Life in the tropics naturally slows things down.....heat, ocean tides, and the pace of everyday life all move a little easier here. In Bali, you quickly realise that rushing rarely makes anything better.
That idea has shaped how we approach clothing too.
Fast fashion is fast by design. Slow fashion is intentional by design, and the tropics make the difference very obvious.
Fast fashion leaves a visible impact
When you live on an island, environmental damage is hard to ignore.
Plastic washes up on beaches, synthetic fibres end up in the sea, and polluted waterways aren’t something you hear about online, they’re right in front of you.
It’s difficult to pretend fast fashion isn’t part of that problem.
Slow fashion encourages better habits
Slow fashion isn’t about having less fun with clothes, it’s about being more thoughtful about the things we buy. It asks simple questions:
✔ Will I wear this for longer than one season?
✔ Do I know where it was made?
✔ Do I know what it’s made from?
✔ Will this last?
Not complicated, just considered.
Materials matter more in heat, sun and saltwater
Living by the ocean means your clothing goes through more: heat, UV light, saltwater, sand. So fabrics need to be durable, high quality, and responsibly made.
That’s why our swimwear uses recycled and regenerated fibres like ECONYL® (from ocean waste) and REPREVE® (from recycled plastic bottles).
It performs well and it keeps waste in circulation instead of landfill.
Islands teach you to buy differently
When you live close to natural environments, you start valuing things differently.
People repair more.
They buy versatile pieces.
They choose fewer items, but better ones.
It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being more aware.
Our approach
All of our swimwear is handmade in Bali in small runs. We don’t overproduce, we don’t use factory mass-production, and we don’t create seasonal waste.
We make products that are meant to last and that’s the most sustainable choice a person can make.
In the end
Slow fashion isn’t a trend it’s a shift in priorities. And if there’s anywhere that makes sense, it’s here.
The tropics don’t rush and good clothing shouldn’t either.
Island Ethos, by Flipflop and Treacle