Slow Fashion Movement 101 with Stephanie of Let’s Talk Slow

by Carley Lake | Last Updated:   June 16, 2020

Stephanie started Let’s Talk Slow to take readers on her conscious journey. Nowadays the site includes a sustainable brand list, e-book, and even a list of jobs in the space (specifically in Europe – sorry country I used to call home.) Get a peek into her journey and read her slow fashion movement tips below.

So, who are you? 🙂

I’m Stephanie, a conscious lifestyle advocate based in Amsterdam. I’m 27 years old and about 3 years ago I started my platform Let’s Talk Slow. I studied at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute (Fashion and Branding) where a sustainability seed was planted, however, I was way too impressed with aesthetics at that time. When I was in my graduation year, I found the sustainable fashion brand Reformation, and thought, if this is sustainable, I would love to learn more about it. I started working for a sustainable fashion label in The Netherlands where I learned a lot about the brand side of sustainable fashion. My friends were saying, “for you, it’s easy,” because I worked at a sustainable brand. And I thought, “No, you just need to know where to buy”. And that’s why I started Let’s Talk Slow. 

How do you describe your style?  

I like a stylish, elegant look that’s feminine, mostly neutral and pastel colors. 

But most of all, I think it should be comfortable. Whether that is because it makes me feel good or if it is easy on the skin. Also, fabric wise I go for natural materials; this feels the best on my body. 

What is your go-to look?

At this moment I love my stardust dress from JAN ‘N JUNE. It’s just very easy because, with my biker boots, the look gets a bit edgier. But with my 6-year-old Stuart Weitzman 50/50 over-the-knee boots, it gets super feminine. Another look I love to wear is a simple Tencel top from Reformation with vintage men’s suit pants, which were remade into a women’s fit! On days at home, I love to wear the ARMEDANGELS mom jeans with an easy and cozy sweater from either Sezane or Everlane.

What’s a piece in your closet you wear to make more of a statement, that still follows the slow fashion movement?

I’m in love with these pink corduroy dungarees from Kings Of Indigo which I scored at a sample sale. 

What slow fashion movement brands and stores do you love?  

Oh if you have a minute (or 30), there are many nice sustainable brands. I’ll be upgrading my brand list in the new year.

Some of my favorites: Reformation, ARMEDANGELS, Alchemist, JAN ‘N JUNE, Kings of Indigo, Mud Jeans, Everlane, Baiia (swim), WDLK (swim). But keep an eye out on my website for more favorites. 

What’s your advice on building a wardrobe you love (that is conscious and ethical!), especially for those just dipping their toes in sustainable fashion? 

The first advice I always give to people is to go through your closet. Get rid of the things you’re not wearing anymore (because of fit or style). Try to find a good alternative for those items. Make sure to remake or fix the items that are still good and may just have some tiny holes or fixing to do. You can also try to make something else out of a piece you’re not wearing anymore.

Once you’ve done this, you will find more pieces to wear. Having less is more principle. If you have clutter in your wardrobe you actually think you have nothing to wear. 

After that, you can try to make new combinations and have a look through it with a friend who can help you. This always helps—2 see more than one.

How do you think you (and others!) can do more to be sustainable? What other ways can we be sustainable and create change in the slow fashion movement space? 

The best thing is to think if you really need something. Once you’ve decided you need something see if you can find it secondhand. If it is an item that you will wear less than 10 times, see if you can borrow (or rent) it. If you know you will love a garment and it’s ethically and sustainably produced, get it. If you have a hard time finding the right brands then look for values you find important—ethical, slow fashion movement, eco or vegan, for example. Is it an item that is not ethically or sustainably produced and you know you will wear it more than 50 times; it’s okay sometimes to get it too. A big part of a sustainable wardrobe is about value. Understand the value of the garment, and once you can do that, you will go quite far.

Thanks, Stephanie!

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