Did you know that adapting to a slow fashion wardrobe is totally on trend?

We’re becoming a generation of conscious consumers and this movement will snowball into the next years. Whether you’re a fast fashion senorita or a slow fashion guru, it’s time to jump on the bandwagon. Being eco conscious and sustainable is IN FASHION! When it comes to helping our planet, we can all use a little extra education.

So what exactly is slow fashion?

Slow fashion is a movement that encourages consumers to make better choices when it comes to clothing. The movement avoids contributing to the rapid production from catwalk to highstreet, which has an enormous negative impact on our earth. By switching to a ‘less is more’ concept (buying well but not as often), slow fashion aims to bring down staggering CO2 levels. Even top high street stores are joining the movement, which is a great mindful step forward! H&M pledged to be 100 percent sustainable by 2040 by transitioning the types of textiles and fabrics they use. Levi's just set a goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions in their global supply chain by 40 percent.

What can we do to support this cause? How can we introduce slow fashion into our lives? It’s quite simple really, follow these basic steps to get you started.

HOLD ON

Keep hold of the items you already have. We often take advantage of a sale and forget what we already have at home. If your wardrobe is feeling out of date, watch a YouTube video on how to attach a tassel fringe and spruce it up! Be inspired by brands on our Slow Fashion Tour of Porto, who use unwanted fabric to create something new.

REUSE

I put my guilty hands up and admit that I once owned around 30 bikinis! As each summer would arrive, I’d fall into the trap of needing a new floral print. Luckily my conscious habits kicked in and I realised how wasteful and unnecessary this was. The reality is that we don’t need to update our outfits every winter, spring, summer and autumn. Please rethink your seasonal habits and reuse your items from previous years. The royals are a good source of inspiration, as Kate Middleton and Megan Markle reuse their fashion items. Kate has been known to rewear one of her favourite dresses from Stella McCartney, which she actually picked up for £305 rather than £1425!

THRIFT BABY THRIFT

Save yourself cash and save the planet, by shopping second hand and vintage. Fast fashion retailers churn out thousands of garments season after season, marketing these items as pieces we must immediately snap up. Only a few months later and these very same items are shoved on some rail at the back of the store, stamped with reduced labels. Now it sounds more fun to go on a treasure hunt and find an item that connects with you, without the social pressures of marketing.

MEND IT

It’s time to get savvy with the needle! Most of the time, all it takes is a sewing needle and thread. If you don’t own one, get down the local crafts shop or ask your granny for a spare.  That goes for socks too! YouTube is full of tutorial videos to help get you started.

SWAP IT

Our friends at Let’s Swap Porto offer a new wardrobe at zero cost. You can participate in a free swap market by bringing your unwanted clothes in exchange for someone else's. It’s a different way to enjoy new clothes, give wings to your imagination and make combinations that don’t sacrifice your own style or identity. For the next upcoming market, be sure to check their Instagram @letswap.porto

LESS IS MORE

Do you really need that? Stop buying items you don’t need. Buy less, appreciate more. We’re all suckers for promotions, but stop for a moment and be mindful. Do you really need a glitzy sequin dress? You'll make up some inner dialogue that goes a little like this:

"I don't really need it, but I could save it for New Years Eve in 6 months time."

When really we both know that you'll end up buying a new item closer to the event. These garments hold no real value! They’re intended to be disposable and sold for ridiculously low prices yet are still making money for the people at the top

CHOOSE WISELY

Spend your hard earned cash on brands who value their garments, their staff and the environment. Splashing a little extra on a quality product that will stand the test of time, is always a good choice. Check the brands website for their policies on sustainability. If you can’t find any, that’s most likely because there isn’t any. If we want positive change in the fashion industry, then we need transparency. Look out for labels using organic, recycled fibres and the use of renewable energy.

BUZZWORDS

An item of clothing has gone through a large production line, from the raw crop, into yarn and then into material. Dig deeper into buzzwords such as ‘green’ ‘eco’ and ‘natural’. Just because one area of production is sustainable, doesn’t mean the whole process of making the garment is. For a good indication, see what material the brand uses and where their items are produced. Opt for materials such as linen, cork or hemp. When choosing cotton, go organic!

WHO MADE MY CLOTHES

Have you ever wondered who made your clothes? How much they’re paid and what their livelihood is like? As mentioned above, complete transparency is difficult to find, especially in fast fashion. If you need help then I highly suggest joining the global movement fashion revolution, which calls for fairer, safer, cleaner, more transparent fashion industry. You can find out what your country is doing to go green on their website. Also find out more by following their movement hashtag #whomademyclothes

One person’s actions can make a lot of difference. You’re not alone in your process and remember we’re the puzzle piece in providing a greener fashion world. Why not inspire a friend and gift them a sustainable fashion tour experience? Remember, slow fashion is on trend!

Learn more on how you can become a conscious consumer by joining our Slow Fashion Tour in Porto, Portugal.