16 The Essentials
How to find sustainable
knits for your winter wardrobe
L.N. Smith’s quote, ‘Every dollar you spend is a vote you cast for the world you want’
probably isn’t on your mind when shopping for your winter wardrobe. But maybe it should
be! Use these tips to be a conscious consumer and ‘vote’ for a sustainable fashion industry.
1
Be fussy with
fabric
Look out for natural, organic fabrics
rather than chemically treated fabrics or
synthetics such as polyester or blends.
Chemically treated fabrics can be
hazardous to the environment and the
community tending the fields. Opt for
organic cotton, organic wool, alpaca
or recycled fabrics. Labels replacing
chemical dyes with vegetable dyes
also deserve a big A+. Manrepeller
presents a great article on this.
2
Ask for
information
Ideally, brands will publish their supply
chain details on their website. But if
not, why not just ask them? While not
a traditional step in the retail therapy
process, writing to your favourite labels
lets them know that sustainably made
fashion is important to their customers.
3
Check ratings
and reviews
Utilise the Good on You app, which
rates brands based on their labour,
environmental and animal product
practices; the Fashion Revolution
transparency index, which reviews the
supply chain transparency of the globe’s
top 100 fashion labels; and The Behind
the Barcode annual report, which rates
brands based on their labour policies and
practices. (make it fun to wipe your feet)
4
Buy from a
like-minded
retailer
Online retailers like Ecomono, Thread
Harvest, and Well Made Clothes are
popping up everywhere; exclusively
stocking sustainably made fashions and
providing ‘shop your values’ services.
5
Get thrifty
If shopping on a budget, always
read the laundering recommendations
tag. Giving your knits the right TLC will
mean replacing them less often. When
it does come time to replace your knits,
thrift stores and vintage boutiques are
a goldmine for quality winter gear.
Some vintage stores such as Swop may
purchase your preloved vintage pieces
so long as they are in good condition,
leaving you with store credit or a little
extra pocket money to put towards
your winter essentials. Alternatively,
host a clothing swap party to raid the
wardrobes of your stylish mates.
Looking for more? For
further advice on uni style,
check out SocialHub.