Estimated reading time: 5–6 minutes
By Corina – August 15, 2025
Introduction
You spot a dress online for €10. It’s cute, it’s trendy, and the price feels like a steal. But here’s the truth — that dress costs far more than the number on the tag. Not for your wallet today, but for the planet, for the people who made it, and even for your own wardrobe in the long run.
At Cori Tailor, we believe in transparency. And we believe you deserve to know the story behind your clothes — whether they come from a fast fashion giant or from a made-to-measure sustainable designer dress crafted with care.
The Illusion of Cheap
Fast fashion thrives on the idea that clothing should be as disposable as a coffee cup. But the math only works when corners are cut everywhere:
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Fabrics: Often synthetic, made from petroleum-based fibers that shed microplastics.
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Labor: Workers in unsafe conditions, earning far less than a living wage.
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Design: Copies of other designers’ work, produced at scale until the trend dies next week.
When you pay €10 for a dress, someone — somewhere — is paying the real price.
Ultra-Discount Fashion Apps and the Race to the Bottom
In recent years, ultra-discount shopping apps and cross-border fast fashion sites have made it possible to order clothing for just a few euros, shipped worldwide in days. The speed and low prices seem irresistible — but they hide deeper costs:
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Local artisans lose ground, unable to compete with prices that sidestep fair labor and quality standards.
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Waste increases dramatically, as garments made for quick turnover often last only a few wears.
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Carbon footprints grow, with every shipment traveling thousands of kilometres.
Supporting slow fashion designer dresses is more than a style choice — it’s a stand against disposable culture.
Why Quality Costs More — And Saves You Money
A handmade designer dress from a small atelier costs more upfront, but it’s an investment:
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Built to last for years, not weeks.
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Custom-fitted to your body, so you actually wear it.
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Made from breathable natural fabrics — think sustainable linen designer day dresses or handmade organic cotton cocktail dresses — that feel better against your skin.
If you buy five €10 dresses that last a month each, you’ve spent €50 and still have nothing to wear. One small batch sustainable designer dress can outlast them all.
The Cori Tailor Difference
We don’t replicate designs. Every piece — whether it’s a vintage-inspired handmade cocktail dress for an evening out or a custom-fit designer summer dress EU for everyday wear — is created with original patterns, ethical production, and a love for the craft.
We work slowly, intentionally, and in small batches. Our mission is simple:
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Clothes that tell a story
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Fabrics chosen for quality and sustainability
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Made-to-measure for a perfect fit
This is what we mean when we say slow fashion.
How to Make the Shift to Slow Fashion
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Buy less, choose well. Opt for a bespoke handmade retro cocktail dress that you’ll wear for years.
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Support small batch designers. Your purchase helps keep local craftsmanship alive.
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Think beyond the season. Styles like a custom retro midi dress Europe never go out of fashion.
Final Thought
The €10 dress is never really €10. The difference is whether you pay with your money now — or with the planet’s resources, someone else’s dignity, and your own closet’s waste later.
When you choose Cori Tailor’s made-to-measure sustainable designer dresses, you’re choosing a better story for your clothes — one that values quality, ethics, and beauty over speed and waste.
🔗 Keep Exploring
🧷 Curious how I take your measurements?
👉 How to Send Your Measurements
🌸 Want to know what tools I use every day?
👉 The 10 Tools I Use to Craft Your Dresses
🪴 New to slow fashion?
👉 What Slow Fashion Really Means