| ext">Without wanting to preach, it’s pretty | | | | recycled materials of some kind, whether this is |
| obvious to anyone who cares to look, that the | | | | customising old clothes to bring them up to date, |
| throwaway culture of the western world is out of | | | | sourcing recycled material or sourcing materials |
| control and having serious economical and | | | | from communities that will directly benefit in a big |
| ecological impacts. | | | | way. |
| From plastic bags replacing leaves on trees and | | | | And you shouldn’t have to compromise on |
| piles of barely worn clothes (some brand new | | | | style when you buy Fair trade clothes, |
| with tags), to rotting food mountains and clothes | | | | there’s no reason why they |
| that cost under £5, whatever manifestation of | | | | shouldn’t be just as fashionable or practical |
| this throwaway culture you’ve noticed, | | | | as non Fair trade, in fact you shouldn’t be |
| it’s the ugly and unpleasant side effect of | | | | able to tell the difference. |
| hedonistic credit card use and borrowed money. | | | | If you’re shopping online, you’ll find |
| On a more positive note, there are plenty of | | | | it hard not to stumble across a fair trade, ethical |
| responsible and caring companies out there who | | | | or green angle on clothing or shoes but the same |
| are taking steps to reverse this. This takes the | | | | can’t yet be said for shopping on the high |
| form of large corporations using less packaging, | | | | street. While some big brands are undoubtedly |
| huge recycling campaigns and the area this article | | | | dabbling and making a start behind the scenes, if |
| will focus on — ethical fashion. It’s | | | | they’re not boasting about it, |
| official, ethical is cool and this doesn’t just | | | | there’s obviously a lot more that needs to |
| mean talking about it, it means wearing it too and | | | | be done. There are however, some shops that |
| with pride. | | | | shout their fair trade clothing credentials from the |
| Ethical fashion is not just about knowing where | | | | roof tops and these are the shops that fashion |
| your clothes have come from, who has made | | | | magazines and the like should be endorsing and |
| them and whether they’ve been paid | | | | sticking on the front cover. |
| enough to do so, it’s also about using | | | | Until this happens, search out those conscientious |
| sustainable materials that have minimal impact on | | | | souls who have brought you great quality |
| the environment and making sure that | | | | men’s clothing, outdoor clothing and organic |
| they’re built to last as it were. Ethical | | | | clothing from an ethical beginning. |
| clothes can be made partially or completely from | | | | |