5 very good tips for slow fashion

A sustainable clothing closet, what exactly does that mean, how do you start with it and... why should you worry about that? It actually took me far too long before I was really aware of the usefulness of sustainable clothing. Not that I buy new clothes every week or because I run out of Primark (never) or because I don't see the point in it. I just didn't know enough about it and secretly I had been participating in the slow fashion movement for years in my own way!

I now have an eye for sustainable clothing and I can give you my 5 tips that may also help you choose slow fashion.

What is slow fashion?

Slow fashion (not a very new term by the way) is the opposite of fast fashion. Fast fashion is all about quantity and therefore compromises on quality. Slow fashion is about quality and asks you to reduce quantity. Both actually symbolize very different lifestyles. Fast fashion is made in large quantities, is affordable and very trend-sensitive. While slow fashion is often made in smaller numbers, with care, has a higher price and is often timeless. The slow variant also advocates production with attention to people, the environment and animals.

Why should you care about slow fashion?

For many different reasons, slow fashion is the way . If you realize that we need to take (much) better care of our earth and everything that lives on it, a sustainable wardrobe is the right direction. Exploitation, child labor, animal abuse and pollution are simply not part of this. That doesn't make anyone happy...

5 tips to start a sustainable wardrobe

Hopefully you are convinced, because it is not very difficult. Here are 5 very good tips to start with slow fashion today.

Tip 1 - Buy good quality clothing

Clothing and accessories remain of good quality, so you can enjoy them for a long time. It often costs more, but it also lasts much longer than fast fashion. As a result, you buy less and less clothing over time. A good timeless piece of clothing is really an investment. Characteristics of good quality clothing are:

• spare buttons, because that means the brand expects it to stand the test of time
• metal zippers instead of plastic zippers
• No loose threads and stitches, but quality stitching
• neatly aligned fabric patterns and therefore no crookedly sewn twist pipe, etc

We have been fans of the sustainable, real wool slippers from Esgii for years, and you are guaranteed to enjoy these high boots for years to come. Available from Esgii - €69.95

Tip 2 - Buy clothes made from sustainable materials

Pay attention to whether the clothing you want to buy is made from environmentally friendly materials. A sustainable fabric is naturally and/or organically grown and is made from natural materials such as wool, hemp and organic cotton, to name a few. These materials 'breathe', which means they are also good for your body and they are biodegradable.

In addition, there are other types of environmentally friendly materials, including fabrics that have been recycled such as recycled bottles or polyester.

You can also go for sustainable when it comes to children's clothing. The Petit By Sofie Schnoor brand, for example, is made from sustainable fabrics and made with care. Moreover, the brand gives its own nice touch to timeless. This romper is a great example of this, which can be combined endlessly.

Tip 3 - Consider a capsule wardrobe per season

The term capsule wardrobe dates from the 1940s and is a selection of essential, preferably timeless and sustainable, clothing items that you can combine endlessly. Therefore, only buy clothes that you really love. My trick is that if I see something beautiful, sleep about it for a night or so and if I still think about it - and it fits with what I already have - then I can consider purchasing it. This prevents you from actually wearing your clothes.

Note : By creating a bond with your clothes, you'll be more likely to take good care of them and wear them again and again.

Tip 4 - Take good care of your clothes

So you can also treat your clothing more sustainably by taking good care of it. Because good care extends the lifespan and ensures that you get the most out of your garments for as long as possible  fetches.

For example, follow the washing instructions of each item of clothing. And some items of clothing, such as jeans, you really don't need to wash every time you wear them. Venting or steaming (in the bathroom) sometimes also works wonders.

Tip 5 - Buy second hand

Just because something has been worn by someone else before doesn't mean it has reached the end of its life cycle. In the right second-hand stores you will find little-worn gems. For example, 15 years ago I bought my (still) favorite long black wool Dolce & Gabanna coat with leopard print on the inside, for only €75. I still feel overjoyed when I think about it. The coat will be going to the dry cleaners again soon, so I will probably wear it often again this winter.

You can often find second-hand clothing that is still in great condition and was only sold because the person no longer loved it or because he or she outgrew it.

There are many reasons to buy secondhand clothing, making it the perfect addition to any sustainable wardrobe. But browsing (nice) thrift stores is also really fun (and possible again, woohooo)!

Second-hand clothing addresses

Here are a few addresses where I liked to shop (and will visit again soon):

• Second hand Rose - The Hague (where my D&G jacket comes from)
• Think Twice - including Antwerp
• Cheap fashion - Rotterdam (oh, memories!)

And... do you know a nice address? Share it with us below!

In short: there are a lot of reasons to start with slow fashion. Either way, it's a win-win for everyone in the long run!

source: Mindful of the home

The author: Mariko Naber

Branding expert and online entrepreneur Mariko is the happy brain behind Happlify. Together with partner Mark, she runs Happlify, Sell your stuff online and branding agency Loaded ink BNO . She loves feel good, random acts of kindness, meatballs, chocolate mousse, family time, sea, piña colada, sugar & spice and everything nice.