Things have to move quickly in almost all areas of life these days. After all, we don't want to lose any valuable time. Yet sometimes it would do us so much good to slow things down a little. “Take it Slow” is the motto that stands for a better quality of life and sustainability - not least in the fashion industry. Have you heard of the slow fashion movement but don't really know what it's all about? Here you can find out what “slow fashion” really means and what it has over “fast fashion”.
Slow fashion is about designing, producing and consuming garments in a more conscious and sustainable way. The fashion industry can no longer shirk its social responsibility, but that also includes the consumer: We all need to be conscious of how we buy, use and dispose of clothes. Our habits of shopping wildly, stuffing our closets with colorful and cheap items and throwing away clothes on a whim need to be questioned. Because today we know how and under what conditions these garments are produced and what impact the industry has on the environment.
Slow fashion is the answer to the fast fashion approach that the fashion industry has been pursuing for years. While fast fashion labels are responsible for the global exploitation of cheap labor and use environmentally damaging production methods1, the slow fashion movement advocates a more thoughtful and sustainable approach that protects the environment and considers future generations. Kate Fletcher, an expert on organic textiles and author, wrote back in 2007: “Fast fashion is less about speed and more about greed: selling more to make more money.” Fast fashion items, such as the ever-popular fast fashion jeans, reveal major flaws after just a few washes, meaning we have to buy new items. Slow fashion, on the other hand, is of higher quality and therefore lasts longer with the right care.
The fashion industry is responding to increasing consumer awareness2. New fair fashion labels that produce their designs in a sustainable way are popping up all the time. But even the old fashion giants are gradually taking the step towards sustainability. Many of them are adapting to the desire - and need - for slow fashion by focusing on local raw materials, resources and labor (as opposed to the fast fashion approach). They also strive to reduce waste and wastefulness2. Today, it's all about quality and sustainability. Attracting consumers with attractive low prices is a thing of the past.
The motto "Take it slow" is more relevant than ever when it comes to the fashion industry. What are you waiting for? We'll tell you how you can make a positive contribution to slow fashion:
- Take a close look at all your clothes. Remember: they have to be either useful, pretty or have emotional value.
- Organize your clothes into three piles: 1. your favorites, 2. items you sometimes wear, 3. things you never wear. Keep your favorites and donate the things you never wear. The items you sometimes wear are a little more difficult. Go through them again and assign them to either the first or last pile. If you're being completely honest, do you really need new clothes now? If so, shop for high-quality clothes made from natural, sustainable fabrics that don't change shape when washed and last longer (learn more about slow fashion brands here).
- Take a look at the label. Where was the item made? Did it have to travel thousands of miles before it ended up in your closet? When shopping, always keep the slow fashion approach and its importance in mind.
- Restrain yourself on pieces that look similar. Because let's be honest: how many grey t-shirts do you really need?
- Treat stains and sew up holes (no one will do that for you). Wash your clothes with a high-quality detergent so they last a long time.
- But the most important thing is that you appreciate your clothes and wear them with joy. When the time comes that you no longer like them, donate them and give them a second life.
Image credits:
Header image: Stocksy
Image of woman sewing in studio: Getty Image
Image of clothing material tag: Gettty Images
Sources:
1. The True Cost of Fast Fashion
2. An Analysis of the Fast Fashion Industry
Change is not always easy. At Dylon, we are also working on sustainable change. Find out more about it here.