Sustainable Fashion: The Race To Slow Fashion
What is slow fashion?
Slow fashion is a movement and approach to fashion that emphasizes conscious and sustainable consumption. Slow fashion is not time-based, but quality-based. It is a response to the fast fashion industry's rapid production and consumption cycles, which often prioritize quick, cheap, and disposable clothing. Slow fashion encourages a shift towards a more sustainable fashion ecosystem with emphasis on responsible consumption, reducing waste, and supporting brands like James Leslie that prioritize social and environmental responsibility.
Fast Fashion’s impact
First off, fast fashion has a massive impact on the environment.
What we wear doesn't just affect our style, but the planet's wellbeing too. Fast fashion relies on petroleum-based, synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon that are knock-off quality and as short-lived as a fashion trend.
A study found that 35% of all microplastics come from these synthetic materials. It's like the fashion industry's own microscopic invasion led by tiny pieces of plastic that disrupt the food chain and unleash toxins. Who knew fashion could be so toxic?
And let's not forget the waste problem. Fast fashion's fleeting trends and low-grade materials create a mountain of discarded clothes. In 2019 alone, global apparel consumption hit a whopping 62 million metric tons.
Luckily for the sustainable fashion world consumers have been making a very public break up with fast fashion and embracing slow fashion. With plant-based materials becoming the fashion industry’s future, we can be fashion-forward and eco-friendly without trashing the planet.
What is Plant-Based Fabric?
Plant-based fabric refers to textiles that are derived from plants rather than synthetic materials or animal sources. These fabrics are made from natural fibers obtained from various parts of plants, such as the seeds, stems, leaves, or fruit. They offer a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional fabric options.
Tencel and Modal which are plant-based fabrics made from wood pulp, typically sourced from sustainably managed forests. These fabrics are manufactured using a closed-loop process, where solvents are recycled, minimizing waste. Tencel and modal are known for their silky smooth texture, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties making them a popular choice for activewear and undergarments.
Cotton is the most popular plant-based fabric but conventional cotton farming often involves the use of harmful pesticides and requires significant amounts of water, making organic cotton a more sustainable choice. Grown from non-GMO seeds, it proudly stands tall without the need for pesticides, insecticides, or fertilizers.
Linen is also a well known plant-based fabric made from the fibers of the flax plant known for its durability, moisture-wicking properties, and ability to keep the body cool in hot weather.
While Bamboo fabric is a newer plant-based option, it has gained attention in recent years due to its softness, breathability, and antimicrobial properties similar to modal.
Plant-based fabrics play a major role in slow fashion and offer numerous benefits. They are often hypoallergenic, biodegradable, renewable, and have a lower environmental impact compared to synthetic alternatives. These fabrics also tend to be comfortable to wear on your most private parts, allowing the skin to breathe and regulating body temperature.
James Leslie's luxury underwear comprises two premium versions of micro modal, ultra-fine and mesh. Compared to regular modal, micro modal fibers are much finer, resulting in a softer, better fitting, and more breathable plant-based fabric. Embracing plant-based fabrics can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious fashion industry and we want in!
