Slow fashion vs. fast fashion - what is it all about? What exactly does fast and slow fashion mean? Maybe you've heard that slow fashion is supposed to be more environmentally friendly. But what's behind the concepts? Consuming less, living a minimalist lifestyle, and upcycling clothes are all on trend, but how do fast and slow fashion influence our consumption and buying habits, and what does it mean for the planet? We'll get to the bottom of all these questions, so read on.
Fast fashion is bad for the environment - greenhouse emissions from the fast fashion industry are increasing every year. Large fashion chains launch up to eleven collections per year - at extremely low prices. To produce an attractively priced t-shirt, it is sent around the world - the raw materials come from one country, it is sewn in another, and the t-shirt must travel a long way again to be sold. Fast fashion is also only possible if wages are correspondingly low - you should keep all this in mind when you consume fast fashion.
The slow fashion movement, like the slow food or slow travel movement, is about consuming mindfully and sustainably. The desire is not to always buy the latest fashion at the cheapest price, but to buy durable, timeless products - products that you will wear for longer. Dylon’s #RethinkFashion campaign is also about rethinking: no longer seeing clothes as disposable but repairing and upcycling them. Second-hand is a rediscovered trend that has found new glamour as "vintage" - treasure hunters can find great pieces that are also individual and not off-the-peg.
The short answer is: Yes! Because the alternative would be to pollute the planet even further with emissions. The longer answer is a bit more complicated. Although there is no alternative to slow fashion for moral and climate reasons, it takes a long time to shorten supply chains, mass produce sustainable fibres and convert all clothing production to sustainable.
But each of us can do our part by consuming less fast fashion, shopping mindfully, and taking good care of our clothes so they last. This includes knowing which detergent is the right one for each garment - so you can enjoy it longer. Dylon Colour Detergent cleans gently and renews your clothes to help them last. Do you already know about clothing swaps? Such exchanges exist offline and online, so you can swap clothes with like-minded people. There are also many ways to buy used clothing on the Internet. With all these tips you can avoid fast fashion and help slow fashion become the future!
In the long run, slow fashion is good for the environment and your wallet. If you want to make your lifestyle more sustainable, slow fashion is the way to go. Fast fashion consumes too many emissions and is not sustainable. But don't put pressure on yourself, be patient. You don't have to change your buying habits overnight. Small steps also lead to the goal. If you're new to the world of slow fashion, try upcycling. Recycling jeans is easy, and you can let your creativity run wild. Once you've tried your hand at jeans, you can also try embellishing old jumpers. Slow fashion can be fun, try it for yourself!