Slow Fashion - So what does it really mean?

Slow Fashion- Something in my opinion that deserves more air time than the latest Tik Tok challenge, a buzz word that I’m sure we’ve all heard sprinkled into an environmentally friendly fashionistas convo but does anyone have any idea what the term Slow Fashion actually means?

Lets take a dive into the deep end..

Firstly- Slow Fashion is an awareness and approach to fashion, accounting for the processes and resources required to make clothing, particularly focusing on sustainability.

It involves buying better-quality garments that will last for longer and values fair treatment of people, animals and the planet.

In a nut shell.

Who’s ever been guilty of buying a new outfit every single time you go out? Or buying lots of cheap clothing and when it’s no longer wearable (usually after a few washes) chuck it in the bin and think, “it doesn’t matter cos it was cheap anyway, ill just buy more”? We’ve all been there.  Admit it.

Over time, Fast Fashion and consumerism has left customers with a never-ending number of choices and ways to consume.

Slow fashion represents a newer movement. It comes back to the customisation and detail-oriented work that small businesses preach.
Buying less but buying well, investing in quality over quantity and supporting designers that pour their heart and soul into each and every piece.

We at Heather McDowall believe in the sustainable manufacturing and purchasing of fashion and supporting local designers.

Given COVID-19 this year and its widespread impact across the globe, we have seen an increase in everyone’s awareness to the influences health and environmental related issues can have on fashion. We’ve all had to learn to adapt to new ways of working and living especially in fashion.

So how are people adapting to change and what can you do to play a part?

  Jacquemus’s S2021 Fashion Week collection was a perfect example of the resilience witnessed in the fashion industry to the impacts of the pandemic. An incredible instance of social distancing incorporated into the runway!

 Thrift Shopping (Aka pre loved recycled fashion)

Another way to support slow fashion and limit the environmental impact of shopping is by Thrifting!  Tell me you don’t love finding yourself a good pre - loved bargain at 1 tenth of the price

(you know you love it)

Welcome to the world of pre-loved recycled fashion. Once you start you won’t be able to stop! Well here’s why I love it:

• Thrifting is an insane way to support sustainability and up-cycling to combat the fast fashion tendencies of shoppers today.
• You can find amazing pre-loved and vintage one of a kind pieces for incredibly affordable prices.

We can all play our part in the Slow Fashion movement, whether its supporting slow fashion brands, to thrifting or just being more conscious of buying quality over quantity.

 You do you boo.