Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus Tackling Fast Fashion

Hey, sustainable style lovers!  If you’ve ever screamed into the void about fast fashion’s impact on the planet (guilty), you’re going to want to sit down for this.

For the first time ever, Congress has been paying attention to our clothing system with the  Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus. It is kind of a big deal. Let’s unpack it together. 

So... What Is the Slow Fashion Caucus?

On June 27, 2024, a group of Democratic lawmakers led by Rep. Chellie Pingree (representing Maine!) launched the first-ever Congressional group focused on slowing down fashion’s destructive cycle. She was joined by fashion-forward faves like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.

Their goal? To tackle fast fashion’s massive environmental impact and push for policies that promote textile reuse, repair, recycling, and *fingers crossed* regulation. 

In Rep. Pingree’s words:

“Textile waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the U.S., and it's responsible for more carbon emissions than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.” 

Big yikes. But finally, there is some action!

How This Caucus Works

The caucus is a legislative interest group, meaning it’s a space for Members of Congress to team up around a shared mission. Think of it as a group chat for lawmakers who care about clothes that don’t destroy the Earth and exploit people.

These caucuses have always existed; there is even one for the Dairy Farmers, but this is the first one focused on fashion.

The current goals of the Slow Fashion Caucus include the following:

• Educating Congress and the public 

• Promoting a circular economy 

• Supporting local textile jobs 

• Elevating existing bills like the FABRIC Act and Americas Act
  
  
  

  But let’s be honest, they haven’t introduced any legislation yet, making some of us side-eye. It makes me wonder: Are we gonna talk slow fashion to death or act?

Who’s at the (Slow Fashion) Table?

Here’s where things get interesting (and maybe a little dicey). The caucus is attracting brands like Patagonia, ThredUp, and garment worker advocacy orgs.

On the one hand, yay, that's good news! The more organizations and people involved in pushing for change, the better. On the other...  Are these brands here for transformative change or just good PR?

The caucus says members should align with its core principles: 

✔ Promote repair, reuse, recycling
✔ Build better textile recycling systems
✔ Boosts sustainable fiber use
✔ Bring clothing production back to the U.S.
✔ Raise awareness of fast fashion’s impact

Sounds great, but... who’s funding this work? Who’s influencing the direction? We don’t know……

What's Missing from the Slow Fashion Caucus?

While I love the progress, I do have questions:

• Will the caucus prioritize systemic change or just individual education?

• How much corporate influence will be tolerated?

• Will Republicans actually join in or push back hard?

  And let’s not forget: fashion is deeply political—built on colonization, labor exploitation, and environmental racism. Will this caucus acknowledge that history?
  

Rep. Jill Tokuda seems optimistic, saying:

“I think we've just got to be intentional in our ask and show that this is an opportunity to find some common ground.”

But I’m not so sure. We can’t de-politicize something that is so inherently tied to systems of oppression. If we want real change, we need real accountability and to make brands responsible for their flaws and issues.

What Would Real Change Look Like for Fast Fashion?

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez made an interesting point:

“High-quality American-made clothing isn’t just inherently fashionable—it’s a core part of building wealth in the middle class.”

But to make that real, we’d need to:

• Create local manufacturing jobs

• Shift culture toward durability over disposability

• STOP exporting our fashion waste to the Global South

• Pass enforceable regulations on brands 

Otherwise, we’re just dressing up the same system but in organic cotton.

Slow Fashion Caucus: Final Thoughts

I’ll be real with you—I’m cautiously hopeful. It’s exciting to see Congress even mention slow fashion, let alone organize around it. But unless this Caucus moves beyond conversations and into legislative action, we risk yet another political promise that never delivers.

And while Rep. Pingree says slow fashion “isn’t contentious,” I’d argue the exact opposite. Anything that touches fossil fuels, labor rights, consumerism, and capitalism will ruffle feathers, especially when private corporations are involved.

So what do you think? Is this the start of something powerful? Or just more greenwashing claims?

Let’s chat in the comments. And if you want a visual breakdown, I made a YouTube video that you can watch. 

xoxo, Elle