Can we talk about slow fashion? - YouLookFab Forum

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Can we talk about slow fashion?

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I'm curious to know your opinions on slow fashion and if it is a movement you are actively embracing? Is slow fashion in your opinion about reducing your purchases or choosing more ethical materials and brands? Do you have any go to slow fashion brands?

I have to admit it's a concept I find very appealing at present, I'm looking to reduce the number of purchases I make and to be conscious of the environmental impact of the items that do make the cut.

In this vein, I have ordered a top from Roake who make small batch made to order womenswear from the Isle of Wight, UK.

I have been eyeing their jackets for a long time, however, I was nervous about not liking the item or fit, so when a top in a print I liked went on sale I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to assess the quality without the risk. https://roake.studio/shop/roak.....en-box-tee

This top is my first purchase of the year, and after receiving the top I'm strongly considering the Nicole jacket which would work for my climate and lifestyle.
https://roake.studio/shop/the-.....ls2w-d364n

So over to you, do you feel confident in pre-ordering items? Is slow the way to go?

General

23 replies

Latest reply was from RoseandJoan

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Jules, that top is gorgeous with your silver locks!

In short - yes, to slow fashion. (Slow means different things to different people. Maybe Slow-ER fashion is a good way of describing it).

Personally, I am committed to making the most sustainable and ethical wardrobe decisions that I can manage. It's a style goal for the fourth year in a row! There are compromises, but wardrobe items have to be right to work over time, which is a sustainability goal in itself. As far as possible, I will continue to refresh my style from designers and retailers that are committed to sustainable and ethical practices, and my intention is to keep wardrobe items for as long as I can. Luckily, most of the brands that I am prioritizing are producing more sustainably and ethically over time.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Good question.To me it means minimising my purchases and trying to wear out what l have.l also shop second hand.l try to buy good quality clothes that will last as well but it’s difficult sometimes to buy ethically as l am not convinced that as consumers we always know what’s going on in major brands whatever they might claim.Buying from small ,local retailers like this one you have highlighted is surely a good way to go.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I like the *idea* of slow fashion in terms of fabric & supply sustainability, but unfortunately the reality currently doesn't measure up for me - I haven't found many companies that fit both my measurements (am often annoyingly in between regular or plus sized charts) *&* my personal style (whilst I like natural fibres, many of these brands (Roake included, it seems) favour the crunchy linen look in washed out shades - this looks cool in a 'devil-may-care' way on people like you @RoseandJoan & Natural kibbe types, but it unfortunately looks more like a rumpled mess on a Romantic/ Soft Classic like myself, lol...)

The former is a deal-breaker for me if pre-ordering is a requirement; the latter might sound superficial *but* we are on a style forum after all, lol!

My current fix has been to try & shop less frequently but more handmade/ custom online, but that often means sacrificing supply chain transparency (even if you're paying for fair sewing labour, that does not guarantee fair manufacturing... Even with brands like 'eleven44' (Etsy), that tout themselves as 'slow fashion', there's no explanation of their sustainable sourcing. Whereas 'Alder Apparel' have a fairly transparent supply chain & appealingly fitted clothing (for me), they don't do small, pre-ordered batches). Good luck trying to add any more criteria to that checklist (like clothing in deep, saturated colours *other* than black), lol Argh!

nemosmom

Veteran

Ditto Angie!

I am being more mindful about what I add, and from where, as well as what happens to the pieces I part with - for whatever the reason.

That said, I have been re-building my knitwear capsule at a fairly steady pace. I have been fortunate enough to find and add a good number of pieces, from sources I align with, in a short amount of time. So, the acquisition has not necessarily been "slow", but my thought process around those pieces has been more considered.

I *would* happily pre-order items, depending on the item and company I think...

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

+1 to what Angie’s said. I am usually happy to pre-order or to order with a wait time because that’s a good sign that a brand isn’t over-producing.

Most of my wardrobe comes from sustainable manufacturers these days. I posted my go-to brand list here a while back:
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-resources

I should really update it, as I’ve now tried a many of the brands on my “to check out” list, have added a few more and have been delighted when some disappointments expanded their size ranges. (And, sadly, a few have gone out of business, as this was a pre-pandemic list.)

rachylou

Veteran

I guess I’m not sure what slow fashion would be… for me, I’m into the idea of slow churn and more wear out of items… which means embracing some imperfection and visible wear. When I was little, my parents had dresses made for me… that was a slow process for sure. I have to admit I’m not sure if I feel up to driving back and forth for fittings now… I like the idea of made to order tho… I guess now it would mean embracing an unfitted look for me…

kkards

Veteran

For me, slow fashion means that I’m thinking about the longevity of what I buy and wear. It can mean buying 2nd hand, for example I needed a dress last fall, and I knew that I wasn’t something that I was going to wear often, so I deliberately searched for and bought 2nd hand- so that gave longevity to the item. It can mean buying new but with an eye to classic cuts, colors and fabrics that I can wear for a number of years.

For me I’m not sure that ethical brands are synonymous with slow fashion…but I do think they do tend to lean that way.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think I haven’t really wrapped my head around this idea properly. I am concerned about buying from companies that make a huge amount of clothing. The obvious companies are Zara, H&M and Shein- of which I own precisely one item, from Zara bought 2015- but in NZ Ezibuy would be similar, I get their catalogues. And I have several items from them, because they can be really good and long lasting. I looked elsewhere for white summer pants for some time but only they had something flattering and of thick enough fabric for me. And part of my personal “slow” fashion is to do the #30 wears thing. Of course Ezibuy writes about sustainability and ethics on their website and claims to be those things, but the sheer number of things they make ( mostly in China but also some other countries) does bother me. I understand that the volume of clothing made is so much higher than decades ago.
So really my personal contribution to this is maybe not that useful in world terms? I am just trying to buy a smaller number of things that I will wear lots of times. And if I might not wear them that much, well then that’s where I might try thrifting, as I did recently with my $4 new pretty top- I don’t feel pressure to wear that so many times and when tired of it may just donate it back.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

My slow fashion thing is slow closet churn, has been that way forever. I’m still mad at my sister for giving away several pairs of pants I lent her for a couple years when my son was a baby, and he’s taller than me now!

I also have been paying more attention to how things are made, particularly the use of water. I’m perfectly happy to support efforts by big companies to make their lines more sustainably, so do look at, for example, H&M’s “conscious” stuff.

Synne

Veteran

Yes and no from me.

I like the idea of slow fashion, or let me rephrase that. I detest the concept of fast fashion. I am well aware of the environmental aspects as well as the human suffering involved.

But then frankly, I'm vain. I want to dress better. I want to feel pretty NOW. Wear the pretty clothes. Be fashionable. I have never felt pretty. And time flies, I will never be this young again. And I am 36. What am I waiting for?

I try to curb my craving for "all the new clothes", all the fashionable and fancy trends. I buy mostly second-hand and thrift, but yes, I also throw my money at the fast-fashion retailers. And yes I feel bad about the latter. Ahhh.. it is really a case of cognitive dissonance for me.
I should do better.

Sal

Veteran

I do a mix of things - but there is more I could do.

- bringing in pieces with longevity for me - quality, styles that I won’t tire of, well made, and for my life…..I mostly do this well but do overbuy in the party/ dressing up area.
- locally made or sustainable producers or second hand - definitely increasing!
- natural fibres - doing well here but not 100 percent.
- looking after my clothes - I am going well on this front.

Like Jenni I find myself adding the odd piece from Ezibuy mostly because their range is good, price and quality are also in line. Most chain stores here overload on the same pieces and colours…

One of my favourite youtube channels, Useless always says the most sustainable piece is the one you already own.

Rose- I love your new blouse - great print!!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh Synne, you darling! Don’t feel bad! Looking back at 36 from 60, I’m very happy that I bought pretty things in my 20s and 30s. Some of them were thrifted as a poor student ( until age 23 when I qualified and started earning) and lots were on sale. Even when we were poorer at my age 35 just after having 3rd baby and husband buying his business which was not so successful at first and earned little, after some time I did spend on 2 beautiful outfits which I kept for years and still have one of- which I now fit again and wore once last month to work and got 2 compliments!
Sure you will never be younger than now but you can definitely grow into your looks and still be pretty!
So I think just temper it a bit. I don’t think with your fast fashion purchases that you’ll be like the teenagers in a UK story I read who wouldn’t be seen in the same outfit twice. I think you’re already doing a good job. Hugs xx

unfrumped

Veteran

For me it is more about more versatile wardrobe items and less churn, to echo that phrase. Fewer purchases per year would probably be the best measure.
Shopping my closet. Not about nothing new or no updates, but fewer, and less clothes shopping as a hobby or distraction. . Although the pandemic curbed that, especially after the first few months of doing some “ disoriented retail therapy “.
Being more picky and honest about what I really like and will wear helps.
Having a clearer sense of personal style reduces mistakes and churn for me, but that sense has wobbled during pandemic also- I anticipate a kind of re-emergence and re-set, eventually.
I am a bit less focused on specific retailers for some of the reasons mentioned above, except liking the idea of those that recycle their own products.
I don’t have aa wide array of brick & mortar stores as I’d like in order to go y/n right in store. I do for sure shop online, but online I have a high return rate that also carries a burden of materials and maybe what happens to some returns. I have had some luck with second- hand— usually to find better fabrics or certain styles from favorite decades- but overall there isn’t the best selection here & it’s a low success rate , except “ mistakes “ are less impactful than buying new.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I’m trying to reduce wardrobe churn and wear all of my clothes more. To that end, I try to set a high bar for entry into my wardrobe, to avoid experiments, whim purchases and mistakes and to live with a little visible wear on my clothes. To upcycle or modify my mistakes to make them wearable when possible. I’m also trying to buy more second hand and from small retailers (especially Etsy). Not claiming I always succeed! It’s a work in progress.

I have bought from small local retailers who market themselves as sustainable but most push a very particular look that is not my look (eg many push a Japanese influenced avant-garde look). So I haven’t found that a successful strategy for me (yet) but I keep my eye out for new contenders.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I've pretty much sworn off fast fashion. I think that when you buy more ethically made, sustainable wardrobe pieces (which cost more), then you naturally buy less and also those things last longer and tend to be less trendy styles. So, it's both.
To me, the sustainability of the materials things are made from is important, but the companies ethics (in waste/pullution, pay and treatment of their workforce, transparency, etc) are both important to me.
The brands that are winners for me so far are:
Known Supply
Vetta
Faherty
Mate the Label
Gundrun Sjoden
Nisolo
and
Pact

I have a whole list of other places I Iook at, but haven't bought from yet.
I will come back later and add links when I'm on the laptop.

Joy

Veteran

Yes to slow fashion. I am trying to buy less and better when buying basics but second hand when experimenting with a new color or style. I do not expect the second hand stuff to last very long but some pieces I hope will last. It is originally more expensive than what I would usually buy. For cold weather I have concentrated on warm full-length pants and very warm toppers for morning and evening. New winter colors are more blue, blush, burgundy, and light neutrals. For spring I want new denim pull-on skirts in white and maybe olive. Colors include browns, yellow, more white, more navy and floral patterns that I like. More natural fibers are also on the list.

Bijou

Veteran

Fashion is something I love, so my approach is more about making wiser choices and supporting local designers and those people in the fashion business with talent and ethics. I never buy anything with the view that I will treat it as a fast fashion fix.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

It's been great to read through your responses this morning and to see what slow fashion means to each of you and, in turn, the impact on our purchasing behaviour.

From fewer purchases, to buying second hand (an area I really need to explore more) to the sustainability of brands, it appears our methods are unique but with some areas of overlap.

Thanks for the food for thought.

Runcarla

Veteran

My strategy recently has been to purchase less items, have a goal of long term ownership, and shop thrift. I’ve tried to buy ‘made in Canada’, but that is pretty hard when doing B&M and just checking labels.

I’m interested in bespoke, small batch, and ‘slow’, but to be honest, I find a lot of it isn’t particularly beautiful, IYKWIM. I did just pick up a toque/beanie from a Canadian sustainable brand https://anianmfg.com/, and I’m pleased with the quality and reasonable price.

Jules has a thread on which there are a myriad of Canadian sources that I plan to reference for future shopping.https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....know-about

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

I slowing my purchasing significantly this year, after doing a bit of replenishing and upgrading last year. I have plenty and have no problems finding an outfit to wear every day.

I like the idea of the sustainable brands in theory, but usually find the styles, colors, fits, or sizing not much to my liking. I will continue to try to make my purchases with timeless-for-me style and quality so as to reduce churn and waste.

More and more, I’m also patronizing locally-owned boutiques and small designers rather than big chain stores. At the very least I’m helping the local economy and women-owned businesses when I actually do go shopping.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well surprise, surprise, my answer is second hand clothing. I buy a lot but over 90% is second hand whether charity shop, online second hand, or consignment. I love to play with clothes, love to collect special vintage pieces, and enjoy rotating through my collection seasonally. My big change is that I carefully consider the policies of the retailer before I buy new, and am thinking over my feelings about wearing second hand fast fashion. I don't think it is wrong; I am just considering if it is something I want to do myself.

avicennia

Veteran

What Cardiff girl said! The only thing I should qualify is that I haven’t shopped second hand much in many years — it takes a lot of time. But when the pace of life eases, I’d love to try again.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Janet, you raise something quite salient, many of these small batch companies are women-owned which is something I would like to actively support.

I find of your choices inspiring in their own way and reinforces Angie's first point that slow fashion means something different to everyone.