How to Make More Ethical Fashion Choices

There are plenty of reasons to make more ethical fashion choices, and it’s easier now than ever before. It can be surprising to learn just how damaging the fashion industry can be, both to the environment and on a social level. The environment, animals, and even human lives can be put at risk just so people can look good, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

Here are a few ways that anyone can make more ethical fashion choices, so you can live more sustainably and look good doing it.

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Research Different Brands

Doing just a little bit of research can help you make more informed and ethical choices about what you buy and what you wear.

As a general rule, clothes made with natural materials are less harmful to the environment than clothes that contain a lot of plastic, because producing these clothes requires a lot of chemical processing. But even cotton clothing can be damaging to the environment because cotton farms require a lot of space and water.

Look for brands that have a reputation for ethical production of clothing. Some labels also promise a higher level of care, so research what these mean and how to find these clothes. 

You also have to bear in mind your budget. Cheap clothes are rarely made from 100% natural materials and with sustainability in mind, so find a balance that works for you.

Thrift Store Shopping

One good way to guarantee that your clothing options are more sustainable is by shopping in thrift stores.

The simple fact is that, when you buy pre-owned items, it means that another item of clothing doesn’t need to be produced. Even if the clothing you end up buying in a thrift store was produced unsustainably, you still aren’t contributing to that industry more.

Reusing is by far the best way to dispose of anything. Unfortunately, we live in a society that runs on overproduction and overconsumption. This means that things get thrown out, and the resources used to produce them go to waste. So, shopping in thrift stores is one way to prevent something useful from ending up in a landfill.

Repairing Your Own Clothes

Another way to prevent waste is to learn how to repair your clothes. 

Often, it’s the clothes we love the most that suffer from wear and tear. Rips, tears, and other issues can cause us to throw out items, but damage doesn’t have to be the end of your pieces' journey. You can make them last much longer by investing a bit of time and learning how to repair your own clothes. Even very basic skills like rehemming, button replacement, and repairing open seams can add years to your clothing’s lifespan.

Lab-Growth Diamonds

Diamonds last forever, but the diamond industry has been linked to environmental and real human risks. 

If you love diamonds but don’t love the idea of contributing to a blood diamond industry, another option is to get beautiful lab-grown jewelry like a lab diamond necklace that has all of the shine and luster, but without the risk and damage.