Slow Fashion Index
There is plenty of jargon in the world of sustainability in the fashion industry. These terms are often used interchangeably, but mean very different things. To avoid any confusion, here is a comprehensive index of common words and their meanings.
Ethical Fashion
Workers across all stages of the supply chain are treated respectfully, and paid fair wages. Ethical brands often (although not always) create clothes slowly with sustainable practices as well.
Sustainable Fashion
Clothing that has a lower carbon footprint than fast fashion. They may be made with eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, linen or tencel, and are often dyed with eco-friendly dyes, and shipped in sustainable packaging.
Slow Fashion
Slow fashion is the opposite of fast fashion - it is made slowly and thoughtfully with the intention of reducing waste. Clothing is often "made to order," meaning that it is only made once the order is placed. Clothing is made to last, even throughout the rapidly changing fashion styles. Think of staple pieces, capsule wardrobes.
Conscious Consumerism
Conscious consumerism has to do with us as consumers thinking before buying. Asking questions like, "who made my clothes?" and doing our research on brands before purchasing from them.
Transparency
Transparency has to do with the amount of information a brand discloses about their supply chain. If they share details about who makes their clothes and where, and if they have frequent audits, we would call this brand transparent. However, just because a brand is transparent does not mean they are ethical, although it is a step in the right direction.