We are all familiar with the term ‘fast fashion.’ Trends drift in and out, and the consumer finds key styles changing as fast as the weather. As fast fashion meets the world of online shopping and ordering, handcrafted, ‘slow’ fashion can often be swept under the rug. But should this be the case?
With the importance of sustainability, consideration of the planet, and ethical responsibility on the mind of the consumer more than ever before, there are plenty of reasons why handcrafted clothes should be embraced. This article highlights a few which may stop you from ordering a bulk of clothes on mass, and think twice about your next purchase.
A rundown of benefits of handcrafted clothing includes:
- It’s more sustainable
- You’re guaranteed better quality, durable products
- It’s a more exclusive product
- You will be supporting a local business
Sustainability
As concern grows for the state of our planet and companies begin to realize the impact mass-production has on the world, opting for sustainable options is a growing trend. Sourcing sustainable materials will reduce your carbon footprint, as low production costs and more ethically sourced materials will usually form the basis of a handcrafted clothing company. In addition, you will avoid investing in larger conglomerates who mass produce clothing items that will usually result in incredibly high wastage numbers, with deadstock clothing that ends up in the landfill if it isn’t sold. In fact, 30% of items made are never sold. That translates into almost 13 million tonnes of clothing sent to landfill annually.
Better quality & durability
As the clothing is being handmade, far more attention to detail will be involved in the process of making the clothes. This will root from where the materials are sourced, right down to the final product quality check. As the item will pass through the hands of those who make the goods, extra care will be taken in sourcing the materials as traders seek locally sourced, good quality materials that will stand the test of time. The human eye has far more capability to judge the quality and look of an item, and experts in the trade will also be able to use their knowledge to assure the fabrics used for their clothing is both durable and strong.
As the item of clothing will be made from start to finish under the careful eye of a dedicated team who will put effort, care and time into every piece, you will be able to feel the difference in quality. This compares drastically to fast fashion involving mass-produced items that cannot be quality assured, produced by machines or people often working in poor conditions.
More exclusive product
Exclusivity is also guaranteed with high quality, handmade items. This is because far less clothing is produced when an item is handmade due to how long it takes. It will avoid wastage and will mean you are investing in a far more bespoke, unique product that cannot be picked up anywhere. Usually, it will have been exclusively designed for that company, with designers overseeing the crafting process to ensure the item is just right. Companies such as Gloverall pride themselves on offering exclusivity alongside quality with every product, with key pieces that will stand the test of time and remain a staple for your wardrobe through all the fads and trends that come and go.
Supporting local trade
Another real draw and positive of embracing the handcrafted clothing option is that you will not only be investing in an item of clothing but investing in a story. You will be supporting a local business, most likely, and therefore, somebody’s livelihood. You will feel good about making an active decision to say no to an impersonal shopping experience. By opting for high quality, handcrafted options, you will learn the story of the item, and will usually be able to find out where the material was sourced from at the point of purchase, if not before.
Similarly, you will know you are supporting those who spent time and expert care on the very piece of clothing you are wearing. This too will impact the way you treat the product, as you will treat it with the same care, love and respect that the item of clothing has been given since its creation on the designer’s drawing board. You will get that feel-good factor every time you wear it.
