A growing number of shoppers are becoming more conscientious when it comes to their clothing choices. This includes making sure that clothing items are produced in a way that causes minimal harm to people, animals or the planet. Known as ‘ethical fashion’, this type of clothing can support one or various different causes. Below are 5 of the main types of ethical fashion that could be worth exploring if you want to become a more socially responsible shopper.
Fair Trade fashion
Fair Trade fashion focuses on reducing labor exploitation and respecting cultural heritage. In the past, many major clothing brands would outsource clothing production to countries where they could hire workers to do long shifts for minimal pay. Brands like Lucy & Yak make sure that all farmers and factory workers involved in the production of their clothing are fairly paid. Fair Trade fashion also promotes good working conditions, fair worker rights and a zero tolerance approach to child labor.
Vegan/cruelty-free fashion
Vegan clothing brands avoid using any animal products in their clothing. For example, these women’s vegan shoes by Melissa use synthetic leather instead of real leather. Such clothing aims to put less demand on the slaughter of animals. ‘Cruelty-free’ clothing meanwhile also promotes no animal testing - any dyes or glues used in these clothes cannot have been tested on animals.
Sustainable materials
Many clothing brands like Patagonia have become known for their strict use of sustainable materials only. This involves using materials that have a minimal carbon footprint and that minimize landfill waste. This can include using recycled fabrics and plastics instead of using new materials, or taking effort to reduce fossil fuels or water usage during production (materials like hemp and linen can be processed using low-water methods, while some factories are powered by solar panels or take big measures to reduce energy consumption).
Organic fashion
Organic fashion is a subcategory of sustainable fashion that focuses on clothing made from natural fibers without using any synthetic pesticides or herbicides during farming. All dyes used must also be organic. For example, Thought Clothing is a brand that is known to only use hemp, bamboo and cotton harvested using chemical-free methods. The organic movement not only helps to reduce plastics, but prevents toxic chemicals entering the ground, water and air during farming. Some brands aim to be 100% organic while others try to be mostly organic.
Second-hand clothing
Buying second-hand clothing gives old clothing a new lease of life - reducing landfill waste and putting less demand on the production of new clothing. Such clothing can be purchased through second-hand sites like Preloved or at thrift stores, consignment stores or flea markets. ‘Vintage clothing’ is a very popular type of second-hand clothing that involves reviving retro styles. Other consumers focus on more modern items that have been pre-worn or bought in the wrong size. Quite often, second-hand clothing is not only a greener choice, but a cheaper choice - however you do need to carefully consider the condition of used clothing items.
Fair Trade fashion focuses on reducing labor exploitation and respecting cultural heritage. In the past, many major clothing brands would outsource clothing production to countries where they could hire workers to do long shifts for minimal pay. Brands like Lucy & Yak make sure that all farmers and factory workers involved in the production of their clothing are fairly paid. Fair Trade fashion also promotes good working conditions, fair worker rights and a zero tolerance approach to child labor.
Vegan/cruelty-free fashion
Vegan clothing brands avoid using any animal products in their clothing. For example, these women’s vegan shoes by Melissa use synthetic leather instead of real leather. Such clothing aims to put less demand on the slaughter of animals. ‘Cruelty-free’ clothing meanwhile also promotes no animal testing - any dyes or glues used in these clothes cannot have been tested on animals.
Sustainable materials
Many clothing brands like Patagonia have become known for their strict use of sustainable materials only. This involves using materials that have a minimal carbon footprint and that minimize landfill waste. This can include using recycled fabrics and plastics instead of using new materials, or taking effort to reduce fossil fuels or water usage during production (materials like hemp and linen can be processed using low-water methods, while some factories are powered by solar panels or take big measures to reduce energy consumption).
Organic fashion
Organic fashion is a subcategory of sustainable fashion that focuses on clothing made from natural fibers without using any synthetic pesticides or herbicides during farming. All dyes used must also be organic. For example, Thought Clothing is a brand that is known to only use hemp, bamboo and cotton harvested using chemical-free methods. The organic movement not only helps to reduce plastics, but prevents toxic chemicals entering the ground, water and air during farming. Some brands aim to be 100% organic while others try to be mostly organic.
Second-hand clothing
Buying second-hand clothing gives old clothing a new lease of life - reducing landfill waste and putting less demand on the production of new clothing. Such clothing can be purchased through second-hand sites like Preloved or at thrift stores, consignment stores or flea markets. ‘Vintage clothing’ is a very popular type of second-hand clothing that involves reviving retro styles. Other consumers focus on more modern items that have been pre-worn or bought in the wrong size. Quite often, second-hand clothing is not only a greener choice, but a cheaper choice - however you do need to carefully consider the condition of used clothing items.
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