Slow Fashion: Your Essential Guide To Dressing For Good

Slow Fashion

In today’s fast-paced world, slow fashion is gaining significant traction among environmentally conscious consumers. Unlike fast fashion’s rapid production and quick turnover, slow fashion advocates for a deliberate and sustainable approach to clothing consumption.

Have you wondered how you could blend your love of fashion with love for sustainability? There are small, yet powerful habits you can implement in your life today. This article will explore slow fashion, offer brand recommendations, and help you align your style with your values.

What is Slow Fashion?

Slow fashion embodies principles of sustainability, ethical production, and durability. It’s a consumption philosophy that encourages consumers to:

  • Invest in Quality: Opt for well-made garments designed to last, rather than trendy pieces that quickly go out of style.
  • Support Ethical Practices: Choose brands that prioritise fair labour conditions, transparency in their supply chain, and respect for workers’ rights.
  • Reduce Environmental Impact: Favour clothing made from eco-friendly materials, such as hemp, organic cotton, or recycled fabrics, minimising resource depletion and pollution.

What Is Fast Fashion?

To contrast, fast fashion is quickly coming under scrutiny for providing an excess of cheap clothes at the expense of the environment. These clothes don’t last long and aren’t always recycled, resulting in many filling up landfills.

An illuminating study from Earth.org reveals that clothing consumption has increased from 100 billion units to 200 billion since 2000. However, the number of times an item was worn shrunk by 36%.

The environmental impact of fast fashion stretches far and wide. The dyes in clothes can leach into wastewater, harming plants, animals, and local communities. Landfills pollute both the air and the soil, generating high quantities of methane gas that contribute to climate change. They only grow larger by the day as each new trend comes and goes.

The fast fashion approach to clothes is unsustainable in the long run, making slow fashion a must for social and environmental health.

Key Features of Slow Fashion

Slow fashion focuses on the long-term health of both people and the environment. It avoids short-term satisfaction in favor of more enriching and sustainable approaches to self-expression.

Below are a few key features you’ll enjoy when you embrace slow fashion as a lifestyle.

  • Durability Over Disposability: Slow fashion garments are crafted with longevity in mind, using high-quality materials and superior craftsmanship to ensure they withstand the test of time.
  • Timeless Designs: Rather than following fleeting trends, slow fashion embraces designs that remain relevant season after season.
  • Local and Artisanal Production: Many brands prioritise local production or support artisans, fostering community and preserving traditional craftsmanship.
  • Transparency and Accountability: Brands are transparent about their sourcing and manufacturing processes, allowing consumers to make informed choices.
  • Use of Sustainable Materials: Slow fashion prioritises materials with a lower environmental footprint than conventional fabrics. Examples include:
    • Organic Cotton: Grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers, organic cotton reduces water usage and soil contamination.
    • Linen: Made from the flax plant, linen requires minimal water and can grow in poor soil conditions, making it sustainable.
    • Tencel (Lyocell): This material comes from sustainably sourced wood pulp. Tencel is known for its eco-friendly production process and biodegradability.
    • Recycled Fabrics: Utilising materials such as recycled polyester or recycled cotton reduces waste and lessens the demand for virgin resources.

Environmental Impact of Slow Fashion vs. Fast Fashion

We touched on the environmental impact of fast fashion above, but let’s dive in a little deeper.

Water Consumption

The fashion industry is one of the largest water consumers globally, with 79 trillion litres of water consumed. Significant amounts are used in fibre production, dyeing, and finishing processes.

Fast fashion’s emphasis on cheap, disposable clothing contributes to excessive water consumption. Likewise, it often pollutes these very same water sources with dyes, harmful chemicals, and materials that don’t biodegrade.

In contrast, slow fashion brands often prioritise water-efficient practices and utilize materials that require less water during production.

Carbon Emissions

Fast fashion’s reliance on global supply chains and rapid production cycles results in high carbon emissions from transportation, manufacturing processes, and garment disposal. In 2018, the fashion sector was responsible for around 2.1 billion metric tons of GHG emissions (and half came from fast fashion).

Slow fashion, with its focus on local production, sustainable materials, and longevity, significantly reduces carbon footprints associated with clothing.

Waste Generation

Fast fashion generates vast amounts of textile waste due to overproduction, short-lived trends, and poor durability of garments. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that the rough estimate of one garbage truck of textiles is wasted every second globally.

Slow fashion promotes minimalism and quality over quantity, and encourages practices like clothing repair, recycling, and upcycling to reduce waste and extend garment lifespans.

The Benefits of Slow Fashion

Reduced Environmental Footprint

By promoting sustainable practices and materials, slow fashion helps mitigate the fashion industry’s environmental impact, such as water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Support For Fair Trade

Consumers who choose slow fashion contribute to fair wages and safer working environments for garment workers, promoting social responsibility within the industry.

Personal Connection To Clothing

Investing in slow fashion encourages a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and story behind each piece, fostering a more meaningful relationship with one’s wardrobe.

How to Adopt Slow Fashion in Everyday Life

Changing your buying and dressing habits can seem like a tall order, especially if you have a distinctive style you’ve worked hard on. Fortunately, slow fashion is just as much about what you don’t do as well as building good habits.

Assess Your Current Wardrobe

Start by assessing your current wardrobe through the lens of slow fashion principles. Identify pieces that align with quality craftsmanship, timeless design, and sustainable materials like organic cotton, linen, Tencel, and recycled fabrics.

Sort items to keep, donate, or repurpose based on their durability and environmental impact.

Invest in Timeless Basics

Build your slow fashion wardrobe with versatile essentials such as well-made jeans, classic shirts, and durable outerwear. These foundational pieces withstand trends and contribute to a sustainable lifestyle through their longevity and responsible production.

Prioritise Quality Over Quantity

Opt for garments crafted from sustainable materials that promote environmental stewardship. Look for certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or Fair Trade, ensuring your purchases support ethical practices and reduce your fashion footprint.

Explore Second-Hand And Vintage Options

Embrace the uniqueness and sustainability of second-hand and vintage clothing. Browse local thrift stores, consignment shops, or online platforms specializing in pre-loved fashion to find one-of-a-kind pieces.

Vintage clothing lines up with environmental slow fashion values by reusing clothes and keeping them out of landfills. You can also fuel your own sense of adventure to find rare items you’ll have a hard time finding anywhere else.

Finding Ethical and Sustainable Brands

Are you wondering which brands you can purchase from to guide your slow fashion journey? Below are a few tips to steer you on the right path.

Research Brands and Certifications

Conduct thorough research to identify slow fashion brands committed to transparency and ethical practices. Seek brands with a clear commitment to fair labour conditions, sustainable sourcing, and minimal environmental impact.

Certifications you should keep an eye out for include (but aren’t limited to):

  • Bluesign® – this certificate goes to businesses with a reduced environmental impact during the textile production process
  • B Corp – this certification is for businesses recognized for sustainable and transparent business practices
  • Better Cotton Group – this non-profit organization awards certificates based on applying better standards to cotton farming practices

Use Ethical Fashion Directories

Use online resources or directories that curate ethical and sustainable fashion brands. Platforms such as Good On You and Ethical Fashion Forum provide ratings and insights into brands’ sustainability efforts, making it easier to make informed purchasing decisions.

Support Local and Artisanal Producers

Are you wondering which brands you can purchase from to guide your slow fashion journey? Below are a few tips to steer you on the right path.

Maintaining and Repairing Clothing

Slow fashion is a long-term commitment. You can ensure your clothes last for several years with some practice (and a few YouTube tutorials).

Follow Care Instructions

Follow care instructions specific to each garment to extend the lifespan of your slow-fashion wardrobe. Practice eco-friendly washing methods, such as cold water cycles and air drying, to preserve fabric integrity and minimize environmental impact.

Learn Basic Repair Skills

Pick up basic sewing skills to mend minor tears or replace buttons. Embracing repair techniques empowers you to prolong garment lifespans and reduce waste, embodying the sustainable ethos of slow fashion.

Go A Step Further With A Little Design

You can also stretch your clothes’ lifespan by picking up a few design skills such as hemming or mixing dyes. If you want to reinvent your wardrobe or try something new, you can adjust existing clothes to save money and reduce waste.

For example, a little hemming can turn a regular T-shirt into a summer-friendly cropped T-shirt. Mixing dyes could change the color of a pair of socks or tights. Slow fashion pulls away from fleeting trends to center you back in your creativity and help you see everyday items in a new light.

Use Clothing Repair Services

Seek professional assistance from local tailors or repair services for complex alterations and garment maintenance. Investing in quality repairs ensures your slow fashion pieces remain cherished staples in your wardrobe for years.

    Embracing a Mindful Shopping Mindset

    According to a recent study, around 57% of women impulsively buy shoes or clothing items. Mindful shopping reduces impulse buys by centering your values and focusing on the long-term.

    Practice Conscious Consumption

    Adopt a mindful approach to shopping by prioritizing quality, versatility, and longevity in your clothing purchases. Make deliberate choices that reflect your style while aligning with slow fashion principles.

    This practice can look like asking yourself, “Do I really need seven pairs of joggers?” or “How will I feel tomorrow if I put $20 in my savings instead of toward another jacket?”. Simply asking yourself these questions can change how you approach shopping entirely.

    Support Sustainable Fashion Initiatives

    Stay informed and engaged with sustainable fashion trends, innovations, and initiatives promoting positive change within the industry. Join communities advocating for ethical fashion practices and participate in movements advancing environmental responsibility through your consumer choices.

      Slow Fashion Brands We Love

      The slow fashion lifestyle doesn’t mean you can’t still buy beautiful clothes; you’re just doing so more sustainably and thoughtfully. Below are a few brands we love for their embrace of slow fashion values.

      Arms of Eve

      Arms of Eve creates effortless affordable jewellery and fashion accessories that celebrate beauty, crosses culture, defies trends and spans seasons. The pieces are designed and sourced by Founder Kerryn Langer in the Sydney, Australia studio, and mindfully crafted around the world by accredited and ethical artisans.

      Throughout this process, they strive to minimise waste, prioritise environmental stewardship, and contribute positively to the broader community.

      Mighty Good Basics

      Mighty Good Basics is an Australian brand dedicated to sustainable fashion and ethical practices. They focus on timeless essentials like organic cotton tanks and underwear, blending style with eco-consciousness.

      Emphasising durability and comfort, Mighty Good Basics is committed to environmental responsibility and ethical production. Their transparent supply chain ensures fair wages and safe working conditions, setting new standards in conscientious fashion.

      OhSevenDays

      OhSevenDays is a mindfully made womenswear label creating creative womenswear from dead stock and other sustainably sourced materials. The OhSevenDays label was born after Founder, Megan Mummery stumbled across a small district of Istanbul selling off-cut fabric rolls leftover from large garment manufacturers.

      This unused fabric meterage is often doomed for the landfill due to excess manufacturing or miscalculation. This discovery sparked an idea; the idea to create a womenswear brand that uses the leftovers to create sustainable regenerative fashion

      Conclusion

      Slow fashion represents a mindful and sustainable alternative to the fast fashion industry’s rapid consumption model. By embracing slow fashion principles, consumers can reduce their environmental footprint, support ethical practices, and foster a deeper connection to their clothing choices.

      As we strive towards a more sustainable future, adopting a slow fashion mindset is a significant step towards creating positive change within the fashion industry and beyond. It will also change your relationship with yourself: your artistic expression, self-fulfillment, and emotional connection to the world at large. Remember: every thoughtful purchase contributes to a more sustainable world, one garment at a time.

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