Fast Fashion and Slow Fashion have recently become common expressions, within the retail sector as well as both the eco-friendly and fashion-frenzy community.
Read further as we put in plain English the meaning of both the terms and why it is crucial to recognize and appreciate the variation between the two.
We also showcase how the participation in the Slow Fashion movement over choosing mass manufactured low price Fast Fashion can make you save your pockets, upgrade work environment for someone, defend the environment, and do your bit to a renewable and sustainable economy.
What is Fast Fashion?
Fast fashion refers to mimicked styles and vogues witnessed on ramp walks & red carpets at fashionistas and often revamped at a much lower price in stuff & quality which is not sure to stand the test of time but to meet the massive demand of market at cheap price tags.
What is Slow Fashion?
Slow Fashion involves crafting, tailoring and buying garments that qualify longevity & quality. Slow Fashion lays focus on the high-quality ecological material, ethical manufacturing, fair wages to labour and safe working ambience, to stand right on ethical grounds without putting the quality in jeopardy.
For example, Linnea Pleat Front Jeans Blue Cotton Shift Dress by WearAndSmile:
Fast Fashion vs Slow Fashion – What are the differences?
In general, slow fashion constitutes sustainable items, traditional production methods and designs which are versatile, whereas Fast Fashion is feasible because of apparent unethical techniques.
Although fast-fashion lets fashion-conscious people access the latest fashion at cheaper rates, it carries adverse impacts for the environment as well as for the producers. On the other hand, slow fashion motivates fair wages, gradual production agenda, lower carbon emission and no waste.
In fast fashion, retail giants indulge in labour abuse and make their workforce work more than 13 hours with no breaks, to wind up a swift & very cheap distribution and higher consumption of clothes.
Sustainability plays an important role in the fashion industry as textiles and fashion are among the leading industries that affect the environment adversely and so they also bear greater responsibilities. Slow fashion recognizes the impact that fashion can make on society.
Example: Lizzy Linen Dress is sustainable and versatile enough to be worn for ages.
Some other notable differences between fast fashion and slow fashion are as follows:
- Industry- Size – Fast fashion is produced by big industries such as those with an annual turnover of over 1 trillion dollars. Slow fashion is usually crafted by small industries owned by small businesses.
- Quality – Quality of fast fashion is low & cheap while that of slow fashion is long-lasting that remains the same after multiple washes.
- Quantity – Fast fashion is produced in high volumes and gets updated with new styles at stores every two weeks. Slow fashion is manufactured in low volume and gets updated every season.
- Production Methods – Methods used in producing fast fashion garments are modern & unethical that cause damage to the environment. Production methods involved in slow fashion are traditional and usually environment-friendly.
- Traits & Ethics – Fast fashion industrialists follow no or low labour traits and follow 12-work hour day while paying $3 or even less per day. Slow fashion garment industrialists work in communities and form co-ops to benefit workers with standard wages.
- Sustainability – Ethical & eco-friendly clothing is irrational in fast fashion garments at the quantity & rate which it demands. Slow fashion upkeeps high quality and eco-friendly standards as the focus is on a slower scale, higher quality, environment and workforce.
- Material – Nylon, Ryon & Petroleum-based material is used in tailoring fast fashion clothes. Organic & Natural fabric is used in crafting slow fashion clothing. Like 100% organic viscose rayon used in designing this Nova Faux Wrap Maxi Dress.
- Toxins – Harsh chemicals & dyes are used in producing & processing fast fashion fabrics. Organic & eco-friendly fibres are safely processed in slow fashion clothing.
Advantages of Slow Fashion
It is completely an individual choice whether to go for five pieces of fast fashion clothing or buying two pieces of well-curated slow fashion attires made from ecological fabrics & manufactured by ethical companies, in the same budget.
However, it must not be forgotten that fast fashion doesn’t come for free, somewhere someone else is paying for it. Slow fashion is beneficial to the wearer, manufacturer as well as for the environment.
- Environmental Benefits
Slow fashion companies aim to make their apparel more durable, considering long-term sustainability. Unlike fast-fashion which uses synthetic & inorganic fabrics, slow fashion uses natural & eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, alpaca, silk and lyocell, the processing of which leaves no or low carbon footprints and zero waste. - Ethically Manufacturing
Slow fashion industries carry out eco-safe & ethical practices that focus on maximizing advantages to people & communities while minimizing the negative impacts on the environment.
Science is also pressing the pedal for inventing more greener methods for the fashion industry, as it is the second most polluting sector after the oil industry. - No Human Exploitation
Slow fashion industries utilize local textile and human resources to encourage the development of local businesses, unlike fast fashion industries which take advantage of locals & force people to work for long shifts in crowded, hot and dangerous working conditions and pay them unfair wages. - Benefits for Buyers
Slow and sustainable fashion holds benefits for buyers as well. Slow fashion aims to decelerate the production, consumption and discontinuation (dispose of) by putting marks of compliments at one’s shopping. Say, if you buy a beautiful attire like Laura Cotton Midi Dress, you would feel like gussy up in this feminine- silhouette many times, instead of getting bored in just wear.
Slow fashion connects the buyer with its acquisition and knocks off the chances for just another addition to the closet, which will probably be worn for just one occasion or two.
In case of fast fashion, with voluminous cheap clothing, individuals tend to buy needless quantities, putting it on a couple of times and then disposing of it. This leads to more production & more consumption without the customer realising the real value of the product.
Wear&Smile – the best place to buy slow fashion (sustainable clothes) on a budget
Buy ethically manufactured garments to make a difference!
Before buying clothes, ensure through research that they are made using slow fashion techniques and with eco-friendly fabrics. You can scan the barcode to get information about the fabric or you can shop from the boutiques that promise the usage of eco-friendly, high-quality fabric.
WearAndSmile is a Stockholm based online/offline fashion boutique that offers carefully curated attires, crafted with eco-friendly, organic and natural fabrics like high-quality linen and 100% organic cotton, that qualify the test of seasons and keep your delicate skin safe while being in the good books of environment and the staff.
WearAndSmile ensures complete transparency of its production process and tells its clients about the skills of manufacturing clothes to let them understand what it takes to make a well-crafted garment.
Be sure to visit the website or store to know more!
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