Fast Fashion + your Slow Fashion practice
You know fast fashion…brands like Forever 21, H&M, Zara, GAP, Old Navy (just to name a few) that crank out new styles all the time, use sub-par materials, and unethical production processes. We all have fast fashion pieces in our closets. Or we’ve bought a fast fashion piece, worn it a few times, and gotten rid of it. It’s ok! You’re not alone.
The Slow Fashion Movement doesn’t want you to trash all of your fast fashion pieces. That would just be more textile waste in the landfills. We just want you to think about the impact of fast fashion moving forward. Controversial opinion: There are actually ways to mindfully incorporate fast fashion into your slow fashion practice.
For example, in terms of the fast fashion pieces that may already be in your closet, wear them as much as you can! I bought this black and white sweater from H&M over 10 years ago. I have gotten so much wear out of this sweater that the cost per wear is probably LESS than zero at this point. I also take good care of it to help it last as long as possible. I rarely wash it and spot clean when needed. And I use a sweater shaver to take off the pilling every six months or so. It’s got so much life left! And honestly it’s one of my favorite sweaters ever, and it fits so well in my wardrobe with my other clothes.
Another example: If I see a fast fashion piece that I can’t stop thinking about, I may try to find it second-hand on Poshmark or ThreadUp. This way I’m not directly supporting the fast fashion brand, and I’m giving more life to the original garment. I recently found a 100% cotton Zara dress in great condition on Poshmark. It’s an amazing staple piece that I really love and wear often.
Listen, none of us are perfect. And there is no perfect way to build your slow fashion practice. My goal is to make sure you have enough information to make decisions that align with your values. Moving forward, if you’re thinking about buying something from a fast fashion brand, I invite you to think about if you really need it and/or how you could utilize it in your wardrobe. Could you find it second-hand? Can you wear it for the next 10 or more years? There may also be a slow fashion brand alternative that has better quality and better ethics.
What ways do YOU thoughtfully integrate fast fashion into your slow fashion practice?