Pros and Cons: The Fight between Slow Fashion vs Fast Fashion
Fashion plays an important role in the lives of many. In today’s fast moving world, fast fashion has become an important occuring.
The term ‘fashion’ originates from the Latin word ‘Facere’ meaning ‘to make’. In regards to the rise in mass production of clothings at lower prices and global reach, it has impacted the fashion field’s environmental impact and sustainability.
Fast Fashion
Fast fashion refers to cheap and trendy clothing, with clothings inspired from catwalk or celebrities. The idea is to get the newest styles on the market as fast as possible, so shoppers can snap them up while they are still at the height of their popularity and then, discard them after a few wears. The Industrial Revolution introduced new technology — like the sewing machine. Clothes became easier, quicker, and cheaper to make.
Slow Fashion
Slow fashion is the opposite of fast fashion. It includes an awareness and approach to fashion that carefully considers the processes and resources required to make clothing. Advocating for buying better-quality garments that will last longer. Realistically, slow fashion and sustainable or ethical fashion have a lot of similarities.
Slow Fashion vs Fast Fashion
Slow Fashion
- Emphasises quality over quantity.
- Focuses on sustainable and ethical production methods.
- Encourages conscious consumption and long-lasting clothing.
- Uses eco-friendly materials and processes.
- Often involves small-scale, local manufacturing.
- Ensures fair wages and safe working conditions for workers.
- Timeless and versatile designs meant to last for years.
- Prioritises craftsmanship and attention to detail.
- Limited collections, often with unique or custom pieces.
- Encourages mindful purchasing decisions.
- Advocates for repairing, recycling, and upcycling clothing.
- Values the story and origins of each piece of clothing.
- Aims to reduce waste and carbon footprint.
- Uses sustainable materials like organic cotton, linen, and recycled fabrics.
- Promotes lower water and energy usage in production.
Fast Fashion
- Emphasises speed and cost-efficiency.
- Focuses on rapidly changing trends and high turnover.
- Encourages frequent purchasing and disposability.
- Often uses synthetic materials and cheap labor.
- Relies on large-scale, global manufacturing.
- Production methods may involve poor working conditions and low wages.
- Trend-driven designs that change frequently.
- Prioritises quantity and cost over quality.
- Mass-produced items with short life spans.
- Encourages frequent shopping and trend-chasing.
- Leads to a “throwaway” culture with a high rate of garment disposal.
- Often lacks transparency about production processes.
- High levels of waste and pollution.
- Uses non-renewable resources and toxic chemicals.
- Significant carbon footprint due to extensive global supply chains.
