You’ve probably seen them brands that call themselves “slow fashion,” yet churn out weekly new arrivals. Labels that claim “sustainability” because they use recyclable mailers, while their garments are made almost entirely of synthetic fabrics destined to sit in a landfill for centuries.
Many contemporary brands are simply rebranding fast fashion with clever language: “limited drops,” “timeless,” “responsible,” but their production model hasn’t changed. A capsule collection released every two weeks is not slow. Marketing over substance has become the norm and it’s a real problem.
Slow fashion isn’t about smaller collections alone it’s about thoughtful materials, craftsmanship, and real longevity.
Plastic Disguised as Luxury
Most so-called “affordable luxury” brands rely heavily on polyester, acrylic, and other plastics. These fabrics are cheap to produce, easy to scale—and nearly impossible to get rid of responsibly.
Every time you wash them, they shed microplastics into waterways. Over a few seasons, they lose their shape, fade, or pill. And when they’re finally discarded, they don’t simply disappear.
Many of these synthetic garments end up in massive textile dumps, from the Atacama Desert in Chile to overflowing landfills in Ghana. Synthetics can take hundreds of years to degrade, piling up long after the marketing slogans have faded.
Natural Materials: A Different Story
By contrast, natural fibers and leather age gracefully and break down over time. Real leather doesn’t shed plastic. It doesn’t end up in enormous piles of waste. It can last for decades and often becoming more beautiful with wear.
When you choose a handbag made of genuine leather and responsibly sourced materials, you’re investing in something designed to endure. A piece you can care for, repair, and pass down.
Buying Fewer, Better Things
Fast fashion thrives on impulse and disposability. True craftsmanship is the opposite: it invites you to slow down, consider what you’re buying, and ask a few important questions:
- Who made this?
- What is it made of?
- How long will it last?
Before you fall for the promise of “sustainable” fast fashion, look beyond the slogans. Check the tags. Feel the materials. Understand how they were made.
Real craftsmanship isn’t a trend, it’s a commitment.