A Guide to Slow Fashion

What is slow fashion? 

Slow fashion is a sustainable way of shopping that emphasizes quality over quantity.  This concept is centered around an ecological and an ethical fashion definition which values recycling existing materials and creating new ones in an eco-friendly and fair manner.

This is with the aim of preventing damage to the environment and providing equal opportunities for those who work in the production line of the clothing industry.

Slow fashion embraces: 

1. Reforming existing garments and materials to make new pieces.
2. Long-lasting fashion that can be worn time and time again. 
3. Fashion that is ethically made by people working under fair conditions.
4. The use of natural materials. 
5. Environmentally friendly production.

Consciously noticing exactly what we are consuming can make all the difference in protecting the planet but also in saving money too.

In supporting the slow fashion movement we are encouraged to open our eyes and look at exactly how well a product is made. This can be done by observing the fabrics our clothes are made from and through also looking at the construction quality. 

The idea of slow fashion is to consume fashion sustainably. We at NordFur support the sustainable fashion movement to counteract the ethical and ecological issues caused by fast fashion brands today.

Fast Fashion Vs. Slow Fashion

At the moment, the clothing industry views fashion as disposable and fast fashion retailers mass produce clothes and accessories which are sold in new collections at a weekly rate. With 52 new collections released each year, we are spoilt for choice when shopping. 

Whether it’s when shopping on the high street, for luxury products or online via e-commerce websites – fast fashion examples tend to be the go-to shopping hotspots with such a huge range of choice and constantly evolving trends.

The ease of online shopping promotes fast fashion as quicker than ever before we can now have new clothes at the click of our hands. Consequently, it is important to use tools of the internet to our advantage – by researching the products that interest us in detail. 

When shopping online we are able to take our time in weighing up whether or not we truly want the new product. Likewise, we can assess the decency of the quality as well as locating exactly where it was made before ultimately deciding if the product is worth owning. 

In the past, most retailers sold just four seasonal collections per year. Therefore consumer attitudes around fashion were vastly different than they are today. 

The way the world looks at fashion has changed drastically over the past 10 years. 

Currently, fast fashion companies are fuelling climate change because so many new clothes are being cheaply produced at a rapid rate. Large scale clothing production not only pollutes our essential water sources like rivers and oceans but also the air human beings breathe in too. 

In addition, fast fashion companies are responsible for an enormous amount of waste that is produced when retailers are unable to sell all of the stock within a one week time frame before the next collection is released. 

In 2020, talks about banning fur farming and sales are getting louder every week.

How can you change the way you shop? 

If you love fashion or have a passion for shopping and are worried about the idea of slowing down – fear not! We are all consumers in some way or another, slow fashion is simply about being more mindful, so if buying clothes makes you happy try choosing to shop with slow brands that contribute to the sustainable fashion movement. 

Slow wear products are designed to remain durable and look classic so that they can be worn for the long- term and not just for one season.

Another idea is to opt for vintage clothing. Shopping vintage allows you to find timeless and sustainable garments often at the same price as a newly (but cheaply made) garments found when shopping with fast fashion retailers. 

When shopping for a new winter coat, for example, consider the style and how the garment makes you feel. Comfort and feeling confident in our clothes are key but also remember to learn about the material of the garment too.

Fur – a perfect example of the slow fashion

Fur is an incredibly long-lasting material that can be worn decade after decade and passed on to other people too. The fur itself is very sustainable because it reduces the necessity to continuously fabricate new products – slowing down fashion production will ultimately protect the planet from existing environmental issues. 

Effectively disposing of waste in a sustainable manner is one of the most important contributions human beings can make in order to prevent the unfortunate realities of global warming from worsening. At NordFur, we always aim to use 100% of all the materials.

Fur is an extremely biodegradable material because when resources produced from plants and animals are no longer of use they will naturally degrade and return to the soil. Unlike, synthetic materials which are very difficult to dispose of and usually end up in a land-fill causing further environmental problems. 

Organic materials such as fur, leather, wool and cotton are sustainable to use in clothing because they are completely renewable. Plants regrow naturally and likewise, animals can reproduce naturally too.

Slow fashion means buying clothes of high quality. Perhaps this means prices may be higher compared to fast fashion alternatives.

However, slow clothing often serves you for a lifetime. By following classic styles – the clothes and accessories that you wear will always remain stylish and worthwhile. 

Final word

Slowing down will make room for investment pieces in your wardrobe that can be worn time and time again. Mixing and matching from smart to casual and experimenting with accessories will make choosing what to wear fun and stress-free.

So bid farewell to an over-filled wardrobe that makes it difficult to find anything to wear in the morning. And instead say hello to a collection of clothes that boasts quality, style and sustainability.