When it comes to fashion, more women should be more responsible in their choices. Ethical fashion may sound high-minded, but it can change the lives of many people for the better. However, many women hesitate because they think it is not easy to do or too expensive. The truth is that it is much easier than many of them think. If you’re interested in making the change, here are a few tips on what to do.
Be Smart About Materials
The first thing you have to be aware of is that not all materials are the same for fashion. Some items come from ecologically damaging sources, while others are produced thanks to human suffering. If you plan to be ethical about your fashion choices, you need to know where your fashion is sourced from. For example, when you are looking at fabrics, it is best to choose organic cotton as the preferred material. It is even better if it has the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) seal of approval. At the very least, you can be sure that the fabric meets the various ecological and ethical standards of the body.
Choose The Right Brands
It is not just the materials of what you are wearing that you need to worry about. It is also the brands that make and sell them. It would help if you did some research on the fashion brands that you patronize. Some of the big brands outsource their production needs to unethical sweatshops. You want to avoid these brands as much as possible. Besides that, do some research. There are brands out there that do a lot by giving back in various ways, like charities and initiatives. It would be best to buy your fashion, whether clothes and jewelry, from small and local brands. Investment in them can also be good for the community. For example, if a jewelry business is black-owned, buying from them supports the black community better than buying from a big brand.
Don’t Hesitate To Thrift And Go Second-Hand
When it comes to fashion, many women like to stick with what is new. However, constant consumption like this feeds into an unsustainable. There are many clothes and accessories out there that are available in thrift stores and second-hand shops. When you want to create a new look, it is better to browse through what they have to offer than looking for something completely brand-new. It reduces the high demand for new things and encourages a lower output from manufacturers.
Aim For Longevity
A good rule-of-thumb when buying anything when it comes to fashion is the 30-wears rule. You have to ask yourself whether you will be wearing something 30 times. Whether it is a pair of shoes or a new scarf, you should not buy it if you do not plan to use it at least a few times. Besides ensuring that you get your full money’s worth from your purchase, this shows that you are not treating them as disposable items. Besides purchasing for long-term use, you should learn how to properly care for and maintain them so that you can get to use them for years to come.
Change Your Shopping Habits
A major change in your spending habits can also allow you to be more ethical when it comes to fashion. For example, you should be spending more money on the clothes that you wear every day. A lot of women splurge on that special dress or something similar. They end up only wearing it a few times or for occasions. It would have been much better to spend all that money on clothes and items you use every day. This allows you to get more value from the money spent.
Responsible Disposal
There comes a time when you have too many clothes and fashion accessories to store properly. You should then know how to dispose of them properly. For one, you can donate your clothes to charity. Many people need clothes to wear and can’t afford them. Additionally, you can also send them out to thrift shops so that they can have a new life. Of course, you need to prepare the clothes for this. Launder them properly and iron them so that they look good for those who receive them,
Being ethical about your fashion choices requires a few sacrifices. It might come in the form of a minor price bump or avoiding the big-name brands, but it can be worth it. Ethical fashion looks to the future, and you can feel good that you are helping the world out in your small way.0
