ethical clothing: definitions

What makes a garment ethical?

It seems to me there isn't any exact definition, which is understandable since ethics are subjective. But that - and the fact that our society isn't completely in gear when it comes doing the best environmentally and socially - makes consuming mindfully tricky.

Because there is also sustainability, which from every definition I've heard means the intersection of social equality, economic honesty, and environmental consciousness. So which should one shoot for? Uphold your ethics or sustain? Or both? Or do the two overlap? I am still working all that out.

And so I made a list of what buying mindfully means to me. It's by no mean exhaustive, and as I learn more it might evolve. At this point in time though, these are my own guidelines for navigating the world of wearables:


Vegan: No animals were harmed. No feathers, fur, or skin.

Fair trade: The makers were hired by someone else who treated them decently and paid them decently. For this there is a proscribed set of standards.

Second hand/Vintage: Buying something already worn, giving it a second (or maybe third or fourth...) life.

Handmade: This could be interpreted different ways. I take it to mean pieces of clothing that you or an independent person (many of the designers on etsy) made. Could be sewn, knit, crochet, etc.

Environmentally sustainable/conscious: The processes that went into to growing the material and making the garment or accessory were all calculated to be environmentally friendly.

Recycled: A new piece was remade from other pieces or a new piece was made of materials that were once other objects that were previously used. (I'm currently in the process of reading Cradel to Cradel, which makes it apparent that "recycled" isn't as simple a definition as we suppose.)


sources: here/here/here

on beauty and benefit

If I have a new year's resolution it is vague. Something like: I want live in a way that is more in line with what I believe. Regardless of how cliche that is, it's the notion I've had roaming around in my head for weeks. 

One part of it is what I consume. Meaning, not just want goes into my mouth but also what goes into my closest and drawers. Lately I've become more concerned about this things I buy, specifically my clothes and personal affects. Through a friend of mine, I found out about this book, and although I knew that certain things about the Western world's clothes economy were harmful to the rest of globe Safia Minney's exposé opened my eyes further.

The bangles above were a Christmas gift from my mother. They were made in Nepal by women who are rebuilding their lives. They're only jewelry - pretty, shiny bracelets that I love to wear because they jingle on my wrist - but they helped women worlds away. Why can't every part of my attire do that? Or how about clothing made of organically grow cotton, processed and packaged in a way that doesn't leave a scar, or a growing infection, on the planet? These aren't question I normally ask myself when shopping. Cost, color, and cut come first; egocentric concerns come first. They are my clothes, but as I was told when I was a child: "You are not the center of the universe." 

With all of this in mind, I put together an imaginary outfit composed of items that are environmentally and socially friendly. And beautiful too. The dress and leggings above are from Patagonia and Horny Toad, both of whom present themselves as being aware of their practices. The bangles and scarf are fair trade and made in India. The striped flats come from soleRebels in Ethiopia, the only WFTO Fair Trade Certified shoe company.

This planet and the people on it matter to be immensely. I think the way I act and the way I dress should be a reflection of that. And so this is the beginning of a series of posts on wearables that are as good as they look. 

dress from patagonia/leggings from peopletree/scarf from block shop/bracelets from lydali//flats from solerebels