SLOW FASHION MANUFACTURING COSTS

Did you know that a slow fashion t-shirt costs $10-$15 to produce and fast fashion costs $1-$5? Or even less! Fast fashion has made these prices become common, normal. However, the real deal behind those bargains is low quality fabrics, and low and unfair manufacturing wages. 

If you are someone interested in slow fashion, it is no secret that prices are way higher than in fast fashion items - and we must remark, scandalously higher according to some people! So, as ethical fashion advocates, we want to help understand the pricing and real cost of ethical manufacturing. 

In this blog post we will cover

1. Why is sustainable fashion expensive
2. The cost of eco textiles
3. What is ethical human resources

So, what is really behind the prices of ethical clothing?

There are two main reasons why slow fashion is more expensive than fast fashion: the fabrics used, and the wages paid to manufacturers. Garment manufacturing cannot be sustainable without any of these points, it is a whole philosophy where the environment and production staff are put in the first place. 

1. Eco textiles are more expensive

The truth is that recycled and sustainable materials can cost up tp two or four times more than common unsustainable fabrics! That is because these fabrics involve different and more expensive production processes for manufacturers, as they have more special needs compared to normalized polluting fabrics. 

Let’s take the example of organic cotton. The soil needed to produce this fabric must be cleansed for a minimum of three years so it can grow in a natural way, without the need for toxic fertilizers. Plus, it is hand picked! All this effort, which undoubtedly pays the expenses for the environment, are translated into higher production costs and higher final prices.

And, it is not only the fabric that counts, also its prints and dyes! Both processes demand higher time and money expenditure as they are manually done. 

2. Sustainable fabrics are in lower demand

Mass produced fabrics like non-organic cotton or non-recycled polyester still have way more demand than their fellow sustainable cousins organic cotton and recycled polyester. 

We are positive in this sense as more and more people are starting to engage in changing their shopping habits converting them into greener alternatives, but still the demand for sustainable clothing is much lower. 

As a basic business principle, the greater the demand, the lower the prices get. Unfortunately, slow fashion is not at that stage yet - but we are sure it will!

3. Paying fair wages

Real ethical fashion is not completed if the production team is not paid fairly. As a slow fashion brand, we condemn any case of poor working conditions of garment workers and child abuse. 

Our production team, led by Ayuh, is paid fairly according to the amount of pieces they create and the amount of time they invest in their work. We have clear in mind that they are simply indispensable for our business, and their amazing talent has to be recognized accordingly. 

Our convinced belief in business ethics can’t make us work in a different way.

So, yes, ethical fashion might seem much more expensive than fast fashion, but is it really? 

We share this philosophy or slow lifestyle because we believe there is something much more important behind, rather than only a higher number. 

There is ethics, responsibility, respect, fairness, and integrity. 

The next time you see a T-Shirt for $5-$9, remember there is none of that. Remember the real cost. 

Willing to join the slow fashion revolution and pursue a more eco-conscious shopping bag? Take a look at our 100% ethical designs! Go to SHOP NOW.