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If we were to describe slow fashion to a foodie, it would best be described as the equivalent of farm-to-table food, whereas fast-fashion would be the equivalent of fast food.
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"Slow fashion," a term coined by Kate Fletcher in 2007, is by many perceived as the future of clothing - and one that will not leave you full of buyer's remorse. The term is based on a sustainable fashion revolution aiming to provide consumers with the ability to style themselves in pieces that have been ethically produced, giving great care to both the environment and the workers who produce such fashion items, resulting in the creation of garments that are less wasteful of the earth's resources. Fast fashion, on the other hand, usually cause a fuzzy, warm feeling the moment a purchase is made and then leaves you with a gloomy feeling of regret a few moments (or months) following. It is also often produced under poor working conditions, with toxic processes which results in poor quality materials within an ethically deficient workplace. Not exactly the perfect recipe for the timeless wardrobe you're on the lookout for.
Slow fashion is instead about evolving a personal style and incorporating consciousness into fashion, not manically following seasonal trends but rather staying true to yourself. This is why we put together this little list, to highlight the nine things you need to know about slow fashion!
P.S. after reading, you'll realise it's the new way forward both in terms of style and ethics - yay! D.S.
1. Slow Fashion is fashion with a conscious.
Slow fashion does not only value the final aesthetics of a garment but nestles itself further into the production process, with a goal of creating a safe and equal working environment. This means that workers are rewarded with fair pay for their work and that there is no child labour. Basically, it's fashion woven with integrity.
Also, as garment production is one of the most female dominated sectors, fighting for fair pay for these workers should be a priority for fashion lovers and feminists worldwide.
2. Slow Fashion is your second skin.
With clothing touching your skin almost all of the time, the garments you wear typically act as your second skin. Therefore, wouldn't you want to know that what you are putting on you or your loved one's skin is free from harmful toxins and pesticides? In slow fashion, not only is the ethics behind clothing production considered, but the environmental impact on both humans and nature is, as well. This means that slow fashion is produced using eco-friendly materials (bamboo anyone?) and environmentally safe production processes.
The end result is thus something that is gentler to not only your body but the environment, at large.
3. Slow Fashion is innovation.
As slow fashion is still a smaller part of global fashion, innovation is required to create a true fashion revolution. When reviewing conventional clothing production, many of the larger, more established players lack access to ethical and environmentally friendly fabrics and production processes. Instead, it is often smaller firms that are leading the way regarding how to create slow fashion that is sustainable throughout every aspect.
This leads to the creation of new fabrics (hello tencel and bamboo!), new coloring methods, and an ever incessant demand for innovative ways of creating the best possible garments.
4. Slow Fashion is transparent.
Slow fashion is about being able to understand how your clothing is made and what goes into it. It's about companies and individuals being transparent in the way they act, showing that they have nothing to hide and incorporate best practices throughout. This transparency aids you in making informed purchasing decisions and enables you to trust the garments you wear along with the people who produced them. Conventional fashion, on the other hand, often puts up a Chinese wall in order to hide the reasoning behind lower prices per unit since very low prices often means that quality or safety has been compromised along the way.
Slow fashion is about breaking theses barriers and letting the public know there is nothing to hide