With consumers becoming more conscious about where their clothes are coming from, slow fashion (or ethical fashion) is starting to be taken a little more seriously. Instead of buying cheap, ‘on-trend’ garments, we’re opting for quality pieces that can be mixed and matched with existing wardrobe pieces.

Regardless of whether you’re going to the office or hitting the town for dinner and drinks, your wardrobe should have all the key pieces in it to ensure you’re ready for anything!

What is ethical fashion?

Ethical or slow fashion refers to how a garment has been produced. Not only does it refer to the design and material, but also the workers who made the item and the intent behind it.

Slow fashion refers to the lifecycle behind each garment. Fast fashion gets its name from its rapid lifecycle. This lifecycle follows the fashion industry, where it’s important to keep up with existing trends. Clothes that are considered ‘trendy’ or ‘in fashion’ more often than not are made in bulk by businesses around the world, each trying to capitalise on the latest trend.

Due to rapid production, quality isn’t always the best, and their workers don’t always work in optimal work environments. The clothes aren’t built to last; therefore, they need to be replaced more frequently.

When purchasing new garments, it’s crucial to opt for quality over price. Spending extra money on a staple piece not only will last you longer but is more likely to have been consciously made. Websites like Good On You show you where you can purchase ethically made clothing.

Some questions to consider when purchasing include:

• Do you know where the product was made?
• Do you know who made the product?
• Do you know what the product is made from?
• Do you know the impact your product had on the environment while being produced?
• Do you know if any animals used in the product were treated ethically?
• Do you know if the workers who made your product received a fair wage?

Surely not every garment can be worn in different ways?!

To combat the fast fashion movement and encourage consumers to make more conscious choices, Personal Stylist Breeahn Carter created Flashion Cards – a fun way to style and repurpose different garments in your wardrobe and slow the consumption of new pieces.

“I found that I was getting overwhelmed sometimes when choosing my outfits,” Breeahn said. “I had a wardrobe full of great clothes but always forgot about pieces or needed inspiration to get more wear out of certain garments.” The idea of Flashion Cards was then born – a system in which you can wear and re-wear items in your wardrobe. Not only are there different pairing cards, but colours, textures and pattern cards with styling advice on the back about how you can repurpose different garments.

Where can I find inspiration for outfits?

Sometimes you have all the right garments in your wardrobe but might be unsure how to make multiple outfits from each piece. Aside from using Flashion Cards to help you put together an outfit, there are so many more sources you can draw on for inspiration.

Pinterest is a favourite source of fashion inspiration around the world. Aside from this, Breeahn suggests looking at fashion bloggers on Instagram and TikTok. “They aren’t always the most famous pages,” she says, “just normal people putting together amazing outfits for their everyday life.”

Can I really mix patterns and prints?

YES! We’re big believers in mixing up patterns, prints, colours and textures to create new and exciting outfits. Breeahn’s advice when mixing patterns and prints? “Matching solid colours to patterns can be super easy! Simply pick a colour that is in the pattern, no matter how small, and then any solid colour garment will definitely suit.”

If you still don’t feel comfortable mixing and matching bold fabrics, you can pick one pattern or texture and match it with a neutral piece. For example, a brightly patterned top with neutral slacks.

How do I find the right pieces and colours for my body type?

Sometimes it can be tricky to know what colours and styles best suit your body type. Sometimes, you might not even know what your body type is! There are plenty of tools online that can help you to find what shape you are.

These shapes include:

• Triangle
• Inverted triangle
• Hourglass
• Rectangle
• Diamond
• Rounded

Breeahn says, “I find a great way to find your body shape in this day and age is to find a style account on social media of someone you identify as having a similar body type. It takes all of the guesswork away, and you can see how garments and outfits will look on a shape like yours, without having to schlep to the shops for hours! Additionally, you can always hire a personal stylist to help you figure out colours, shapes and styles that suit you.”

Colours

Finding the right colour can sometimes be tricky, too, as there are many defining factors (such as your skin tone and hair colour) that go into the decision. “There are lots of colour resources online, but I prefer trial and error,” Breeahn says. “Hold different colours up to your face. Does your face look brighter? Duller? Drawn? Asking a friend for a second opinion is another great option.”

However, it’s important you wear what you love. “My general rule of thumb for anything fashion is ‘if you LOVE it, WEAR it!” Breeahn says. “It doesn’t matter what anyone says – your feelings in the outfit are what matters the most.”

Slow, ethical fashion is all about creating outfits out of existing garments in your wardrobe instead of constantly buying new or ‘fast’ fashion items. Quality, durable items are worth their weight in gold and are made to last for years.

For quality pieces that can be mixed and matched, dressed up or down, head to your closest Biz Corporates stockist. For advice on how to style outfits, follow Breeahn on Instagram.