Not long ago, slow fashion was far from my sights, I didn’t really understand it or what it entailed. I used to buy clothing from fast fashion businesses frequently due to my constant need to impress people and own new clothing; it was a bonus when these places were dirt cheap. I would occasionally splurge and purchase a pair of jeans which had a brand name and an $80 price tag instead of $30, assuming that they were more sustainable and ethical. Surely a more expensive price point meant that workers would have higher wages and were using better materials? The truth is, most of the clothing you purchase at cheap retailers are made in the same factories as higher priced retailers. As consumers, we focus on the end product and are in denial of the production. The product and need for more is too enticing, and apart from some loose threads or maybe shrinkage in the wash, there will never be any personal repercussions for our actions.
Slow fashion considers the processes and resources which are needed to make clothes and inspires the longevity of products. It is adverse to fast fashion which constantly exploits both our natural environment and the workers within the supply chain. We own more clothing than we will ever need, and probably more than we will ever wear. Our clothing is priced to be disposable. Unfortunately, the people making this clothing are barely making a living wage because the billionaire CEO’s behind these corporations seem to be too busy gaining wealth to realise that the fair treatment of humans > money.
As fast fashion continues to destroy the worker’s lives, it also pollutes the environment. We’re trying to save the turtles by avoiding plastic bags at supermarkets and using metal straws. Yet, every time you wear or wash a polyester, nylon or acrylic shirt, you’re polluting the ocean with the micro-plastics they leave behind. How about the toxic dyes which can be used to colour clothes cheaply? Or the absurd amount of water it takes to make one plain white cotton t-shirt? Your clothes are causing large amounts of waste across the globe and your reusable coffee cup isn’t going to prevent the devastation it’s creating.
The great thing about slow fashion is that it’s simple to support the cause. Buy less and check the label. Is it a novelty item that you’ll wear once? Then you don’t need it. There are great sites to help you make the right decision when purchasing clothing. I recommend downloading the good on you app or checking out the fashion revolution website linked below for more information about brand transparency.
Slow fashion was once in the past and is slowly becoming the future. Take more pride in what you wear and buy, respect your clothing and the world you live in.
Sustainable Fashion Links:
https://baptistworldaid.org.au/resources/2019-ethical-fashion-guide/
My fashion fix 