Slow Fashion: The Basics
May has finally arrived, spring is in full action, and the month’s arrival signals the start of the crafting communities’ Me-Made May! This is an important month for us crafters. This is the time for us to proudly feature our creations with #MeMadeMay, a tag that is used on social media. Makers who participate focus on the importance of slow fashion, making and wearing articles of clothing they’ve created, and promoting items they have purchased from small businesses that have a sustainable focus.
Slow Fashion Terminology
So, what exactly is slow fashion? To fully understand it, we first need to become familiar with some terms.
Fast Fashion is seen most predominantly in our malls and online clothing shops. Think of current trends that go out of fashion as quickly as they came in. This fashion is connected to severely underpaid workers, unsafe working conditions, and poor-quality materials that do not last more than a few seasons.
Sustainability is an important concept when it comes to slow fashion in general. This concept stresses the importance of the environment, society, and money. Workers who create sustainable products will have a fair wage and work in a safe environment. Sustainable clothing will have low impact on the environment, this includes using natural and safe dyes, and recycling older fibers to create new ones.
Slow Fashion sounds exactly like what it is; fashion that takes time to create. These garments and accessories take time to create and are made with materials that are environmentally conscious. Slow fashion pieces can be bought from your local artisans or hand-made by yourself.
How Does One Practice Slow Fashion
Slow fashion is becoming more prevalent in today’s society and it allows your closet to last you for years to come; sustainable products rarely go out of style because it is not often that they follow fast-moving trends.
There is no better feeling than wearing a piece that you made. All the hours that you spent creating that special article of clothing are well worth it. Celebrate your contributions to slow fashion and show off your skills by participating in Me-Made-May! Below are just a few knit projects that I look forward to creating during the month!
Cheryl Toy’s Fused Market Tote is perfect for visiting local craft or farmer’s markets.
The Sparks Top, created by Anne Jones, is a great Spring and Summer staple and is perfect for the beach.
This Undergrowth Top, by Moon Eldridge, has a modernized vintage feel that results in a piece that will last for years.
Slow fashion is starting to become easier to find today thanks to the attention surrounding sustainability. This is a trend that will never go out of style. After all, isn’t it elating to tell someone that you made the item they just complimented?
Happy knitting!
Gabby Axner, Editorial Coordinator
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