Movements in Eco-Friendly Fashion
by CLEO GIB
It is hard to know where exactly your clothing comes from and how it is made. Unfortunately, as with food, when
you investigate deeper into the methods behind the products you buy, you will find that animal cruelty, pollution,
animal testing, and wasteful practices are in abundance. While it may seem like a lost cause--you could believe
that if everybody is destroying the planet to make their clothing, there is no need to bother thinking about it--there
are actually many options today for eco-friendly fashion. Everything from men’s and women’s shirts and pants to
shoes and other accessories are now made in very earth-friendly ways. Read on to learn more about your options
for sustainable fashion, or beautiful fashion that does not have to sacrifice the world around you.
Leather
While leather products are extremely common--everything from dress shoes to belts are commonly made with
leather--there are now options for the classic warmth, sophistication, and classiness that leather offers without
having to sacrifice the skin of a poor cow. Many global brands are designing luxury purses, pants, jackets, shoes,
belts, and so much more without using leather.
Ecological Impact
As governments across the globe are being challenged to lower their cities' and farms' environmental impact,
companies are beginning to do the same. While the task is difficult and will take time, some very large clothing
brands have resolved to use eco-friendly technology to construct their clothing. Low-end and high-fashion brands
are using sustainable fabrics, eliminating waste in their production practices, and even using biodegradable
plastics on their products.
Ethical Production
Ethical production is a term for production practices that are cruelty-free and do not rely on exploited labor. In
recent years, it has come to light that many large, low-cost fashion brands have relied on cheap work and even
child labor in foreign, destitute countries. These brands have exploited people for the sake of saving money. Now,
socially-conscious individuals are not tolerating these unethical practices. Brands are now using ethical production
practices, moving their factories to American soil