If there’s anything we really uphold here at Baby & Company, it’s slow fashion. The movement, in its simplest terms, aims to call attention to the origins of how garments are made: where materials come from, how they’re constructed, who is constructing them, and what the overall impact is on the environment and humanity.

Slow fashion is similar to slow food, in that the same farm-to-table mentality about tracing the path of the food on your plate can be expanded to look at your closet. The goals are to support small businesses and makers, to reduce harm (whether that be with chemicals, poor labor practices, etc), and eventually to lead to an overall better product. In that sense, slow fashion is in opposition to fast fashion, which churns out trendy, often cheaply produced wares that aren’t exactly made to last.

For us at Baby & Company, it’s vital that we minimize our impact on the world and promote slow fashion brands that are creating conscious, quality pieces meant to last, and without compromising on labor conditions, materials, or overall style.

Now, we hear you. Just like organic produce and free-range eggs, going slow comes with a cost. Many of the same benefits of the slow food movement apply to clothing, though. You’re supporting small businesses. You’re choosing ethical, environmentally friendly processes. And if you consider personal health—as you’re more likely to do when it comes to food choices—your skin is your body’s largest organ, the makeup of the materials you cover it with should be as safe and healthy as possible.

Ways to shop slow on a budget?

• For one, check out our women's sale (currently going on through early February) with discounts of up to 80 percent on past seasons. Consider that the quality of a handmade, bespoke piece is often much higher and will last you significantly longer than its fast-fashion counterpart.
• Buy secondhand: slow fashion also involves recycling and keeping more garments in rotation rather than always buying new.
• Finally, when one of your existing pieces shows a little wear and tear, try mending it or taking it to a tailor rather than toss it.

If you want to know more, we highly recommend the documentary The True Cost. Or pop into the store to chat with any one of our stylists. We’d love to share more. See ya, baby!