In the world of fast fashion and dollar deals, there is a whole lot of waste that happens in the textile industry. In the past few years, there has been a push to move towards “slow fashion” instead, which doesn’t just reflect the amount of time it takes to sew a garment, but also how it is produced and where its materials are sourced.
Earth.org defines slow fashion as “a movement that advocates for environmental and social justice in the fashion industry. Its defining point is that it zeroes in on the problem of overproduction and overconsumption. Slow fashion came on the heels of the “slow food” movement”
So what does that mean for me, a clothing maker?
Slow fashion for me isn’t just a hashtag, it truly is a shift in how I buy and how I make. It’s a commitment to purchasing less disposable items and focusing on versatile pieces that can become wardrobe staples.
When it comes to making clothing for kids, it means more grow with me clothing options. By definition, grow with me clothing will last at least 3 times longer than “regular” clothing, so instead of having to replace pieces every 3 months, or every 6 months, or every year, your child can have their favourite pieces for 3 years or more. That means less clothing ending up in landfills AND more savings in your pocket. And since each piece is made by hand using high quality materials, they can also usually be passed down to younger siblings or donated so that other children can also benefit from their longevity.
If you’ve been wanting to try grow with me, but aren’t sure where to start, or are looking for a more budget-friendly option, I also offer Mystery Bags, containing at least 2 grow with me items from past collections at savings of up to 80% off the regular retail price.
When it comes to adult clothing especially, I try to be more conscious of the fabrics I use. Last Fall, I changed our signature T-Shirt Dresses to use a Lyocell blend fabric. If you haven’t heard about Lyocell before, it is a semi-synthetic blend derived from plant-based materials. So in English, it is made using wood pulp from sustainable tree farms, and is 100% biodegradable.
And as for all the fabric waste? I use smaller cuts of fabrics to make my stay on booties, and anything too small for that ends up being stored away for use in fabric ottomans or to re-stuff our dog beds.