What resources can I use to shop ethically?
Dressember Reading Day #28
Every day during the month of December, we’re answering common questions and breaking down different aspects of human trafficking on our blog and Instagram. Join us in raising awareness about the injustice of human trafficking by sharing, donating, or joining the Dressember campaign.
Since the fashion industry is one of the greatest contributors to slave labor, an extremely accessible and effective way to fight back against trafficking is through ethical shopping! At first, ethical shopping may seem intimidating or confusing. With all the information out there, how do we know where to look and which resources to trust?
Fortunately, the digital age has made it easier than ever to discover ethical brands and understand the practices behind clothing companies.
And to take some of the heavy lifting out of this process, we’ve compiled some info on a few key resources to help you fill your wardrobe and home with stylish yet sustainable pieces.
DoneGood
DoneGood is a one-stop-shop for all kinds of ethically made goods. The founder, Cullen Schwarz, motivated from his experience working in Washington, D.C., set out to discover companies and businesses that can be trusted, both in terms of practices and quality. Because ethical consumption can feel overwhelming, DoneGood does the work themselves, reaching out directly to companies that “create unique, high-quality products, made in a way that’s good for people and the planet.” When you shop through DoneGood, you can rest in the knowledge that the money you pay for these items will not only return you a quality product, it will go toward empowering workers, using eco-friendly production processes, and supporting fair labor. On DoneGood, you can find everything from alternatives to popular brands (instead of Anthropologie, they suggest Symbology!) to a wide variety of goods including women’s clothing and houseware.
Dressember’s Ethical Fashion Directory
You don’t have to go further than the Dressember website to find resources on how to shop ethically. Find the Ethical Fashion Directory here, or under the “LEARN” tab on Dressember’s homepage. At first glance, you can scroll down and see featured brands that are loved and supported by Dressember. Some brands may even include an exclusive discount code for up to 25% off! In addition to featured brands, you can sort the brand listing by category or by price. You can also look for a particular company in the search bar to see if it is included. If you know of an ethical brand doing more to help workers and the environment, there is a button that allows you to suggest a brand for listing!
Honorable Mentions
A couple of other resources to point out include Fashion Revolution’s Transparency Index, which is a yearly report that assesses 100 leading brands on their labor and production practices. Their report, which clocks in at about sixty-three pages, provides reading on how they measure brands and why transparency matters. It then measures the brands on policies and commitments, governance, and traceability. It’s a sizeable read, but chock-full of good information for those who want to delve deeper. The Good On You app is another handy tool that is free to download and use for smartphone users. You can search for a brand to reveal how it measures up on the app’s scale which tests ethical practices in both labor, environmental practices, and animal product usage. The app’s homepage also features articles that suggest alternative companies and businesses. The information given on thousands of brands is thorough and extremely informative!
So there you have it! Four valuable tools in your pocket to combat unethical consumption.
Further reading:
Allison McCune is a girl of many interests. Whether it’s slinging drinks as a barista, hiking 600 miles in one summer, or dissecting poetry and literature, she brings passion and insight to everything she does. She hopes to refine her writing in the next few years while using her skills to work with non-profit groups. Her goal is to eventually return to school, complete a doctoral degree, and be able to teach at the undergrad and graduate levels.