Ethical fashion and you
When you put on that new coat you just had to buy, you probably don’t give much thought to where it came from, who made it, and under what conditions. Fear not, I doubt you’re alone.
Most of us probably know something about ethical fashion or have an inkling as to what it might, be but the clothing industry is a complex one. Importantly though, all the clothes we wear do have a story behind them and perhaps its time we started to take a bit more care about where they came from.
Students are an interesting bunch. For many, university is the first time they can really have a voice about issues they care about, what with union elections, political campaigns, rallies and societies; you’re encouraged to make your opinion heard to promote change. You’d think then that most students would be pretty hot on ethical clothing. Not necessarily. You see we’re caught in a bit of a catch 22 situation. On the one hand we know that ethical clothing is right but in reality most of us are living on literally nothing but our loans. We’re notorious for hunting out a bargain. Inevitably a £5 top from Primark is sometimes the best possible option.
Nicola Collins, a third year psychology student from Sheffield University knows only too well how tempting that bargain rail can be.
“I’ve heard about ethical clothing but to be honest I can’t imagine that the clothes are going to be that fashionable. Please prove me wrong if you think you can!” she says.
Not one to say no to a challenge I think we need to show Miss Collins that ethical clothing should be something we think about, and yes it is fashionable too. After all, we’ve seen what Jamie Oliver’s done to Turkey Twizzlers, how much longer can it be until fashion follows suit?
Who’s to blame?
Firstly, it’s all well and good blaming the consumer for their ignorance but the average person isn’t going to change what they buy if they don’t understand exactly what ethical fashion is. Most of us probably associate eco fashion with clothes that are just a bit dull, but fear not, it’s changed! The scruffy-tramp-look stitched together by recycling devotees didn’t (not surprisingly) jump off the rails, but this has now been updated and eco fashion is making numerous appearances on catwalks, in glossy magazines, and importantly, on the high street.
What is Fairtrade?
Most of us know about Fairtrade coffee, chocolate, and wine but the newest edition to the Fairtrade mark is its cotton clothing range. By buying Fairtrade clothing you help cotton farmers around the world to be given a fair price for their products. They also receive a little extra money to invest in their communities. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is organic, just that the cotton used to make it is certified as being produced according to Fairtrade guidelines.
This is important because cotton is the biggest culprit when it comes to environmental damage caused by the fashion industry. Small-scale cotton growers around the world are constantly facing difficult challenges and the industry’s high use of chemical pesticides harms the environment.
Importantly, for you the consumer, prices aren’t too bad. A Fairtrade round neck tunic comes in at £10.
What’s the difference between organic and Fairtrade clothes?
Organic clothes are made using fewer pesticides and chemical fertilisers and this has big health and safety benefits for cotton farmers. It’s good for the environment as well. If a label says ‘100% organic cotton’ then the raw cotton was grown organically. Look out for labels from the Soil Association, SKAL and Naturtextile because these organisations use producers which apply environmentally friendly dyes. There are also ‘ecological’ clothing lines which cause absolutely no harm to the environment such as Levi’s latest ‘Eco’ jeans range. They are totally composed of sustainable products and recycled materials including coconut shell and non-galvanised metal buttons.
The main difference between organic and Fairtrade is that although Fairtrade encourages environmental practices, farmers may still use pesticides.
Why not go vintage?
For the ultimate way to go green, why not go vintage? Many designers and companies make their clothes from recycled clothing or fabrics so why not evoke your inner seamstress and transform yours at home by customizing with added buttons and accessories? Alternatively, how about a rummage through your parent’s wardrobe, you’d be surprised at how ‘in’ an old bags from the 80s can look. Or, for something a bit more fun, why not get your friends round for a clothes-swapping part? Get them to bring all their unwanted belongings and play swapsies. Donate any clothes left over to a local charity shop.
