This is a call to call to action, a call for brands to put out better made and long lasting garments at an affordable price. In the same spirit as the Slow Foods movement, I’m calling this the Slow Fashion Movement. This is possible!

I myself scour thrift stores for classic or unusual pieces that are made with care. I’m a firm believer in recycling, but once in a while I it’s necessary (or just a treat) to buy something new. Brands like Urban Outfitters and American Apparel have their thumb on the pulse of whats new and exciting, but because they are mostly selling to teens and young people who won’t make a fuss if something is poorly made they can get away with the most atrocious workmanship.

After a dress from one of these brands ripped apart at the seams after just a couple wears I decided that was the last straw. I will no longer purchase clothes from these brands, I will only support quality manufacturers that use sweat-shop free labor.

This is why I love people like the folks over at Archival Clothing, I’ve loved their blog for quite a while. They dig deep into the archives of clothing brands and come up with the best, and surprisingly contemporary feeling, items of clothing and do their best to show you where you might find these items now days. They opened up an online shop not that long ago and they sell their own wares as well as other pieces created by brands they can vouch for. Often on their blog they’ll go into great detail about how something is made or how they settled on specific design details. I for one will no longer give my money over to shoddy workmanship and abusive labor. Slow Fashion, it’s the future!