What Is Sustainable & Ethical Clothing?

More and more, we’ve discovered that brands are using words like “sustainable” or “ethical,” without being clear about what those words mean to them. As the world becomes more educated on the negative impacts humans are creating on the environment, consumers want to be more mindful about their purchases. Brands are responding to that desire with varying degrees of authenticity. So — how can you tell the difference between a brand that is truly sustainable versus one that is using the word as a marketing ploy? What is sustainable fashion and why does it matter? If you’re on this journey with us at Pildora, you probably already have an idea of why sustainability matters. The sustainable fashion movement is crucial because it counterbalances the incredibly toxic effects of the larger fashion industry as a whole. Fashion is one of the most polluting industries in the world. The footwear and apparel industries combined produce more carbon emissions than international flights and maritime shipping. There is a dire need to find a new way to produce and consume clothing. Simply defined, sustainable fashion is a movement of designers and brands who opt for fabrics and practices that do less harm and are fully transparent about all aspects of their supply chain. Most sustainable fashion brands and designers make this information readily available on their website, if not on the garments themselves. Transparency is never a given, especially in the fashion industry, so this focus on integrity and authenticity is truly revolutionary. There are many opportunities along the supply chain to introduce sustainability, from textiles to the packaging and everything in between. Start your research by looking at the issues of the broader fashion industry and finding out how a brand or designer addresses them. We’ve divided the issues into three categories: Ethical Environmental Economic How can I tell the difference between a sustainable garment and a not-so-sustainable one?