We are in the midst of a fashion crisis – and not the type that happens on a Saturday night when you suddenly decide you have nothing to wear.

With the fashion industry being cited as one of the most environmentally damaging industries on the planet, the cost of fast fashion extends far beyond our current accounts (or overdrafts). Fast Fashion refers to cheap clothing, produced rapidly in response to current trends. Usually purchased online or on the high street, items are worn a few times before being replaced.

The disheartening truth is it is now possible to buy a dress for less than it would cost you to get a taxi to the club. When clothing is cheap to the point of being disposable, something is fundamentally wrong.

Recently, there have been real moves towards taking a more sustainable approach to fashion. Last year, Grace Beverley launched TALA, an athleisure wear brand centred on sustainable and ethical practices – the CORE collection sold out within 20 minutes of launch; Zara has announced that all collections will be made from 100% sustainable fabrics before 2025 and influencers began consciously championing more sustainable brands.

The problem might seem gargantuan but there a few easy things you can do to truly embrace slow fashion:

Wear Your Clothes

This doesn’t sound like rocket science but it’s quite revolutionary. We buy twice as many items of clothing as we did 10 years ago, if we reached inside our own wardrobes, we’d find a wealth of possibilities and new (literally, brand new) outfits.

 

Invest

It is unrealistic to think you will never need to buy an item of clothing ever again, but you can buy fewer things you absolutely love. The value of an item extends far beyond a price tag, you’ll get infinitely more wear out of something you feel amazing in that is well made, than a jumper that will bobble the first time you wash it.

 

Beg, Borrow, Steal

Okay so maybe don’t steal, but ask your friends if they have something you could wear for that interview/ date/ night out. The chances are, they will have something you’ve had your eye on for ages and they would be more than happy to lend it you in return for something they like of yours.

 

Consider Second-hand

Vintage shops are great, charity shops are better and your mum’s wardrobe from the 90’s is god-tier. They say nothing is new, just reinvented and this couldn’t be truer than with clothing. From leather jackets to mustard-hues and flared jeans, there isn’t a thing that hasn’t been done before. Go and have a dig, you’ll probably find some absolute gems.