Slow fashion sets an example against the increasingly criticized fast fashion. Brands that produce a large number of collections every year and make them accessible to the mainstream at cheap prices usually do not act sustained still ethical. The principle: low prices for billions in sales. This means that production is often harmful to the environment and workers - especially in emerging countries - have to work under unhealthy and unfair conditions.
What does slow fashion mean?
In contrast to fast fashion, slow fashion decelerates the processes in the fashion industry. Fewer collections are produced to ensure that sustainable materials are used in a way that conserves resources while also improving working conditions. In addition, many brands enable transparency along their entire production and supply chain. In this way, consumers can inform themselves and make conscious decisions.
The cornerstones of slow fashion:
- Sustainable materials
- Fair working conditions
- Fewer collections
- Transparency
Slow fashion is fashion to protect the environment and people
Choosing to choose slow fashion over fast fashion does not mean giving up current trends. It just means choosing high-quality products made from exclusive materials that also ensure the preservation of our environment and humane working conditions. For example, avoiding chemicals ensures that workers are not at risk to health and a limited number of collections ensures that no natural resources are exploited.
With our slow fashion tips you can easily implement the trend and behave responsibly towards people and the environment. That's how it's done:
Our top 20 slow fashion tips:
1. Consciously choose slow fashion brands
Choose fashion brands that are ethical and sustainable. Find out which fashion brands only design a certain number of collections and use sustainable materials every year - this information is given on almost all websites. By supporting sustainable brands, other brands are forced to deal with this topic and offer more sustainable fashion in the future.
2. Actively read the labels
Read the labels on the clothes when you go shopping. Many brands such as BITE Studios, Asket or Gabriela Hearst make use of it sustainable materials transparent for your customers. This also helps you to recognize greenwashing directly and thus to avoid it.
3. Choose textiles made from renewable raw materials
Select organic cotton instead of normal cotton. This assures you that no toxic pesticides have been used. In addition, significantly less water is used in production than conventional cotton. Great alternatives are too lyocell, Lyocell Tencel and Moda.
4. Pay attention to certified textiles
Rely on sustainable fabrics such as cotton, linen, Hemp and Wool and find out if they are certified (e.g. GOTS certified). These assess various aspects for a more sustainable value chain.
5. Without chemicals - the friendliest for you and the environment
Avoid substances that have been manufactured using chemicals. These are harmful to health and the environment. Product label like Made in Green by OEKO-TEX offers you support here and identifies corresponding products with their label.
6. Sustainable leather without animal suffering or plastic
Choose Leatherette instead of real leather. This has the same look and feel as natural leather, but is made without any impact on animals. Make sure that it is plastic-free imitation leather.
7. Avoid microplastics
Make sure not only when buying, but also when using and caring for your clothes, to produce as little plastic as possible. That also includes micro plastic. For washing, for example, is recommended guppyfriend Wash bag or the Cora ball so that microplastics are caught and thus not end up in the drain.
8. Where do the clothes come from
The place of manufacture of the garment is often an important clue. Was it made in a low-wage country or within Europe? It is not a clear indication, but it is often an important indicator of whether it is fast fashion or slow fashion.
9. Quality instead of quantity
Put on Quality instead of quantity. In the long term, it is worth investing in high-quality fashion, as this is more durable than fast fashion. Before buying, just ask yourself: Do I really need the new piece?
10. Unisex and timeless design
Invest in timeless or Unisex designwhich can be passed on from generation to generation. In general, you should always ask yourself the following questions when buying: What am I buying and why? What do i really need Will I wear this garment at least 30 times? In this way you prevent unnecessary wrong purchases and thus reduce wasted money and textile waste.
11. Second-hand and vintage
Visit local thrift stores or online secondhand platformsinstead of shopping in mainstream chains. Here you will find extraordinary unique items and vintage items from renowned designers. In addition, long transport routes for new items of clothing are avoided and old clothing is given a new life.
12. For the unique occasion: borrow fashion
Are you invited to a certain event (maybe even with a motto) and you will never wear your planned outfit again? Rent or borrow On such occasions, you can simply turn off costumes, evening wear and individual accessories. You too can lend your friend clothes that you don't like at the moment or give away your bad purchases.
13. Exchange is the new buying
Swap clothes either with a friend: inside or on online marketplaces and clothes swap parties - you can easily find them on the Internet. This way you can quickly get rid of your unused items of clothing and maybe find great new unique pieces for your wardrobe.
14. Sell and give your clothes a new life
Instead of throwing them away, sell clothes that you no longer like on online marketplaces. This gives your garment a new life and reduces the environmental impact of your wardrobe. Your wallet will also be happy about the sale.
15. Donate instead of throwing it away
You can donate items of clothing that you no longer like or no longer fit. Especially in current times, you are not only acting sustainably, but also ethically. So someone else can be happy about your clothes, which only take up space in your closet.
16. Repair for a longer wearing experience
Get creative and fix items of clothing by, for example, mending and decorating them with colorful stitching instead of throwing them away. If your clothes can no longer be repaired or reused, make sure that they are in one if possible Recycling process is recycled.
17. Reduce your fashion footprint
Think about whether you really need to wash and rather collect until you can fill an entire machine. So you not only save energy, but also protect the fabric of your clothing - it will also last longer!
18. Shop locally
Do not order summer or winter clothing before you go on vacation. You will often find more original pieces of better quality on the spot and also protect the environment and local craftsmanship.
19. Recognize greenwashing
Pay attention to the fine print and take the time to research. Recognize when a brand is a marketing campaign or whether it is really a sustainable purpose culture. There are all of them here Greenwashing tips.
20. Continuous training
Last but not least, find out about sustainability, read articles and blog posts about ethical fashion and go to slow fashion fairs like Neonyt Berlin or Greenstyle MUC. We have more information about ethical fashion for Ladies and Gents and trendy brands for Sneakers, Jeans, Swimwear and Active and yoga wear.
Slow fashion is a process
At first, switching from fast fashion to slow fashion can be intimidating. But once you've started, the next steps will come naturally. Regularly ask yourself whether you are really new Need clothes and how you can keep them as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible. Instead of throwing away clothes that are no longer worn, see if someone can be found who is interested in them. Stay tuned and find out more about new findings and sustainable brands on a regular basis.
