Understanding Slow Fashion
Slow fashion, is a concept describing the opposite to fast fashion and it is considered to be a continuation of sustainable fashion. If you are looking to make your wardrobe eco-friendlier and more sustainable, you may have stumbled across slow fashion. However, because of the additional work and costs that go into it, it is often more expensive than fast fashion. Still, there are a few ways you can afford slow fashion, no matter your budget.
Understanding the Additional Costs of Slow Fashion
More sustainable brands are often considered alternatives to fast fashion but might come with a high price tag. That’s because they are made with organic, low-impact plant material. And more ethical manufacturing practices are used, which mean they take place closer to you. Labor is more expensive in first-world countries than third-world ones. Making the items closer to you lowers the carbon footprint but can increase the price. Still, because of the benefits of these alternative pieces, you may strive to fit at least a few into your budget. One option is to take out a personal loan from a private lender. Taking out low interest personal loans can help you make the investment into your wardrobe and the environment.
Don’t Buy as Much Clothing
Even when analyzing fashion trends you will find that clothing in your wardrobe is already sustainable since you do not need to purchase new items. Buying fewer items can ensure you are making less of a negative impact on the world. Wearing the pieces, you already have can help you save the resources and reduce the amount of waste in landfills.
Look for Better Quality Pieces
Of course, that doesn’t mean you can never purchase new items of clothing. Old pieces might wear out or no longer fit correctly. When purchasing new items, look for organic, natural materials, which tend to be of a higher quality. You may look for recycled pieces or items made from jute, linen, hemp, or even bamboo. To ensure you are getting items that will last a long time, find materials that keep their shape even after you have stretched.
You can avoid irritating your skin by finding fabrics that feel comfortable. You can also make sure that your pieces last by picking fabrics that are not as lightweight. Lighter fabrics are often see-through and do not hold up as well. Finally, look for fabrics that have a fairly tight weave. When the weave is looser, the piece might tear or rip after you have worn it just a couple of times.
Finding the Right Brands
It is a new era in corporate responsibility and it’s a good idea to research different brands ahead of time, as not all of them are created equal. Once you understand what to look for, you can look for brands that are more transparent about how their clothes are made. It’s a good idea to find companies that pay their workers a fair wage as well. Some companies use slave labor in third-world countries or do not pay these workers enough money to live on. Try not to worry about an item’s price as much as the company’s sustainability practices. Slow fashion tends to be more expensive, but if you are confident a company is sustainable, you should not worry about purchasing form them even if the price tag seems a bit lower.
You may also like:
- Fast Fashion vs Sustainable Fashion: A Stitch in Time
- Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion Industry
- An Overview of Eco-friendly Fashion
- Eco Textile | Application or Uses of Eco-Friendly Textile
Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. Mr. Kiron is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.
That’s a great and elaborate article on slow fashion. When slow fashion comes in the conversation, fast fashion also peeps in. So, the differences between fast and slow fashion are quite noteworthy to understand the dynamics.