The ethical fashion movement is gaining traction as more and more people become concerned with the environmental and social impact of the clothes they wear. But what is ethical fashion, exactly? And why should you care? In this blog post, we’ll discuss ways to support the sustainable fashion industry and show you that it’s easier than you think!
Make More Sustainable Fashion Choices
Supporting ethical fashion largely comes down to making more sustainable choices when you shop for clothes. That’s not to say it’s the entire story, and buying an organic cotton shirt won’t revolutionize the fashion industry, but it’s a start.
Here are some of the simplest ways you can be a more ethical fashion shopper.
Wear Natural or Sustainable Synthetic Fibers
This is an easy one. Natural fibers like wool, silk, and cotton are all biodegradable, whereas synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester will last forever in a landfill. When you’re shopping for clothing, look for natural fibers or sustainable synthetics like Tencel or bamboo viscose. These materials are just as durable as conventional fibers but often less expensive.
Shop For Clothes Made From Recycled Materials
Another way to shop more sustainably is to look for clothing made from recycled materials. Recycled polyester, for example, is made from post-consumer plastic bottles. It requires less energy and water to produce than virgin polyester, making it a more sustainable choice.
In practice, this will mean learning a thing or two about how clothes are recycled, which fibers are recyclable, and what to look for on a clothing tag. But, with just a little effort, you can easily make most of your purchases align with your values.
Shop From Sustainable Fashion Brands
When it comes to sustainable fashion, buying from certified sustainable brands is the best way to ensure that your clothes were made with the environment in mind.
Read more about how to find out if a company is ethical.
However, these brands can be hard to find and often more expensive. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our list of sustainable fashion brands.
Buy Clothes From Second-hand or Thrift Stores
One of the most sustainable ways to shop for clothes is to buy them second-hand. Not only do you reduce the need for new clothing, but you’re also keeping clothes out of landfills.
Thrift stores are a great place to find gently used clothes, and many cities have online marketplaces where you can buy and sell used clothes rather than purchase new garments. eBay and Etsy are among the biggest players in this space and are great sites to start your sustainable fashion journey.
There are even browser extensions like Ethical Shopper that can help you make more sustainable fashion choices.
Support Ethical Fashion in Creative Ways
Supporting sustainable fashion is not just about what you buy. In a lot of ways, it’s more about the things you don’t buy.
So, you can still support the movement without spending a dime.
Donate Your Clothes
If you have clothes that you no longer wear, donate them to a local thrift store or charity. This is a great way to give your clothes a second life and support the ethical fashion movement.
Reduce Your Fashion Carbon Footprint
The fashion industry has a large carbon footprint, so one of the best ways to support sustainable fashion is to simply buy less clothing. This doesn’t mean you have to stop shopping altogether. Just be more mindful of your purchases and only buy what you need.
When it comes time to shop for new clothes, consider renting clothes or even borrowing. And, when you do purchase new clothes, you should try to purchase high-quality clothes and look after the clothes you own.
Promote Ethical Fashion Brands on Social Media
One of the most effective ways to support sustainable fashion is to promote ethical fashion brands on social media.
Many people are unaware of what sustainable fashion is, so by raising awareness you can help more people make more informed choices about the clothes they buy.
You can also show your support for ethical fashion by following and sharing content from ethical fashion brands.
Learn To Mend Your Clothes And About Clothing Production
Additionally, you can support sustainable fashion by learning how to mend your clothes and about clothing production. This way, you’ll be able to extend the life of your clothes and make more informed choices about what you buy.
Ultimately, the most important step toward more sustainable fashion choices is to educate yourself about sustainability in fashion and how the fashion industry contributes to environmental deterioration.
By educating yourself, you can start to educate others about fast fashion, slow fashion, and how to be more conscious consumers.
Let The Fast Fashion Industry Know How You Feel
Finally, you can support ethical fashion by letting the fast fashion industry know how you feel.
The best way to do this is to vote with your wallet and choose not to shop at stores that don’t align with your values.
You can also write letters or sign petitions to let these companies know how you feel about their practices. Petitions on Change.org are a good way to show fashion companies that people disagree with the impact the fashion industry produces. Although these petitions alone won’t move the needle too much, at least they can serve as a rallying point for others who support the sustainable fashion movement.
Supporting Ethical Fashion Has Never Been Easier
We hope that by following some of these tips, you will be able to make small changes in your everyday life that will have a large impact on the fashion industry as a whole.
Together, we can create a more sustainable and ethical future for fashion. Have you made any changes in your own wardrobe to support sustainability?
