What is the difference between Ethical, Slow and Sustainable Fashion and which one is best?

To those who are new to the sustainable fashion movement, it is hard to recognize the difference between the three main types of disenchantment with the current fashion system. They are Ethical Fashion, Slow Fashion and Sustainable Fashion and yes, there is a difference. 

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, there are actually significant differences and these are important to know. 

1) Ethical Fashion is a fashion movement that focuses on the social and moral aspect of clothing production. Key concern to ethical fashion campaigners are causes like unjust wages, workers rights and the health ramifications from being exposed to toxic chemicals. 

"Ethical fashion is human-centered: its critical lens assesses how every process in the supply chain impacts garment workers."

If ethical fashion is a key concern of yours, getting involved in Fashion revolution and the 'Who Made My Clothes' campaign would be perfect. An easy way to buy clothing that has been sewn by workers paid a fair wage is to buy British made clothing or from local independent stores who make smaller runs. 

2) Sustainable Fashion on the other hand, is more focused on creating a fashion paradigm that can sustainably itself without over exploitation or reliance on finite resources. Sustainable fashion can encompass ethical fashion issues to an extent however, realistically the two don't have to overlap. Sustainable fashion is more focused on materials using fabrics like recycled plastic or Tencel along with more sustainable methods of manufacturing and production. There is also a larger emphasis on the environmental impact of fashion; this covers GMO cotton, loss of biodiversity and the use of toxic chemicals on clothes. 

Some of the issues of Ethical and Sustainable fashion overlap, however it is possible to have an ethical brand that is not sustainable or a sustainable brand that is not very ethical. Usually however, these two come hand in hand.

3) Slow Fashion is slightly different again. The slow fashion movement is more about smaller wardrobes and reducing consumption over how the items were made. For example slow fashion is about slowing down consumption, however where you shop isn't the main focus. Although most people who do try and practice more conscious consumerism and slow fashion are also ethical and sustainable fashion advocates - you don't have to be. Slow fashion and moving towards a capsule wardrobe can be a good way of making your wardrobe more sustainable while still shopping from places like Primark. If you are on a budget, a smaller slow fashion wardrobe can be a great way to become more sustainable without the high price tag of better made clothes.

Although clothes that are also Ethical and Sustainable are a better option - it is a myth that you have to shop from these brands to build a more sustainable wardrobe (or shop sustainably). Reducing consumption or thrifting is always the best place to start in terms of becoming more 'green'. Slow fashion is a great way of focusing on a smaller amount of clothing and saving some money.

There is always a more sustainable or ethical fashion choice for everyone no matter the budget and overall the movement is about, more than anything else, improving the lives of everyone in the supply chain and even the consumer.

In countries like the UK, many fashion retailers have sold us the myth that we are 'rich' through lowering the price of goods like clothes so everyone can afford to go out and buy new clothes on payday. However, many of us still cant afford to buy a house or eat high quality food. 

Becoming a more conscious consumer should not only be about improving the environment and the lives of others, but it is also about improving our own lives. As a customer, the more thoughtful our purchases the more money we save and the closer we can get to buying a house or a car etc. A well thought out wardrobe can also help us get the job we want, improve our confidence and attract a high value partner. 

Better and more thoughtful purchases can thus have a huge impact on our lives - I know it has done for me. I don't personally feel that there is one way of shopping sustainably, slowly or ethically that is better than any other. Which one is best for you? Well... that is a personal decision!

Read more about my sustainable fashion journey here