Ethical shopping guide — Clothing
Fashion is a $1.2 trillion industry, and Americans alone spend over $250 billion a year on clothing. Clothing is becoming increasingly plentiful and cheap, but fashion is the second dirtiest industry in the world, trailing only the oil industry. And fashion has a devastating impact on people as well as the planet, with garment workers facing long hours, low pay and unsafe working conditions. There are notable exceptions, but ethical clothing makes up only 1% of the global fashion industry.
When shopping for clothing, it’s always a good idea to consider whether a purchase is a want or a need. Americans regularly wear just 20% of their wardrobe. Women buy half their body weight in clothes each year, and the average woman has 22 items of unworn clothing in her closet. All this to say: most of us have more than enough clothing already. If we truly need something, consignment is better than retail. Most towns have consignment stores, and you can even shop gently used clothing online. But if you prefer new over resale, you can still shop smart by shopping ethically. That’s why we’ve put together this list of our favorite sources for ethical clothing.
Krochet Kids has it all. I could talk about their affordable on-trend clothing line or about their commitment to fair wages. I could detail their rigorous monitoring system that measures the impact of their programs on every participant. But what really sets Krochet Kids apart is their education and mentorship program, which prepares artisans for successful careers long into the future.
Nisolo collaborates with artisans in Peru on the design and production of their leather shoes, accessories and jewelry. They provide full-time employment and fair wages to their artisans, who carefully handcraft each shoe. Their effortlessly stylish line features something for everyone — from French-girl-chic D’orsay flats to buttery combat boots, and everything in between.
Tribe Alive partners with female artisans in Guatemala, Haiti, India and Honduras to employ impoverished women at fair-trade wages. Their line includes clothing, jewelry, accessories and home goods.
Symbology produces beautiful clothing that preserves traditional art forms — Indian block printing, Palestinian weaving and Native American embroidery. They employ women artisans who bring their own cultural artforms to the collections.
FASHIONABLE started as a scarf company designed to create safe, fulfilling jobs for women in the commercial sex industry. Today, the goal is broader: to end generational poverty by creating employment opportunities for the poor across the globe. With manufacturing facilities from Ethiopia to Nashville, FASHIONABLE’s line now includes high-end leather handbags, shoes, jewelry, t-shirts, and denim.
SiiZU designs and sells eco-friendly and responsibly sourced apparel. With recyclable shipping materials and an online-only business model, they are dedicated to reducing their impact on the environment. SiiZU even donates to American Forest with the goal of planting 2.7 million trees nationwide.
Raven + Lily offers a range of jewelry, bags, clothing and home goods. They employ over 1,500 women, many of whom are survivors of human trafficking, HIV positive and previously homeless. Raven + Lily pays artisans fair wages, offering access to safe jobs, sustainable income, health care and education. They also prioritize environmental sustainability, with eco-friendly sourcing and carbon neutral factories.
Alternative Apparel ensures a fair and safe workplace for all workers, in accordance with the Fair Labor Association. Furthermore, they make 80% of their garments with sustainable materials and practices. It’s nearly impossible to find a line that’s both socially responsible and environmentally sustainable, but Alternative Apparel fits the bill with their casual basics, like tees, tanks and sweats.
Elegantees carries t-shirts and dresses made by women who have overcome sex trafficking in Nepal. The super soft “elegant tees” and casual dresses come in an array of colors and will quickly become wardrobe staples.
Naja hopes to change the way lingerie is made and marketed by empowering, rather than objectifying, women. This starts with production. Through their Underwear for Hope program, Naja trains and employs single mothers in Columbia to craft their handmade pieces. Their flexible work program ensures that artisans can balance work and childcare, and Naja even provides books, school supplies, uniforms and food for workers’ children. They utilize water-saving technologies and incorporate fabrics made out of plastic bottles.
There are plenty of ways to shop more responsibly. The key is knowing your options. Before making a new clothing purchase, consider consignment shopping. If that isn’t an option, utilize these resources to find quality pieces you can feel good about.
