You may have heard the term ‘slow fashion’ recently but not really know what it actually means. As the slow fashion movement becomes more and more popular I want to take a look at what individuals can do to get involved and answer the question – what is slow fashion?
Simply put, slow fashion is the exact opposite of fast fashion.
Where fast fashion promotes the overconsumption of cheap, often poorly made clothes that are seen as easily disposable, slow fashion encourages shopping second-hand, wearing clothes for as long as possible and upcycling and repairing clothes that are damaged or that no longer fit.
Slow fashion also encourages making more sustainable choices such as buying fewer pieces of clothing, choosing classic styles and shapes that will never go out of fashion and not being afraid to repeat outfits.
For me, slow fashion also encompasses buying from sustainable fashion brands although others argue this still encourages overconsumption so would class this is as ‘sustainable fashion’ instead.
Why Is Slow Fashion Important?
Fashion, especially fast fashion has a terrible impact on the environment. Fashion is the worlds biggest polluter after the fuel/energy industry.
From carbon emissions that come from importing textiles across the world to toxic waste as a by-product of clothes dyes being dumped into rivers (which eventually lead to the sea), fashion as a whole is extremely damaging.
Then, of course, there is the issue of cheap clothes continually being dumped into landfill and that’s before we even start looking at the terrible working conditions of those in the factories making the clothes.
According to statistics shared by the BBC One show The Great British Sewing Bee, there is currently enough clothing on Planet Earth to clothe the next SIX generations of humans for their entire lives.
Choosing to embrace slow fashion, even in the smallest ways can help lessen this impact and help to create a better environment for future generations.
How To Embrace Slow Fashion
Buy Second-hand
Buying second-hand clothing is one of the best ways you can support the slow fashion movement. Second-hand clothes are often cheaper too which means you’ll save money too.
Buying second-hand clothing doesn’t have to mean buying clothes that have been used or worn either – there are loads of brand new with tags items out there and while these are usually slightly more expensive they are still often less than buying new.
Wear Clothes For Longer
If we all wore each item of clothing one or two more times it would have a huge positive impact on the environment.
Avoid Fast Fashion
Avoiding fast fashion brands is one way to make more sustainable fashion choices.
Some of the worst offenders are online retailers like Pretty Little Thing, Boohoo and ASOS as well as high street brands like H&M and Primark. Many of these brands release thousands of new products each week, a lot of which are poorly made, won’t last long and often end up in landfill within a few months of purchase.
Now, I am aware that being able to shop second-hand does come with a certain level of privilege and I am absolutely not condemning those living below breadline shopping in places like Primark to be able to clothe their families.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Nowadays, clothes are often so cheap we don’t think anything of throwing them away once they become worn, or have small holes or a mark on them.
I think we need to value our clothing more and look for ways to repair and upcycle when we can.
Even when clothes are completely past their best, they can be used for so many other things such as making into cleaning cloths, scrunchies, gift wrap. The possibilities are endless!
Buy Less
Sometimes it can seem like fashion is everywhere.
Influencers promoting their latest clothing hauls and Instagram, emails with discount codes or free delivery, even text messages from our favourite brands.
All of this is designed to make us want to consume more, even when we don’t need it.
Buying less is another way we can embrace slow fashion. If you feel pressure to buy new clothes whenever you go online, hit the unsubscribe or unfollow button.
Make a wish list of items you really want or really need and refer back to it when you feel tempted to buy.
You could also try the trick of leaving items in your basket for 24 hours before purchase. Often, when you go back, you’ll find it was an ‘in the moment’ thing and you no longer want to purchase.
One other thing to consider is when you see an item you like, try searching for it second-hand on apps liked Depop or Vinted. Often you’ll be able to find the item or something very similar
Buy from sustainable brands
While it may be a more expensive option, buying from sustainable brands is one way we can buy clothes and still protect the environment.
It’s worth doing some research before shopping though as some brands are guilty of ‘green washing’ making it look like they have eco-credentials when in reality, they don’t (I’m looking at you H&M).
Final thoughts on ‘What is Slow Fashion?’
When it comes to slow fashion, you don’t need to be perfect.
Choosing to buy just one or two items second-hand per month or making one item of clothing last for a few more wears can have a difference.
With any type of sustainability, we need millions of people doing it imperfectly, rather than a few trying to do it perfectly.