Does shopping ethically have to be expensive?
When Forever 21 announced its bankruptcy it seemed like the end of an era. So long, farewell, to the days of $2.99 crop tops with a rip in the stitch and $3.99 yoga pants that are a little too see-through for comfort. But, perhaps this is all for the best. The announcement of bankruptcy shows a shift in buyer habits as people become more aware of the consequences of fast fashion.
The late Dr. Maya Angelou said, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." Well if Dr. Angelou is telling me to do better, of course, I’ll do my best! But how do I “do better” when shopping ethically seems so expensive?
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
Remember that Buying Sustainably ≠ Being Sustainable
One of the most common myths of living a sustainable lifestyle is that you have to immediately run out and buy “sustainable” products, and fashion is no exception. But this just plays into the “more, more, more” culture of society when the planet needs us to say “less, less, less.”
Thrift stores are an excellent way to find an eclectic collection of clothes for every occasion. Plus, resale shops and online shopping apps allow you to buy and sell used clothes without going out of your way and it’s often easier to find what you’re looking for.
If you’re really trying to save money, hosting a monthly or seasonal clothing swap with friends is another way to change up your closet without opening your wallet. Extend the life of your clothes by bringing them to the tailor, not only will you not have to part ways with your favorite pair of jeans, but you’ll also save money. Better yet, be your own hero and mend your clothes yourself. Now you have an even better reason to endlessly scroll through Pinterest to look for the best tutorials.
Know your clothes!
Back in September, we interviewed the founder of KNOWN Supply, a brand connecting customers with the maker of their products by writing the name of the maker on each product. While this is a way to literally know who made your clothes, there are other ways you as a consumer can get to know your clothes.
Apps and websites like DoneGood, Good on You, and our very own Dressember Ethical Fashion Directory are useful tools to search for brands with ethical practices. If you want to know about the environmental, labor, and animal conditions of a specific brand, then you can look up the name on Good on You and it will report back a rating. Both DoneGood and the Dressember Ethical Fashion Directory allow users to look up specific clothing items (hello ethically made winter boots!)
One incredible aspect of these sources is that they label the cost range of different brands. There are some ethical brands out there, like Pact Apparel and Lucy and Yak, that are perfect for anyone with a budget. However, it can be overwhelming when a lot of the other brands have “$$$” marks next to them. But if you know that the person who made your shirt is earning a living wage and working in a safe factory, and that you’ll have the item for years and years, is the cost really that high? It’s not that ethically made clothes are overpriced—fast fashion is falsely cheap and at a cost that neglects the dignity of people.
Take Deep Breaths
No one is the perfect consumer. But it is necessary for us as advocates to do our best to break the cycle of fast fashion. With baby steps we can all “know better” and “do better”. Maybe your first step is simply decluttering your wardrobe and realizing what you actually have in your closet (maybe bring some of the clothes on your next thrift store run). If you’re ready to use your wallet to make a statement, start by investing in sustainable basics. Think about the cost per wear and choose clothes that will last beyond a certain trend. And of course, spread the word with friends. If you’re out shopping and your friends all want to go to a store with a meh ethical rating, don’t be afraid to tell them why you feel uncomfortable shopping there.
It may seem really overwhelming, but fortunately, there is a community of advocates around the world seeking to “do better.” Remember, as Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” And our community is just getting started.
About the Author
Madeline Van Husen first decided to be a part of Dressember while procrastinating physics homework her senior year of high school and the rest is herstory. When she isn’t too busy hosting hot chocolate parties, asking people the 36 questions, or avoiding the dreaded side-hug, you can find her curled up reading a good book, creating playlists on Spotify or drinking copious amounts of tea or frozen hot chocolate. Maddy is a senior at Boston College and wants to be like her mom when she grows up.