Slow fashion is one of the core principles of the sustainability movement. It exists as a response to fast fashion, a global industry that (fueled by overproduction and overconsumption) continues to thrive at huge social and environmental costs.
And it makes sense. If fast is bad, then slow must be good. But what exactly does it mean for fashion to be slow?
Hint: It is Not About Speed
Well, at least not entirely. Fast fashion has the incredible ability to churn out clothes at a very quick rate. It takes as little as 10 days for a design to go from notebook sketches to garments hanging in stores. The model is simple;
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See a trendy design
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Mass-produce imitations at the lowest cost
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Sell as many as possible while the trend lasts
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Dump the surplus
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Move on to the next trend
The industry has been producing over 100 billion clothing items this way each year. It will be producing 200 billion by 2030. While none of it would be possible on a slow production schedule, speed isn’t the major factor. It is not the root of the problem; that would be greed.
Fast fashion is an industry built on greed. Producers prioritize record sales and profits, incentivising the mass-production of cheap, low-quality garments. Since these clothes are affordable and follow the latest trends, consumers are easily hooked and often buy more than they can wear.
Overproduction meets overconsumption. And every year it goes on, it pollutes the planet with 92 million tons of textile waste and 1.2 million tons of CO2. The impact on labourers and communities isn’t so easily measured in numbers, but it’s no less grim.
This has pushed many fashion activists, researchers, and designers to ask for a different world.
Let’s Slow Down Fashion
Slowing down fashion is not only about the speed of production. Slow fashion, as a movement, calls on us to pause and take a more thoughtful approach to clothing. It asks us to make conscious decisions on the design, materials, quality, and production conditions of what we wear.
So, instead of chasing changing trends, slow fashion encourages timeless pieces. It’s all about quality, not quantity. Brands craft a small number of durable clothing items with classic designs rather than mass-producing garments in factories and sweatshops.
It goes beyond the garment, however. Slow fashion also means ethical and sustainable production. Brands use organic materials and processes that protect the environment while supporting local communities and crafts, which lays the foundation for a sustainable fashion ecosystem.
Consumers too have a part to play. The call for thoughtful consumption is just as loud as that of thoughtful production.
How to Slow Down Your Wardrobe
To slow down your wardrobe is to buy high-quality pieces that align with your style. It is to make each purchase deliberate because you know you’re going to be wearing it for a long time, maybe even hand it down.
Forget impulsive shopping sprees. Here are a few tips on how to slow down your wardrobe:
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Resist fashion trends and find your own style
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Prioritize quality over quantity
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Be conscious of how the clothes are made
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Take care of your clothes.
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If that sounds like something you want to do, you’re in the right place. Wild Rose is a brand committed to sustainable and ethical production. We blend classic designs, ancient crafts, and quality fabric to bring the kind of garments one loves for a long time.
Check out our shirts and dresses collection.
