If you were to go through the wardrobe of any college female, I can almost guarantee that you will find at least one article of fast fashion. H&M, Forever 21, Zara, and the like are popular due to their appeal as sources for trendy, budget-friendly, clothes. Fast fashion brands are staples for frat parties and nightclubs because, quite honestly, your outfit is going to be soiled with sweat, drinks, and perhaps other questionable substances at the end of the night. While I personally may not partake in the college party scene, I am still guilty of endorsing the fast fashion brands that have a history of producing low-quality clothes in sweatshops. In fact, nine times out of ten I am wearing a pair of black leggings from Uniqlo or H&M because black leggings are suitable for nearly every occasion in my opinion. But here’s the problem: fast fashion is literally fast. Your affordable college wardrobe probably won’t last long, and is likely going to be replaced every year. And, while the short-run cost of fast fashion seems efficient for your wallet, the long-run reality is that it’s impractical to perpetually throw money at clothing that will last a year or so at most. So, what’s the alternative? Slow fashion. Slow fashion is about transparency, sustainability, ethical manufacturing, and quality. Yes, slow fashion requires a little more financial investment, but you don’t have to break the bank. Here are a few favorite slow fashion brands:
1. Everlane: Everyday basics that easily transition between the office and the weekend.
2. Patagonia: Outerwear that will last for season after season.
3. Grana: The go-to for affordable silk.
4. TOMS: The shoe company that provides shoes, sight, water, safe birth, and bullying prevention services.
5. Amour Vert: American-made, French-inspired.
The slow fashion movement is an easy and stylish way to contribute to changing our world for the better. You can do more beyond recycling or beach cleanups to show your support for a cleaner planet; so next time you hit up the local mall and find yourself gravitating towards the huge sale displays in the Forever 21 storefront, I challenge you to wisely invest your money in one of the aforementioned clothing brands. Make slow fashion one of your goals in 2019! What could be better than combining fashion with a reduced carbon footprint? I promise you won’t regret it!