Slow Fashion vs. Fast Fashion: Why Quality Over Quantity Matters
Gone are the days when “fashion” was something only the rich and privileged could afford. We’re in an era where you can buy a stylish new top or dress for less than the average cup of coffee ($4.90 for those wondering). Obsessed with the Miu Miu ballet flats you keep seeing everywhere or that gorgeous gown your favorite celeb wore to the Grammy’s? Just go to any fast fashion website, and you’ll find a dupe that costs less than a fraction of the original! What a bargain, right?
Fashion has never been more accessible than now, thanks to brands that churn out hundreds of new pieces a day at astoundingly low prices. But if you think you’re saving money by going for that “affordable” alternative, think again. The real cost of fast fashion goes beyond the numbers on the tag but the prices are aptly reflective of the quality — cheap. Is paying more for higher quality actually worth it though? Keep reading and decide!
The Hidden Cost of Fast Fashion
If you’re not among the ultra-rich, fast fashion might seem like a dream. Trendy clothes and accessories at such pocket-friendly prices? Who doesn’t want that? However, there are several trade-offs.
Let’s Talk Quality
Fast-fashion items are all made from cheap synthetic materials with a lifespan shorter than the trend itself. They’re intentionally designed to fall apart after a few uses so you’ll keep buying more and feeding into the industry. You might want to wear those corduroy pants for years, but they simply won’t hold up due to the poor stitching and flimsy material.
Even worse, fast fashion items are laden with dangerous substances. A CBC investigation into chemicals in fast fashion discovered hazardous levels of heavy metals, like lead, and toxic chemicals, such as PFAs and phthalates, that can be absorbed through the skin. Even children’s items were found to be unsafe. But the harm doesn’t stop there.
Social and Environmental Impact
The fast fashion industry doesn’t just trap you into a vicious cycle of buying and discarding poorly made, unfit-to-wear products. It also makes you an unwitting participant in something far more sinister — human exploitation and environmental destruction. The people who mass-produce these items at such rapid speed work in cramped sweatshops making unlivable wages. Fast fashion’s environmental impact is just as staggering. Producing just a pair of jeans consumes 2,000 gallons of water! Microplastics, toxic dyes, carbon emissions, and textile waste from fast fashion have caused irreversible damage to our planet.
Why Slow Fashion Matters
Slow fashion is the antithesis of fast fashion. At its core, it’s all about ethical labor, environmental sustainability, and creating high-quality pieces that will last you for years. As the name implies, slow fashion brands have a slower turnaround than fast fashion brands. A pair of chic women’s everyday pants from a smaller brand would take longer to design and manufacture because quality and ethical craftsmanship can’t be rushed.
Slow fashion brands focus on creating timeless clothes and accessories, pieces that’ll look fresh and be wearable season after season. The designs are either original or reinvented versions of classic pieces, unlike fast fashion where stealing from smaller brands and designers is rampant. Everything from the style to the materials to the stitching is thoughtful. Slow fashion brands utilize sustainable, biodegradable, and recycled materials. They also pay fair wages to the workers who toil hard for our dream wardrobes, which means higher pricing.
Is Slow Fashion Always Expensive?
The upfront cost of those cute boutique two-piece sets or that classy polo shirt would certainly be higher, but it’s actually more affordable in the long run because it’s designed to last. Calculate the Cost Per Wear to know the true cost of what you’re wearing. Isn’t it better to buy a $40 shirt that’ll last you 100 wears over a $5 one that’ll go to the bin after just 10 wears or less?
However, it’s also important to be aware of the fact that premium pricing and buzzwords like “sustainable” don’t always equate to high-quality slow fashion. Look for signs of “greenwashing”, where a brand poses as being environmentally friendly all the while adding new products to their collection every day. Always trust the quality of the craftsmanship and transparency (or lack thereof) instead of blindly trusting labels like “eco-friendly” and “ethically made.”
A Small Price to Pay for Lasting Fashion
Slow fashion is a smarter investment for your wallet and wardrobe, as well as a morally upright choice that’ll make you feel good. By choosing quality over quality, you’re being mindful of the environment and the workers who craft your stylish staples. So, ask yourself: Given the true cost of fast fashion, is it still worth it?
