Style June 20, 2018
Fair practices can make for some hot styles.
Looking for somewhere new to shop that you won’t make you feel guilty? Ethical clothing brands provide quality clothing through fair practices at every stage of production. That means that they pay their workers fair wages and ensure that business partners do the same.
Rather than not know who is making your clothing behind closed doors, these companies tend to be open books, showing you exactly how your clothing is made.
Much like you should be aware of what goes into your body, you should know what goes into your clothing. Build a wardrobe that you can feel good about with ethical clothing. Here’s where to shop if you’re looking for:
If you’re a skier, you might already be familiar with this brand. However, you might not be aware of its commitment to helping the environment. Patagonia’s mission statement demonstrates a passion for solving the environmental crisis through its business practices. It’s a “reason for being,” as the brand puts it. They have insulated jackets, rain jackets, along with more casual outerwear to keep you cozy.
Just be aware that a well-made jacket from a place like Patagonia can cost upwards of $200, though you can find others through this brand that are more reasonable. You can also find this brand at sporting good stores and outlets which offer occasional discounts.
ADAY’s purpose, according to its website, is to create ethical clothing for simplified wardrobes. It focuses on the technical and sustainable creation of its “seasonless” clothing, which means you can wear it all year round. If you aren’t sure what to get, they have something called “uniforms,” which are a packaged set of items to be worn together.
You unfortunately have to pay for convenience, so you’ll shell out some money — anywhere from $150-$350, depending on how new the uniform is. However, it might be the better option as individual items can cost nearly as much as the cheapest uniform.
Here’s another basic you need in your wardrobe: a dress! Amour Vert has a lot of gorgeous options, but like the other companies on this list, it goes green. In French, the brand’s name literally translates to “green love.” Its mission statement says it even better though: “A woman should never have to sacrifice style for sustainability. Our choices matter – smart fashion is our future.” Non-toxic dyes, sustainable fabrics and a zero-waste philosophy are all part of the game plan to make this possible.
Also, you won’t lose the style aspect thanks to its flowing dresses in classic styles and fun colors.
If you are worried about the cost, the dresses are comparable to name brands like Calvin Klein. The dresses range from under $100 to around $250. If you are interested in their other items, Amour Vert has shirts that range from around $60 to over $100, with a few even in the $200 range.
In terms of sustainability, Kings of Indigo is looking at it from a multitude of angles. It starts with sustainable fabrics and what it calls “quality wear for the next era.” It finishes the cycle with a “Repair, Recycle and Re-use” philosophy explained on the website.
Additionally, it hosts KOI events where customers can leave their unwanted denim for reuse in return for a discount. Even better, check the map on their website which details where all those baby blues come from.
When it comes to the cost, you’re looking at around 100 euros per pair (or $116).
Finally, you can take your outfit up a notch with some jewelry from Raven + Lily. According to its website, Raven + Lily sees two main problems with the fashion industry: the low salary of women employees and pollution, so it always works with partners who pay fair wages.
It also uses recycled or repurposed materials to reduce its environmental impact. It can be hard to find affordable ethical clothing, but the jewelry at Raven + Lily can be pretty and affordable. What better way to polish off an outfit?
You don’t have to decide between buying ethically and buying fashionably. These brands have the style to last and will keep you looking and feeling come for a long time.
