Conversations about ethical fashion are becoming more and more popular.

Because aren’t we all tired of wearing plastic, hurting Earth, and contributing to awful labor practices in countries where workers are already suffering?

Yeah, me too.

Consequently, more brands are beginning to be transparent about their practices and trying to brand themselves as “ethical fashion.”

Here are some things you might want to look for if you want to purchase more ethical and sustainable clothing.

Made in Countries With Fair Labor Laws

If the clothing you are looking at is made in the United States, you can feel pretty confident that the workers who made it work in a relatively safe environment and are paid a reasonable wage. This is true of many European countries as well. There are ethical clothing manufacturers in other countries, too, but it can be harder to confirm that. Clothes made in countries with stricter labor laws are more likely to be ethically made.

Made of Natural Fibers

Synthetic materials, such as rayon and polyester, can release microplastics into the environment and are usually less sustainable to manufacture than natural fibers. Look for materials like cotton, wool, and linen. These fabrics are biodegradable and can even be better at helping your body regulate temperature.

Recycled Materials

Finding companies that recycle materials is another great way to buy sustainable clothing. These companies help reduce waste by repurposing other materials that otherwise might end up in landfills. Some of these companies will also take your old clothes and help you recycle them.

Transparency

If a company claims it is ethical and sustainable, but you can’t find any information about where their clothes are manufactured or how they reduce their carbon footprint, it may be too good to be true. “Ethical” and “sustainable” can cover a wide variety of definitions, and reputable brands are more likely to showcase their efforts to increase the confidence of their consumers.

Small Businesses

Smaller companies are more likely to value their employees and ethical business practices. Additionally, shopping local is a great way to support your community and boost the local economy! Shopping small often means you’ll pay a higher price, but if that is something you can do, it can be an excellent opportunity to get some unique and high-quality products.

There are many ways that businesses can change their models to be more ethical and sustainable, but these are a few things you can look for if you are committed to sourcing clothing from these kinds of businesses.

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