The Great Debate: Slow Fashion vs. Fast Fashion


The Great Debate: Slow Fashion vs. Fast Fashion 

The concept of slow fashion is not new. In 1990, both Vogue and the New York Times released articles about the movement, and designers around the world began combining fashion with an eco-conscious mindset. However, it was only during the late 2010s that it began gaining more traction. 

Let’s dive into the differences between slow and fast fashion to see how adopting a slow fashion lifestyle can change your life for the better.

What are slow fashion and fast fashion? 

We are so used to getting everything we want instantly-- instant messages, instant food, even instant fashion. Slow fashion aims to deviate from that kind of lifestyle and encourage people to patronize businesses and products that highlight eco-friendly materials and manufacturing, local businesses, and superb craftsmanship. By choosing slow fashion, you are patronizing products that are ethically and environmentally produced. 

Fast fashion, on the other hand, refers to mass-produced garments that are made and discarded as quickly as global trends shift. To keep up with consumer tastes, major retailers produce millions of clothing items and sell them at relatively low prices.

Through fast fashion, consumers can get their hands on new, trendy pieces without having to burn a hole in their pockets. However, this comes with a price. Fast fashion pieces are of lesser quality, are not always ethically made, and are not environmentally friendly due to the sheer volume of clothes produced in a year. 

With slow fashion, you are assured optimal quality. Apart from being more eco-friendly and ethically made these pieces have timeless designs that can be worn throughout the seasons. Perhaps the only drawbacks of patronizing slow fashion are the limited quantity of pieces available on the market and the higher price points. 

The pollution problem 

While fast fashion provides us with cute clothing pieces, it is detrimental to the environment. Roughly 10% of global carbon emissions are produced by the fashion industry. Fast fashion is also the second-largest consumer of the world’s water supply, and it litters our oceans with harmful microplastics. 

Choosing slow fashion

When you choose slow fashion, you choose to uplift and protect yourself, workers, and the environment. Support local slow fashion brands to begin adopting its values in your day-to-day life. 

Catalan is committed to upholding the values of the slow fashion movement and providing gorgeous, long-lasting pieces that are made with utmost care. The Classic Shirt is a timeless, basic piece made from high-quality fabric. It is guaranteed to complement any shape and fit just about any bottom. 

If you want something a little more versatile, check out the Modern Blouse. Perfect for modern women, this top is made from deadstock fabric, which breathes new life into the old and prevents it from going straight to landfills. The best part? It can be styled in many different ways, making it a closet staple that would be great for both formal and casual get-ups.

Choose to adopt a slow fashion lifestyle today!


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