What is slow fashion?

Fast fashion has a massive impact on people and the environment. Slow fashion is the answer, a movement for sustainable, fair, and long-lasting fashion. We show you what that really means and how you can implement it in your everyday life.

Slow fashion is more than a trend. It is a movement that advocates for a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry. Quality, longevity, and conscious consumption are at the forefront.

Here you will learn everything you need to know about slow fashion and how to integrate it into your daily life.

Slow fashion is about choosing clothing that is produced under fair conditions, made from more environmentally friendly materials, and features timeless designs.

The focus is on the true value of garments and appreciation for the people and resources required for your clothing. It is not about fast trends and short-term pleasure, but about pieces that you will love and wear for a long time.

Slow fashion vs. fast fashion

The two approaches could not be more different:

Aspect	Slow Fashion	Fast Fashion
Pace	Deliberate & timeless	Fast & trend-based
Quality	High-quality & long-lasting	Low-quality & short-lived
Materials	Selectively chosen	Conventional & cheap
Production	Traceable & transparent	Exploitative & opaque
Impact	Fewer resources & less waste	Pollution & exploitation

Which aspects does slow fashion consider?

Material selection: Organic cotton, modal, and wood-based cellulose fibers. Traceable supply chains and durable materials count.
Fair working conditions: Protecting workers' rights is central. Traceably sourced materials, fair pay, and transparent supply chains.
Long-lasting quality & timeless designs: Carefully crafted clothing made from high-quality materials. Designs that are not influenced by fast trends.
Repairing & reusing: Slow fashion promotes the concept of repairing and reusing instead of fast disposal.

5 simple tips for slow fashion in everyday life

1. Buy consciously, quality over quantity: Ask yourself before every purchase: Do you really need this item of clothing? Opt out of impulse buys that follow fast-moving trends.
2. Get informed about origins: Research how and where your clothing is produced. Look for traceable supply chains, long-lasting materials, and transparent origin information rather than just empty label promises.
3. Care for your clothing properly: Incorrect care shortens its lifespan. Follow care labels, do not wash too frequently, and use gentle detergents and lower temperatures.
4. Repair instead of throwing away: Instead of throwing away damaged clothing, repair it or give it a new life. Donating, swapping, and sharing are good alternatives.
5. Be creative with your wardrobe: Experiment with new combinations. You don't have to keep buying new things to bring a breath of fresh air into your looks.

Slow fashion at erlich textil

This is how we work at erlich textil. Depending on the item, our collections consist of cotton (from organic farming, Cotton in Conversion, or conventional), cotton-linen, TENCEL™ Modal and TENCEL™ Lyocell, as well as lace made of polyamide and elastane.

Timeless designs: For nearly 10 years, we have focused on timeless pieces, not short-lived trends.
Traceable supply chain: Our production facilities are registered via Retraced and assessed before onboarding.
Individual expression: With our basics, you can express your personal style.

Did you know? We state the material and the country of manufacture for every item. Our production partners are based in Portugal, Hungary, Turkey, and Germany.