For most people, the term ‘ethical fashion’ doesn’t mean very much– it at best conjures up the image of minimalist neutral clothing, and at worst brings to mind nothing at all. What the ethical fashion movement represents, however, is incredibly important for all my fellow fashion lovers out there. In this post I just wanted to share some of what I have learned about the movement towards a sustainable fashion industry.

The fashion industry is responsible for about 20% of global water waste. Synthetic fibers such as polyester do not biodegrade or decompose. They, instead, release [plastic] microfibres when washed which make their way into our water systems and pollute them. Consumers and producers alike dispose of more than half of clothing purchased and produced in fashion cycles without recycling. The cotton industry is one the biggest culprits when it comes to the release of toxic gases into our atmosphere via insecticides. If you saw the documentary the True Cost, you might be aware of how low priced fashion retailers are only able to keep their prices so low because of the inhumane working and compensation practices their employees suffer. Fast fashion is terrible for the environment, and awful for the people who actually make the clothing that ends up in the back of our drawers.

As a way to really confront this issue with fast fashion (clothing we produce unethically in terms of worker compensation, and materials used and how they are sourced and treated), different brands and journalists speak out about the dangers of fast fashion and provided alternatives to shopping fast fashion. Brands like Everlane, Kotn, and LAMade, where my t-shirt is from, are transparent about their manufacturing process, use recycled materials, and use natural fibers that biodegrade so they won’t sit in a landfill till the end of time.

HOW TO SHOP ETHICAL FASHION ON A BUDGET

Fast fashion is how I have always shopped. I don’t have much money, and I’ve just bought what was accessible and priced within my budget. From time to time, I have shopped secondhand, but I hadn’t given much thought to where my clothes go when I throw them away or how my shopping habits affect the environment. My situation is like many others’- and sustainable fashion seems like this unattainable standard reserved for the wealthy who can afford to spend a lot on a basic t-shirt. I am coming to understand however, how quickly we are destroying our planet; and I am trying to understand how I can be a better consumer. Lately, I have been more mindful with my purchases and don’t shop on a whim. I am training myself to only buy items when I need them, or if I genuinely believe they will last in my closet for a long time.

The journey to becoming more sustainable won’t happen overnight for most of us, but I do think it is a change we all need to be conscious of and be intentional about. Given that my blogging job is to give my readers fashion inspiration, I do struggle with how to buy less and buy better while also keeping my content fresh and inspiring. But, I know that things have to change and the fashion industry needs to be more sustainable and ethical. I am doing my best, one closed shopping tab at a time, to be a more thoughtful consumer.

Is ethical fashion something you have ever thought about? Is it something you are familiar with? What are your thoughts on it? Leave me a comment, I’d love to have a conversation with you about it!