As we discussed in our previous article, Fast fashion is killing our planet, making it difficult for talented craftsman to succeed, and confusing consumers into remaining on a cyclical hamster wheel of consumption.
As a grown man, there is no reason you should be “re-inventing” your wardrobe every season or replacing items every year. The true beauty of menswear is that it moves very slowly. It’s not based on market trends, pop culture, or impulse purchases. It’s based on history, tradition and quality craftsmanship. This means that with the right planning and advice, a man can invest in a long-term wardrobe that will last the test of time and ultimately make it easier for him to develop his own lasting style.
At Articles of Style, we believe in the concept of “Slow Fashion”. It’s the opposite of fast fashion, in every way. Below are the pillars of slow fashion that we try to integrate into all of our products, and try to share with all of our readers who are looking to invest in proper menswear.
Investment Garments
Think of garments as investments, the same way you would think about buying a car, or a house. It’s not about having a lot of these things, it’s about having the right ones. Will you wear it often? Will you wear it next year? Five years from now?… My favorite wardrobe pieces are ones that I purchased many years ago; they’ve molded to my body over time, they have a broken-in charm, and we share many memories.
Timeless Fabrics
The fabric is the main ingredient and the most important raw material in the manufacturing of any garment. Is the fabric durable enough to last the test of time? Will it grow old/boring after a few months/years? Is it flattering on you? Does it give off the right message? Does it work with the rest of your wardrobe?… Making the right decisions here is key to building a smart, versatile wardrobe – that’s why we help all of our clients build the perfect collection for them.
Long-Term Design
The key is to focus on classic design and garments that have lasted the test of time. Avoid trend items like short jackets, razor thin lapels, skinny jeans, loud color-blocking, etc. Anything too “flashy” is guaranteed to collect dust or be thrown on top of the landfill.
Proper Fit
A garment has to fit right, feel good, and look even better. If you are not satisfied with the fit, you will evetually replace it. Consider an ill-fitting purchase a guaranteed waste of money in the long-run. You will end-up sinking even more money trying to fix the fit with a tailor, only to realize that it’s still not giving you that feeling.
Conscious Manufacturing
Do you know where it was made? Or how it was made? Or who made it, and under what conditions? Being conscious about manufacturing and demanding transparency from clothing brands is the only way to ensure you’re getting real value for your dollar, while also ensuring that you are supporting sustainable and socially conscious business practices. The rag trade is infamously shady and bloody, and only we, the consumers, can change that.
Does it Make You Feel Good?
The last thing I’m going to say is this; clothing should make you feel good. The internal psychology l aspect of clothing is the most important, and the most life-changing. Clothing is necessary (legally we must cover our bodies) but it can also be a tool that we can use to provide ourselves with an added level of confidence and influence… I’m writing another piece on the “psychology of dressing” that addresses this in more detail…but for now, I’d like to point out that we are in the business of making our clients feel like their best selves… That is the mission of a great tailor.
That’s all for now. Remember, fast fashion is for the birds. That’s not meant to be sexist, I mean it’s literally for the birds, as in birds will be nesting in your “disposal” clothing on the top of some landfill at the end of its unprecedentedly short lifespan.
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Yours in style,
Dan Trepanier