In a world where the clothing industry is one of the biggest polluters, the need for an alternative is growing. An alternative that is fairer, more conscious, and with style. That alternative is called slow fashion . And it is urgently needed.
What exactly does slow fashion mean?
Slow fashion is about slowing down a fast-paced industry . It is a way of experiencing fashion that makes us consider the origin, quality and impact of what we wear.
Instead of quickly produced and quickly worn items, slow fashion focuses on:
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Timeless designs that last
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Production under fair conditions
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Quality over quantity
In short: slow fashion is not a trend, but a mentality. Buy less. Choose better. Wear longer.
The devastating reality of fast fashion
In the Chilean Atacama Desert there are now more than 100,000 tons of discarded clothing, mostly from Europe and North America. National Geographic calls it “a graveyard for fashion”, a place where mountains of clothing, often new or barely worn, are left to rot in the sun or are burned with disastrous consequences for people and nature.
The Guardian points to the role of the Western clothing industry, which structurally produces more than it sells, and exports the surplus to countries that bear the burden of our overconsumption.
But that is just the end of the chain. The damage starts much earlier.
How big is the impact of fast fashion really?
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation :
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More than $500 billion is lost each year on clothing that is barely worn and rarely recycled
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Only 1% of all clothing worldwide is recycled into new clothing
And according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) :
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Is the fashion industry responsible for 10% of global CO₂ emissions , more than aviation and shipping combined?
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On average, it takes 7,500 liters of water to produce one pair of jeans
Fast fashion is cheap – but only if you ignore the real price.
Slow fashion & vintage: the alternative
Slow fashion reverses the cycle. No overproduction, but reuse. No trend-sensitive mass, but style with a story.
At Slow Fashion Vintage you can buy:
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Unique pieces that have been around for decades
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High-quality materials from the past
From 80s band shirts to faded workwear , we only select clothing that has character. And that does not need to be reproduced.
A global movement
Slow fashion is no longer a niche.
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In June 2025, the first official Slow Fashion Week will take place in France, with an emphasis on repair, reuse and simplicity ( Le Monde )
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In the Netherlands, the Dutch Sustainable Fashion Week experienced its largest edition ever, with a strong focus on circularity and clothing with meaning ( Duurzaam-Ondernemen.nl )
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The European Commission is working on a policy that should make textiles a fully circular chain. Fast fashion will not disappear by itself, but Europe is taking steps.
And you?
Slow fashion is for everyone who:
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Tired of clothes that fall apart after 3 washes
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Does not want to contribute to textile pollution or exploitation
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Looking for your own style, separate from the crowd
You don't have to be perfect. Every conscious choice helps. Like a vintage shirt with character . Or a jacket that you will wear for years.
Our philosophy
At Slow Fashion Vintage , everything revolves around love for clothes with a story. No hype. No rush. Just clothes that are right, for you and for the world. Discover clothes that have been given a new life with us. To the Vintage Archive!
