Slow Fashion VS Fast Fashion: Why Slow Fashion Matters!

 What is the difference between slow and fast fashion and why is it important? We live in a time where you can spot a trendy outfit on a celebrity and instantly purchase a replica of their entire outfit at a fraction of the cost.

Our wardrobes are stuffed with cheap clothing items, which we wear only once or twice, then toss away. While the abundance of inexpensive clothes is great for the fashion-conscious, the negative side effects of excessive consumption far outweigh the advantages.

There's an alternative to this kind of consumerism. It's called slow fashion. Both consumers and businesses can play a key role in the production and purchase of more sustainable products.

If you're fascinated by the slow fashion movement, here are ways you can play your part in lessening the harmful effects of fast fashion on the world.

What exactly is slow fashion?

The term was coined by Kate Fletcher of the Centre for Sustainable Fashion Slow fashion is the antithesis of fast fashion. It emphasizes high-quality products, local manufacturing, and more sustainable production.

People who are a part of the slow fashion movement don't engage in consumerism or excessive consumption. The movement, instead, is focused on minimalism, shopping for environmentally sustainable products, and only purchasing the things you really need. In essence, this means slow shopping.

Slow Fashion vs. Fast Fashion: The Differences

Here are the few most important features that distinguish slow fashion from fast fashion. Although not every brand will match all of these criteria, the following factors tend to distinguish between fast and slow fashion:

Materials

Fast fashion brands rely on petroleum-based synthetic fabrics that are harmful to the environment. They use cheap materials made from fossil fuels that are non-renewable. On the other hand, slow fashion includes organic, locally-recycled, natural, and repurposed products.

Quality

Fast fashion is typically designed to last only a few wears or a couple of seasons, instead of having four seasons, there are fifty-two seasons of fast fashion – one every week. This encourages companies to produce more clothes as fast as they can, and quality deteriorates. Slow fashion is a slower cycle and focuses on the quality of the clothes, which are designed to last for a long time or even for a lifetime.

Manufacturing

Fast fashion production tends to create negative environmental impacts that include pollution as well as over-waste. Slow fashion uses more sustainable manufacturing methods. When the consumer is prepared to get rid of the clothes, they are typically recyclable.

Labor

Fast fashion is a business that pays its workers low wages and offers very poor working conditions. The majority of firms outsource production to emerging nations where labor laws favor firms and are detrimental to workers. Workers who work in the slow fashion industry receive higher pay and more favorable working conditions.

Price

Fast fashion employs cheap materials and pays its employees low wages, which allows them to charge very cheap prices for their products.

The tradeoff, of course, is quality. Slow fashion is costlier because of the use of premium materials, sustainable manufacturing processes, and more ethical work.

What are the reasons to care for slow fashion?

Why should you care about slow fashion? It's because the choices you make with your clothing can have a massive influence on your world as well as your wallet. The negative consequences of fast fashion are numerous and include:

1. Environmental impact

The rapid growth of fashion-forward has had a catastrophic environmental impact. With prices dropping and consumers more influenced by things such as clothing haul videos, clothing consumption has skyrocketed.

The environmental consequences of fast fashion are a result of the overconsumption of water, an increase in greenhouse gases and the release of toxic substances into the waterstream.

2. Human rights violations

The developing countries are the main producers of the world's fashion and are the ones who feel its negative impacts the most. Fast fashion has been accused of human rights violations for years.

The workers in clothing factories suffer discrimination, which includes earning unlivable wages, being subjected to harassment, and poor working conditions. Certain of these conditions have resulted in fatal accidents and fires.

3. Impacts on your wallets

Finally, fashion-forward trends have individual consequences too. Even if every single product is affordable, over-buying and excessive consumption can cost a lot. When you create a quick fashion outfit, you will have to replace it regularly because there is no quality.

Four Ways to Participate in the Slow Fashion Movement

So, you have heard every reason not to be part of fast fashion. How can you be more aware of the items you buy and take part in the slow fashion revolution? Here are some simple ways:

1. Think about building a capsule wardrobe.

One of the most effective ways to be part of the slow fashion movement is by creating a tiny yet well-curated capsule wardrobe. As a rule, capsule wardrobes contain smaller quantities of items. Instead of being dependent on fashion that you can throw away after a few seasons, the capsule wardrobe is comprised of clothes that can last for a long time.

2. Begin slowly by making changes to your wardrobe.

It doesn’t have to be entirely fast fashion vs. slow fashion or vice versa. Instead, consider adopting an approach of gradual change. If you've relied on fast fashion for an extended period of time, it may take some time to let go of the routine.

Make a commitment to refrain from shopping at specific stores or reduce your spending while gradually replacing your wardrobe with more enduring and sustainable options. Making a difference doesn't need an all-or-nothing attitude.

3. Donate, sell, or reuse your clothes that you no longer wear.

During a purge, resist the impulse to toss old clothing. Take the extra time to upcycle, sell, donate, or recycle your old clothes, depending on their condition, as this can help prevent your old apparel from ending up in the landfill and further harming the environment.

4. Do your research and buy from brands that are environmentally friendly.

If you are buying new clothes, do your research first and be sure to purchase from brands that are sustainable. One of the most effective methods to determine whether a company is sustainable is to determine if it is a "Certified B Corporation." These are businesses that have achieved the highest standards of sustainability and inclusivity.