Slow Fashion Is the Future of Local Apparel Manufacturing

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Fast fashion isn't going away. Thanks to San Francisco's anti-nude stance, people have to wear clothes, and cheap clothes are a good way to either (1) experiment with a trend before upgrading to a high-end purchase, or (2) not spend a lot of money on clothes. But, just as fast food in the city has made room for slow food, fast fashion is getting competition in the Bay Area from the slow fashion movement.

For people who take an active interest in how their garments are sourced and made, there are a growing number of apparel lines —like American Giant and Tellason— that are made in the Bay Area. SFMade Senior Director Janet Lees tells the Chronicle that the trend appeals to people who value quality over quantity. "It's small batch, high quality, limited edition, customizable," Lees said. "You can't compete on low price points. That's not what's being manufactured in San Francisco. It's really artisanal manufacturing." If you're looking for more ways to add local, artisanal apparel to your closet, check out SFMade's list of local manufacturers.
· S.F.'s apparel industry finds new fit in city [SFGate]
· American Giant Makes a Compelling Case for Buttonless Pants [Racked]