How slow can you go: The Benefits of Slow Fashion & Small Batch Production
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress
In an era where fast fashion dominates the clothing industry, dictating a rapid, often unsustainable pace of production and consumption, the essence of swimwear has transformed significantly. Historically, garments were crafted with longevity and practicality at their core, intended to last and be mended, reflecting a deep connection to the resources and culture of their origins. Today the landscape is markedly different. Major retailers have ushered in an age of swimwear that, while trendy and accessible, often compromises on quality, sustainability, and ethical considerations.
Amidst this prevailing trend, a growing number of contemporary brands are championing the slow fashion ethos, dedicating themselves to creating swimwear that is not only stylish and durable but also conscientiously made, with respect for both people and planet. Let’s talk about slow fashion swimwear.
The Tide of Change in the Swimwear Industry
Today the fashion world is flooded with cheap clothes made in inhumane working conditions. Chances are, you wouldn’t want to know the origins of at least one piece of clothing you own. It’s a reality we hate to think about, but it’s hard to avoid. Fast fashion is everywhere, and it’s trying its best to fool you. These brands prioritize trendy, affordable, but unfortunately, often low-quality and environmentally harmful products.
However, there's a growing current against this trend. Slow fashion champions sustainability, quality, and ethical production. This approach isn't a nostalgic nod to the past; it's a crucial step towards a more responsible future in fashion.
Why Choose Slow?
Ethical Production: our swimwear is produced in fair wage working conditions in Los Angeles, ensuring humane treatment for workers.
Quality Over Quantity: Unlike fast fashion, which prioritizes profit over longevity, slow fashion focuses on creating long-lasting products, meaning your swimwear won’t lose its charm after a few dips, and smaller collections produce less waste.
Sustainability: By choosing slow fashion you're supporting environmentally friendly practices, from the use of recycled materials to reducing waste and carbon footprint.
Timeless Style: Our swimwear features versatile designs that have been rigorously prototyped & fit tested ensuring you feel seen (& secure) season after season.
An aerial view of used clothes discarded in the Atacama desert, in Alto Hospicio, Chile, Nov. 25, 2021. (Photo by Getty Images)
What Makes Our Swimwear Slow Fashion Swimwear
At Saint Andro, our commitment to sustainability and ethical production is woven into the very fabric of our swimwear. We proudly use materials that not only ensure the durability and comfort of our products over time but also reflect our dedication to environmental stewardship.
Our inaugural line of swim suiting features a shell and liner composed of 80% Recycled Polyester, with 20% Spandex Double Knit in the shell and 20% Spandex Tricot Jersey in the lining. This is a thoughtful blend that marries eco-consciousness with the practical need for stretch, resilience & protections in swimwear. Recycled polyester gives new life to fibers that would otherwise contribute to landfill waste. The process of recycling involves boiling down the fibers into a state basically identical to virgin polyester, and re-spinning them into new, high-quality fabric.
Our sewn-in spacer-foam (because fuck those flimsy removable cups) is made from a deadstock virgin polyester. Deadstock is essentially leftover fabric—unclaimed and unwanted fabric that can sit in a warehouse for years due to overproduction.
Beyond our material choices, Saint Andro's production philosophy is deeply rooted in the principles of slow fashion. We engage in small batch production, which significantly reduces waste and excess inventory. Small batch production also allows us to manufacture closer to home, reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance shipping and supporting local communities.
By embracing recycled materials and small batch production, Saint Andro not only delivers high-quality, eco-conscious swimwear but also champions a model of fashion that is sustainable, ethical, and mindful of our impact on the planet.
We release collections not based on a seasonal timeline of promotions but instead we release collections once they’ve passed several rounds of fit and function testing. Each design’s development is celebrated with every small batch drop.
The Future of Swim
As the industry evolves, we're excited to see more brands joining the slow fashion movement. More and more people are waking up to the reality of their choices, and the consequences of continually settling for fast-fashion. It’s a collective journey towards a more sustainable, ethical, and fashion-forward future. And at Saint Andro, we're proud to be part of this change, one swimsuit at a time.
this article was written with the aid of ChatGPT,
lol could you tell? 