According to Statista, retail sales of apparel and footwear are globally forecast to top three trillion by 2030.
Behind these figures lie the tangled threads of excess production and waste, opaque supply chains, and mindless consumption that embody fast fashion
Slow fashion is the opposite of – and a reaction to – fast fashion. It’s a philosophy that aims to evolve the textile and fashion design industries to be better for the planet and for the people who grow, make and wear clothes.
The hallmarks of slow fashion are slower production schedules, small-batch collections, and zero-waste designs. Slow fashion brands often produce clothing in-house or locally, giving them greater control over quality and waste. Supply chains, processes and labour conditions are more transparent, and materials have sustainable benefits themselves: organic cotton or hemp, traceable merino, or repurposed vintage textiles.
Seven ways to start going slow
Do some research – Find out how clothing brands’ practices and products align with values of quality, circularity and longevity. Their website should have transparent details about their processes, as well as their philosophy.
Understand the benefits – Remember: by embracing slow fashion, we can learn to buy more thoughtfully while saving money and building a better more wearable wardrobe.
Take a breath – Phone a friend before splurging on a new pair of shoes, or consult your current wardrobe before purchasing an item that won’t work with anything you own.
Buy less (but spend more) – This means potentially spending more money per garment, but also spending more time looking for each item. When you kick the fast fashion habit, you’ll have more space in your wardrobe, and your weekend.
Take a capsule (wardrobe) – Only a select number of pieces can fit in a capsule wardrobe – an incentive to choose carefully. Each garment needs to earn its place in terms of quality, style and practicality.
Old is the new new – The world is not going to run out of clothes anytime soon. Learn to discover the joys of buying (or selling) pieces at your local designer resale stores. The other principles of choosing well made, timeless pieces still apply.
Be a proactivist – Get in the habit of asking brands about their practices and supply chains, both in store and on social media. While you may not get immediate answers, you’re letting them know these topics matter to their customers.
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Published 6 August 2021