Slow Fashion: The Sustainable Choice

"What if we started by slowing down and not consuming so much stuff just because it’s there and cheap and available. It’s amazing how that process makes sense financially, it makes sense ethically, and it makes sense environmentally.”—Andrew Morgan

What is Slow Fashion?

Slow Fashion advocates beautiful, quality clothing that fits perfectly to reduce the industry’s impact on the climate and to ensure the safety and fair treatment of garment makers. It includes a fashion awareness and approach that takes into account the processes and resources needed to make clothing. It supports purchasing higher-quality garments that will last longer, as well as fair treatment of people, animals, and the environment.

According to a report by The Pulse of the Fashion Industry published in 2018, seventy-five percent of fashion supply chain material ends up in landfills. This amounts to ‘the equivalent of one garbage truck full of textiles per second.

Kate Fletcher, an author, design activist, and professor coined the term "Slow Fashion." Slow fashion, according to her, is based on quality rather than time. Other slow fashion pioneers point out that the movement promotes slower production, integrates sustainability and ethics, and ultimately encourages consumers to invest in well-made and long-lasting clothing.

The slow fashion movement strives to create an industry that benefits both the planet and all people. In an ideal world, and hopefully, soon, slow fashion will be the norm.

Basic Characteristics of a Slow Fashion Brand

Happy garment makers

Slow fashion brands pay a fair wage to the garment makers. There is no child labor, modern slavery, or human trafficking.

Organic

The garment is made from high-quality, sustainable materials that are organically grown.

Cruelty-free

Raw materials or ingredients are not tested on animals and hence are cruelty-free.

Recycled

The garment is made from at least 60% recycled materials or fibers.

Timeless Clothing

Garments are more timeless than trendy.

Small-scale

Garments are produced on a small scale to reduce unnecessary production and textile waste.

How to Support the Slow Fashion Movement?

Following slow fashion is easier than it looks.

• Begin by resisting the urge to make impulse purchases.

• Invest in high-quality, long-lasting clothing.

• Shop locally.

• Invest in timeless designs and evergreen styles rather than seasonal trends.

• Avoid fast fashion brands, especially greenwashing brands (brands that say they are sustainable, but you know they are not).

• Consider your options before disposing of, repairing, donating, or upcycling.

The fashion industry is one of the largest environmental polluters, and if it still doesn’t make sense to you, then open your closet and count how many clothes you haven't worn in the past few months. Perhaps this will make you realize that you, too, are contributing to the problem.

Let’s support slow fashion and work together to change the world, one garment at a time!