What Is Slow Fashion? Definition, Progress, and Tips

The general understanding of slow fashion is that it is sustainable fashion with a slightly different focus—speed, or the lack thereof. Yet in 2007, when author and activist Kate Fletcher coined the term “slow fashion” in an article for The Ecologist, she outlined the need to reevaluate the way we look at the clothing industry. She didn’t see slow fashion as time-based, but quality-based. Fletcher stated that “fast fashion isn’t really about speed, but greed: selling more, making more money.” She made a call for not only consumers but also designers and brands to slow down and focus on quality—a concept that continues to be the foundation on which slow fashion stands.

Sustainable Fashion vs. Slow Fashion

Sustainable fashion and slow fashion are both terms for very similar concepts. The basic idea is to change the complex systems that are inherent in the current fashion model for the good of the planet and people. There are multiple ways in which change can manifest, and these changes account for the different terms surrounding sustainable fashion.

Sustainable Fashion

Sustainable clothing has been around for a while. The increasing consumption and throw-away culture prompted a few brands to be more mindful of what they created. Natural materials and low environmental impact manufacturing were a large part of this push. As knowledge grew, so did the concerns, inviting a closer look into what sustainability looked like and how it could impact the fashion industry.

Slow Fashion

Slow fashion is considered to be a sort of continuation of sustainable fashion. Today it is distinguished by quality, locally manufactured clothing, produced on a smaller scale and slower production times. Mindfulness is paid to workers, the environment, and cultural connections. Slow fashion is more than the antithesis of fast fashion; it is a reimagining of what the clothes-making industry could be.

Evolution of Slow Fashion

The slow fashion movement was a reaction to the rapid expansion of the fast fashion industry. People had begun to notice the instability of the fast fashion model. From the exploitation of people to the pollution of the planet, fashion had developed a bad rap. However, fashion wasn’t always like this, and slow fashion aims to take us back to where it began, before the Industrial Revolution.

When Kate Fletcher first described her ideal fashion paradigm, it mirrored the Slow Food Movement, which was started in 1986 by Carlo Petrini in Italy. Fletcher saw fashion becoming a mix of pleasure, awareness, and responsibility. As a result, she wanted slow fashion to focus on quality versus quantity, in addition to the environmental ideals that were associated with sustainable fashion.

Though Fletcher presented slow fashion as an opportunity to create a synergistic relationship between designer, production, and consumer, it has evolved over time to encompass even more. No longer is slow fashion only a theory on connection and better products; now, it involves consumer lifestyles and ethical production. While people may connect slow fashion only with time-centered production, slow fashion has always aimed to include many of the sustainable fashion principles along with those of ethical fashion and the concepts behind planet preservation.

As conscientious shoppers learn more about the troublesome practices within the fashion industry, the circles of sustainability are growing closer. These days, the terms “sustainable”, “slow”, “ethical”, and “eco-fashion” are used synonymously as the world grows more aware of how interconnected these movements are. Social media has only helped slow fashion brands, such as Sezen Musa or Cultural Fibers, reach more consumers.

How to Apply Slow Fashion Principles to Your Life

Adopting a slow-fashion way of living doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some ways to incorporate these principles into your life.

Buy Less

One of the most important principles of slow fashion is to consume less. You can do this by focusing on what is already in your closet. From social media to the red carpet, we are inundated with the concept of wearing our clothing only once—and it is important that we fight this urge.

Participating in social media challenges is a great way to get your feet wet. Challenges such as the 30 wears challenge or creating a capsule wardrobe will help train your mind to see the many ways you can wear the pieces you already have.

Choose Well

When buying new clothing, choose good-quality pieces made with sustainable materials. More expensive doesn’t always equate to better quality; however, cheap clothing is an indicator that the garments were not made to last. Making higher-cost investments in your wardrobe will also help you to buy less.

However, if you need to be more financially conservative, you can circumvent the high cost by shopping secondhand. Shop your local thrift stores or resale shops. Consignment shops are also great places to find curated items. Looking to shop from home? There are a plethora of apps and digital platforms that have quality garments at a fraction of the cost.

Make It Last

Learning how to care for your clothing is one of the most important things you can do. An often overlooked practice is paying attention to the care instructions on the label. Washing and drying your clothing at the proper temperatures and using the appropriate cycles will go a long way to keeping your garments in good shape.

You should also invest in a small sewing kit to mend small holes and replace buttons. Find a local shoe repair shop to make your footwear last longer. Look for a tailor or alterations place you are comfortable with. Custom alterations can make you feel more comfortable in your clothing. Places like Hidden Opulence or the Rejewel Collective will also upcycle your clothing and jewelry for you.

Find Your Community

When you find people that can help you through your environmental journey and learn from them, things get much easier. Search for people locally or online that share your interest in slow fashion. Join the Slow Fashion Challenge and get ideas from people around the world. Check out what people in different Facebook groups like Slow Fashion World are saying. Finding people that support you will help you stick with slow fashion for the long run.