Let's Break it Down
Raileyreal embodies ethical production and the slow fashion movement. We reject the fast fashion cycle and aim to educate consumers about its hidden costs.
SLOW FASHION
is a mindful, sustainable approach to clothing that prioritizes quality, ethical production and reduced consumption.
This is what Raileyreal aims to embody.
POLYESTER AND OTHER SYNTHETIC FIBERS:
- Polyester is a type of plastic made from petroleum compounds that are cooled and made into yarn.
- It is a synthetic material, which means it isn't made from nature like cotton, linen, silk, wool or cashmere.
- Polyester is not a sustainable material — it has negative, irreversible impacts on the environment. It is not biodegradable.
- Washing polyester releases microplastics which pollute waterways and harm marine life.
- Polyester took off in the clothing industry because it is cheap to produce – hence the rise of fast fashion.
PFAs: PER- AND POLYFUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES:
- PFAs, or forever chemicals, are a group of man-made chemicals used in the apparel industry
- PFAs do not break down easily and have been linked to health issues.
FAST FASHION AND THE IMPACT TO PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT:
- Fast fashion is a business model built on speed, synthetic fibers, low production costs and trends.
- Companies churn out high volumes of clothing at low prices
- Fast fashion contributes to environmental degradation, including:
- Consumption of vast amounts of water
- High carbon emissions
- Creation of microplastics
- Textile waste
4. Fast fashion shifts costs overseas, where workers’ rights, safety, and fair wages are too often sacrificed for speed and profit.
WHAT WE DO INSTEAD:
OUR ITEMS ARE MADE FROM CALIFORNIA MILLED 100% COTTON FLEECE
The term California milled carries a lot of weight in the apparel industry. This means the cotton is premium – processed into fabric in California mills.
So what makes it premium? Let’s break it down:
- Better Fabric Feel
- California specializes in combed cotton and ring-spun yarns. These processes remove impurities and align fibers, resulting in a softer, smoother fabric less prone to pilling.
- Higher Quality Control
- California has stricter labor laws and tighter environmental regulations. The result is more consistent fabric and fewer defects.
- Heavier, more structured fabrics
- California mills focus on midweight to heavyweight fleece, 400-450 GSM (grams per square meter).