Ask anyone about fast fashion, and they’ll define it in a heartbeat. Fast fashion is practised on a mass scale; from your neighbour buying three tshirts because they were discounted, to your cousin seizing that glitzy dress because, of course, she didn’t have a showstopping birthday outfit. But didn’t she say this last week before another impulse purchase?
Slow fashion, the opposite of fast fashion, is a branch of sustainability. Contrary to popular belief, this practice is affordable and enables mindful purchases. A little more care could eventually slow down the environmental impacts of over-consumption. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
You’re privy to the horrifying statistics of fast fashion’s disposal, otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading this. A tip: get back to basics and build a capsule wardrobe. Having key foundational pieces will knock on your creative door and is the answer to the hellish phrase ‘I have nothing to wear.’
Discover some slow fashion brands below that also offer quality capsule pieces.
Madi & Pip
Gold Coast-based Madi & Pip is a quiet achiever in the slow fashion industry through custom-making garments with deadstock fabrics and strictly natural fibres, from predominantly Australian cotton. The Maree Dress is essential for your summer capsule wardrobe; dress it up with heels or pair it with slides for brunch with the girls.
Maree Dress from Madi & Pip – $929. Shop here.
The Ark Clothing Co.
With an Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation, Melbourne-owned-and-operated clothing brand The Ark Clothing Co. makes small runs of stylishly simple pieces; less is more for their tight-knit team. Pair this gorgeous button-down white shirt with a black waistcoat and black slacks for work or alternatively, half-tuck it into boyfriend jeans with gold jewellery for Saturday’s coffee catchup to showcase a devil-maycare casual outfit.
Diago Shirt from The Ark Clothing Co – $329. Shop here.
Arnsdorf
Founder Jade Sarita Arnott focuses on limited edition releases and a core range with Arnsdorf. She spells ‘timeless’ out with her ethos of slow, strictly local production because hey, we should respect and value our clothes as longterm partners instead of having flings with them. And never fear, your search for the classic black blazer is over. Suit up for work or throw it over a mini skirt and heels for a night at Crown.
Celeste Suit Jacket from Arnsdorf – $799. Shop here
Van Der Kooij
You know that effortlessly bold feminine allure some of us are drawn to? Founder Natasha Veenhuizen brings this to the table with Van Der Kooij, along with an acute awareness of operating locally and on a small scale. It’s conscious exclusivity; production is limited with each garment numbered with its quantity and creation date in Melbourne. You’re sorted for staples too; invest in a slip skirt with heels for date night or pair it up with sneakers when off-duty.
Neve Silk Slip Skirt from Van Der Kooij – $349. Shop here
Let’s talk about mending.
Replacing a garment with a new version of the same quality is easy, but you’ll find yourself repeating this and spending more in the long run. Your local dressmaker or your friend’s mum with that handy sewing machine could have stitched that button back onto your favourite shirt.
Conversely, brands that offer free mending services are your golden tickets to slow fashion. Patagonia, one of fashion’s green leaders, offers free repairs through their Ironclad Guarantee, with shipping covered too. Can’t make a store visit or a delivery? Jump on their iFixit tutorials; it’s never too late to learn.
Another round of applause for some brands above, please. Madi & Pip and Arnsdorf also offer lifetime repairs and alterations on garments to keep them in circulation for longer.
Let’s respect our clothes and their makers. At the same time, don’t convince yourself that you’ll never buy again and turn into a retail hermit. Just take it slow.
