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Learning How to Talk about Slow Fashion with Family & Friends
Our friends and family influence our worlds, it's essential to find thoughtful ways to bring them into these conversations, without creating a sense of shame or blame. Below are tips to help you start this conversation and share your knowledge with your loved ones.
Tips for Starting this Conversation
Let them ask first
I know this can be hard, but it really is the best tactic. Unexpected monologues rarely work, but thoughtful conversations with two people wanting to learn are powerful!
Don't Shame
Our clothing holds a lot of emotion for us. As I went through this journey, quite vocally, if I complimented someone on their outfit, I would get the awkward "I'm embarrassed to say it's H&M." Remember your own journey, that feeling of not knowing where it was safe to shop. I recommend saying something positive, for example, "You look amazing, you are going to be able to wear that so much." This gesture could help open the door to talk further.
Sharing your Own Journey
Sharing your journey with slow fashion makes for a safe space and allows for open conversations. Perhaps make it clear that you don't believe in shaming consumers for systemic issues that fast fashion companies have perpetuated.
Lead with Your Outfit
When friends and family see it is possible to dress fun and stylish while supporting slow fashion this can help motivate them. When someone compliments my outfit, whether thrifted, made by myself, or bought from a local designer I use that opportunity to share the story behind what I am wearing.
Use Social Media to Inspire
Every time I post, you flood me with comments about how powerful it is to learn more about the fast fashion industry. I believe people truly do want to do what's right and there are amazing slow-fashion activists that can help you share information that helps inspire change.
Balance Sharing the Reality with Positive Benefits
Sharing on social media can be powerful, but remember it can also make us head to the 'doom & gloom' headspace. Sharing the positives of shopping slow-fashion can help a friend see the potential as well. Some positives you could share are 'it saves money!' or 'By cutting down our "retail therapy" it allows us time to explore new hobbies' and 'Slow fashion, whether thrifting or shopping locally lets us express our style away from the trends being forced on us.'
Take them Thrifting
Whether it's to a curated thrift shop, a consignment shop, or taking them for a hunt at Salvation Army, this can be very empowering. I have never heard someone sound annoyed at finding a great piece of clothing for a steal. Get them hooked on the hunt, the deal, or both!
Be empathetic & listen
The best way to be an advocate for slow fashion is to listen and ask questions. There are many reasons why someone might not be able to shop slow fashion; it could be financial, health conditions, where they live, or sizing.
Spreading this message is important, but always remember the start of your own journey. It can feel scary or that us changing isn't big enough, but it is. Listening is our greatest strength, it helps our friends and family know they can always come to you for advice as they move forward in their own journey.
Need somewhere to start?
My first Candid Copious LIVE I talk with my creative partner, Kaja Tirrul, about our fast fashion shopping and how we stopped supporting this industry.
Watch it here.
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