Slow Fashion

We live in a keep up, hurry up, and need for instant gratification society. Fast food, fast photography, fast fashion.

Let’s order take-out food on the way home from work. Maybe there will be time to shop on the weekend for local ingredients and prepare a traditional meal for the family. No cell phones allowed at the dinner table. You can check your messages later, but let’s get a selfie snapshot of the family before we sit down to eat.

Likewise, fast fashion moves in lightning bolt speed, from the runway to production to the consumer to the landfill. Often fabrics are synthetic, working conditions in factories unethical, and styles trendy and quickly outdated. In contrast, slow fashion concerns itself more with garments that can last a lifetime rather than a season. It considers human and environmental impacts. Human impacts include decent working conditions, fair wages, and no child labour. Environment impacts include use of organic and recycled/upcycled materials and limiting use of harmful chemicals, water, and energy.  

Slow living is an intentional choice. If you are interested, some ways to join the slow fashion movement are to shop and buy less, buy higher quality and timeless design, and look for local products. Start a DIY project. Think along the lines of vintage or secondhand clothing, donating to charity, and clothing swaps. Love what you own and do what you can to promote sustainable fashion.