Why ethical fashion?

Since reading Lucy Siegle’s book ‘To Die For’, I’ve promised myself not to buy from unethical/fast fashion shops, and instead to focus on buying second hand, ethical, or particularly well made ‘investment’ clothes, and it’s going well so far minus the odd slip up.

It’s really hard trying to be an ‘ethical’ blogger: everything you buy is scrutinised, and you feel super guilty if you are a hypocrite. My view is that you have to start somewhere. I’m not going to be perfect, but I hope to spread the word a little bit without being preachy.

The fast fashion industry is a crazy crazy thing and it’s damaging the world more than we realise, not to mention the huge injustices suffered by the people who make the clothes and pick the cotton. It doesn’t need to be this way! If you’re interested in finding out more, please please read To Die For or Overdressed.

Please note that my archives, whilst featuring a lot of second hand and vintage, also feature a lot of stuff from brands that I simply wouldn’t buy from any more (mostly the posts from before 2012). I’m not ashamed of this, as I didn’t realise it at the time, but I’m glad I’ve ‘seen the light’ now!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's really hard to move away from fast, cheap, fashion, especially when you're on a tight budget, but saving up & buying investment pieces, vintage or ethically produced clothes really is so much more rewarding.

When I first went out to India to research factories to make Marzipants - www.marzipants.co.uk I was horrified at the conditions people were forced to work in - it was appalling. I knew straight away that it was critical that Marzipants were ethically produced. It's so important to me that I personally know the who makes my trousers. I know who sews the buttons on, I know who cuts the patterns, I'm even invited to the houses of the women who work with me to eat & to meet their families. To me, the story behind a piece of clothing, is what makes that item special.

Good luck with your quest to be more ethical. It's definitely not easy, but it's so incredibly rewarding & really does make a huge difference to an awful lot of people in developing countries.

Maree x

www.marzipants.co.uk

Unknown said...

Hi Sadie!!

Recently came across your blog sadieswardrobe.blogspot.in, and found it fresh and a pleasure to read ! I must compliment you on creating articles that are really nice.

I work with www.barcode91.com and we have some beautiful ethnic designs too. I think you would like them too :) and congratulations to you on your wonderful blog :)


Thanks
Shivangi Sharma

Unknown said...

Hi Sadie,

I already read the Overdressed but haven't read this one. Will definitely do! I'm also trying to promote a more responsible way of consuming fashion. All the best! Irma
Http://blog.refashiongallery.com