Valentine’s Day should be magical. Share it with that special someone and it still can be, but the day is also now synonymous with grand masquerades of chivalry from a bygone era, overblown public displays of affection, and gifts which you hope come with valid receipts and money-back guarantees.
What started out as a day to celebrate a 14th century Christian martyr has since been given the same consumerist makeover suffered by Christmas and Easter, to become a sugarcoated festival of buy, buy, buy, and… oh don’t forget the love bit!
For Valentine’s Day 2025, we’ve teamed up with Commons (the personal carbon footprint tracker and brand rating app) to suggest a new approach to this notorious celebration of luuuurv – one that will feel genuinely meaningful and less like that one-night-stand you’re trying so hard to forget.
Boycott Fast Fashion This Valentine’s Day!
Yes, that’s right, we propose that the best way to simultaneously show love for your significant other and the ocean is to boycott fast fashion this February. The whole process will be so uplifting, that you’ll wave adieu to wasteful fast fashion forever and say hello to wholesome slow fashion for good!
Before we tell you exactly how to go about undertaking this love-fuelled boycott, it is important to understand exactly why fast fashion is so unromantic, compared to sultry slow fashion, like TWOTHIRDS.
Why is Fast Fashion so Unromantic?
We’re not saying that a Valentine’s Day gift should cost the earth, but it should probably cost enough for its recipient to know that it wasn’t made in a sweatshop, by an underaged worker, on the other side of the planet. There’s nothing romantic about that. Want to know more about the topic? This amazing article by Yara Van Heugten proves that fast fashion brands certainly aren’t showing any love to their garment factory workers this Valentine’s Day… or any other day for that matter.
Similarly, what does a gift say about your love if it falls apart after just a couple of days, or that after wearing a garment once, your partner’s sensitive skin comes out in a rash – exposed to harmful chemicals?
Why is Slow Fashion so Sexy?
Anyone who knows a thing or two about love will tell you that a slow burning relationship is more fulfilling than a fleeting spark that quickly fizzles out. The same is true of sustainable fashion. There is nothing more alluring than being made to wait for something you truly desire – a product that, when it arrives, will not just meet your expectations but has the power to exceed them.
Of course, a drawback of true slow fashion is that a Valentine’s Day gift may not arrive on time, but the beauty of such a gift is that the waiting is part of the experience – the receiver of said sustainable skirt or eco-friendly t-shirt delighted that a product was made just for them – accepting that the rising anticipation they feel is a welcome part of the process.
Make Space for Love, Not More Pointless Stuff
So, with your mind made up about letting go of fast fashion this Valentine’s Day, how should you go about doing it? If you’re in the US or Canada this is your lucky day! You can join the Fast Fashion Boycott Challenge organised by Commons and supported by your favourite sustainable fashion brand, TWOTHIRDS.
If you’re not based in the US or Canada, don’t worry! Commons is also an incredible brand ratings platform, which ushers you away from bad fast fashion choices, towards more sustainable slow fashion choices, such as TWOTHIRDS. You’ll notice we’re a “Top Rated” brand…just saying ;)
Waves are Better Than Boys (or Girls… Sometimes)!
All this Valentine’s Day goodwill and boundless love is okay, but what if you’re suffering the kind of heartbreak that no amount of slow fashion or hugs can heal? In our experience – unfortunately we have plenty — the best cure for a broken heart is ocean therapy.
Seriously, whether you surf, swim, or just like dipping your toes in the water – reconnecting with the ocean is one of the best ways to recenter yourself, allowing you to use the pain to grow as a person, and to take the lessons learnt into your next adventure of the heart.
