Conscious of fast fashion, did no spend for two months, now looking for suggestions of ''Ethical brands''

[DuchessOfPhysics]

Are there any!? Do they all use sweat shops. I've just watched something really horrifying.

I've done 'no spend' for Jan and Feb and I am still resisting. I felt I had too much stuff and I wanted to stop buying so much. I was thinking of the environment really but having watching something that came up in my facebook feed this morning,, can anybody suggest any brands that do not use sweatshops?

Thought Clothing?

oh thanks splat. Some of that stuff is wearable.

here's a link to that site for anybody who's interested

Are you not better wearing out what you've got before you start thinking about buying more stuff?

Second hand! Second hand anything is going to be more ethical than new anything.

The Keep Boutique - in Brixton and online.

OP I feel the same. Since I found out a bit more about where and how our clothes are made I've been horrified.

Unfortunately ethical brands aren't easy to come by. I had a quick look at the site linked above and there's not too much there I could imagine wearing in my current job. And I know the most ethical thing of all would be to wear hand me downs for the rest of my life but ideally I'd prefer a halfway house...

I think we (society) have to change our approach to fashion. People say they want "value" and I think that brands read that to mean that we want "cheap" (and in many cases they are probably reading it right). Which inevitably means manufacturing costs being driven down as low as possible no matter the human cost

People Tree are good.

I but everything off eBay now, I feel too guilty otherwise!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3466469-ethical-fashion-brands-please

Aren't m&s fairly ethical? No sweatshops but still use cotton which isn't organic. H&m do an organic cotton range but I've not heard anything about them not using sweatshops (and they would shout about it!)
Does anyone know any shops which are ethical? Rather than online? I work near Meadowhall but visit other towns.

I doubt whether any high street store could put their hand on their heart and swear they don't use sweatshops. Whenever they get caught out using them, they throw their hands up in horror and say they didn't know, but the point is that they set up such long and convoluted supply chains that it's pretty much impossible to know for certain.

Some do make an effort now to tell you where specific products are made but I don't know of a single one that could tell you the name of every supplier.

I'm sure they themselves would point out that, if they didn't operate this way, they'd go out of business because most customers have such an unrealistic idea of what clothes should cost.

The thread that Speckledy has linked has more suggestions of brands and discussion and it links in turn to a further, longer thread.

Patagonia are well known for being ethical. They use a lot of recycled materials. However, their range is obviously limited to 'outdoorsy' clothes so good for coats and T-shirts, not so good if you're looking for an evening dress.

For jeans, Black Horse Lane Ateliers are ethical and very much part of the 'buy once' movement. But that comes at a cost - although they will repair their jeans for free for life so cost per wear will be very low.

Good News are ethical for Converse-style trainers.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'll check out the other thread too!

@pizzabadger, what an annoying comment to make! I'm cutting back on buying clothes and I have managed it so far. I am not promising to never buy clothes again but I will buy fewer and I will buy more ethically. Are you doing that yourself??

Good suggestions about second hand clothes as well. I have a sewing machine and I can make simple alterations so I want to get better at altering clothes.

Lucy and Yak

DD has bought a couple of items from them and is really pleased with her purchases.

People Tree as PP said. Limited collection but I’ve had a couple of nice pairs of printed trousers from there.

Free People, Finisterre, PiC, Armed Angels Two Thirds are worth checking out. Mud jeans are good and recycle old jeans. Dr Denim are meant to be good. Rapanui are on my list to look at as I’ve heard good things.

For shoes and accessories, Wills is carbon neutral, vegan, and ensures good conditions for workers. Beyond Skin are good too. Matt and Nat use recycled products but I’ve heard negative things about how they treat staff. Elvis and Kresse are worth looking at too.

Sustainable, organic, you can find out all about the supply chain etc.

rapanuiclothing.com/

I'm doing the same as you, OP. 6 months not buying anything new so far, but find it embarrassingly difficult...
Second hand - e-bay and charity shops - scratches the itch for me.

Seasalt are pretty good

KowTow - designer lives part of the year in New Zealand and part in UK. Stylish and ethical and lasts absolutely years.

Mamoq.com - can choose what ethical stance you want and have clothes I’d wear to work ( professional services)

I started the fast fashion challenge last summer and I have pretty much stopped buying new clothes since. I've bought about 5 things new since last June and it can be done. I looked at ethical clothing but most weren't to my taste so I now buy second hand, vintage or handmade clothing. And I must say that the clothes I'm buying I prefer as I'm making more considered purchases rather than buying for the sake of it. Plus I'm saving a tun of money and being environmentally conscious. Ebay, Etsy and instagram are your friends.

sooo many pockets on the dresses on that thought clothing website! i appreciate that they are practical but my hips are the sturdiest bit of me so i really don't need to add extra material at that point...

Another vote for Lucy and yak.

You could always look for fabric and a local dressmaker as well.
Made to measure, one of a kind too.

Nomads?