A GUIDE TO ETHICAL FASHION
Hi there! We are glad you stopped by to talk about ways you can help change the world as we know it in the fashion industry! You have probably heard the new trend is ethics and sustainability. It’s not a surprise that this trend has been on a rise in many industries such as, entertainment, food, agriculture, manufacturing, and more. You probably have some questions that you are wondering about and we are excited to answer those. Let’s get started!
Knowing What is Ethical:
The definition of ethics is, “moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity.” I like to think of it as the most responsible decision that I can make in the given situation, “what is morally correct?”
A way to show your integrity as a person and through your business
Fair, Responsible, Valued, Honest, Right, Conscious, Honorable, and most importantly a CHOICE
Knowing What is Unethical:
The definition of unethical is, “not morally correct”
Making a statement or choice for personal gain, e.g. green-washing
Choosing to do the wrong thing such as bribery, lying, cheating, stealing, ignoring human rights, and bad working conditions, etc.
I hope that cleared up some of your questions and that you have a better understanding now of what ethics are. Now how can we put this knowledge into effect?
Below are 3 ways you can contribute to ethical fashion.
Option 1: Be Informed and Go Inform:
This is a great place to start, but there is so much more to learn! Do your research on the topic fashion ethics and sustainability. There are topics on manufacturing, raw materials, human rights, waste management, and many more! Pick one that speaks to you and have a conversation with your friends and family to better inform them of this issue. We can’t do it without your influence and voice! Change happens when we actively inform, have conversations, and act on the problem at hand.
Option 2: Choose Reusable and Recyclable:
Once you have a better understanding of what ethical and sustainable fashion is, now it’s time to find out what retailers match you and your preferences of aesthetic and style,while also contributing to a better future in the areas we mentioned above. Patagonia is a great example of a fashion retailer that wants you the consumer to actually think before you purchase and not buy want you don’t need. Their Black Friday ad campaign in 2011 was, “Don’t Buy This Jacket.” They encourage their consumers to use what they have until they can longer use it or to bring it to one of their repair shops to be fixed. I will post a link to some of my favorite sustainable clothing brands below.
Option 3: Support Start-Ups and Shop Responsibly:
Corporate Retail Chains aren’t the only places to shop sustainable clothing. Think of your towns smaller shops, your big city’s start-ups, the places that may be last on your mind when you think of going out to shop. Go see what they’re all about, ask questions, chances are they aren’t mass producing, and have spent quality time and resources on each product. You can be the beginning of new consumer behavior within your social circle.
Shop responsibly!
Link to some awesome ethical brands:
https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/fair-trade-clothing
Don’t forget there are many ways that YOU can make a difference in ethical and sustainable fashion! The options are endless and they don’t stop here with what we talked about today. Use your voice, be a change maker, you can make a huge difference in the world as we know it!
Changing the World One Step at a Time,
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