Fast Fashion Vs Slow Fashion – Striving for Sustainability

A showdown between fast and slow fashion usually stirs some debates between each side’s passionate proponents. Both models have their own set of advantages and have strongly impacted people’s clothing choices and lifestyles. Whether you are an ardent fan of either or an impartial bystander, we can all agree that both fast and slow fashion have laid the bedrock for many foundational styles and practices in the fashion world.

Understanding the Fashion Industry Lingo

Fast fashion refers to clothing that is produced in larger quantities, is based on hot fashion trends, and is very cheap. Its affordability is attributed to the use of less durable materials: the lower the cost, the higher the profit margins of the makers. People enjoy fast fashion because they not only get clothing at sweet bargains but can also wear it for extended periods.

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Getting wrapped up in all these perks can hinder us from realizing the long-term environmental and ethical consequences of this fashion model. Fast fashion not only contributes to increased waste and pollution but also exploits labour practices. Fast fashion practices involve replicating and mass-producing coveted designer pieces that are outside the spending bracket of most consumers. Considering the nature of this practice, the fast fashion industry has been unsurprisingly embroiled in cases concerning ethical issues, human rights, and poor working conditions.

Let us change perspectives a bit and move to slow fashion, which prioritizes quality designs and sustainability but is less affordable than fast fashion. Clothing in slow fashion is made from environmentally friendly or recycled textiles that are of high quality. While many people used to consume fast fashion, there has been a growing shift towards slow fashion. There are interesting parallels between food and fashion, with the comparison between fast food and healthy food being a great example for reference. While fast food like chips and other fried items are made in bulk but are unhealthy for our consumption, healthy food is not only better for our bodies but also for the environment.

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Say Yes to Sustainability

Despite its negative environmental impacts, plenty of people still choose fast fashion, which is churned out in billions every year. Research done by the UN Alliance of Sustainable Fashion provides data indicating that fast fashion is responsible for around 2-8% of the entire world’s carbon emissions.

Sustainable fashion is more than just a trend—it’s a bold commitment to creating clothing that emphasizes ethical and environmentally conscious production practices. Thankfully, more brands are embracing sustainability, understanding the pressing need to prioritize conserving the environment over filling their pockets.

The real challenge that slow fashion has faced is competing with the alluringly low prices of fast fashion. However, owing to customers recently showing an increased desire to make more environmentally conscious decisions, they are thankfully gravitating towards slow fashion. Choosing sustainable fashion isn’t just a style statement; it’s a powerful way to contribute to a better world for everyone.

In the debate, between fast and slow fashion, the choice is clear. By supporting slow fashion, we champion sustainability, ethical practices, and quality over quantity. Every mindful purchase can create a positive impact, helping steer the industry towards making choices that support a safer and cleaner planet.

For more about fast and slow fashion, read Ethically Sourced Fashion – The Fall of Fast Fashion.