Lots of places have started to claim to recycle old cotton clothing. Some say a lot, some give vouchers, some are likely all talk. Does anyone have any experiences (positive or negative) on any of these cotton recycling schemes?

Hear me out: many people think the enemy of sustainable fashion is fast fashion. And this is true to an extent. Fast fashion is driving the whole industry down a spiral of less and less sustainable practices.

But fast fashion can be overcome. Boycotts, collective action, voting with our wallets, and choosing how we shop are all things we can do—and they work! 

The problem is that people don’t believe in their own power. People don’t believe their choices matter, or worse, they don’t know what to do to make a difference. 

And the leading cause for that confusion isn’t lack of information—its perfectionists. When people ask what can I do or they look for solutions, they find tons and tons of contradictory information.

They see great alternatives to fast fashion like sustainable fashion brands that make quality clothes and pay living wages, and then they see people yelling not to shop at all, to buy nothing, to only thrift instead, or worse, that there’s “no ethical consumption under capitalism” (which by the way, is just an excuse to take no action).

And while everybody in this movement knows that buying less and thrifting are part of the solution, perfectionism is not part of the solution. It’s like the toxic vegans who scream bloody murder when someone suggests Meatless Mondays or just try eating less meat. 

While perfectionists might mean well and they want to change the world too, all they really do is turn away curious people who could and should be part of our solution. The vegan-curious shopper takes one look at the toxic vegan and they’re like “no thanks.”

Change comes from incremental improvements, not from perfection. We all want perfection. But that’s not how we promote the movement. It doesn’t work. If our bar for progress is all or nothing, you will for sure end up with nothing. 

Change comes accepting and promoting incremental improvements, which everyone can do, and which leads to us reaching critical mass. Once 25% of people change, it’s enough to move the whole world. All we need is 25%.

But perfectionism is getting in the way. It’s the idea of “I can be 100% perfect”. And sure, you can be. But that’s not a movement. If your goal is to be 100% perfect you’ll be doing it alone. 

Perfectionists just confuse people. And this confusion has a price: analysis paralysis. If you make something too complicated, then nobody makes a decision.

And that means all those curious shoppers, who could and should be conscious shoppers, are not. Instead they keep buying fast fashion since they don’t know what else do. Since they think their power doesn’t matter. And since when they looked, even the people who care about this stuff can’t make up their mind what the solution is, so how can they possibly know? 

And the cost of that indecision is that fast fashion continues to win, while sustainable fashion brands continue to shut down. We’ve seen brand after brand shut down their doors over the last several years. From Tonle to Tamga, Kamen Road, Kozm, Billi London, Tact & Stone, and many many more.

The cause of the shutdowns was never a lack of interest. Surveys show high interest in sustainable fashion again and again. For example, 55% of US consumers are interested in buying sustainable clothing and 73% of millennials are willing to pay more for sustainable brands. But the real numbers of people who shop that way are obviously much much lower.

What can we do about this? We can change how we define sustainable fashion and stop promoting perfectionism. If 1% of the population does sustainable fashion perfectly, this doesn’t matter. This has no long term effect on changing the world. But if 25% do it imperfectly, fast fashion has found its match. 

And so, we should encourage and celebrate every better action. Whether that was supporting a sustainable brand, a small business, thrifting, swapping, DIY, etc. All the solutions have merit. And we can and should promote all of them. Let’s just stop putting down solutions, especially voting with our wallets, in favor of other solutions. That’s a perfectionist trap.

All you really do when you put down sustainable brands is stop people from supporting brands that pay living wages, use more sustainable fabrics, and make the industry more sustainable. If we want new brands to be that way, we must show support for them. No support = no change. 

People aren’t going to stop buying new clothes, but we can create a world where new clothes are made much much better. And that’s the kind of incremental change we need.

Sure, maybe one day anti-consumerism will be a widely adopted solution. But I can tell you one thing for sure: if you don’t embrace incremental change now, that day will never come. And it will be the perfectionists we can thank for getting in their own way and for stopping this movement from being what is should be: the norm.

I wear lolita and victorian/edwardian-inspired clothing, the former, which is really hard to find ethically. I've already made a few clothes myself using drafting manuals on archive from the 1880s-1910s, and I plan on making more frilly clothes once I find/make the pattern that I like the most.

Why old drafting patterns? I like the shapes from those periods the most and I found that going straight to the source is a lot more effective than finding commercial patterns of simplified versions.

Something that I've come to realize from this is how much better clothing feels when the shoulder-seams aren't fighting against you, and how many options you have with fabric, color, and designs.

Howdy! I’m looking for brand recommendations for skorts!

I saw that 2 years ago someone made a post asking for Halara alternatives, and I’m really just here to do the same, but see if anything new has emerged since. I’m looking for everyday skorts for the most part, but non-athletic and above the knee skirts are also welcome!

TIA!

On the hunt for some more slow fashion, sustainable clothing brands as I want to have a fully made to last wardrobe at some point. Does anyone have UK brand suggestions? I have some Lucy&Yak items but would like to branch out more. I often buy from Vinted but would love some more independent brands etc!

Also I have a L&Y discount code for anyone who needs:

https://lucy-yak.mention-me.com/m/ol/ac1ub-tanith-muir

https://www.quince.com/women/performance-spacedye-cropped-tank

So I looove this crop top and the way it feels and fits, I wear it as a bra or just to work out. However I've read some iffy things about Quince in this subreddit wrt sustainability, and the reason I was looking up Quince in the first place was because I was experiencing some thread quality issues already having only owned the pieces I have for a few weeks. So even tho I want the same one in a different color, idk if I should.

I've tried Boody before and didn't like the fit and also found they fell apart pretty fast :(

Most of slow fashion clothes I find are.. not " aesthetically " pleasing for more. They're just a big nope for me

guyssss i’m so conflicted over these margiela shoes i found a pair in my size at a good price. i’ve been wanting a pair of “boxing” boots for quite literally 2 years and i finally found these in my size and at a good price, also one of my most beloved designers. BUT! they’re faux leather 😖 everything about them is awesome and perfect except for that because i’m soooo against plastic leather, but i feel better about not buying directly from the source and supporting the production of pleather.

i’ve never had faux leather shoes before and i’m wondering how they wear? because these are a large purchase and a shoe i plan to have for years and years to come, i want to make sure they hold up. i know faux leather isn’t really repairable either, but i’m thinking since it’s a high quality brand that they may hold up pretty well? IDK i just need to hear other opinions on this from like minded sustainability freaks like me🩶

I am currently looking for new underwears and bras. So far this is something within my price range, but I am uncertain about the full coverage bras or medium support bras. My other alternative is CUUP but they are not an ethical and sustainable brands.

Anyone here with sizes L/XL and around the size 36E/F or 38E/F wear this brand? What about the fabric quality? Feel free to send DMs if you want to share more details.

Appreciate it!

I'm in a dilemma! I want to start swimming to lose weight, I don't own any swimwear at the moment so will have to buy new. I dont want to spend a fortune on new swimwear only for it not to fit me in 6 months time but I also don't want to contribute to fast fashion brands.

I'm really weary against buying intimates second hand, would happily get a bikini/tankini top second hand but not the bottoms.

Questions -

1. Is there a particular ethical brand that people would recommend for swimwear?
2. Wherever I buy it, I am going to have to get rid of it when it no longer fits. Is there a UK based charity or recycling company that can make use of it? (I recently found out about the exports to Ghana and I can't stand the idea of contributing to that)

Sorry if these are silly questions or over asked questions. I'm new to this sub reddit and to actively choosing ethical clothing.

I am obsessed with buying my fabrics from spoonflower. From my understanding their fabrics are ethically made both environmentally and human labour. Has anyone here know otherwise? Can anyone 'deinfluence' me from buying there fabrics and recommend another?

Hi all,

I have decided I am done with cheap, chemical-y, unethically sourced clothing. I checked out some ethical brands clothing recs I have seen on this group, but I have 2 problems:

1. Many do not have international shipping (outside of US).

2. Many of these brands don't have all items at a size 14 (it seems most only have some items in a size 14).

Can anyone help me and give me recs for brands that meet these requirements?

Thanks!

Hi All, I have been in search of a good woolen double-breasted long coat for a year now, but I find that more of them are either too expensive or too shabby. I'm looking for your suggestions on where to shop.
Budget $150-180

Please please please!

Looking for over the knee chunky platform boots but don’t want to buy real leather and am aware vegan leather contains plastic.

Any recommendations on where to buy non-plastic boots which are still waterproof?

I care a lot about workers rights and making sure as far as I can that things are made ethically and people are treated right and I am on the look out for a pair of jeans, non stretch good quality denim that I will be able to buy and wear for a really long time. The thing is brands like that do exist but appear to only make up to a 36-38 waist (if that).

I've ruled out lucy and yak as the quality really isn't there for me (I have had a couple of pairs rip on me in less than 10 wears) and the fit isn't right.

I've gone through all of the listings for plus size denim on good on you and found nothing. I am in the UK so I've been trying to limit to at least UK or European brands because I really don't like idea of sending things back across the world if they don't fit.

Does anyone have any recommendations of places that make great jeans that at least make up to a 38/40 waist?

It would be amazing if there were leg length options as ideally I'd have a 34in inside leg. (also, for clarification I'm looking for women's jeans as hips are a thing)

Their designs are appealing to me

Trying to find some affordable matching sets that aren’t fast fashion and came upon this sub…I know ethical clothing is pricier but I’m not trying to spend $100+ on one outfit. Any ideas?

I'm looking for a pair of staple autumn leisure time pants that meet the following criteria:

• menswear (my torso/hips are basically a cylinder and I prefer my clothing/presentation to communicate "more likely a man than a woman")
• super comfy, like an elastic waist/drawstring situation and not super tight-fitting

• cute in a gay (sapphic masc specifically) way -- so like, a fun non-office color (jewel tone purples or greens are especially interesting to me), ideally also an interesting weave or texture like corduroy or multiple colors of thread in the weave, but doesn't read like sweatpants either

I like the Bearbottom Easy Pants purple and teal colors but I don't think they really meet ethical standards based on what I can see on their website. The J Crew Dock Pant in corduroy "burnt henna" also appeals, but that's definitely fast fashion. I'm already looking around for secondhand and not finding much that impresses me. Anybody have suggestions?

I'm a fan of patterned sweaters. I recently thrifted this sweater. It seems to be a Nordic patterns and Southwestern patterns.

I myself, am very Norwegian, but I do want to respect other cultures. Thoughts?

I got a push ad for this tote on insta and they say they are made in their own shop with a production time of 11 days. I am going to hold off for a bit just to see if I really want it, but it seems like a very useful bag that will fit a niche I need right now. Wondered if anyone had info on the company, thanks!

https://rathergreen.ca/

I've been slowing revamping my closet to fill it clothing I like and will last now that I'm an adult. I'm looking for some knitwear brands that are sustainable and will last. My friend recommended Reformation. I'm going to the second hand this weekend, but I'm also looking online on like Depop and Poshmark. I'm also open to buying new, but mostly for affordability I'm relying on second hand clothes. I've been looking around and I really like Paloma Wool. I love how they're eccentric, but I also need just regular knits I can layer.

I haven't shopping for fashion for like 3 years so Im just a little flustered.

Here's my Pinterest board for idea that im going for

https://preview.redd.it/eonyxmjhqiwd1.png?width=3096&format=png&auto=webp&s=c014b86495f7f99a86f6ad7abf8edd5f5131316c

Not much else really, just finding it tough to find good brands that sell alternative style clothing - I don’t really care about price.

All the ads I see on Instagram just seem like scams - although I like some of the designs

Curious to hear your thoughts on faux fur used in coats. There is one faux fur coat I'm in love with, but although it is a cruelty-free alternative to real fur, I'm wondering about its environmental impact. Do you consider faux fur a sustainable choice, or do you prefer other eco-friendly materials?

The Coat I love

Howdy, I really wanna get into designing and making clothing a recently found out how 99% of clothing brands are done by sending designs to overseas clothing manufacturers and wanted to try and just make something for myself (like my own custom stuff to wear) I have the ability to design but don't have anywhere near the time or patience to actually make the clothing itself. I've been trying to do research on ethically run companies but the place I've recently found really doesn't have crazy amount of reviews or info about it. They have multiple certificates for different reasons showing some level of credibility in terms of ethics though I really don't know enough about ethical fashion. If anyone has any advice of where I could go for similar products or way to search please lmk it'd help a bunch.

https://xtclothes.com/pages/our-certificate

help, i can't remember the name of this clothing brand!!

it has a slightly eclectic, quirky, feel to the clothes and i believe it was a UK brand? it was a small online store that sold a mix of thrifted items and the brand's own items, it seemed like the store was run by 1 girl who modeled in all of the photos; a lot of the items were one of a kind and there were a lot of unique sweaters on the website. alternative in the sense that it was ... just unique and somewhat bizarre, not black/goth or anything but super colorful and tons of different patterns??

i can't seem to find it after i stumbled upon it in a reddit comment and i'm kicking myself every day because i really loved the clothes they offered!! i think the name was two words one of which was similar to betty or milly or something?

i really specifically remember there was a long sleeved shirt that looked like a cross between a monarch butterfly and stained glass? it was orange/green/brown with white spots on it and some of the brown looked like it was almost in a monarch butterfly type pattern? if anyone finds this shop you can buy that shirt even though its been haunting me, just please share the website url with me...

EDIT: IT WAS BETTY BERRY ! thank you to stopshopbop !!

What are some good ethical and eco-friendly makeup brands? What are some good products that you recommend?

I am also specifically looking for UV-reactive/glow-in-the-dark makeup, so any help there would be much appreciated.