• Home
  • Where to shop
    • Where to Shop Eco & Ethical Fashion
    • Where to Shop Clean & Natural Beauty
    • Shop My Instagram!
    • Shopping Guides
  • Style
    • Sustainable and Ethical Brands
    • Fair OOTDs
    • Eco & Ethical Beauty
  • Lifestyle
    • Career
    • Wellness
    • Books
    • Travel
  • About
    • About
    • Press
    • Legal Stuff
restitchstance

a sustainable and ethical (life)style blog

Eco/Ethical Fashion Education  /  September 17, 2017

Why should we care about sustainable and ethical fashion, anyway?

why sustainable and ethical fashion matters

Hello, dear reader! I know it’s been a little while, but… Do you notice anything new? Yep, I’ve completely redesigned my blog! Along with my new, beautiful site, I’ve come back with a renewed sense of purpose for restitchstance.

In the past five months, I’ve learned a lot about sustainable and ethical fashion. If you’ve followed along, thanks so much for learning and growing with me. What I’ve realized from talking to this community is that a lot of you are interested in learning more about sustainable and ethical fashion, but have no idea where to even start—and my blog has been a messy diary of my own fumbling journey into slow fashion, rather than a comprehensive guide.

I want Restitchstance to be your starting place (like it was mine!), and a space where we can learn and help each other do less harm with more style. From now on, I’ll work to create more informational content to guide your slow fashion journey, in addition to styling and lifestyle inspiration.

Today, we’re going back to the basics. Let’s talk about what sustainable and ethical fashion is in the first place and why it matters.

why sustainable and ethical fashion matters

First, let’s talk about the fast fashion industry.

Fast fashion makes up the majority of the fashion industry and includes big brands like Zara, Forever 21, and H&M. These brands constantly sell new styles according to trends, which quickly become popular and then die out. With as many as 52 “micro-seasons” a year, the fast fashion industry continually pushes new, trendy, cheaply made, “disposable” clothing on consumers.

While trends can be really fun, the problem lies in the huge environmental and ethical costs that come with manufacturing clothing.

The environmental cost of fast fashion

Fast fashion brands manufacture cheap clothing meant to last only a couple years, knowing that consumers will keep buying new, trendier clothing as old trends die out. This means that we over-consume and treat our clothing as disposable, so a large amount of clothing ends up in landfills.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 15.1 million tons of textile waste was generated in 2013, of which 12.8 million tons were discarded (1). Discarded clothing made from synthetic fibers don’t end their environmental impact there—unnatural fibers have been treated with many chemicals which then leach into the environment through the ground, or air if the clothing is incinerated, and also take hundreds to thousands of years to biodegrade (2).

In addition, it takes a lot of resources to manufacture an article of clothing. It takes up to 2,700 liters (700 gallons) of water to produce the cotton needed for a single T-shirt (3). That’s more water than you’d drink in 12 years, assuming the average American drinks 58 gallons a year (4).

The ethical cost of fast fashion

The fashion industry also has a nasty history of worker exploitation. Factory workers are often underpaid or work in unsafe conditions. The Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh of 2013, which killed over 1,100 people, served as a recent and stark wake-up call for the fast fashion industry (5). While the exploitation of textile and garment workers often happens overseas, sweatshops also exist in the U.S. (see this recent article about Forever 21’s LA sweatshops) (6).

why sustainable and ethical fashion matters

Um, wow I am horrified. What’s being done to change the industry?

The fashion industry has taken some steps to address these concerns. Lately the conscious fashion movement, including sustainable, ethical, and slow fashion, has been gaining more traction.

What is sustainable fashion?

Sustainable fashion brands take measures to minimize their impact on the environment, whether that’s using eco-friendly factories or recycled or organic textiles. Unfortunately, there’s no standardized definition of sustainable fashion and these attempts at sustainability are full of nuances that are complicated and sometimes contradictory (like how recycling materials like polyester is considered “sustainable,” but polyester fabric releases toxins into the environment, especially when we wash our clothes!)—but that’s a post for another day.

Sustainability as a lifestyle also means not buying an excessive amount of clothing and contributing to landfill waste. Even if you donate your old clothes, the majority of donated clothing ends up in landfills because only 20% of donated clothing gets sold (2).

Okay, so what about ethical fashion?

Ethical fashion brands use responsible factories that meet certain safety guidelines and pay workers a fair wage. Look for brands that use SA800-certified factories or that own their factories where they are able to regulate working conditions and pay workers fairly.

Another aspect of ethical fashion is transparency. Fast fashion is profitable despite the harm it does because we are distanced from the workers who make our clothes and from how dirty the process is. When I shop, I like to see detailed information about a brand’s commitment to sustainability and ethics, not just a vague corporate responsibility blurb (an example of a brand that practices “radical transparency” is Everlane, because they tell consumers where products are made and what the markup is). But again, a post for another day.

And slow fashion?

Another term you may have heard is slow fashion. Slow fashion is a movement in opposition to fast fashion (surprise!). Rather than trying to sell you trends that quickly become obsolete, sucking you into a never-ending cycle of constantly buying cheaply made clothes meant to only last a couple years, slow fashion brands try to sell high quality, timeless items meant to last you a long time. Slow fashion ties neatly into sustainable and ethical fashion because buying fewer, better things is the best way to practice sustainability and ensure that our clothes are made ethically.

why sustainable and ethical fashion matters

Great. What can I do as a consumer?

Sustainable, ethical, and slow fashion are part of living consciously and doing less harm to the environment and to the people who make your clothing. 

I encourage you to think a second longer about your next clothing purchase. Who made it? Were they paid and treated fairly? What was the cost to the environment? How long will this item be in your life?

I know it’s really difficult to shop consciously, especially when it’s super expensive to buy from slow fashion brands. But it’s not just about buying from certain brands; loving fashion in a more conscious way means buying less new clothing and not treating clothes as disposable.

Trying to be more conscious about my fashion choices isn’t a way for me to feel better about myself or pat myself on the back. I know I can always do better and that the fashion industry can always do better. I’m still figuring out how to be stylish in a sustainable and ethical way. If you’re down to break the cycle of environmental harm and exploitation in the fashion industry, together, then I hope you’ll follow along with my journey on this blog.

why sustainable and ethical fashion matters

Moving forward, I’ll be writing more informative, researched posts like this one. If you don’t want to miss a post, be sure to subscribe to my (new!) e-mail newsletter below!

Outfit details:

Dress: bought secondhand from Crossroads
Earrings: Nisolo
Sunnies: stolen from the bf

 

 

P.S. These pictures were taken in the beautiful VanDusen botanical garden in Vancouver, BC! See more Vancouver pix on my Instagram 🙂

Sources:

(1) http://www.npr.org/2016/04/08/473513620/what-happens-when-fashion-becomes-fast-disposable-and-cheap

(2) http://www.newsweek.com/2016/09/09/old-clothes-fashion-waste-crisis-494824.html

(3) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mattias-wallander/t-shirt-environment_b_1643892.html

(4) https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/03/how-much-water-do-people-drink/273936/

(5) http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/04/30/525858799/4-years-after-rana-plaza-tragedy-whats-changed-for-bangladeshi-garment-workers

(6) http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-fi-forever-21-factory-workers/#nt=oft02a-2la1

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Pinterest
Pin it:

Join the restitchstance!

Sign up for my e-mail newsletter to get notified first of new posts and special announcements! No spam, only sustainable & ethical goodness in your inbox.

By entering your e-mail address, you verify that you consent to receiving e-mail communications from me, and to this blog's privacy policy.

Please fill out all required fields.

You may also like:

Tags:

  • ecofashion
  • ,
  • ethical fashion
  • ,
  • fast fashion
  • ,
  • fast fashion sucks
  • ,
  • slow fashion
  • ,
  • sustainable fashion

Post navigation

How shopping sustainably helped me define my personal style
The world’s most comfortable shoe??? / Allbirds wool loungers review

10% off your first purchase

$10 off your first purchase

15% off with code CAT15

Follow me on Instagram

cookiecat.herine

cat (she/her)
Instagram post 17853352514466194 orange u glad 45 is outta office 🍊⁣
⁣
been thinking a lot about progressive organizing wins this past election and how grassroots movements put the climate, racial justice, labor, LGBTQIA+ rights on the forefront of the political arena. never forget that our wins are because of the work of organizers and protesters, particularly Black & Indigenous activists.⁣
⁣
get pumped for the next 4 years—we’re just getting started pushing the “radical left agenda” lmao 😌
.
.
.
.
.

#sustainablefashion #slowfashion #consciousfashion #intersectionalenvironmentalist #decolonizeyourfeed #ethicalfashionrepresentationmatters
Instagram post 17866828763256338 woke up in a great mood today, can u guess why ✌🏼 #bye45⁣
⁣
(also I recently discovered strawberry ricotta toast and I am living!!! it’s just toast + ricotta + strawberries + basil + honey 🍓 such a good breakfast or snack!)

.
.
.
.
.
#ethicalliving #sustainable #sustainability #consciousliving #brunchideas #toast
Instagram post 17872485212151745 the cuteness of the outfit is directly proportional to the number of selfies taken (and that’s on the extent of math I remember from school)⁣
⁣
fit:⁣
top: @sezane*⁣
pants: vintage⁣
scarf: @centinelle*⁣ (BIPOC-owned)
necklace: @shopmuchacha (BIPOC-owned)⁣
earrings: @heymoondesigns*⁣ (BIPOC-owned)
⁣
*gifted

.
.
.
.
.
#sustainablefashion #slowfashion #boycottfastfashion #sustainablestyle #consciousconsumer #ethicallymade #ethicallysourced #ethicalootd #whatimwearing #shopsecondhand #thriftblogger #cottagecore #sezanelovers
Instagram post 17957711575380205 what I would wear in a wes anderson film, if he ever wrote parts for asian people 😌⁣
⁣
outfit:⁣
cardigan: @sezane*⁣
skirt: thrifted⁣
shoes: @earthoriginsusa*

*gifted or previous collab

.
.
.
.
.
#sustainablefashion #slowfashion #boycottfastfashion #sustainablestyle #consciousconsumer #ethicallymade #ethicallysourced #ethicalootd #whatimwearing #shopsecondhand #thriftblogger #cottagecore #sezanelovers
Instagram post 17895512566755035 manifesting spring with my manicure ✨

inspired by @gabrielasage’s nail design (which was inspired by the @lisasaysgah x @kjplumb collab)!
Instagram post 17889750571865304 #ad // growing up in an immigrant family, investing in furniture and decorating our space wasn’t a priority. as I’ve grown up and started creating a home of my own, I feel so privileged to be able to curate my space so it’s not only functional, but also beautiful.⁣
⁣
one of my favorite brands for thoughtful furniture that lasts is @article. the products are high-quality and timeless, and I know I’ll be able to keep them for years to come.⁣
⁣
@article kindly gifted me their #NirvanaSofa and #BeaconLamp, which pair perfectly together and make my living room feel instantly cozy. peep my new favorite reading (and napping) spot! ⁣
⁣
links to these pieces will be in my stories!⁣
⁣
#OurArticle
Instagram post 17967974074365539 let me just crawl inside a ball of yarn real quick and live there forever⁣
⁣
finally found a moment of calm to pick up my needles again, and was reminded of how grounding it can be to just sit and focus on the feel of yarn in your hands. also it’s really cool to bring something into existence with your bare hands, like wow

.
.
.
.
.
#handmadewardrobe #imademyclothes
#diy #knittersofinstagram #memade #makersgonnamake #makersofinstagram #knitter #knitting_inspiration #nailsofinstagram #nailsoftheday
Instagram post 18140477986190551 wearing my mask on a chain is the biggest gamechanger ✨ we stan safety in style ✨ ty @mrowlanie for this very thoughtful xmas gift!!⁣
⁣
also I don’t believe in neutrals anymore sorry⁣
⁣
outfit:⁣
cardigan: @tradlands* (CAT15 for 15% off)⁣
bodysuit & flares: @hara_thelabel*⁣
belt bag: @minorhistorynyc*⁣
necklace: @shopmuchacha (Mexican-American-owned, check em out!)⁣
⁣
*gifted or previous collab

.
.
.
.
.
#sustainablefashion #slowfashion #boycottfastfashion #sustainablestyle #consciousconsumer #ethicallymade #ethicallysourced #ethicalootd #y2k #tradlands #tradlandspartner #wellworncollective
Instagram post 17925953836494560 class is in session, folks ✨⁣
⁣
(zoom in to see our course material 😌 I found this book, “The Manly Art of Knitting,” in a used bookstore a few years ago and have still been unable to determine if it’s satirical or not. like...there are legit knitting techniques in there but also patterns to make “manly” things like horse blankets? will share in my stories lmao)⁣
⁣
outfit:⁣
cardigan: @sezane*⁣
skirt: thrifted⁣
⁣
*gifted
Instagram post 18068149936254644 save water, shower with ur plants 🪴⁣
⁣
(I know a lot of us are holding our breaths for what this next week will hold. I hope you find some moments of peace and rest today✨)
Instagram post 18091116520216133 time and time again white supremacy shows itself to be the most violent problem in this country.⁣
⁣
what happened at the US Capitol today is horrific, and it is a reminder that the work of racial justice is imperative for all of us.⁣
⁣
much love to my BIPOC community today—these are scary, sickening times and it’s hard to not even be able to hold each other close, physically. in whatever way you can, I hope you are able to take space for yourself today.⁣
⁣
rp @attnwhitepeople
Instagram post 18135428476082223 a side of surrealism 👁👄👁⁣
⁣
so happy with my dining nook! could not resist this refurbished dining set I found on FB marketplace bc the chairs so perfectly matched this piece by @analeovy 💙⁣
⁣
it turned out the seller was upcycling furniture as a way to make some money after losing his job due to covid and this was one of his last sales bc he’d thankfully found another job. it was just a nice reminder that you never know the kind of impact your purchase can make when you shop small, even if it’s off FB marketplace or Craigslist 🥺
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Categories

  • Blogging
  • Books
  • Career
  • DIY
  • DREAMCHASERS
  • Eco & Ethical Beauty
  • Eco/Ethical Fashion Education
  • Fair OOTDs
  • Featured
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Outfit Diaries
  • Outside
  • Reviews
  • Shopping Guides
  • Skincare
  • Slow Living
  • Style
  • Sustainable and Ethical Brands
  • Sustainable Living
  • Trail Journal
  • Travel
  • Wellness
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

28 Comments

  • SHAMEEZ PATEL says:
    September 20, 2017 at 7:17 am

    This is a great article. I often think about this, not just for clothing, but for appliances and furniture etc. It’s definitely tempting to buy the cheaper kettle, but the more expensive one would likely last longer.

    Unfortunately, with appliances and furniture being more of a necessity, it comes down to how much money you have at hand. My country is relatively poor and therefore the cheaper the better.

    With clothing, however, it’s not so much a necessity to stay on top of fashion. It would definitely be easier for people to make the shift with clothing than other items.

    Thanks for sharing! (and caring!)

    Reply
    • Cat says:
      September 20, 2017 at 8:46 am

      Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Shameez! That’s something I’ve been thinking about, too…how to make “conscious consumerism” more accessible to all people, not just people who can afford it. How silly that being a conscious consumer is more of a status symbol right now than anything else – and it’s the same forces that make fast fashion terrible (irresponsible corporations and a capitalist system that rewards them) that also contribute to socioeconomic inequality. Thanks again for your input; I really appreciate it!

      Reply
  • Emma says:
    September 20, 2017 at 10:21 am

    Ahh Cat this article was incredibly informative. I think we all need to be more aware about sustainable and ethical fashion. So keep up the great work!

    xo, emma

    Reply
    • Cat says:
      September 20, 2017 at 10:28 am

      Thanks Emma! Appreciate the support 🙂

      Reply
  • Abbey Olivo says:
    September 20, 2017 at 2:13 pm

    I love this post! I have been working on sustainable living a lot this year – especially as a family with a toddler because a lot of the things we do can feel very wasteful at times. I have some posts planned on what we are doing as a family, but in regards to fashion honestly do not know a lot from that perspective. I do however love your comment about ‘slow’ fashion… that is something I guess I have been trying to do for years but didn’t know the term for. More because I know the crap I buy from Forever 21 will fall apart or not fit right after 5 washes, so I very much advocate buying timeless, well-made clothes that will stay in your closet a lot longer. Thank you and I will be following this for sure!

    Reply
    • Cat says:
      September 20, 2017 at 4:10 pm

      That’s so awesome, Abbey! I definitely need to work on living more sustainably in the rest of my life, too. I think lots of people have been practicing slow fashion for a while without even realizing it! It’s great that the movement is gaining more visibility now 🙂

      Reply
  • Pauline says:
    September 20, 2017 at 8:06 pm

    LOVE THIS! You are so beautiful and keep up the GREAT work! <3

    Reply
    • Cat says:
      September 20, 2017 at 8:14 pm

      Aw, thanks so much for the kind words, Pauline!

      Reply
  • Mia says:
    September 20, 2017 at 8:28 pm

    Great introduction to the different aspects of eco fashion! I feel like there are more brands getting on board and making better choices for more sustainable, ethical business models. It also helps that minimalism and consumption attitudes are changing, let’s hope the momentum keeps moving forward!

    Reply
    • Cat says:
      September 20, 2017 at 8:46 pm

      I totally agree! So excited to see more brands and people interested in sustainability.

      Reply
  • Ginger Hultin says:
    September 20, 2017 at 8:41 pm

    Love that you’re talking about this!

    Reply
    • Cat says:
      September 20, 2017 at 8:46 pm

      Thanks Ginger! 🙂

      Reply
  • Cynelle kunkle says:
    September 22, 2017 at 7:36 am

    Thank you for bringing attention to this very important issue. I have been desperately tying to finds ways to reduce my own clothing waste and come up with stategies for more environmentally conscious shopping behavior.

    Reply
    • Cat says:
      September 22, 2017 at 8:45 am

      You’re welcome! I know it’s a difficult process but I think it can also be really fun to challenge ourselves to be stylish without overly consuming. Glad to have you along on the slow fashion journey!

      Reply
  • Willow says:
    September 23, 2017 at 10:13 am

    I am glad to see a blog on this topic! I don’t buy clothes often these days, but when I do I buy them second hand. When my blog brings in more money, I will definitely check back here as a resource for where to go shopping!

    Reply
    • Cat says:
      September 23, 2017 at 1:13 pm

      Shopping secondhand is the most sustainable thing you can do! Thanks for reading, Willow 🙂

      Reply
  • Miss Monèt says:
    September 24, 2017 at 7:55 am

    So glad to see a post on this topic. Not many talk about it but it m should be recognized. Thanks for keeping me informed

    Reply
    • Cat says:
      September 24, 2017 at 3:49 pm

      Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  • Vivi says:
    September 24, 2017 at 8:59 am

    I’ve learned quite a bit from this post and look forward to more informative postings in the future. I’m more of a thrifter/consignment shopper. But I must admit, I’ve sometimes succumbed to the fast fashion wonder. It’s hard to break out of that habit but I’ll try my best to do so.

    Reply
    • Cat says:
      September 24, 2017 at 3:50 pm

      I agree, it’s really hard. I have the most fun shopping secondhand, too! Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  • Mary says:
    September 24, 2017 at 2:11 pm

    such a pretty floral dress!
    http://www.layersofchic.com

    Reply
    • Cat says:
      September 24, 2017 at 3:50 pm

      Thanks, Mary!

      Reply
  • AmberLynn says:
    September 25, 2017 at 7:41 pm

    I’m glad to see a post like this because this is nothing I would have thought about or considered on my own. When I buy clothes, I don’t buy to last for years, I buy based on a current trend and my current mood. I buy a lot of things an continue wearing the same pieces over and over, while I may buy others and only wear them once or twice and I’m done with it. It makes sense to pay a little more for better quality (not just for me, but for those who spend their time making them). Thank you for the insight!

    Reply
    • Cat says:
      September 26, 2017 at 11:52 am

      I’m also working on that, because that’s how I used to shop, too. It’s hard to reflect on our shopping habits and change them, but it’s rewarding to only buy clothes that actually make me happy for a long time! Thanks for reading, AmberLynn!

      Reply
  • Len Parent says:
    December 6, 2017 at 7:47 pm

    This is absolutely amazing post! Love your entire look babe!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Much love, Len
    http://www.lenparent.com
    XO

    Reply
    • Cat says:
      December 7, 2017 at 9:47 am

      Thanks so much, Len!

      Reply
  • Ash says:
    April 20, 2018 at 8:51 am

    What a great post this is Cat! If anyone is not convinced of why ‘Sustainable fashion is the future’, they should read this post! I just came across your blog and this is the first post I read! Can’t wait to check out how you have explored Sustainable Fashion through Fair OOTDs! Keep rocking!

    Reply
    • Cat says:
      April 21, 2018 at 7:53 pm

      Aw, thanks so much! This was such a sweet comment and it made my day 🙂

      Reply
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
© Copyright restitchstance. All rights reserved.
Cressida Pro by LyraThemes.com