Fast vs. Slow Fashion: What's the Difference?

You've probably been hearing a lot about fast fashion versus slow fashion (aka sustainable fashion) and you might be wondering: what IS fast fashion, anyway?

There are a lot of factors that go into what makes clothing "fast" or "slow," and we're here to break it down for you. 

First, a little context. In 2018, Americans averaged purchasing 68 new items of clothing per year, which equals something new every 5 days (!!) (source: Fashionopolis, which is a great read if you're looking for more on this). To keep up with this high demand, fast fashion (as in: trendy clothing that's made as quickly and cheaply as possible) has exploded. 

On the flip side, slow fashion is a counterculture against the mainstream fast fashion movement. It brings more awareness to the clothing industry (generally one of the most polluting industries on the planet), and asks individuals to be conscious consumers that demand more from the brands they support. 

So, what really differentiates the two? Quite a few things, actually.