The Slow Fashion Shift

This article is a part of Funktasy’s Sustainability Unpacked series, where we tackle all sides of the sustainability discourse within music, fashion and lifestyle. 

As a child, I always had an interest in fashion. I remember sneaking in my mom’s closet while she wasn’t looking, pulling her blouse over my head and wearing it like a dress, slipping my small feet into her high heels and clunking around the room. I also had a love for the environment. I enjoyed playing outside, feeling the sun on my skin and the grass and dirt between my toes. I was taught early on to take care of the planet and to be mindful of our waste and how we consume certain materials, like fabrics and plastics. But, I never thought about how fashion could affect the environment. 

This continued through my teenage years, especially when I began to express myself through fashion. I remember buying cart after cart from online shops every week, rarely pausing to think about how this form of overconsumption may have an impact on the planet. However, as 

I’ve grown out of my fashion frenzy, I have drastically changed my perspective and become more mindful of my consumption of clothes. I have done this by reusing articles of clothing, properly storing them away when I am not using them and buying pieces that are sustainable and that were created to last for years to come. All of these practices are now part of my personal sustainable fashion formula, one which I would invite everyone to try out. 

Buying clothing that will last

As I move away from fast fashion, the rapid production of trendy, low quality clothes made in bulk, I’ve been searching for sustainable brands that create beautiful pieces while limiting the damage on the environment. Last summer, I discovered Cou Cou Intimates and Lonely Kids Club and I have become obsessed. Cou Cou Intimates specializes in creating eco-friendly intimate and everyday pieces made from 100% organic cotton. The pieces are simple, but still fashionable and feel soft and light on the skin. Lonely Kids Club is an independent brand based in Sydney, Australia that creates fun, gender neutral clothing. Their meme tees and  inclusion of pop culture in their designs are popular and trendy, while prioritizing slow fashion and ensuring their products are ethically produced. 

As you may be aware, made-to-last clothing tends to be expensive. Fast fashion has taught us to expect low prices for clothing, so it may be shocking to see a high price tag on quality clothing items that are meant to last for years. However, it is worth the investment. Sustainable clothing items tend to be more expensive to cover the cost of sustainable materials, and to pay garment workers a livable wage. It is much more costly to create fabrics that won’t harm the environment in the long run. Luckily, there are brands that are sustainable and affordable. Brands like Chnge and Subset are committed to using sustainable materials in their products while being affordable to the average consumer. 

Preserving the pieces

Taking care of sustainable clothing may seem tricky, but it really isn’t. Brands will often have a section about how to care for their pieces and it isn’t too different from how we typically wash and dry laundry. For example, Cou Cou Intimates suggests washing their products gently and lay them flat to air dry while Chnge suggests washing their clothing in cold water and drying them on low in the dryer. It will depend on the material and the brand, but it is best to listen to the brand’s suggestion and care for the piece as they intended. 

When you are not wearing certain pieces, you can store them away. Before putting away your clothes, clean them and leave them out to air dry, before folding and placing them in breathable garment bags or storage bags. The breathable material would help to prevent moisture from being trapped and your clothes having an odd smell or even mold. You can store them in a dry, cool area of your home until you’re ready to wear them again. 

When it’s time to take out your clothes, you should always wash and thoroughly examine the quality of the items to make sure it is still wearable. You could also take that opportunity to decide whether the item is still something you still want to wear and keep in your wardrobe. 

What to do when you cannot use the piece anymore

Regardless of the quality a piece of clothing still runs its course. You grow out of it or you simply don’t want to wear it anymore. If you want to remain sustainable, avoid throwing clothes in the trash since it can always go to someone who needs it. You could give the clothes you don’t wear to friends or family members who may enjoy the item. You can also give your items a new home by selling them on websites like Poshmark or Depop; this could even earn you a bit of money. If that doesn’t work, you can usually turn to donating the clothing to thrift stores or clothing recycling programs, such as USAgain that will take and reuse the clothes. USAgain has drop bins across the states and will take your clothing and distribute the material to those who need it.

If you’re not quite ready to part ways with the item, and you’re a bit crafty, you can try repurposing it. Old clothes can be turned into tote bags, crop tops and even toys for your pets. You don’t have to throw your clothes away in the trash. 

Fashion is something that is important to me as it is to many people. However, I care about the environment and I want to leave it in the state that I found it. Yes, certain things are out of my control, but I know there are certain steps you can take to keep the planet as healthy and safe for those who inhabit it. It may take time to find a sustainable brand that fits your style and your budget, but I promise it is worth it. The pieces I’ve bought from brands like Cou Cou Intimates and Lonely Kids Club are beautiful, timeless and make me feel good, inside and out.  Of course we all want to look good and wear pieces that are in style, but it is important to remember that fashion has the capability of being stylish while still being good for the environment. We don’t have to compromise one for the other.