Shannon Minnis from Green and Growing gives us a rundown of ‘Slow Fashion Season’. The article provides tips and information on becoming mores sustainable as a conscientious shopper. For 2019’s Slow Fashion Season, 14,487 participants pledged not to buy new clothes during the summer months. But as the three-month pledge draws to a close, it’s time to turn our attention to 2020.
However, many consumers, even those who value sustainability and ethical shopping, don’t know what ‘slow fashion’ means. And without support from these consumers, fast fashion will continue to reign supreme.
So, what is Slow Fashion Season? And how can you take part in the coming year (and beyond)?
Fast vs. Slow Fashion: What’s in Your Wardrobe?

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
If you have a passion for fashion or ethical consumerism, you’ve likely come across the terms ‘fast fashion’ and ‘slow fashion’ in the past year or two. But what do these two terms really mean?
Fast fashion and the damage done
Fast fashion was coined to describe trendy, mass-produced clothing. Typically, these items are cheap, with low-quality materials and construction to match.
Right now, most clothing items owned by UK residents could be considered fast fashion. Some of the most popular fast fashion brands include Primark and H&M, though countless more retailers are joining the ranks each year.
The reasons for fast fashion’s popularity are obvious. Consumers want to own the newest and trendiest items, for as cheap as possible. Fast fashion practices allow for this to happen, but at what cost?

Fast fashion is, by nature, disposable. These garments aren’t made to last through years of wear, and many pieces are chucked out after only one or two wears. This equates to countless items piling up in landfills or burning away in incinerators.
In fact, the fashion industry is responsible for about 20% of industrial water pollution and 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. But the scariest part is that fast fashion production is only expected to increase in the coming years.
Slow fashion and sustainability
In contrast to fast fashion, the slow fashion movement has grown in popularity in recent years as well. Slow fashion is, essentially, the opposite of fast fashion. Instead of a focus on producing trendy pieces for as cheap as possible, slow fashion aims for sustainability.

Photo by Alena Koval from Pexels
Slow fashion can take many forms. Some brands focus on using sustainable or recycled textiles in all their garments. Others strive to keep their production process small and local, eliminating the need for factories and transportation.
Above all else though, slow fashion is about shopping responsibly. This means only buying garments when needed and choosing items that will last (both in style and in construction) for as long as possible.
Yes, this typically means spending more on new clothes. But this extra expense comes with an immeasurable benefit to the environment.
Combined with investing in renewable energy, adjusting our consumer habits is one of the most important steps towards a more sustainable world.
5 Ways You Can Help Support the Slow Fashion Movement

Comments