The fashion industry is of great concern in terms of sustainability, especially given its contribution to the growing environmental impact on the planet. Because of this, there is a demand for sustainable alternatives like slow fashion. So what's the difference between sustainable fashion and slow fashion? Keep reading to find out all you need to know.

What is Sustainable Fashion?

Sustainable fashion is about respecting the environment in which it is made, using sustainable fabrics and empowering artisans with fair wages. It's also about opting for quality over quantity - avoiding trends, throwing out old pieces to make room for new ones, choosing timeless styles that will last forever.

Sustainable fashion is not about greenwashing brands to appear sustainable. It's about really being smart with your materials and fashion production, staying humble and being conscious of our impact on the world around us.

As the name suggests, sustainable fashion is clothing produced in such a way that it can be worn for longer than one season. This means no more low-quality tops you find on the high street that start to bobble after just a few washes. Instead of harmful chemicals and plastics, sustainable fashion brands use eco-friendly methods and natural materials to create fantastic garments that are designed to last.

What is Slow Fashion?

Another buzzword in the fashion industry, slow fashion is a philosophy rather than an actual label you can find on the tag of your clothes. It encourages people to buy less clothing and make their purchases count. This means buying high-quality, ethically-produced pieces from fair trade brands, and taking better care of your clothes. These garments will then last longer and won't end up at the back of your drawer!

How are Sustainable Fashion & Slow Fashion Related?

Well although sustainable fashion is a more modern term used to describe the slow fashion movement, they both have the same goals in mind: creating quality garments that last longer. However, there is a key difference between the two: the time scales.

Slow fashion isn't necessarily long-lasting, it's more about buying better quality pieces less frequently. Sustainable fashion however, takes it to the next level – focusing on garments that can be worn for years and even decades at a time.

So we know sustainable fashion means high-quality clothes that last longer and slow fashion is about buying less frequently but better quality. But what are the benefits of the two?

Sustainable Fashion Benefits

The first benefit of sustainable fashion is that it respects the environment. It's also important to note that many textiles originate from cotton, which requires a lot of water and pesticides to produce. This means organic cotton should be your first choice if you want to be sustainable.

Textiles aren't the only problem when it comes to sustainability in the fashion industry, animal cruelty is another one. Instead, sustainable fashion opts for vegan fabrics like vegan leather and faux fur, they're not only kinder to the environment but also to animals.

The next benefit of sustainable fashion is that it creates a more ethical industry. We all know about sweatshops and workers being treated badly in some factories - although fast fashion brands have promised to improve their conditions, most have yet to do anything about it.

This means that when you purchase from a sustainable fashion brand you're supporting good working conditions and fair pay for artisans and factory workers, meaning the industry is driven out of love not greed.

The last benefit of sustainable fashion is that it prevents an abundance of garments in landfill sites. Fast fashion has contributed to our stockpiling problem, and although sustainable fashion doesn't mean you can never buy new clothes again, it does give us the opportunity to think twice before we buy.

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Slow Fashion Benefits

The first benefit of slow fashion is that it helps you form a better relationship with your clothes. If you're someone who's constantly buying items for no reason other than they're on sale, by having a more conscious mindset you'll learn to appreciate what you already have. It also teaches us the art of ditching and editing as well as buying less frequently but better quality pieces.

The next benefit is that it helps us save money. By investing in fewer high-quality pieces we won't need to replace them for a long time, so we can get more bang for our buck.

The last benefit of slow fashion is that it helps garment workers. It's important to note that buying fashionable pieces every other week means the factory has less time to create them, which in turn results in lower pay. So by having a more conscious mindset and buying less frequently but better quality we're supporting garment workers and their overall well-being.

Sustainable Fashion vs Slow Fashion: Is One Better?

So there we have it, sustainable fashion vs slow fashion. But is one better than the other? Well they both mean buying less frequently but better quality pieces that last longer, however sustainable fashion drives it to another level by focusing on creating high-quality pieces made from organic cotton, animal cruelty free fabrics and no sweatshops.

Need Support With Your Sustainable Fashion and Slow Fashion?

If you need support with your sustainable fashion and slow fashion journey, or advice on how to become more sustainable, then get in touch! At James Hillman, we offer expert fashion consultancy services delivered in a way that is easy to understand, leaving you empowered for a sustainable future. Don't forget to check out the rest of our blog for more industry insights.