Alli Del Gizzi

March 28, 2018

Home, Lifestyle, My Journal

10 Ethical Clothing Brands to Help You Ditch Fast Fashion

Alli Del Gizzi

March 28, 2018

Home, Lifestyle, My Journal

Of course, being on a Zero Waste journey means attempting to buy things mostly, if not exclusively secondhand.

But I've really been trying to push the point that anyone can make this work, regardless of lifestyle.

So if you're a fashionista and still want to go shopping and keep up with the latest trends, you can absolutely do so without being sucked into the dwindling spiral that is fast fashion.

1. Patagonia

In front of every good man, there's an even better captain.⠀ Photo: @malcolmrjohnson

63.2k Likes, 213 Comments - Patagonia (@patagonia) on Instagram: "In front of every good man, there's an even better captain.⠀ Photo: @malcolmrjohnson"

Based In | USA M ade In | USA, Mexico, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Sri Lanka, Belgium, Poland, Jordan, Nicaragua, Colombia, El Salvador
Ethics | Sustainable Materials Development and Use, Fair Trade Factories, Active in Environmental and Social Causes in Textile Industry
Certifications / Partnerships | Fair Trade Certified™ Sewing Factories, B Corp, Bluesign System Partner, Fair Factories Clearinghouse (FFC) Member, Fair Labor Association (FLA) Member, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Partner, 1% for the Planet Member, Sustainable Apparel Coalition Member, Textile Exchange Founding Member
Product Types | Specialized Athletic and Outdoor Gear, Casual Clothing
Price Range | $$

Patagonia is one of my favorite companies of all time. Their mission statement "build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis" makes me smile every time I read it, and they actually live up to that mission. Patagonia is constantly working to figure out the most ethical and sustainable ways to source and create their clothing, they even have a whole site dedicated to trading in and selling their used clothing. Earning a well deserved place in the True Cost Movie and internationally recognized for their social and environmental activism, Patagonia is an exemplary company when it comes to activism and transparency in both environmental and social justice.

shop patagonia online | Learn more about patagonia

2. PACT Apparel

Looking back on the weekend like...see ya again in 4 days 🙌🏼🤗 (📸: @natepolta 🔁: @christynoele) #justwearyou

298 Likes, 9 Comments - PACT Apparel (@wearpact) on Instagram: "Looking back on the weekend like...see ya again in 4 days 🙌🏼🤗 (📸: @natepolta 🔁: @christynoele)..."

Based In | USA Made In | Turkey & India
Ethics | Organic, Natural Textiles, Fair Trade Certified
Certifications / Memberships | Fair Trade Certified, B Corp, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Certified Clothing
Product Types | Underwear and Basics for Women, Men, and Baby
Price Range | $

PACT is a company that I found when I went looking for organic undies and leggings, and they have not disappointed! Pact strictly monitors their entire supply chain, from the growing of their organic cotton to the sewing of the final product. They make really soft, organic cotton products, and I don't think I'll buy underwear from anybody else again!

SHOP PACT APPAREL ONLINE

3. Girlfriend Collective

The Cool Gray collection is here. They're not like regular grays, they're cool grays.

2,612 Likes, 89 Comments - Girlfriend Collective (@girlfriendcollective) on Instagram: "The Cool Gray collection is here. They're not like regular grays, they're cool grays."

I found girlfriend collective when they were just starting out, and it has been awesome to watch them grow! They make very high quality leggings, bras, and tops from recycled bottles (BPA Free!) in their SA8000 (very similar to Fair Trade) Factory. I couldn't believe the quality of legging when I received my pair - I would recommend going Girlfriend instead of Lulu or Athleta for sure!

shop girlfriend collective online |

Learn more about Girlfriend collective

4. KNOWN SUPPLY

There's no greater feeling than bringing joy to others. #kkioutside {photo by @cosmic.american}

654 Likes, 2 Comments - KNOWN SUPPLY (@knownsupply) on Instagram: "There's no greater feeling than bringing joy to others. #kkioutside {photo by @cosmic.american}"

Known supply is looking to restore the dignity of and give a face back to the workers who make your clothes. Each piece has the signature of the person who made it. They offer great basics made from 100% Pima Cotton in Peru — and release a variety of limited edition product collaborations with the social impact brands and causes.

I discovered Known Supply while shopping at REI and falling in love with a shirt by them. After an internet search of the company I decided to purchase it, and am so glad I did!

SHOP KNOWN SUPPLY

5. People Tree

Regram @j.essink in the Victoria dress. Crafted from a TENCEL/ cotton blend for a silk like texture

658 Likes, 4 Comments - People Tree (@peopletreeuk) on Instagram: "Regram @j.essink in the Victoria dress. Crafted from a TENCEL/ cotton blend for a silk like texture"

Based In | UK Made In | Bangladesh, Kenya, India, Turkey
Ethics | Fair Trade Certified and Focused, Sustainable and Organic Materials
Certifications / Memberships | Fair Trade Certified™, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Certified Clothing, Soil Association Member, World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) Member, Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) Member
Product Types | Women Apparel & Accessories, Some Baby
Price Range | $$$

Everyone's favourite jumpsuit by @thenew_wardrobe the lightweight Tencel makes it the perfect breezy piece for summer #lovepeopletree

692 Likes, 7 Comments - People Tree (@peopletreeuk) on Instagram: "Everyone's favourite jumpsuit by @thenew_wardrobe the lightweight Tencel makes it the perfect..."

People Tree, like Patagonia, is a pioneer in the field of sustainable fashion. They've been producing and fighting for fair trade and slow fashion over the past 20 years. They partner with Fair Trade artisans and farmers in the development of their different collections, ranging from lightweight organic cotton sundresses to workwear, and more recently a baby collection.

I don't own anything from People Tree, but my attention was drawn to them from their feature in the movie the True Cost. Without creative and passionate entrepreneurs like Safia Minney, trying to navigate the fashion world in an ethical way would be nearly impossible!

SHOP PEOPLE TREE ONLINE

6. Fair Trade Winds

This amazing #Seattle weather has us dreaming of ferry rides to the San Juan Islands. Put on the Pintucked Away dress, #handmade in India, and you've got your weekend look! Stop by #Ballard to see our other spring selections :)

28 Likes, 1 Comments - @fairtradewinds on Instagram: "This amazing #Seattle weather has us dreaming of ferry rides to the San Juan Islands. Put on the..."

Based In | USA Artisans In |Kenya, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines
Ethics | Focused on Human and Women Empowerment Through Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly Products
Certifications / Memberships | Fair Trade Federation Member
Product Types | Apparel & Accessories
Price Range | $$

Fair Trade Winds provide a market for fair trade commodities and crafts so artisans and farmers can improve their lives. They therefore carry much of their own brand but also many others who align with their values. Today they operate six brick and mortar stores and their online shop in a cooperative effort to benefit farmers, artisans, and the environment.

Part of the reason I like Fair Trade Winds is that you can find such a large variety of fair trade products that feels nearly unlimited. They also work with so many causes including, but not limited to: human trafficking; mine removal; wildlife, snow leopard and elephant conservation; sanitation, education, and fresh water access. The fact that you can go to their shop and pick a cause you want to support either with a gift for yourself or someone else is so freaking awesome!

SHOP FAIR TRADE WINDS ONLINE

7. Mata Traders

Time for fun in the ☀️ #summertime #summerfun #fashionabetterworld #beach #sand #sun #sunshine #sundress #fairfashion #ootd #instafashion #styleinspo #fashionblogger #styleblog #matatraders

151 Likes, 2 Comments - Mata Traders (@matatraders) on Instagram: "Time for fun in the ☀️ #summertime #summerfun #fashionabetterworld #beach #sand #sun #sunshine..."

Mata Traders is a fair trade company focusing on creating colorful, original designs inspired and handmade by artisans in India and Nepal, and providing a stable source of income for families in some of the world’s poorest communities. It's Mata's block-printed patterns and unique embroidering that really sets it apart from anything else in the industry. Though I don't own anything from Mata, I am definitely going to keep an eye on their colorful dresses and skirts!

SHOP MATA TRADERS ONLINE

8. HOPE Made In The World

Relaxed, refined. Just in, heather grey alpaca cardigan - durable comfort. Shop | Link in bio # #principledstyle #liveinhopemade

61 Likes, 5 Comments - HOPE Made in the world (@hopemadeintheworld) on Instagram: "Relaxed, refined. Just in, heather grey alpaca cardigan - durable comfort. Shop | Link in bio #..."

Based In | Colombia & USA Made In | Peru & Colombia
Ethics | Fair Trade, Child Labor Free Certified, Environmentally Friendly Materials & Processes
Certifications / Memberships | Fair Trade, Child Labor Free Certified, GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton, REACH-Certified Dyes
Product Types | Men’s & Women’s Natural Fiber Tops and Accessories
Price Range | $$$$

HOPE Made In The World works specifically with organic cotton and cashmere with the goal of creating "clothes that look good, feel good, and have been made the way you wish all clothes were made." They make gorgeous handcrafted pieces that are the perfect example of slow fashion. The idea that one good sweater or top should be able to last you a lifetime.

SHOP HOPE MADE IN THE WORLD ONLINE

9. Thought Clothing

We're proud supporters of slow fashion, which is why we design contemporary, easy-to-wear clothing intended to last. #slowfashion #greenliving #sustainablefashion #organicclothing #thoughtclothing #StylewithThought #wearethought

431 Likes, 9 Comments - Thought (@thoughtclothing) on Instagram: "We're proud supporters of slow fashion, which is why we design contemporary, easy-to-wear clothing..."

Thought is an all-natural slow fashion apparel company with the goal to bring contemporary fashion and sustainability together. The brand has developed and maintained long term relationships with their fabric suppliers and factories and make each piece of their clothing in the same country so that it’s never shipped from place to place for different periods of production. Thought has an excellent and extensive code of conduct which is supposed to apply to those they directly and indirectly employ, however the only issue I had was that Thought is not third party certified by many groups.

SHOP THOUGHT ONLINE

10. Indigenous

Meet the new fashion zen. Shop sophisticated shapes in soft, sustainable fibers that layer for effortless dressing. Link in bio.�� . . . . . . . #ecofashion #ecoconscious #organicfashion #ethical #organic #fairtrade #fashion #fairtradeclothing #fairtradefashion #organicclothing #greenfashion #sustainable #sustainablefashion #organicfashion #fashionzen

69 Likes, 1 Comments - Indigenous (@indigenousdesigns) on Instagram: "Meet the new fashion zen. Shop sophisticated shapes in soft, sustainable fibers that layer for..."

Based In | USA Made In | Peru
Ethics | Artisan-made clothing, organic & natural materials, transparency
Certifications / Memberships | B Corp, USDA CertifiedOorganic, Oeko-tex Certification, World Fair Trade Organization Partner, SA 8000, Peru Fair Trade, Certified ISO Company, rootcapital, Fair Trade Certified, Green America Partner
Product Range | Apparel, outerwear, accessories
Price Range | $$$$

Indigenous is a fair trade clothing company that strives to have a positive affect on all the communities they work with and are huge advocates for bringing their artisans to the forefront. Their committed to reducing CO2 emissions, conserving water, eliminating pesticides, and employing empowered artisans throughout their growing and production process. And the results speak for themselves in the form of gorgeous clothing made with sustainable materials like organic cotton & alpaca and low-impact dyes.

SHOP INDIGENOUS ONLINE

Alli Del Gizzi

March 27, 2018

My Journal, Lifestyle, Home

The Problems of Fast Fashion

Alli Del Gizzi

March 27, 2018

My Journal, Lifestyle, Home

“Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Our society, and particularly the millennial generation, has a seemingly unquenchable thirst for constant newness, constant change, and fast fashion is merely a symptom of this. Though, it seems obvious that this is not necessarily a reasonable path to happiness. It's my personal opinion that there shouldn't be anything wrong continuing to experience life with the same things; and we need to start being willing, again, to be overjoyed with each new moment, with the same things in it.

What is Fast Fashion?

Fast Fashion is a term used to describe the practices of most big fashion retailers, where clothing products are designed and manufactured quickly and inexpensively to allow the mainstream consumer to continually buy current clothing styles at a low prices.

In this process, fashion trends are rapidly designed, produced, sold, and turned over in order to get new trends to the market as quickly, cheaply, and as often as possible.

Fast Fashion is a disaster for the planet, the people who work in it, and your wallet.

How does fast fashion affect the earth?

"The average American now generates 82 pounds of textile waste each year."

-The True Cost

We are flooding landfills with clothing. We send 13 million tons of our clothes to landfills in the U.S. alone. When synthetic textiles sit in a landfill they not only leach toxic chemicals and dyes into local soil and groundwater, but they eventually breakdown into micro fibers and plastics, seeping into the water and washing into the oceans.

The EPA reported that in 2013 the US produced 15.13 million tons of textile waste, of which only 16% was recycled and 12.8 million tons were discarded to landfills.

But it's not just the amount of clothing we are consuming and trashing, it's the way textiles are being grown and produced.

2.4% of the
world’s cropland
is planted with cotton,

yet it accounts for
24% of insecticides and

11% of pesticides Globally.

- WWF

Cotton compromises 50% of all fibers used to make clothing today and use vast amounts of water, insecticides, and pesticides in it's production.

Did you know that it takes 2,700 liters of water — what one person drinks in two-and-a-half years — to make one cotton shirt?

Did you know that the t-shirt on your back has a major impact on the planet? Producing it took 2,700 liters of water, plus it takes a lot of energy to get it from the cotton fields to your closet. But some of your t-shirt's biggest impacts are in how you care for it.

Modern cotton production accounts for 11-18% of worldwide pesticide use and 25% of total insecticide use. Unfortunately, the impacts of these chemicals on human health and the environment remain mostly untested, though they are starting to be called into question by those working in the industry. Aside from the pesticides being sprayed on the cotton entering local water sources and polluting Earth's ecosystems, it is unknown if these chemically laden textiles negatively impact those of us who wear them. Given that our skin is the largest organ, and tends to absorb things it comes into contact with, concerns of these chemicals passing into the bloodstream of those of us wearing these clothes has also been raised.

Lack of research is the enemy, but won't be conducted or funded without demand from ethical consumers.

Toxic water pollution and textile manufacturing in China

How does fast fashion affect People?

A clothing textile garment factory / assembly line in Bangladesh. Photo by: Tareq Salahuddin — A clothing textile garment factory / assembly line in Bangladesh. Photo by: Tareq Salahuddin

There has been a dramatic shift in how our clothing is produced, and also where it's made. In the 1960s the US made about 95% of the apparel worn in our country. But today, according to the American Apparel & Footwear Association, more than 97 percent of apparel and 98 percent of shoes sold in the U.S. are made overseas. Labor has been exported to keep the bottom line low, at the cost of worker's pay and working conditions.

Cotton Farming

Here's the most simplified breakdown of what is happening with cotton farming in places like India:

Because Nitrogen Fertilizers don't do well with native plants, GMO cotton was developed
GMO cotton was developed by Monsanto in order to make it pest resistive, but also gave Monsanto a monopoly on seeds
Farmers therefore go into debt getting seeds, then the plant doesn't deliver on the promise of controlling pests, so farmers need to use pesticides anyway
After so long the pesticides wreak havoc on the soil and the local people in the form birth defects, cancers, and mental illness (severe retardation and mental handicaps)
Farmers, laborers, and other people in the lower echelons of society negatively affected by these costs of toxic fertilizers and pesticides cannot afford treatment
If the farmer cannot afford his costs, he looses his land to the cotton and pesticide companies.

“In the last 16 years there have been more than 250,000 recorded farmer suicides in India ... it is the largest recorded wave of suicides in history.”

— The True Cost

Rana Plaza

On April 24, 2013 the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed, killing 1,135 people; the country’s worst industrial disaster to date. The Rana Plaza Building was a factory serving big name fashion retailers including Primark, H&M, Marks & Spencer and Inditex (which owns Zara) (The Guardian).

Honestly, I don't think I need to explain how terrible a loss of life on this scale is, however, what makes this sort of disaster even worse is that it was caused by people in power being negligible. Workers had expressed concern over cracks in the building, and with all the big name retailers involved, there was certainly enough money to have that building inspected and up to date.

The bottom line

In 2014 there were 57.8 million people employed in the textiles & clothing industry worldwide, and it is not safe for those people to go to work and attempt to make a living and that is unacceptable. We, as members of a society capable of making decisions about what we consume, are responsible fore ensuring that this industry changes to properly compensate and appreciate the millions of people who work in the global fashion industry.

How does fast fashion affect my wallet?

“Millennials have been robbed of what might have been previously considered their rights, including free education and an affordable place to live; instead they are distracted and satiated (to varying degrees) by fast food, fast tech and fast fashion.”

— Lucy Seigle, The Guardian

Fast fashion is big business. It's hard to perfectly estimate what the industry is worth, but one congressional report puts the global fashion industry at $1.2 trillion, with more than $250 billion spent in the U.S. alone. In 2016, the average household spent an average $1,803 on apparel and related services.

A driving force behind fast fashion is the idea of quantity over quality. Clothing is made to fit it's micro-season, not to serve a useful purpose and last you years. Companies like Gap, H&M, and Forever 21 rely on high turnover of trends to profit off of products produced for so cheap at such a fast rate. In this system, the consumer purchases clothing, uses it for a short period of time, then discards it an buys a new article every few months or years.

One question we often fail to ask ourselves is: Do we really need this much clothing? The answer is probably not, certainly not with such a high turnover. And that's not even coming from my minimal(ish) mindset. You can be incredibly fashion forward, have a huge closet and still have it be green! But the average American tosses out approximately 68-82 lbs of textiles every year, which is certainly not an effective use of your money. And since many clothes are made of synthetic materials, thats all plastic going directly into the landfill! We don't value our clothing, because it's honestly not worth much when it's made with cheap materials and as a part of a system that totally disregards the people working to make it work. And even when you donate clothing, only 10% of it gets resold, the rest - 13 trillion tons - get sent to landfills.

the good news

The good news is that if you are reading this blog, you are most likely the one with the wallet. This doesn't mean you need to be in the high, esoteric echelons of society. If you aren't living in a third world nation in third world conditions, you have the capability to influence change using your wallet. Don't throw away that incredible opportunity to support artisans and companies who are working to change the fashion industry for better, use it for good!

How do I opt out of Fast Fashion?

Opting out of fast fashion can be difficult or easy, depending on who you are and your consumption patterns, but it basically boils down to these simple guidelines:

Borrow, Don't Buy - If you have an event that you need a dress or something specific for, ask you friends if you can checkout their closets for dresses, shoes, etc. My girlfriends and I often do this for weddings and other special occasions. You can also use sites like Rent The Runway for such things.
Buy Used - buying used can mean anything from buying your friends old items, to hunting through a Goodwill, to using sites like thredUP and Worn Wear. Buying gently used items is not only excellent for your wallet, but for the earth too! Once a piece of clothing has been made, the longer we can use it, the better!
Buy Ethically and Quality - Start being an educated and ethical consumer. Choose to no longer move passively through department stores or retail sites, but be critical of the clothing you buy, and demand that your clothes not only be beautiful, but be high quality and made in both an environmentally and socially responsible way. This can take some doing, but it is so very worth it.

In the zero waste and slow fashion world, many of us agree that investing in fewer higher quality clothes ends up saving you time, energy, and money because each piece lasts longer in your wardrobe, and after. I also find I feel much more invested in my clothing when I am educated on the company, and manufacturing process behind each article.

I want to know more!

There's so much to investigate, study, and learn about where our clothes come from. I felt that the True Cost Movie (still on Netflix as of March 2018) did an excellent job documenting the world of fast fashion, and would definitely recommend it for anyone interested in opening their eyes a bit more to what goes into making your clothes!

References

Barenblat, Ayesha. “Fast Fashion Is A Disaster For Women And The Environment.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 26 July 2017, www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2017/07/26/fast-fashion-is-a-disaster-for-women-and-the-environment/#288f80b51fa4.

Environmental Protection Agency. “Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures Report 2013.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 14 Mar. 2018, www.epa.gov/smm/advancing-sustainable-materials-management-facts-and-figures-report.

Fernando, Jason. “Fast Fashion.” Investopedia, 8 Dec. 2017, www.investopedia.com/terms/f/fast-fashion.asp.

Joint Economic Committee, US Congress . “The Economic Impact of the Fashion Industry.” 6 Feb. 2016, maloney.house.gov/sites/maloney.house.gov/files/documents/The%20Economic%20Impact%20of%20the%20Fashion%20Industry%20--%20JEC%20report%20FINAL.pdf.

Laird, Lynda. “India's Farmer Suicides: Are Deaths Linked to GM Cotton? – in Pictures.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 5 May 2014, www.theguardian.com/global-development/gallery/2014/may/05/india-cotton-suicides-farmer-deaths-gm-seeds.

Plell, Andrea. “The Story Behind Your Fast Fashion Jeans.” Remake, 31 Mar. 2017, remake.world/stories/films/evergreen-jeans/.

Rushe, Dominic. “Unions Reach $2.3m Settlement on Bangladesh Textile Factory Safety.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 22 Jan. 2018, www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jan/22/bandgladesh-textile-factory-safety-unions-settlement.

Strijbos, Bram. “Global Fashion Industry Statistics - International Apparel.” Fashionunited, 2016, fashionunited.com/global-fashion-industry-statistics.

Tan, Zhai Yun. “What Happens When Fashion Becomes Fast, Disposable And Cheap?” NPR, NPR, 10 Apr. 2016, www.npr.org/2016/04/08/473513620/what-happens-when-fashion-becomes-fast-disposable-and-cheap.

Whitehead, Shannon. “5 Truths the Fast Fashion Industry Doesn't Want You to Know.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 19 Oct. 2014, www.huffingtonpost.com/shannon-whitehead/5-truths-the-fast-fashion_b_5690575.html.

Williams, Roy. “How to Build a Socially-Responsible Global Supply Chain.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 29 July 2013, www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2013/jul/29/responsible-business-retail-supply-chains.

World Wildlife Fund. “The Impact of a Cotton T-Shirt.” WWF, World Wildlife Fund, 16 Jan. 2013, www.worldwildlife.org/stories/the-impact-of-a-cotton-t-shirt.