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Terminology for ethical clothing

ethical clothing
July 31, 2023 By

ETHICAL CLOTHING – Clarifying the Terms for Responsible Fashion

 

We often receive inquiries about ethical clothing, so we’d like to ensure that we are all on the same page and avoid any misunderstandings. With the guidance of fashion insiders, we have defined the terms below to help you better understand the different aspects of sustainable and ethical clothing production. Our aim is to assist you in developing products that align with your requirements.

  1. CONSCIOUS FASHION

Conscious fashion is a marketing term used by brands to encompass a wide spectrum of sustainability and ethical practices in clothing production. While it does not specify the sustainable aspects of the supply chain, it serves as a broad concept for responsible fashion. To produce conscious fashion for you, we will need more detailed information on your specific requirements, as it is primarily a marketing term rather than a manufacturing one.

 

  1. SLOW FASHION

Slow fashion refers to products that transcend seasonal trends and have a timeless appeal. Unlike fast-fashion, which has a short lifespan, slow-fashion brands focus on creating long-lasting items through timeless designs, high-quality materials, and expert craftsmanship. Sustainability is not a mandatory criterion for slow-fashion; conventional materials can be used, as long as the products have a prolonged life span.

 

  1. ETHICAL CLOTHING

Ethical clothing primarily revolves around the fair treatment of individuals involved in the garment-making process. It ensures that workers are treated fairly, provided with ethical working conditions, and receive fair pay. Examples of unethical fashion include forced labor and prison labor. To produce ethical clothing, choosing a factory that has passed a BSCI audit is a significant step as it ensures careful monitoring of worker conditions.

While the term “ethical clothing” may or may not include environmental practices, environmental pollution is considered unethical in theory. However, the degree of environmental protection may vary. The main focus of ethical clothing is on the treatment of people, but it does not serve as a comprehensive guide for the extent of environmental policies to be applied.

 

  1. FAIR TRADE CLOTHING

Fair trade clothing goes a step further than ethical clothing by closely monitoring fair pay in marginalized communities. Organizations like the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) work to improve worker pay in the world’s poorest nations. Achieving fair trade status requires certification and membership with such organizations.

Fair trade does not necessarily guarantee environmental sustainability. While fair trade products prioritize social fairness, they may still have adverse effects on the environment. Fair trade is often associated with eco-friendly practices, but this is not always the case.

 

  1. SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING

Sustainable clothing emphasizes environmental protection in the production process. It means manufacturing products in a way that conserves resources and avoids polluting the environment, ensuring that future generations can continue the practice without depletion of resources or leaving excessive waste.

Different materials and products have distinct solutions to become sustainable. While there is no official certificate for sustainability, various certifications, such as the GRS certificate for recycled polyester, validate sustainable practices.

To make your collection sustainable, different steps are involved, and some products may have easier sustainability solutions than others. Brands communicate their level of sustainability to consumers in various ways. As a clothing manufacturer, we can assist you in sourcing sustainable materials and obtaining necessary certifications like BCI.

For more information about Savvy Garments, please visit our homepage.