Top Slow Fashion Brands
Slow fashion is a buzz word often used with sustainable fashion. But what is slow fashion? Slow fashion is a movement away from trendy, quickly and cheaply made clothing, to a high quality, thoughtful design process. Slow fashion brands follow sustainable practices in their supply chain and selection of materials, design process, and small batch approach. It’s important to note that sustainable brands are not always slow fashion brands. A brand can follow sustainable practices yet still mass produce.
Today I’m sharing my top favorite slow fashion brands. These high-quality brands do not skimp on style. In fact, they are some of the most stylish and timeless options you can buy! When choosing to invest in quality pieces or build your capsule wardrobe, slow fashion brands are not to miss!
Why Choose Slow Fashion Brands?
Choosing to buy slow fashion brands means you are supporting sustainability practices and helping to protect the environment. This slow fashion movement is great for the environment by reducing waste (think of all of those end-of-season sale items that are left-over and need to sell to make room for the newer products), providing jobs to skilled workers, and extending the life of your wardrobe.
Producing smaller batches of product not only greatly reduces the potential for waste, but allows for skilled artisans to work, sometimes out of their own homes. Higher quality fabrics can be used as much less is needed. Often, fabric scrapes are repurposed for smaller items such as button covers. Buying into slow fashion helps keep small businesses alive. You are truly helping individuals, and that feels good!
Quality Over Quantity
Slow fashion clothing and accessories can cost more upfront, but the quality lasts much longer than your seasonal trendy items. Choosing higher quality clothes made to last, reduces spending in the long run. Buy less, buy better is the motto. The need to replace worn items becomes less, plus it helps you start building a capsule wardrobe of beautiful pieces. Having a smaller amount of high quality clothes will make your wardrobe timeless, effortless, and will make you feel good. Think of today’s vintage pieces and their appeal. Today’s slow fashion clothing and accessories are tomorrow’s heirlooms.
Higher quality is achieved by a slower and more thoughtful design process. It takes time to create beautiful and lasting pieces with creative details. By not mass producing products, attention can be made towards the little details that really makes a piece special. All of the top slow fashion brands I’ve chosen to highlight today are unique in their designs, but collectively are paving the way for a more stylish and better fashion future.
Top Slow Fashion Brands
Here are my top slow fashion brands for thoughtful design, high quality fabrics, and effortless classic style. You may be familiar with some of my favorites that I’ve spoken about before. But there are also some new discoveries I’m sharing! I’ve selected these based on their production practices, company missions, and overall style appeal.
Rosie Cotswolds
Rosie Cotswolds is a lifestyle brand inspired by the beautiful Cotswolds region of England where founder Andrea Phillips has her roots. One of a kind prints and fabrics are reminiscent of the English countryside with all its floral beauty. This collection features dresses that literally takes you from day to night, market totes, table linens, and even a littles collection for your perfect mommy & me look!
All of Rosie Cotswolds fabrics are the highest quality organic European cotton, and is BCI “Better Cotton Initiative” Certified. This ensures fair wages for workers, and promotes ethical practices by reducing the environmental impact of cotton production. In addition, BCI certified fabrics ensures the economic development of cotton producing areas to improve the livelihood of workers in these areas.
Small batch and limited edition production (actually only 12 per style!) ensures no excess inventory and reduces overall waste and impact to the environment. Each piece is sustainably designed with the most beautiful prints. I personally love the feel and the weight of the cotton. It’s such a high-quality fabric. The feminine details are what Rosie Cotswolds does best.
I’m wearing the Elizabeth dress with its ruffled sleeves and cheerful floral print. This silk-like cotton is so soft and perfect for summer days. This dress is fully lined, machine washable on delicate, and has pockets! Sizes range from XS- XL. I’m wearing a size XS which is best equivalent to a US size 2. Shop Rosie Cotswolds below:
Marta Scarampi
My love for Marta Scarampi goes on! I am an ambassador for the brand, however I started as a customer first. This Italian fashion brand is a go-to of mine for fabulous style. I reach for my Marta Scrampi dresses the most because they are so timeless and impeccably made. This sister owned company follows a made to order approach. That means, once you place your order, they get to work in creating your product right in Torino, Italy.
Reducing waste is a priority for the brand. Each piece is handmade by the order so that no extra inventory is wasted. Excess fabric is repurposed and used to make button covers and other accessories. The fabrics that used are bio-degradeable cotton and wool. In addition, Marta Scarampi is committed to the Re-waste project. The objective is to reduce the waste that already exists in the fashion world. By sourcing eco-conscious fabrics, Marta Scarampi hopes to become a 100% zero-waste company.
Marta Scarampi’s timeless styles ensures that these pieces can be worn season after season. High quality items means a longer life for the products. Here I am wearing the best-selling Elena dress in a fun new color for this year. It pairs perfectly with my raffia clutch from the Pamela Munson x Schumacher collaboration.
Let me tell you- I always gets compliments when wearing Marta’s dresses. No matter your style, a Marta Scarampi made in Italy dress will be your go-to. Sizes range from US size 0-12.
Cartolina Nantucket
Cartolina Nantucket is a lifestyle brand inspired by a love of travel and collecting treasures along the way. It is guided by the nostalgia of vintage objects linked to life’s special memories. Each piece of clothing in the collection is meant to take you through life’s journey’s be they big or small. Having a beautiful pieces to wear to help you bridge the connection between special moments in time.
Garments are ethically sewn by hand in the Los Angles studio and produced in small batches. Local sourcing is a priority for Cartolina Nantucket who also uses local dye houses, as well as local skilled embroiderers to craft their coveted collections. The factories selected and used must adhere to sustainability programs for water recycling, waste management, and employee certification, all to aid in reducing the carbon footprint. They are also working to introduce invisible garment bags that dissolve in hot water to further reduce waste.
I fell in love with their eyelet dresses, especially this Meredith Mini Dress for its classic design and eyelet detail. Made from 100% cotton and is designed, dyed, and sewn in Los Angles. Sizes range from XXS-XL. The details are exquisite! I know how popular white eyelet dresses are for summer. In fact, I also have and love their midi length Sofia dress. I’m wearing size XXS in both. This is one to wear year after year.
I’m loving this brand so much that I also bought the Amanda linen top in Chambray. It’s so chic and effortless paired with linen pants. It’s minimal while being classic and timeless. This is a summer staple that you will reach for time and time again. The quality is top notch and the details are darling! I’m wearing a size XXS here as well.
Top Slow Fashion Brands: Sruti Dalmia
Sruti Dalmia is named one of the best sustainable brands of 2023 by Marie Claire! Designed and created in India, this made-to-order brand is for the person looking for something you cannot find anywhere else, timeless, and high quality. The made-to-order model reduces excess waste and overproduction of inventory. Sruti Dalmia uses natural and local fabrics. In fact, even the packaging is re-useable.
I’m wearing the Emile dress made from organic cotton which is also lined. This is one of the softest dresses I own! Hand-woven by local artisans using traditional techniques, this is has its roots in traditional Indian clothing but with a modern twist.
Em & Shi
Em & Shi is a slow fashion brand based in Jaipur. I fell in love with their beautiful cotton pieces as soon as I discovered them. They are thoughtful in the production process, using skilled artisans to hand draw the beautiful prints, then transfer them to natural fabrics. The cotton comes from weavers who work out of their home so they are free to be creative without a middle man. In some areas, this is key to creating a better livelihood for those workers needing to stay home and care for their families.
Attention to details is important in making sustainable clothing. Em & Shi uses fabrics that are biodegradable to produce the least amount of waste. In addition, the buttons are made from local sources such as sea shells, wood, or fibre.
I especially love the picnic dress with its eyelet and floral design. It’s the perfect summer afternoon dress. Most items are hand wash in cold water. Sizes range from XS-XL (I found this brand to run a little big). This beautiful slow fashion brand is all about effortless and easy style, while still looking luxe!
Christy Dawn
If you ever do a search for slow fashion brands, Christy Dawn always comes up! It’s no wonder. They have a beautiful collection of dresses, skirts, tops, pants, and even shoes. You can curate an entire wardrobe here.
Inspiration is from vintage clothing with a nostalgic vibe. Christy Dawn sources deadstock fabric, which is the excess fabrics manufactured by other brands. These fabrics would otherwise end up in landfills. Not only is Christy Dawn reducing waste, but they are helping to eliminate waste by other fashion companies.
Christy Dawn also has an Organic Cotton Collection created in collaboration with Oshadi in India. Locally grown cotton crops are handwoven using natural and organic dyes. Block printing is done by hand which makes each pieces truly one of a kind.
Timeless designs are drawn by dressmakers in Los Angles. Each piece is sewn by artisan dressmakers for premium wages, healthcare, and vacation. Sizes range from XS to XL. They also carry petite and extended sizing (1X to 3X)!
Top Slow Fashion Brands- Accessories
Mirta
Mirta is a new brand for me. They are an e-commerce website that brings together a curated collection of local Italian artisans. Brands meeting Mirta’s requirements are based on 5 values of excellence- production process, high quality materials, artistry made by hand, brand story, and ethics. Mirta is your online destination for Made In Italy products to last you a lifetime.
Following a Made-to-order business model, Mirta works to ensure the highest quality, and to reduce waste and excess inventory. Each piece has its own lead time for production so that you know exactly how long it will take to create your own work of art. Mirta cares about quality down to the packaging. All packaging is locally made in Italy from an FSC certified, ethically managed forest. In addition, it is 100% plastic free and uses water based ink.
I was gifted the beautiful Sirenetta bag on Mirta by Roberta Gandolfi made just outside of Bologna. Three generations of women have built the Roberta Gandolfi brand. Made for women by women, these handcrafted bags are truly a work of art. Made of silk satin, with a removable shoulder chain, and beaded handles. This bag will be your go-to for formal events, or to dress up a more casual look.
I hope you enjoyed reading Top Slow Fashion Brands. Let me know your favorites in the comments section.
