Picture this: you see an ad for a mixed metal stacked ring set for an unheard of low price. You click the ad, select your ring size, and checkout immediately.
We’re all guilty of this, right? Little do we realize these unbeatable prices are often the result of fast fashion.
But what makes fast fashion anyway? Our friends at GoodOnYou define it as:
“Cheap, trendy clothing that samples ideas from the catwalk or celebrity culture and turns them into garments in high street stores at breakneck speed to meet consumer demand. The idea is to get the newest styles on the market as fast as possible, so shoppers can snap them up while they are still at the height of their popularity and then, sadly, discard them after a few wears.”
So, where does that leave us? Living in a world of fast fashion choices, how can we learn to slow down and make choices that make us more conscious consumers?
Educated Consumerism Starts With You
We are all consumers. How we choose to consume is the difference between fast fashion consumption and slow fashion consumption. Establishing a slow fashion mindset and lifestyle doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Moreso, this is a shift that can evolve over time as you learn more about the benefits of making the transition. The most important change is becoming a more conscious consumer. Once you learn the best practices you’ll quickly find your footing in educated consumerism.
Slow Fashion Consumption Best Practices
Like most things, slow fashion often starts by asking questions and setting priorities with yourself. Here are a few key ways to kickstart your slow fashion habits:
Ask Questions
Ask about the material, who made the clothes/jewelry, and what their sustainability practices are. At Sheena Marshall Jewelry, we ship all of our pieces in 100% recyclable and sustainable packaging. Everything is made right here in our Denver, Colorado studio. Scrap metals are recycled, repurposed, or sent back to the refinery. If it can be reused, it will be!
Quality Over Quantity
Another way to enter the slow fashion mindset is opting for brands that pride themselves on their product and/or service quality. These often focus on classic and timeless styles that are made to last rather than statement, fast-fashion pieces. Below are a few of our favorite slow fashion brands we love to adorn with Sheena Marshall Jewelry. Follow along on Instagram to see how we pair our minimal SMJ with clothing from these brands.
Build A Capsule Wardrobe
This often sounds harder than it actually is. Start by finding pieces that can easily be interchangeable to create multiple outfits. Toss on minimal pieces from our studio to create endless elevated pairings that provide a finishing touch. Learn more about creating the perfect capsule wardrobe here.
Look To The Experts
After all, they know best! Here are a few of our favorite slow fashion bloggers serving up endless outfit inspiration using garments from small batch brands or repurposing and giving love to pieces they have owned for years.
- Candice - @candicemtay
- Paige - @stylethislife
- Sharon - @hersimplesole
- Joan - @semi.joan
- Chloe - @chloealysse
Shopping Consciously Takes Time & Practice
No habit can be formed overnight. Learning to embrace slow fashion is a practice that takes time and dedication. Remember to always ask questions and take pride in shopping with brands that value quality over quantity. Building a capsule wardrobe keeps you looking your best no matter what season or destination you're traveling to.
If you ever have questions about our approach to slow, ethical, or sustainable jewelry making don’t hesitate to reach out and speak with us directly or follow us on Instagram!