considering all aspects of the supply chain and therefore aims to respect people, the environment, and animals.
What Is the Difference Between Slow and Fast Fashion?
Slow and fast fashion can be distinguished in terms of philosophy, perception and approach to fashion.
Fast fashion denotes mass-produced, low-priced, lower-quality garments designed for seasonal use and, therefore, quickly end up in landfills. This clothing industry’s business model aims to replicate recent catwalk trends and high-fashion design, manufacture them at low cost in excessive quantities and bring them to stores while consumer demand is at its peak.
On the other hand, slow fashion supports the idea of producing garments in ethical, mindful and sustainable way. The movement serves as a bond between raw, locally-sourced materials, labour force and the environment. Sustainable clothes are not seasonal, disposable or produced in bulk - they are made of high-quality materials that guarantee the garments’ long lifespan and have limited collections usually available in small, independent stores.
Slow Fashion as a Growing Movement
In the era of the Pre-Industrial Revolution, clothes were sourced and manufactured locally. They reflected the place and culture of the people wearing them. People would buy and wear garments that were durable, or they would use available materials and textiles to make their own clothes.
These days, despite the still booming development of fast fashion, we can observe a re-emergence of the old ways of handling fashion. The slow fashion movement encourages us to question our shopping choices and ask ourselves whether we really need something new to add to our closets. It tells us to consider inspecting our closets to potentially find a piece we’re looking for. Slow fashion motivates us to buy fewer garments less often and visit second-hand stores if possible.
Why Is Slow Fashion Important?
Slow fashion movement helps us make smaller impact on the environment and climate change by advocating for saving resources and lowering our CO2 emissions.
It brings awareness to the idea and importance of conscious consumption which includes both environmental and social wellness. Slow fashion promotes sustainable practices across the entire supply chain, that involve safe working environment and fair livable wages.
Conscious Shopping
When it comes to buying brand new clothing, slow fashion promotes conscious shopping, which includes opting for high-quality garments rather than cheap polyester that will wear out after a few washes. Conscious customers are looking to more sustainable fashion manufacturing processes and opting for premium materials and fabrics like organic cotton or linen that are known to be durable, and clothes made of them will last for years to come.
Slow fashion also encourages us to treat our clothes with more respect rather than as easily disposable pieces. It tells us to take our time and put our efforts into repairing our clothes if they need it. If our clothes no longer serve us, we can upcycle them, pass them along or dispose of them responsibly.
Slow fashion has seen a significant increase in popularity as conscious consumers demand more ethical solutions and higher sustainability. As society is becoming more aware of the importance of environmental and social well-being, our planet and its inhabitants will benefit from this more ethical and responsible approach to the fashion industry.
What Are the Most Sustainable Fabrics?
Fast fashion revolves around cheap clothes which are loaded with toxins and chemicals. Their toxicity levels depend on several factors, including the type of dyes added to fabrics, the dose of harmful chemicals used in the production process, and the time of exposure to toxic substances.
Hazardous toxins can be found in synthetic textiles like polyester, lycra, nylon, acrylic and rayon, as well as regular cotton, which is highly sprayed with cancer-causing pesticides. Many of such fabrics release microplastics and aren’t biodegradable as they’re oil-based.
If your goal is to build a sustainable closet based on the principles of the slow fashion movement, you should opt for eco textiles and natural fabrics. Here are some good examples of sustainable fabrics that you can start incorporating into your closet today:
- Linen. It’s one of the oldest natural materials used in clothing which is made out of the flax plant.
- Organic cotton. Unlike regular cotton, it’s not sprayed with chemicals which means it doesn’t pose a risk to you, the environment and the animals.
- Hemp. It’s closely related to linen and is often used in combination with organic cotton for a softer feel.
- Wool. It’s naturally produced by sheep, alpacas and goats and is a great sustainable material used for winter clothing.
- Leather. It’s flexible and durable and can be manufactured and processed in different ways. It’s used for a variety of garment pieces, ranging from outerwear to accessories like bags and shoes.
- Peace silk. It’s the more eco-friendly alternative to silk. This natural, luscious textile is produced by silkworms in a slow and sustainable process.
Introduce Slow Fashion Into Your Sustainable Lifestyle
As you already know, the slow fashion initiative has followed the slow food movement, and both ideas share similar values. Therefore, if you’re planning to introduce slow fashion into your closet and lifestyle, the best way will be to think about your fashion choices the same way you think about your food choices.
If you read labels when you shop for food or buy organic products, as well as put emphasis on zero waste consumption, you can apply the same rules to fashion. This way, you ensure you don’t overload your closet with fabrics full of toxins and chemicals, as well as avoid unnecessary waste.
Here are some simple yet effective slow fashion principles that you can implement in your sustainable lifestyle:
- Read the labels. When shopping for clothes, read the labels to ensure that they are made of high-quality material and are free from toxic chemicals like synthetic dyes or plastic.
- Choose fabric simplicity.The golden rule tells us that ‘the less is more’, and this includes the ingredients which don’t just apply to food but also to clothing. Choose garments that are ideally made of one fabric rather than 3 or more blends of textiles.
- Introduce minimalism to your closet. Wasting water, just like wasting food, is categorically against sustainability values. Knowing that it takes about 10,000 litres of water to produce a single pair of jeans, it’s worth simplifying your wardrobe and opting for a limited collection of clothing pieces for the sake of our environment.
- Be prepared for higher clothing prices. High-quality garments are more expensive than their cheap alternatives. Accept that their price value will be increased if they’re made of premium organic fabrics.
- Research the brand. Read the ‘About Us’ page of the fashion brands you’re interested in shopping with. Learn about their brand identity and values, and don’t hesitate to ask questions to get all the information you need about their products.
- Look up the brands’ certifications. Make sure the natural fabrics they use have got the GOTS certificate which means they are monitored throughout the full supply chain.
Take Care of Your Clothes and Make Them Last Longer
One of the basic principles of slow fashion is to prolong the longevity of your high-quality garments by taking proper care of them. There is a wide range of methods that allow you to enjoy the good condition of your ethical clothing items for many years to come.
Here are a few fashion basics that you can apply to your routine today:
- Make sure your clothes are protected while cooking to prevent them from staining.
- Use special laundry bags for delicate garments to avoid causing damage.
- Always follow the washing instructions included on the labels.
- Wash your clothes inside out to avoid distressing.
- Restrain from using a tumble dryer to dry your clothes - hang your clothes dry instead.
- As some natural materials, like wool, can attract moths, use cedar oil and lavender to combat them.
- Don’t over-wash your clothes to keep the material in good condition.
Consider Renting Clothes Instead of Buying Them
One of the biggest global issues which are causing problems in many social, cultural and environmental aspects is overproduction. It triggers difficulties related to poor working conditions, fair treatment and human rights, forced labour, increased carbon footprint and many more.
As a conscious customer, you can contribute to using more sustainable methods of consuming fashion by renting clothes rather than buying them. This way, you could help reduce the environmental impact of garment manufacturing even by up to 50%. What’s more, you can save significant amounts of money that you could later invest in some high-quality clothing items that will last you for a long time.
If you’re considering renting clothes, here are a few tips that can help get along with it:
- Before you purchase a particular clothing item, think about how many times you will be wearing it. If it isn’t going to be one of your casual wear options, consider renting it instead.
- Aim to rent any piece of garment that you plan on wearing only on special occasions, like weddings or anniversaries.
- Look for rentals at such services, like Renttherunway, where you can find items from luxury designers.
Switch from Buying for a Season to Buying for Forever
Living in a climate with changing seasons will require you to have a wider variety of clothing in your closet, ranging from the pieces you can wear in the summer heat and freezing winter.
However, one of the slow fashion principles talks about shopping for clothes that you will be able to wear all year round. This way, you will not only save money but also reduce clutter as well as minimise the use of production resources.
If you’re looking for ways how to maximise your conscious consumption, follow these few simple tips:
- Shop for trans-seasonal clothing pieces. One of the best slow fashion practices is to buy garments that you can wear both in hot and cold seasons. This way you will need fewer clothes, therefore you will reduce your consumption.
- Plan your outfits. Before purchasing a particular fashion item, think of the outfits you could use over the whole year. If you think you can wear it for at least 8 months in a year, consider investing in it.
- Buy well-made and durable clothes. You are more likely to wear your clothing pieces all year round if they are made of high-quality materials, therefore, prioritize shopping at slow fashion brands.
Give Your Clothes a New Life
Supporting the slow fashion movement means that you treat the clothes you own with respect and don’t find them easily disposable. If your clothes no longer serve you, don’t throw them away - learn how to recycle them ecologically and give them a new life.
Consider repairing your clothes, trading them instead of buying new ones or donating them. Those activities will guarantee you’re making a positive impact.
According to the Pulse of the Fashion Industry 2018 Report, 75% of garments end up in landfills which shows that our fashion consumption is off the scale. It is, therefore, important to switch to more sustainable and ethical ways of handling fashion.
Most Popular Ethical Fashion Brands
Slow fashion brands implement and promote conscious practices to be more ethical and environmentally friendly. The main characteristics of slow fashion brands include:
- Garments are made from high-quality, sustainable materials like organic cotton or linen.
- Their emphasis is set on the timelessness of clothing pieces rather than their trendiness.
- Clothes are sourced, manufactured, and sold locally.
- Garments are sold in small, usually local stores than in massive chain enterprises.
- Clothing pieces and accessories are often made-to-order to reduce unnecessary waste.
- Collections feature only a few specific styles and are released twice or three times a year at the maximum.
If you’re looking for some slow fashion staples, the fashion brands below are worth looking into for sustainable clothing pieces.
Levi’s
Levi’s has been long known worldwide for its signature denim jeans. The company has become a popular sustainable fashion brand with its WellThread collection, which was created using more recycled materials while reducing the amount of water in the manufacturing processes.
What’s more, Levi’s has introduced a game-changing, easy-to-shop interface that allows customers to buy second hand Levi’s denim. This way, they can get long-lasting jeans at affordable prices.
PACT
The brand uses organic cotton, certified by GOTS, to produce its sustainable garments.
PACT is also certified by Fair Trade which means that the company focuses on ethical aspects like fair wages and safe working conditions.
In their collections, you can find everyday casual pieces, as well as pyjamas and underwear. They make clothing for the whole family, including men, kids and babies.
Polo Ralph Lauren
This large, reputable brand has introduced The Earth Polo (available in women’s, men’s and kids’ collections), which is made of recycled water bottles. It also uses dyes that don’t require water in the manufacturing process.
Ralph Lauren estimates that it will save the equivalent of 170 million plastic bottles from landfills within the next 3 years. The company also publishes a sustainability report to proclaim the brand’s sustainable practices, efforts and goals for the near future.
ABLE
Ethical fashion principles are what drive ABLE in its sustainable fashion practices. The company focuses on fighting poverty by offering fair wages and creating more job opportunities for women.
The brand produces clothing, shoes, jewellery and bags providing their products are fashionable yet timeless. All of their garments and accessories are made of durable and natural fibers, including organic cotton for clothing and leather for shoes and bags.
The R Collective
The company uses rescued excess materials from pioneering luxury fashion brands and leading manufacturers to create eco-friendly womenswear.
The brand’s policy is to create sustainable clothing made from high-quality, organic materials while using less water and wastewater in the production process. The brand also provides a living wage payment in its supply chain. The clothing pieces they create come in two sizes: XS-S and M-L.
Everlane
Everlane’s main brand initiatives are focused on ethical manufacturing processes as well as supply chain transparency. They give customers the idea of where the garments are sourced from by showing their markup process.
The brand also showcases its factories which get audited and scored during the selection process.
unspun
This American brand produces denim garments and aims to reduce global carbon emissions by 1% thanks to its low waste production process and zero inventory.
All denim products feature customisable sizings as they are made to order to ensure you’ll find a suitable fit.
A.BCH
A.BCH is an Australian slow fashion brand whose goal is to transform the way people buy, wear and dispose of their clothes. It utilises organic, renewable, and recycled materials.
The company helps you keep your garments in good condition and provide you with long-lasting high quality of your items by sending a digital care manual with every order. You can shop for sizes XS-XL, or you can have your clothing piece customised to fit you well.
TWOTHIRDS
The company operates on a unique pre-order system that allows determining how many clothing pieces they are going to sell from one product. This is a great way to reduce unnecessary waste as they produce what they sell. You can get their garments in sizes XS-L.
Elle Evans
Elle Evans Swimwear uses post-consumer waste materials to create sustainable swimwear and activewear collections in sizes ranging from XS-3XL. The brand uses 100% recycled nylon ECONYL made from dredged ocean plastic.
The company has partnered with Healthy Seas, to whom they donate 1% off all sales with the purpose of protecting the seas.
Conclusion
The slow fashion movement has introduced significant changes in the way fashion is produced and consumed these days.
This sustainable approach has inspired many manufacturers to make more ethical choices when it comes to creating garments. It also considerably influenced our consumer behaviour and made us more aware of the importance of conscious fashion shopping.
While the slow fashion movement is constantly growing in popularity, there’s still a lot that needs to be done to improve and maintain the image of sustainable, high-quality fashion over cheap, trend-crazed and high-turnover fast fashion.
