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Fast fashion brands are notorious for producing far too many clothes. These huge fashion companies produce excessive volumes, with the hopes that more people will buy their clothes at an ever-increasing rate. 

And because the true cost of this overproduction is not shouldered by the people making the largest profits, they continue to do so without regard for people or the planet.

But what if fashion brands only produced exactly as many garments as they sold, so that waste and over consumption were minimized and the speed of fashion was actively slowed down?

This is exactly the mission and ethos of fashion brands using a made-to-order sustainable fashion business model.

What Is Made-To-Order Fashion? 

When a brand sells ‘made-to-order’ garments this means that we only produce a garment once a customer has placed an order for it.

Generally, there will be a longer lead time between when the garment is ordered and the point at which the customer receives the garment because the garment is only made once it has been ordered.

While this extra lead time requires some getting used to, there are many slow fashion benefits to the made-to-order fashion business model.

What Are The Benefits Of Made-To-Order Fashion? 

Less Waste 

Made-to-order fashion creates minimal waste and curb overproduction and over consumption. Simply put: We don’t carry excess stock, so we don’t create excess waste.

Deeper Appreciation for Garment Production Process

The longer lead time between ordering and receiving a garment reminds us that patience pays off and encourages an appreciation for the time and effort that goes into making clothing. So, not only does made-to-order slow down the rate of production, but it also slows down our expectations of fashion. This is a very meaningful unlearning in a world promoting the instant gratification of fast fashion.

Size Inclusivity 

Made-to-order fashion business models are also one way to make slow fashion more inclusive for plus-sized folks or people with disabilities who have long since been ignored and under-catered for in the fashion industry. Because made-to-order garments are often tailored to the customer's specifications, it opens up an abundance of style options for plus-sized folks others who have been too often excluded from the fashion industry and allows them to choose clothing that works best for their bodies.

Stronger Emotional Connections to Our Clothes

Overall, the made-to-order process is more personalized, because the garment you order is made just for you, and there is something very special about that. These emotional connections with our clothing help to heal the disposability mindset that the fast fashion industry thrives on. Plus, there is a sense of power in being the co-creator and collaborator of your own shopping experience, instead of just a consumer.