Sustainable vs. Ethical Clothing Brands: What's the Difference?

 

"As consumers we have so much power to change the world by just being careful in what we buy." 

Emma Watson

Dear, My Love,

The words sustainable and ethical are often used interchangeably in fashion, yet beneath their glossy labels lie two different initiatives—one focused on what the garment is made of, the other on how it is made. While both of these should be supported by you, the consumer, and by the brand that creates the clothes you buy, it is important to understand how they differ, so you know the impact you have while buying your next haul of clothes. 

It is important to note that not all sustainable brands are also ethical and not every ethical brand is also sustainable. 

Why It Matters

Before I reveal to you what the difference is, it's important to first understand why sustainability and ethical practices in fashion matter. Here are some staggering statistics:

• In 2018, according to the EPA* (United States Environmental Protection Agency), 11,300 (in thousands of tons) of clothes ended up in landfills. 
• According to a FairPlanet article* that was published early last year the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global Carbon emissions 
• Fashion industry is the second-largest consumer of water (according to same article as previous point)
• generates 20% of the global waste water
• According to the George Washington University* 80 billion piece of clothing are produced every year
• 85% of these garments end up in landfill the same year
• The fast fashion industry employs 75 million workers but only 2% make a living wage (according to same website as previous point)

*I encourage everyone to read the linked articles and learn more

When you buy fast fashion, you support these statistics. You support unethical and inhumane labor practices and you support the destruction of the planet you live in. While you may not see these impacts in front of your face, they are happening and are supported by your hard earned dollars. 

Be more conscious. For those who suffer making your garments, and for yourself, because this is your planet too.

The Difference

On a less heavier note, 

A sustainable fashion brand focuses on what their garment is made of. The materials they use to make it and how they produce it. Often-times these garments are made of organic or recycled cotton, organic linen or hemp, Tencel Lyocell, and other recycled materials. These brands also produce their clothes in low quantities or make them individually as consumers purchase them. Most brands post what their garment is made of in the "product details" section beside the product photos. Sometimes it's a drop down menu, other times its just listed right on the page. 

Tip: If a brand doesn't disclose what their garment is made of, its a safe bet it isn't anything sustainable or of good quality.

An ethical brand, however, focuses on how the garment is made. This includes the work conditions of all their suppliers, who sews their garments (if not sewn on sight), the conditions these people are put in, how the fabric for the garment is made and collected, as well as how they pay their workers, to even the models they use. All truly ethical brands are fully transparent (or as transparent as they can be) on who their suppliers are and how they make their garments. They'll often state if they are made by local artisans and sometimes even display a map on where their suppliers are and how to find out more about them. 

One of my favorite companies which shows how a sustainable and ethical brand should show itself is Quince. They are fully transparent about all their practices and garment creation, and make adorable apparel. 

While you can't count on every sustainable brand to be ethical and not every ethical brand to be sustainable, many are. Just always make sure to research the brand you are supporting and reading their about us section to see if there is anything on either.