icon

made in Europe

icon

winner german sustainability award

free shipping for erlich friends

Slow Fashion: All About the Concept of Fair and Conscious Fashion Consumption

The fast fashion industry has grown significantly over the past few decades, along with its negative impact on people and the environment. This is where slow fashion comes in: we explain what you need to know about the sustainable concept for conscious consumption.

What is Slow Fashion?

Slow fashion is more than just a trend. It’s a movement that advocates for a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry. In slow fashion, quality, longevity, and conscious consumption are the main focus. It’s about thoughtfully choosing clothing that is produced under fair conditions, made from more environmentally friendly materials, and features timeless designs. Slow fashion emphasizes the true value of garments and the appreciation for the people and resources required to make your clothes.

Slow Fashion vs. Fast Fashion

Slow Fashion and Fast Fashion are two fundamentally different approaches in the fashion industry. While Fast Fashion focuses on fast production, mass consumption, and trends, Slow Fashion emphasizes quality, sustainability, and timeless designs. Slow Fashion values fair traded materials and transparent supply chains, while Fast Fashion often accepts pollution, labor exploitation, and a throwaway mentality.

What Aspects Does Slow Fashion Consider?

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MATERIALS

An important part of slow fashion is the use of more sustainable materials. Organic cotton, Modal, Roica, and Q-Nova are just a few examples. Environmentally sustainably produced materials are grown without the use of harmful pesticides or chemicals and with a focus on resource conservation. Certifications such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and Cradle to Cradle ensure adherence to environmental criteria throughout the entire supply chain.


FAIR TRADE AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Protecting the rights of workers is absolutely necessary for a more sustainable system in the fashion industry. By focusing on the use of fair-trade materials, it ensures that the people behind the clothing are paid fairly and work under fair conditions. Transparent supply chains and certifications allow you to track whether social responsibility is taken into account when producing your clothes.


LONG-LASTING QUALITY AND TIMELESS DESIGNS

Another characteristic of slow fashion is the highest possible quality of garments. Unlike the often low-quality products from the fast fashion industry, slow fashion items are made with attention to detail and durable materials. Furthermore, slow fashion brands focus on timeless designs that are not influenced by short-lived trends. This way, you can wear your favorite pieces for many years.


REPAIR AND REUSE

Slow fashion also promotes the concept of repairing and reusing clothing. Before you throw away your clothes when they are damaged or no longer liked, you can try repairing them or redesigning them to make them more appealing. At erlich, we’ve introduced our Take-Back system to give your worn-out favorites a new life. Learn more about our Take-Back system here.


5 Simple Tips for Slow Fashion in Everyday Life


1. Buy consciously: Focus on quality over quantity and ask yourself if you really need a piece of clothing before buying it. Avoid impulse buys that follow fleeting trends.

2. Do your research: Learn about the origin of your clothes. Check if the production is as resource-conserving as possible and whether social standards are being upheld along the supply chain. Labels like GOTS, Organic, or Cradle to Cradle can help you identify this.

3. Care for your clothes:Improper care can shorten the lifespan of your textiles. So, pay attention to the care instructions on the label and avoid washing items more often than necessary. It’s best to use gentle detergents and lower washing temperatures. Learn more about proper laundry care here. 

4. Repair and reuse: Instead of throwing away worn or damaged clothes, repair them or give them a new life in other ways. Donating, hosting swap parties, or sharing clothes are some ways to deal with textiles more sustainably. To ensure your worn-out erlich items don’t end up in the trash, use our Take-Back system.

5. Get creative: Experiment with your wardrobe and create new outfits by combining different pieces in new ways. You don’t always have to buy new clothes to bring fresh life to your looks.

Slow Fashion at erlich textil

At erlich textil, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Our collections are made from high-quality materials such as organic cotton, European linen, Modal, and Roica. For the past 9 years, we have focused on timeless designs and prioritize fair working conditions throughout the entire supply chain. With our basics, you can not only express your individual style but also contribute to a more responsible fashion industry.

-30%

CHF 101 CHF 144

-31%
Emma black
String body

CHF 29 CHF 42

Leonie ecru
Camisole with lace

CHF 54

Save in a Bundle
Mix&Match colors

from CHF 29*

-30%
Leif offwhite
Unisex long trousers

CHF 84 CHF 120

-30%
Fiona offwhite
Women's short pants

CHF 67 CHF 96