In the world of fashion, people will often boast about the material they’re wearing, along with the styles, colors, and branding. This part of the garments you choose to wear is very important, and will shape the look and feel of your outfits, giving you the chance to make a huge impact with this simple decision. Of course, though, nothing is that easy, and there are other elements at play. Ethics are becoming a larger and larger part of this industry, and it’s becoming very popular to wear organic clothing. So, this post will be exploring some of the best ways to balance organics with ethics.
What Makes It Ethical?
Choosing something ethically always has to start at the source. Some materials are very harmful to collect and will cause a lot of pain and suffering along the way. Whether this is for the people collecting them, the animals which produce them, or the environment around them, you have to make sure that your clothing isn’t destructive.
Not a lot of people realize, but a large part of this covers the people making your garments. In countries where laws are more relaxed, it might be cheaper to make something, but it also increases the risk of unethical labor being used in the process. This can range from unfair pay to underage workers, so it is important to do your research before buying certain options.
The Materials On Offer
There are a huge variety of materials on offer on the modern market. In the world of organics, choosing the right ones can be hard, as a lot of them will come from animals which can’t grow them back. So, to help you out, you can find some examples of both options to avoid and ones which are fine below.
What To Look For
Wool: For sheep, malting their wool is a natural process which usually happens as it grows. Modern breeds, though, have been specifically engineered to grow loads of the stuff in a short amount of time. This means that sheering them is essential, and can actually improve the health of their skin.
Felt: When people think about wool clothing, they will very rarely think about felt. Pea coats, Glerup slippers, and loads of other garments featuring this sort of material can be found. Best of all, though, is that this is one which you can make for yourself from home. With the help of a couple of guides, you may even be able to make yourself a piece of clothing which can get you started.
Yarn: Wool has long been one of the best ways to keep yourself warm when the weather is bad. Being an incredible natural insulator, it can be hard to beat yarn in this department, and this makes it great for sweaters, vests, and other winter garments. Best of all, though, is that this sort of option can be very easily dyed.
Cotton: Not a lot of people realize that the bulk of their clothing comes from plants. Cotton is collected without harming its parent, instead leaving it able to grow more of the fluffy stuff. Like wool, cotton comes in a couple of different forms, and you can find a selection of them below.
Regular Cotton: Whether you get it from your native land or somewhere like Egypt, cotton is often the best material for the job when it comes to socks, t-shirts, and anything in between. Being so common, this sort of fabric is often also very cheap, but will offer a great level of quality.
Denim: Originally created as a hard-wearing option for people with work to do, denim has become on of the most popular materials out there. Most commonly found in jeans, a lot of people will wear denim for any and all events. You can find it in loads of different styles, so it’s always worth doing some shopping around.
Hemp: There are loads of other plants out there which are great at producing fabrics for people to use. Over the last few years, hemp has found new popularity, and loads of companies are focusing on products made from the stuff. This sort of option is perfect for vegans or those who don’t want to wear things which are heavily processed.
Leather: It may be a surprise to see leather on this side of the list. Of course, though, leather is a byproduct from an industry which is never going to stop growing, and this means that it would go to waste if not used in clothing. The demand for meat is much higher than it is for goods made from this material. So, it makes sense to use what’s there, even if it comes from an animal.
What To Avoid
In most cases, the materials you will be avoiding have obvious reasoning, and will be easy to spot. You can find some examples of these below, but you may also have to do some research surrounding brands to make sure you’re being as specific as possible. Different production and sourcing processes will yield varying results, and this makes it hard to cover everyone.
Down: A lot of people argue that down is similar to wool, as it doesn’t have to result in the death of the animal to get to the stuff. In most cases, though, it will be extracted through a process which puts the bird in a lot of pain. They will often die of shock, or will be left to grow their feathers back for the next plucking.
Fur: Unlike leather, fur is rarely a byproduct of another industry. Instead, the animals which people like to look at aren’t eaten, and this means that they will be killed simply because they look nice. If you want to rock this look, it’s best to look for a synthetic product, as this will ease both your conscience and your wallet.
Angora Wool: Finally, as the last material on this list, it’s time to consider angora wool. This sort of product is similar to down, as it is pulled from live rabbits which are expected to grow it back. Enduring a life of repeatedly having your hair pulled out is something most people wouldn’t wish upon their worst enemy, let alone an adorable little bunny.
Finding Your Garments
The final part of the challenge you face is finding the garments themselves. Thankfully, in the modern world, there are loads of industry standards in place which force businesses to fall in line with practices to make life easier for consumers.
Use The Net: The internet is the very best place to start your hunting. Using simple search terms, you will be able to learn about the materials themselves, followed by scouting out the very best options which are made from them. Websites like Instagram and Pinterest can also be great for this sort of work, as they are constantly being updated with new content.
Read The Labels: Along with using the internet, it can also help to read the label on the clothing you buy. In a lot of places, companies are required by law to provide consumers with information about the fabrics their goods are made from. With this in mind, it becomes a lot easier to find items which are perfect for you, and gives retail shopping a slight edge.
Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start thinking about the ethical side of the clothing you wear. A lot of people will never think about the origins of the things they wear, choosing to put on whatever looks good, without any thought for the impact it may have. Of course, though, you have to think about this for yourself.
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