The Slow Fashion Mindset Shift: Why Quality And Sustainability Are The New Fashion Trends

Fast Fashion - Fast Becoming a Big Issue

Fast fashion has only been around since the 1990’s, and we can’t blame people for getting swept up in it. When we’re constantly being told we need the “newest” and “latest” thing, it’s only natural that we feel the need to keep up and stay relevant.

But the planet is footing the bill (not to mention your wallet, too). Because we’re creating more clothes than we can actually handle and using valuable natural resources at record speed, our shopping habits are having a seriously detrimental impact on the environment.

Fast fashion effectively encourages mindless consumption - buying things because they’re cheap, and not because they’re actually useful. The quality of the cheapest-of-the-cheap has gone from bad to worse, with lots of people treating their clothes like they’re disposable. The one-wear instagram culture is getting out of hand, and we need to do something about it.

We don’t need to tell you all the bad stuff about fast fashion (poor working conditions, toxic chemicals, textile waste, the list goes on…) But we need to remind you - being swept up in the trends is a waste of your time and your money and keeping you in clothes that don’t feel good or do good.

Ready to remove the dissatisfaction from your wardrobe? To finally be able to close those overflowing drawers? To be able to pick out something you love straight away in the morning, instead of sifting through things you can’t remember buying?

Stick with us.

Shifting to a Slow Perspective

So how do you start shopping with a totally new perspective?

The magic is all in the mindset. When we shift out of survival mode (I “must” have this right this moment) and into a slower pace, we can turn shopping into a much more sustainable and joyful practice.

By reprogramming our relationship with fashion, we’ll be doing our bit for the planet, plus transforming our wardrobes so they are versatile and full of high quality clothes.

Slow fashion encourages you to shop sustainable brands that embrace sustainable materials and ethical practices. By changing your current shopping habits to a more mindful approach, you'll start to reap the benefits in a lot of different ways.

The Benefits of a Slow Fashion Mindset Shift

When you switch to a slow fashion mindset, you’re making a commitment to what you believe in, and choosing to live your values every day.

And not only that, there are also lots of physical and mental benefits that slowing down your shopping can have on you too.

Are you someone who suffers from overwhelm or gets anxious when they look at their overflowing wardrobe?

Or maybe you constantly feel like you’re trying to keep up with your friends who always look fashionable, but you don’t have the time or the money to do the same?

Or are you looking at your bank balance and thinking it would be nice to know where all that money’s going at the end of the month?

All of these stresses can be helped by a slow fashion mindset. Making meaningful shopping choices, opting out of the relentless trend cycles and feeling better about your wardrobe. It can boost your self esteem, help you connect with your authentic style and improve your overall mood and wellbeing.

Have we convinced you yet?

How to Embrace a Slow Fashion Mindset: Our Top Tips

1. Treat Fashion Like Food: In the same way that we consciously and carefully select the ingredients to make healthy meals. Go for high quality nourishment over fast-fashion, pick organic when you can afford to, and stay conscious of what you’re choosing to put on your body. Once you start thinking about clothes in this way, you’ll be able to see where you’re wasting money, choosing things that aren’t serving their purpose, and filling up (your wardrobe) on the stuff that doesn’t satisfy you.
2. Break up with Bad Influence(rs): If you want to get out of the cycle of mindlessly shopping, then you have to start at the root cause of the problem. When we hop on to social media and see fast fashion hauls, or open our inbox to the latest “Flash Sale,” we’re being triggered to shop, shop, shop. There are plenty of incredible influencers out there who celebrate pre-loved and sustainable fashion, and will give you great ideas about how to work with what you already own to create the latest trends. So for our fashionistas, don’t feel like you need to give it all up and wear the same plain, baggy outfit forever. We promise, you can still be fashionable, but try to avoid those unhealthy triggers.
3. Think Trademark over Trend: Trends move so quickly that none of us can keep up, and the “latest” trend is going to be over before your next-day-delivery. Avoid feeling like you have to be on-trend, because it only results in the stress of not feeling like you’re not. Reminder: The influencers that have new outfits each week get them for free, because that’s their job. By figuring out what you love to wear, and what unique things you want to celebrate about yourself, you’ll be able to invest in pieces that reflect your individuality, which you can wear with pride for years to come.
4. Challenge Yourself to a Month Without Shopping: We’ve all heard the phrase “going cold turkey” and taking a detox month is one of the best ways to reset your shopping habits. Take the time to evaluate what you own and what you want to buy, and work out what works for you.
5. Be an Emotional Shopper: We’re not talking about crying when you pick up a jumper… actually maybe we are! When you invest in the things that feel really special, you create an emotional bond that means you’re more likely to love and keep something for longer, and look after it better. Shopping with your emotions, instead of rushing through the motions means that you’ll create a wardrobe that means more to you - the slow fashion dream.
6. Forget Seasonal Shopping - Aim for Forever: You’ll save money and conserve energy if you pick pieces you know you’ll wear again and again for years to come. Seasons tend to come in loops, and unless you’re about to pick up and move somewhere with a different climate, you know that if you need a winter coat this year, the likelihood is you’ll need one the next. Pick versatile pieces over trends, and things you can wear throughout the year, so that your wardrobe is multi-functional, and you don’t need as many new things.
7. Waste Not Want Not: No clothes in the bin please! Send your old things to us when you no longer need them, or donate them to friends and family. We’ll give you a voucher for the shop you love in exchange for the things you don’t wear any more, so you can invest in something great quality from one of our sustainable brand partners. Check out our full list of takeback partners here: Reskinned | Takeback
8. Prioritise Pre-Loved: There are so many clothes out there in the world already. By choosing to shop pre-loved, you choose to keep something great in circulation instead of in landfill. To embrace your new slow-fashion mindset, start a slow shopping journey towards finding your favourite brands and pieces pre-loved, instead of rushing out to get them brand new. The planet and your purse will thank you. Shop pre-loved here.

Embracing a slow fashion mindset is a journey towards a more sustainable, conscious and fulfilling approach to your style. It’s about making choices that benefit not only your wardrobe, but also the environment, and people all over the world. A serious win-win, in our opinion.

We’re entering an era where fast fashion is falling out of fashion, and a slow fashion mindset means buying better clothes and making better choices, defeating overwhelm and loving your wardrobe.

Instead of mindlessly taking part in the throwaway culture that doesn't feel good, take a more mindful approach and make conscious choices. By embracing quality and ignoring fleeting trends, you'll be reducing your waste, embracing self expression, and helping the natural world. You can choose timeless clothing made from high quality materials, because you'll no longer be wasting your money on impulse purchases and bad fashion choices. Are you ready to start your slow fashion journey?

Send us a DM on instagram with your favourite slow fashion mindset shifts.