Fast Fashion/Slow Fashion - What's the Difference?

The fashion industry represents nearly 3% of France's GDP ; this sector generates over €150 billion in revenue in our country and is responsible for 580,000 direct jobs . It's a sector with significant economic weight in France, yet it's the third most polluting industry in the world (the top two spots in this unfortunate ranking being occupied by transportation and the food industry).

The giants of the textile industry are constantly offering more clothing and collections at unbeatable prices. At the same time, a growing number of small, local brands are emerging, pushing us towards ethical and responsible fashion consumption. Fast fashion or slow fashion: what's the difference, and how do you choose?

Fast fashion: the overconsumption of fashion

Fast fashion, as the name suggests, refers to brands that produce quickly, in large quantities , and frequently renew their collections. The prices of their items are generally very low. While a traditional fashion brand might release four collections a year, a fast-fashion brand can release up to 36, thus pushing consumers to consume ever more . This has significant consequences for the planet: to produce these clothes at ridiculously low prices, these brands often manufacture in Asia (particularly in China), where labor is cheap… because it is exploited . Not to mention the carbon footprint of this production , whose materials and finished products travel to the four corners of the globe!

They also opt for synthetic materials , often harmful, whose production requires a lot of water; these materials are often of low quality and will not last over time… Thus encouraging you to renew your wardrobe more frequently.

It's a fact: we wear our clothes for shorter and shorter periods, yet we buy… 60% more than we did 15 years ago! Fast-fashion brands still manage, thanks to very effective marketing campaigns, to make you think you've gotten a good deal. However, the final price comes at a cost, and unfortunately, it's the environment and workers who pay it !

Slow fashion: a reasoned and responsible approach to fashion consumption. Our model.

Slow fashion, for its part, calls for ethical production and responsible consumption of fashion . Very often produced locally (in France, or otherwise Europe), it prioritizes natural and/or recycled materials (such as organic cotton, lyocell, linen, wool, etc.) over those derived from petrochemicals. A slow fashion brand will also pay particular attention to working conditions within its production chain: no forced labor, no child labor, respect for human rights, compliance with the International Labour Organization, etc.

All of this obviously comes at a cost: that of fair, healthy, and safe production. Admittedly, if you're used to buying €4.90 t-shirts from major clothing retailers, a €55 swimsuit made in Europe might seem expensive, but this price is justified by the working and production conditions, and above all, the quality : a garment from the slow fashion movement will last much longer. Numerous labels can help you identify ethical and responsible clothing: GOTS, Oeko-Tex, OCS,  GRS, FairWear Founation, SloWeAre…

Update 06/11/2025: In recent months, fast fashion has continued to be a hot topic—ever-faster production, short-lived clothing, and a considerable environmental impact. Faced with this logic of immediacy, we believe more than ever in a different way of consuming, one that is more respectful of artisans and the planet.

At Drôles de Marmots, we champion sustainable fashion, designed to last and created with heart. Each piece is carefully conceived, ethically made, and crafted from high-quality, comfortable, and responsibly sourced materials. We prioritize short supply chains, transparency, and creativity to offer clothing with meaning—far removed from fleeting trends, but close to the values ​​that matter.

Because growing up also means learning to make the right choices: those that respect people, resources, and time.