How we can learn to afford slow fashion

To embrace slow ethical choices, we have to slow ourselves down

Most people I talk to about slow fashion are enthusiastic about it. We all want to make better consumer choices, but there is no way around it - slow fashion is more expensive, and with good reason. Everyone involved in making the garment is paid at least a living wage. As a result, we must pay more for a well-made, long-lasting, slow fashion piece

“Clothes aren't going to change the world - the women who wear them will - Anne Klein.“

Slow, sustainable fashion was previously unattainable, slightly boring and not at the forefront of consumer minds. Because of the high cost of living (as it is now), many people will continue to opt out while supporting the ethics of slow fashion. It is not always easy to walk the walk in these uncertain times. Full disclosure: I've been a buyer of fast fashion - highstreet, chain stores even supermarkets are accessible and affordable. However, when you realise the cheapness of an item this means the person making the garment is most likely taking the hit not the company

Most consumers dismiss slow fashion because of the cost and possibly because they have to wait for their garment to be made for them - but a quick examination of how much you spend on clothing per month may change your mind. Instead of purchasing a slew of material goods, how about purchasing just one or two well-curated slow fashion pieces?

Easier said than done when we all have emotional shopping moments - when we are sad, anxious, or overwhelmed, we tend to treat ourselves to a fabulous piece of clothing, chasing a little dopamine! So, limiting how much we shop entails changing our habits and rethinking our thinking - reducing our desire to buy on impulse

We may baulk at a £250 dress, but if you're going to spend that much on fast fashion, why not put it towards a slow fashion piece? To embrace slow ethical fashion, we must slow ourselves down, stop endless internet scrolling, and prioritise quality over quantity

Slow fashion becomes more appealing as we invest in it. The clothes are made with more care - each piece is cut, sewn, labelled, ironed, folded, and finished by the same pair of hands. Small slow fashion brands have the ability to offer customisations to meet the needs of their customers. Overall, customer service is more personalised and attentive. The clothing is more long-lasting and durable and we aim to use zero waste, plastic-free, compostable or recyclable packaging when your garment is ready to be dispatched

The customer journey with slow fashion requires time and consideration. It forces you to pause and consider whether you like trends or not, rather than blindly following them. We want customers to fall in love with their clothes and cherish them as if they were old friends

I hope you found this useful! You can leave a comment below or if you have any questions about the Hanova Studio slow fashion process - do email me: info@hanovastudio.com I'd be more than happy to help 🧡

Lisa x