It’s no surprise that different things matter to different people. Just as we all participate in donating to charities that are close to our hearts, we may also be drawn to wearing certain “sustainable” or “ethical” clothes for specific reasons – reasons that are important to you. So, what exactly makes fashion sustainable or ethical? These terms are broad and vague, and can mean many things, all the way from what kind of materials and fabrics are used to the way waste is managed in the supply chain. When choosing clothing, use these guidelines to figure out what kind of clothing you want to wear so that you can make a difference!
1. Vegan
These are clothes that are animal-friendly, meaning that no animals were harmed during the process of making your clothes. Vegan clothes stay away from fabrics such as silk, leather, and wool.
2. Locally Produced
Ever seen the “Made in China” tag on your clothes and thought about how that one garment had to travel so far to reach you in India? Locally made clothing means that it didn’t have to go through many different modes of transportation to get to you, which makes it a greener process. It also supports local businesses and strengthens the economy at home!
3. Transparency
Many clothing brands are now disclosing their entire supply chain to end-consumers, and take measures such as ensuring that they are only using carbon neutral factories. This means that the factories have a no carbon neutral, meaning that they conserve or offset the amount of carbon their facilities release into the environment. Other factories are simply invested in their employees’ well-being and ensure they are paying fair wages, providing healthcare and educational support, and humane working conditions. The point is – know where your clothes come from and who makes them!
4. Organic
Cotton is a pesticide heavy crop, and many brands are only utilizing organic cotton to reduce the amount of pesticides that are released into our environment. Also, purchasing organic cotton clothes helps our farmers from being exposed to these harmful chemicals.
5. Upcycling
This is something that we LOVE at Seams For Dreams. Upcycling essentially means taking waste, scraps, and unwanted stuff and making new products out of it. You will find many brands that are making entire fashion lines from upcycling.
Team SFD
