Ethical clothing - start me off please!

[Blue78]

I really want to ditch fast fashion and choose more sustainable brands. I know the best thing is to keep wearing what I have but I just love an online browse! So I would love recommendations for websites if anyone has any.

I’m in my mid twenties and find some brands look too “old” for me or are otherwise with very bright patterns which isn’t my thing. I’ve had a look though older threads but not feeling very inspired at the moment!

I’m also shocked by the cost. I’m used to paying less than £25 for a top, but looks like it’s going to be £50 minimum from now on. I suppose that will help me buy less, but budget friendly ideas would be great.

Honestly the best ethical clothing you can get will be secondhand. Get to a posh town, and get scouting the charity shops. You’ll get cashmere for less than the cost of a primark t shirt. It’s all about knowing where to look. I’m not convinced by a lot of clothing brands that claim to be ethical. The likes of Lucy and Yak seem just as bad for fast fashion as the rest of them, and seem to be going in a really wacky direction.

This might be a useful website for you directory.goodonyou.eco/?_ga=2.192487151.451180932.1643734393-305549254.1643734393&_gl=1bc5gvc_gaMzA1NTQ5MjU0LjE2NDM3MzQzOTM._ga_TTB1J3Q9MN*MTY0MzczNDM5MS4xLjEuMTY0MzczNDQ0NS42

Basically you can search their database for brands and they’ll give you their sustainability/ethical credentials.

I agree with second hand. You can also get some ethical brands second hand as well, for example I’ve bought People Tree stuff from eBay. Other stuff like Rapanui you don’t because you can return it to them to be recycled when you’re done, but their tops aren’t too expensive, more in the £20-30 range. The prints from Thought can be a bit middle aged but they are good for basics like t shirts, tights etc.

If you’re generally interested in sustainable/ethical living I recommend subscribing to Ethical Consumer as they do good assessments, they did clothing quite recently as well

My whole wardrobe is prints from Thought, thanks

If a company is b corp certified that means good credentials. I think baujken and Finisterre both are, and these cover casual and smarter wear. I have also purchased from vildnis, Patagonia, people tree, thought and allbirds.

Haha sorry - I do have some myself but some of them do seem more aimed at people older than me which is no bad thing! I like that their models aren’t all 20 as well. My bigger problem with their prints is that the prints are mostly massive which doesn’t suit me and they also use a lot of yellow based colours which don’t suit me either.

Also Komodo and Community Clothing

@AnnaMagnani I just had a thought dress delivered today. It's so soft. Really lovely quality

Thank you so much for your replies.

@YouHaveNoAuthorityHereJackie that’s a good idea. I don’t live in a posh area so haven’t had much luck yet but will have a look next time I am somewhere nice.

@IvorCutler thank you - downloading the app now!

And thanks to the rest of you too, loads of ideas for me to look at.
@faithinnature1 baukjen is exactly what I like. A bit pricey for me but will have a look for second hand.

Depends what your ethics are really. Fairly paid garment workers? Locally made clothing? Materials not from animal products? Reduced resources making the items like water. All will impact on what and where and you probably can't hit them all. No matter the ethic you are trying to achieve second hand will be the most sustainable choice.

Depop, Vinted and Ebay have lots of choice of secondhand clothing and vintage clothing in new/nearly new/excellent condition. Sometimes there's some good things on online charity shops such as Refashion and Thift Plus and you can get email alerts for when they restock.

Another vote for vinted. Like having a searchable charity shop and you can personalize for your size and taste etc.

Thrift+ is another good place to search too.

thrift.plus/

For yoga/exercise clothing Asquith London.

The most ethical thing you can do is buy less.

What do you actually need rather than just want?

When you are choosing something, don't go for fashionable - look for items that won't date so you can wear them for years.