Breaking Up with Fast Fashion: Why I Chose Slow Style (and you can too!)

There comes a time in every closet’s life when you realize: fast fashion just isn’t cutting it anymore.

Maybe it was the sweater that pilled after one wash. Maybe it was the jeans that fit weird by week two. Maybe it was the mountain of “meh” clothes you never actually wear.

For me? It was all of the above — plus a gut feeling that I could do better. That fashion should feel good and do good.

So I broke up with fast fashion. And I chose slow style.

What is fast fashion — and why is it so bad?

Fast fashion is mass-produced clothing made cheaply, quickly, and often unethically. You’ve probably seen it at the usual suspects — trendy stores that drop new collections weekly and sell $5 shirts with mystery materials and “meh” quality.

Here’s the deal:

• It’s bad for garment workers.
• It’s bad for the environment.
• And it’s honestly bad for your closet.

Fast fashion thrives on impulse buys, short trends, and planned obsolescence. It tells us to overconsume — and underappreciate.

I wanted out.

Why I Chose Slow Fashion Instead

Picture it, Florence, Italy 2012. I'm studying footwear and bag design. I keep noticing a snail logo outside some of the restaurants. I was curious, so I did some digging. Turns out, it stood for slow food, a movement that celebrates local ingredients, traditional cooking, and doing things with care instead of speed. Basically the opposite of fast food...and it sounded a lot like the kind of fashion I wanted to create.

Slow fashion is intentional, ethical, and built to last.

It’s what I live and breathe now through my brand — handmade leather and upcycled goods, vintage clothing, and USA-made fashion that honors quality over quantity.

Here’s why slow style won me over (and why I think it’ll win you over too):

 1. Craftsmanship Over Convenience

I make every bag myself.  I source, clean and restore every piece of vintage that hits my rack. I source my raw materials from over 25 small businesses that value quality and care.

Slow fashion celebrates the people behind the product — not just the price tag.

2. Less Waste, More Wow

Choosing slow fashion reduces waste, pollution, and landfill overflow.

When you invest in vintage or handmade leather and upcycled goods, you’re giving new life to materials that might’ve been tossed.

It’s not just sustainable fashion — it’s fashion with a story.

3. Made in the USA Still Matters

I grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s wearing boots, jackets, and jeans made right here in the USA.

They lasted. They mattered. And that value stuck with me.

Today, I proudly source made in the USA materials whenever I can.

Supporting American manufacturing isn’t just nostalgic — it’s powerful. It fuels jobs, protects quality, and gives back to local communities.

4. Better Cost Per Wear

Let’s do the math:

Slow fashion pays off over time — in durability, style, and that feeling of, “Heck yea, I look amazing and I supported a real person.”

5. Style That Sticks, Not Trends That Fade

Slow style is personal. It’s that upcycled flannel that fits just right. That vintage tee you’d never let go of. That bag that turns heads and starts conversations.

Fast fashion trends come and go — but style that means something? That’s forever.

The Breakup Was Personal — The Glow-Up Is Intentional

I didn’t start making handmade goods because it was trendy. I started because I couldn’t find pieces that were built like the ones I loved growing up.

I wanted fashion with backbone. Fashion with heart. Fashion that actually meant something.

And now, I get to create it — and help others build wardrobes that reflect their values, not just the algorithm.

Ready to Join Me?

If you’ve been thinking about breaking up with fast fashion — consider this your sign.

You don’t have to overhaul your entire wardrobe overnight.

You just have to start with one intentional piece. One conscious choice. One handmade bag, one vintage jacket, one shift toward slow style.