Fast fashion vs. slow fashion

Slow fashion is the concept that opposes fast fashion in its entirety. Indeed, whether in terms of mass production or in terms of environmental impacts, fast fashion is criticized. Very low prices make these clothes, often of lower quality, much more attractive. However, these prices hide underpaid workers working in disastrous and dangerous conditions, practices that do not take into account the impacts of production on the environment as well as the encouragement of a culture surrounding excessive, repetitive and endless fashion items. 

Take a quick look at our recent video about the new french law project regarding fast fashion

In addition to producing huge quantities of clothing that often ends up in landfill, the fashion industry is the second most polluting in the world when it comes to drinking water due to the volume of water needed to produce raw materials. required in the production of clothing, the dyes used (sometimes toxic) which can contaminate drinking water sources as well as the microplastics released into the ocean which have a great impact on marine biodiversity. The “slow fashion” movement therefore seeks to reverse this widespread trend by inviting consumers to reduce their mass consumption and increase their ethical and sustainable purchases.

Benefits

Regarding the environment, it is logical to believe that when we buy fewer fashionable clothes and goods and keep those acquired for longer, our ecological footprint decreases. Add to this the consumption of ecological fashionable goods and we obtain a perfect example of “slow fashion”. In addition, this movement greatly favors the action of local companies which often emphasize the responsibility that their products carry. Whether thanks to their proximity to their customers, their environmentally friendly raw materials or their fair production processes, many local companies are paving the way for “slow fashion”. 

At the social level, there is an intention to improve the conditions of workers through a reduction in workload, an increase in employee benefits as well as better pay. When it comes to “fast fashion”, one of the biggest problems is at this level. The low-cost mass production of low-quality products knowingly results in derisory wages for workers since it is thanks to these minimal costs that companies can sell their products at unbeatable prices while maintaining monstrous margins. “Slow fashion” can therefore only benefit workers in the fashion world. 

Clothing produced to the standards of this new movement is much more durable and is produced to higher quality standards; this therefore means that they will have a much longer lifespan than many other products. Furthermore, “slow fashion” is also an excellent way to save money. Indeed, the products of brands and companies promoting this concept are sometimes more expensive than average, which increases consumers' awareness of their sometimes uncontrolled consumption due to the low prices of the biggest brands. To top it all off, “slow fashion” products promise an interesting style that appeals to everyone, unlike fast fashion clothing which seeks to adhere to ever more original trends, these maintain a minimalist appearance which endures in the time.

Our shop is built in accordance with the slow fashion movement, take a quick peak

Be well informed

Several big names in fashion are gradually taking their place on the train, now displaying their production methods and claiming to produce in a more ecological way. However, it is important to check their fine words, because some brands use greenwashing or greenwashing, that is, using an ecological argument to deceive their customers. Although “slow fashion” really makes it possible to reduce our ecological footprint, we must obviously always check the statements of the companies from which we consume.