I know, I know. You’re probably wondering what I, an ethical fashion and sustainable living blogger mean when she says she’s ditching “ethical fashion”. Allow me to explain.
I’m not ditching the principle of ethical or sustainable fashion because I believe they’re so very important. We have a moral and environmental motiveto support ethical and sustainable brands.
My new approach is simply leaning more intoslowfashion and not exclusively ethical or sustainable fashion.
What is slow fashion? Slow fashion has two main meanings, in my opinion.
First, slow fashion is obviously the opposite of fast fashion. Fast fashion is more commercial brands like Walmart, Target, Forever21, H&M, andZara (and on and on) that produce fashion in a very fast manner in order to get a piece of clothing from manufacturer to on the racks in only a matter of weeks. The fast timeline leads to poor quality clothing, poor materials, and at the expense of the planet and underpaid and overworked garment workers.
Slow fashion is like I said, the opposite. It’s clothing that is made ethically and sustainably where everyone along the chain gets paid and treated fairly and corners aren’t cut or rushed at the expense of anything or anyone.
Slow fashion can also mean the rate at which we consume fashion. It’s estimated that the average American buys 68 new pieces of clothing a year. A YEAR. With about 80% of that clothing rarely being worn, if at all. We’re addicted to the latest trend, and sale items, and buying things outside of our comfort zone which gets pushed to the back of our closets never to see the daylight.
It’s clear that is a problem. But I’d argue that the biggest problem is that we’ve been conditioned to believe that ethical fashion or slow fashion is expensive. When we’re brought up paying $5-$10 for a shirt, $50 or even $30 for a shirt can seem insane. It’s all about reframing our mindset. THat $50 shirt ensured that no one was overworked or paid mere pennies to make it. It also ensures that it’s good quality and will far outlast that $5 shirt.
That being said, we can reframe our mindsets all we want. That doesn’t mean we can all afford to drop $50 on a shirt and I get that. I’ve been struggling with this as well and why I’ve decided to wholeheartedly lean into slow fashion. The consumption of clothing both slowly and ethically where I can.
If you follow me on Instagram or Youtube then you know that thrifting is my forte and my go-to when I need to buy anything. I recommend this to anyone who wants to quit fast fashion but can’t quite commit to an exclusively ethical wardrobe.
Because having an exclusively ethical wardrobe isn’t attainable for most people. And for myself, it’s been hard wanting to live as ethically and sustainably as possible and not being able to afford the pieces I need in an ethical way. I often feel like a failure if I need a piece that I can’t find second hand or afford it ethically.
So instead of just plainly boycotting fast fashion altogether, I’m simply slowing my rate of consumption. I’m buying only what I need. First thrifting, then buying ethically if I can, and if neither of those options works out, I will buy to last with whatever is at my disposal and in my budget.
This way of seeing and buying fashion has been so freeing. I don’t love buying non-ethically pieces. I know what goes on in factories and the problem with textile waste. But we have to remember that it’s not entirely up to us to dismantle the systems put in place. After all fast fashion is only “fast fashion” because of the insane rate of demand. By slowing our rate of consumption, buying infrequently and only what we need, we’re already making an impact.
I just don’t think that you or I can carry the weight of this burden alone. Our choices matter and they’re making a difference. Don’t ever feel otherwise.
More resources:
- Can you shop fast fashion sustainably?
- How to take care of your clothes and make them last
- How I became an advocate for slow fashion
Thank you so much for reading and hearing me out. I hope this post could provide a little bit of hope for those of you struggling to do it all. You can’t and that’s ok. Please don’t forget to share this post and follow me on Instagram for more daily slow fashion and sustainable living inspiration.
PS: Interested in a job in the ethical fashion industry? Check out Jooble!
FAQs
Sustainable fashion focuses on quality rather than quantity. The clothing is made of higher quality materials that are built to last, unlike fast fashion brands. Eco-friendly fabrics also tend to be softer and more durable. As a result, you discard a lot less than you would with fast fashion items.
Is there such a thing as ethical fashion? ›
The general definition of ethical fashion is “fashion that aims to reduce the negative impact on people, animals, and the planet.” Producing an item of ethical clothing involves design, labour, and materials, and ethical fashion is kind to the planet and people every step of the way, from seed to garment.
What is fast fashion and why is it a problem? ›
Fast fashion is widely considered to be low-quality apparel produced rapidly to follow current trends in the industry and sold at rock-bottom prices. Although the monetary cost is low, textile workers and the environment are paying a high price. Fast fashion is cheap because workers are not paid adequately.
What is the slow fashion movement? ›
Slow fashion is the opposite of fast fashion. It takes an ethical and sustainable approach to producing clothes. The slow fashion movement is a direct response to the harmful impact of fast fashion on the environment and garment workers. It advocates for making fashion choices that are kinder to people and planet.
What are the disadvantages of slow fashion? ›
What are the Disadvantages of Slow Fashion? 1 - It can be more expensive. 2 - Some people may not like the idea of buying secondhand clothing. 3 - There might be a lack of options available.
Is thrifting slow fashion? ›
Thrifting IS Inherently a Sustainable Fashion Trend
Thrifting shopping reduces carbon emissions, reduces waste, and eventually reduces demand for textile production, meaning slower fashion, which directly contributes to plastic and oil pollution.
Why are people against sustainable fashion? ›
People hate sustainability in fashion because it's too green and natural to consume. They want something that's made out of plastic or synthetic materials that can be easily disposed of and replaced once they've worn out or become unfashionable.
Why is it so hard to find ethical clothing? ›
Why is it difficult to find ethical clothing on the high street? Unfortunately, most high streets are full of fast fashion brands or even luxury companies using their same sweatshops and polluting materials. This is simply because slow fashion brands have lower margins and budgets.
How unethical is the fashion industry? ›
The first huge ethical implication being faced in the fashion industry is the unfair work conditions and labor exploitation. With the demand and consumption of fashion being so heightened there is a surplus of demand that cannot be supplied without harming those involved.
What is the dark side of fast fashion? ›
The Dark Side of Fast Fashion
It dries up water sources and pollutes rivers and streams, while 85% of all textiles go to dumps each year. Even washing clothes releases 500,000 tons of microfibres into the ocean each year, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles.
SHEIN has become a force to be reckoned with in the fast fashion industry. Founded in 2008 in Nanjing, China, this e-commerce giant has quickly grown to become one of the largest online retailers, offering thousands of trendy clothing items at ridiculously low prices.
Is lululemon considered fast fashion? ›
Lululemon is not typically categorized as a “fast fashion” brand. Instead, Lululemon is often identified as a premium athletic apparel brand, focusing primarily on yoga-inspired wear.
Who buys slow fashion? ›
According to research, sustainable fashion shoppers are educated, environmentally-conscious individuals between the ages of 25 and 44.
What is no fast fashion? ›
While "fast fashion" describes clothing that is cheaply made and intended for short-term use, "sustainable" (or "ethical") fashion is the opposite and is sometimes even referred to as "slow fashion." It takes into account the full lifecycle of the product — from the design, sourcing and production processes — and looks ...
Is Zara fast fashion? ›
Mall or fast-fashion businesses — including Zara — are known for emulating the images and products of European luxury houses — not competing with them. But there seems to be no stigma around fast fashion for luxury's old guard.
Why is fast fashion not ethical? ›
In order to mass produce so many inexpensive garments so quickly, items often aren't ethically made. Factories are often sweatshops where laborers work in unsafe conditions for low wages and long hours. In many cases, children are employed and basic human rights are violated, reports EcoWatch.
How ethical is the fashion industry? ›
In conclusion there are several ethical concerns such as labor exploitation, environmental impacts and increased consumerism in the fashion industry globally. As mentioned there are large oversights and implications throughout all aspects of the fashion industry.
What are the benefits of ethical fashion? ›
Reduced Carbon Dioxide and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Sustainable clothing uses biodegradable components from natural or recycled fibers. These materials grow with no pesticide or fertilizer use, consume less energy and water, and employ no chemical treatment, thus reducing the overall carbon footprint of these brands.
