Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
The slow fashion market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.47% between 2022 and 2027
The global ethical fashion market size was valued at $6.3 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $8.3 billion by 2023
30% of fashion consumers in the UK have bought from a sustainable brand in the past year
67% of consumers consider environmentally friendly materials an important factor in purchasing clothing
65% of fashion executives said sustainability was a top priority in 2022, up from 50% the previous year
The average American throws away about 81 pounds of clothing annually, pushing interest in slow fashion
Clothing production doubled from 2000 to 2014, while wardrobe utilization dropped by 36%
79% of consumers say they are changing their purchase preferences based on sustainability
Second-hand retail is expected to be twice the size of fast fashion by 2030
45% of Gen Z have stopped purchasing from fast fashion brands, citing environmental and ethical concerns
70% of millennial consumers consider sustainability in their apparel choices
Polyester accounts for about 52% of all fiber production, leading to a push for natural alternatives in slow fashion
90% of the water used in cotton cultivation is lost to evaporation, encouraging shifts to more sustainable fabrics
Consumer Behavior and Preferences
- 30% of fashion consumers in the UK have bought from a sustainable brand in the past year
- 67% of consumers consider environmentally friendly materials an important factor in purchasing clothing
- 79% of consumers say they are changing their purchase preferences based on sustainability
- 45% of Gen Z have stopped purchasing from fast fashion brands, citing environmental and ethical concerns
- 70% of millennial consumers consider sustainability in their apparel choices
- 75% of consumers believe sustainable fashion is too expensive, underlining the need for education on long-term value
- 88% of consumers want brands to help them be more environmentally friendly
- A garment's average lifespan has decreased by 36% in the past 15 years
- 50% of respondents said they'd pay more for sustainable fashion, up from 37% in 2016
- Over 30% of clothing in European wardrobes has not been worn in a year
- Eco-conscious brands enjoy 32% higher customer loyalty rates
Interpretation
In a world where closets are fuller, garments live shorter lives, and green intentions battle price tags, the stats show that while consumers talk a sustainable game, they're still stitching together the will—and the wallet—to walk the slow fashion walk.
Environmental Impact of Fashion
- The average American throws away about 81 pounds of clothing annually, pushing interest in slow fashion
- Clothing production doubled from 2000 to 2014, while wardrobe utilization dropped by 36%
- Polyester accounts for about 52% of all fiber production, leading to a push for natural alternatives in slow fashion
- 90% of the water used in cotton cultivation is lost to evaporation, encouraging shifts to more sustainable fabrics
- The fashion industry emits around 4% of global greenhouse gases, prompting interest in lower-impact options
- Circular fashion could reduce emissions by 143 million tonnes by 2030
- 85% of textiles go to landfill or are incinerated each year, promoting interest in longer-lasting slow fashion
- Buying one used item reduces its carbon footprint by 82%
- 1.5 trillion liters of water are used every year by the global fashion industry, encouraging sustainable alternatives
- 20% of industrial water pollution comes from textile dyeing and treatment, a key reason for the slow fashion movement
- Extending the life of a garment by an extra 9 months reduces its environmental impact by 20-30%
- The fashion industry uses 98 million tons of non-renewable resources annually, driving demand for sustainable models
- 92 million tons of clothing waste is created globally each year
- More than 3 out of 5 garments end up in landfills within a year of being produced
- Fashion accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, more than international flights and shipping combined
Interpretation
Fashion may make us look good for a season, but with clothes piling up in landfills, water vanishing into cotton fields, and carbon pouring out like last season’s trends, it's clear that fast fashion is costing the Earth its future—one unworn outfit at a time.
Industry Challenges and Executive Insights
- 65% of fashion executives said sustainability was a top priority in 2022, up from 50% the previous year
- 60% of fashion professionals cite lack of consumer awareness as a barrier to slow fashion adoption
Interpretation
While more fashion execs are stitching sustainability into their mission, the runway to slow fashion remains blocked by a consumer blind spot big enough to hide a fast-fashion landfill.
Market Growth and Economic Trends
- The slow fashion market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.47% between 2022 and 2027
- The global ethical fashion market size was valued at $6.3 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $8.3 billion by 2023
- Second-hand retail is expected to be twice the size of fast fashion by 2030
- The resale fashion market grew 21 times faster than the overall retail market in 2020
- The slow fashion market in Europe is the largest globally, accounting for over 35% of the market share
- The resale apparel market was valued at $36 billion in 2021 and is expected to double by 2025
- The global slow fashion market reached $5.5 billion in 2021
Interpretation
With secondhand poised to outpace fast fashion and ethical apparel surging past $8 billion, the slow fashion movement isn’t just a trend—it’s a high-growth revolution sewing sustainability into the seams of global retail.
Sustainable Practices and Circular Fashion
- Only 1% of clothes are recycled into new garments, highlighting inefficiencies corrected by slow fashion
- 95% of textiles could be recycled, yet only 15% get collected for reuse
Interpretation
Fast fashion tosses treasures into the trash, while slow fashion asks, "What if we actually used the other 94%?"