By now we all know the bad impact that fast fashion has, we hear it from the media, books and experts. We have acknowledged how fast fashion has a terrible impact on the planet but also on human rights. Developing sustainability habits it’s not easy, cutting out bad habits it’s even harder, but the first steps to enter this journey can vary from person to person, with different forms of knowledge and barriers. Embracing the slow fashion lifestyle is not easily accessible to everyone, especially because our societal and economical systems are not inclusive or accessible. But, how do we define Slow Fashion?
Slow Fashion Philosophy
The Slow Fashion philosophy is an agreement that states how both the producer and the consumer wants to express themselves without ignoring the consequences of the production system. Things need to be made with exceptional quality but without compromising the economical barrier that a normal person can face. People come before profit, honoring the human lives that are part of the supply chain, from crop growing, to textile manufacturing, to garment production factories, to end-of-life disposal. And most important, QUALITY over quantity.
Before wandering into the enormous world of fashion consciousness, what can you do to avoid Fast Fashion?
5 TIPS TO AVOID FAST FASHION
1. LOG PURCHASES
Write it down. One of the first rules that impulsive buyers need to learn is to write down every purchase they make that doesn’t include essentials goods. But mostly, try to write the reasons why you made that purchase. Is there a specific mood that urges you to make a purchase? Are purchasing goods to make up for anything that might be lacking in your life? Try to identify any pattern that you could try to modify.
2. CREATE A MOODBOARD OF WHAT YOU LIKE AND WHAT LOOKS GOOD ON YOU
With e-commerce we can buy as many clothes as we want and return them back without any difficulty. Garments are shipped in bulk to retail distribution centers and later to smaller retailers. The transport traditionally took place with container vessels, but more and more often the goods are shipped by cargo planes, which saves time with online purchases, but have a greater environmental impact. Learn more about how your body is shaped, which colors you like more and which textiles your body might prefer. Use Pinterest or your phone to create a moodboard with what you would like to express and achieve, try not to use many pictures, but learn to pick the styles and outfits that can resembled with few pieces.
3. WRITE A LIST AND READ IT TWICE. OR MORE.
Write a list of everything you want to buy and then don’t buy it. Wait a few days and then check that list again, do you still feel the need to buy that? Probably not. I started doing this when I developed an obsession with tattoos, I got 5 tattoos in 2 months and I couldn’t stop. My sister gave me the best advice and told me to write it down in a piece of paper (I used my note app but it’s the same) and leave it for three weeks. You know what happened after three weeks? I didn’t want it anymore and its the same with fashion goods. Some trends come and go and we feel the urge to spend our money on it and trust me it’s not worth it.
4. THE MOST FAMOUS AND TRICKY TIP: FIND A MORE SUSTAINABLE AND ETHICAL ALTERNATIVE
We all have that friend that praises secondhand shops (I’m one of those) but not everyone has the possibility to look out for thrift shops and truthfully online stores have taken advantage of this new wave to increase the price of goods and create a hierarchy behind it. So what can you do? Well, if you’re passionate enough and want to sew your own clothes, there’s nothing much you can do beside buy secondhand clothes and search for more sustainable brands. There are some brands that take small steps towards sustainability and the least we can do is support them and their supply chain. How do you find them? Look out for fashion fairs and small magazines, they’re the one that advocate this cause the most.
5. LEARN THAT YOU CAN’T ALWAYS AVOID IT AND THAT’S FINE
Social and economical barriers are a good reason for not being able to avoid fast fashion. The real issue are people with lots of money that spend thousands of dollars on fast fashion brands. If you need a suit for your graduation and you can’t buy it from a brand that follows your beliefs, that’s more than fine. When you’ll get the chance, you’ll take a step forward the more sustainable lifestyle. During this time learn and do your research, educate your friends or who you want, learn and talk about it.
Now that you’ve learned how to avoid Fast Fashion (or at least try to), here’s how you can support the Slow Fashion philosophy.
HOW TO SUPPORT THE SLOW FASHION AS A CONSUMER
1. Donate when you can, to a friend or a local shelter.
2. Buy from smaller businesses that carry locally made, fair trade, high-quality items (local fairs are super helpful on this one)
3. Learn to invest in one category of goods more than others. I personally love jewels, that’s the one type of item I might spend more money on. Why? Because accessories can completely change the way you portrait an outfit.
4. Don’t be afraid to cut and modify pieces you already have, give them a second life.
5. Don’t fall into short-lived trends, follow the traditional seasons and the real needs the weather gives you.
