Ethically Sourced Fashion – The Fall of Fast Fashion

Fast fashion is unsustainable, but the fashion industry has an alternative, ethically sourced fashion. Ethically sourced fashion is fashion that revolves around the idea of creating clothing that is ethically sourced, eco-friendly and durable. Ethically sourced clothing is meant to be worn beyond the latest fashion trends. Fast fashion is the production of clothing made to be worn for a single season. It is worn for a short time and then replaced by new clothing. Fast fashion began taking off as a term and an industry template in the late 90s. It uses a lot of resources and creates a large amount of waste.

Each year fast fashion pollutes the water with dyes and consumes water in its production process. It can take around 700 gallons to produce one cotton shirt. In addition, clothing is typically blended with plastics. 35 per cent of all microplastics in the oceans come from producing synthetic textiles such as polyester. Fast fashion also burns a lot of energy resources in its production process. Furthermore, fast fashion is often made through the forced labour of children in developing nations such as Brazil, Argentina and Bangladesh.

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The Good Tee

In response, certain brands are attempting to create eco-friendly products, that do not abuse children and are made of resources that are taken ethically—brands like The Good Tee, Patagonia and Everlane. The Good Tee is a brand that is a Certified B Corporation. It only uses Certified Fairtrade Cotton sourced from farmers in India. The Good Tee believes in being a part of the entire production process and looks to make fair deals with suppliers. Good Tee also subscribes to slower more humane production practices. The company celebrates the individuals who make their clothing and are interested in creating a brand that can be trusted to make ethical choices and timeless clothing. Good Tee primarily produces T-shirts and sweatshirts with a small list of other items like scarves and face masks.

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Patagonia

Patagonia is one of the earliest companies to adopt ethical practices. They paved a path that many brands follow today. Patagonia is an ethically produced outerwear brand. Patagonia is a big proponent of recycling materials in their clothing. For example, they make use of plastic industrial fishing nets in their brim hats. The brand has also switched to organic cotton. They produce a whole range of outdoor wear for men, women and children including wetsuits and jackets. The brand also produces gear like backpacks and luggage.

Glamour

Everlane

Everlane is a brand that is charging into ethical fashion. The brand searches for ethical sources for all its materials and then relays the prices to the customer, allowing customers to understand exactly where their clothing comes from and how they are made. Everlane calls it Radical Transparency. This also allows customers to understand what exactly they are paying for and keeps the company honest. The designs and materials used by Everlane are meant to last and look great whatever the season. Everlane sells a wide array of clothing and accessories for both men and women.

With the rise of climate change and the harm that fast fashion can contribute, it is important to think about what we can do to reduce, reuse and recycle. Ethical fashion is one way customers can choose to pick products that do not hurt the environment and the people living and working in the industry. The Good Tee, Patagonia and Everlane are but a few of the many brands that are starting to choose ethical practices over shareholder profit. It is time for Ethical fashion to take over the industry and for fast fashion to go out of style, permanently.

Fast Fashion is Unsustainable…

But the fashion industry has an alternative, ethically sourced fashion. Ethically sourced fashion is fashion that revolves around the idea of creating clothing that is ethically sourced, eco-friendly and durable. Ethically sourced clothing is meant to be worn beyond the latest fashion trends.