Knowing where your clothes come from matters more than ever—especially if you are striving for a guilt-free lifestyle. Ethical sourcing makes sure that the materials and labor behind your clothes are responsibly and fairly obtained. And it’s a rising trend for fashion brands to produce their collections, aiming to reduce harm to the environment and workers.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about ethical and sustainable sourcing in fashion, helping you make informed choices that align with your values.
Let’s get started!
What Does “Ethically Sourced” Mean?
Ethically sourced, or responsible sourcing, fashion refers to clothing produced with a focus on fairness, sustainability, and respect for people and the planet. One of its practices is ensuring that workers in the production process are treated fairly, paid living wages, and worked in safe conditions.
Additionally, the materials used are often sustainable — eco-friendly, renewable, or recycled, minimizing environmental harm.
It is a trend that opposes the dominant way of making clothes—fast fashion, which is notorious for cutting corners in these areas. Brands that focus on fast fashion often prioritize low costs and rapid production times, leading to exploitative labor practices and the use of cheap, harmful materials. Fast fashion garments may be cheaper and trendy in the short term, but they typically come with a high cost to workers and environmental safety.
Why do Fashion Brands Focus on Ethical Sourcing?
Ethical sourcing has become a growing priority in the fashion industry in recent years. Here’s why:
Environmental Responsibility
The fashion industry is a major player in global pollution, accounting for approximately 10% of all carbon emissions—more than international flights and maritime shipping combined. Beyond carbon emissions, the industry is notorious for its water consumption, with textile dyeing and finishing alone consuming an estimated 93 billion cubic meters of water annually.
Additionally, the production of synthetic fibers like polyester releases microplastics into oceans, further harming marine ecosystems. The environmental toll is undeniable, with millions of tons of textile waste in landfills yearly.
Brands focusing on ethical sourcing aim to reverse these impacts by using sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, Lyocell, and recycled fabrics, which require less water and energy. They also prioritize waste reduction through recycling initiatives and closed-loop systems, where garments are designed to be repurposed at the end of their lifecycle.
Consumer Demand
Consumers are more informed than ever before, which has led to a growing awareness of the negative impacts of fast fashion. As a result, many buyers now prefer to invest in brands that align with their values, particularly regarding sustainability and ethical practices. Studies show that 66% of consumers consider sustainability when purchasing, and 75% of millennials are willing to spend more on sustainable products.
Brands that prioritize ethical sourcing differentiate themselves from competitors, creating loyalty among eco-conscious consumers who prefer transparency and responsibility over cheap, disposable fashion. This shift in consumer behavior pushed brands to adopt more ethical sourcing practices to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving market where sustainability matters.
Labor Rights and Fair Wages
A critical aspect of ethical sourcing is making sure that workers throughout the supply chain are treated fairly. Fast fashion has often been linked to unethical practices, including underpayment, unsafe working conditions, and forced labor.
According to the Clean Clothes Campaign, millions of garment workers—primarily in developing countries—earn less than a living wage, with many working in unsafe environments that can lead to tragic accidents like the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh.
Ethically sourced fashion prioritizes fair wages, safe working conditions, and labor rights for garment workers. Brands that practice ethical sourcing often work with certified suppliers, such as those certified by Fair Trade, which guarantee living wages and fair treatment for workers.
Long-Term Sustainability
The dominating global fashion system is linear, with products made, used, and disposed of. Ethical sourcing aims to transition this model to a circular economy, where materials are reused, recycled, or composted, minimizing waste.
Brands invest in innovative technologies like regenerative farming for cotton production, which replenishes soil health and biodiversity, and biodegradable fabrics that break down naturally at the end of their use. Additionally, many companies are shifting to renewable energy sources for manufacturing, reducing their reliance on fossil fuels and lowering their carbon footprints.
How to Tell if Your Clothes Are Ethically Sourced?
Here’s how to tell if your clothes meet the ethical standards:
Does It Use Sustainable Materials?
Ethically sourced clothing often uses eco-friendly, renewable, or recycled materials. Look for fabrics like organic cotton, linen, hemp, Lyocel, or bamboo grown with minimal environmental impact. Recycled fibers, such as those made from old garments or plastic bottles, also indicate ethical sourcing.
Does it Have Fair Trade and Ethical Certifications?
Check the label for certifications from organizations like Fair Trade, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), or OEKO-TEX. These certifications ensure that the clothing has been produced under ethical conditions, including fair wages, safe working environments, and sustainable farming practices.
Does it Have a Transparent Supply Chain?
Ethical brands always strive to assess ethical risks in their supply chain and are transparent about their sourcing and production processes. This includes details about where the raw materials are sourced, how the garments are made, and under what conditions. If a brand shares information about its supply chain, it’s a good sign that it prioritizes ethical sourcing.
Does it Have a Low-Impact Dyeing Process?
Textile dyeing can harm the environment, often leading to water pollution. Brands focusing on ethical sourcing use non-toxic, water-efficient dyeing techniques or plant-based dyes that reduce the environmental impact.
Is it Made Locally or in Ethical Factories?
Garments produced locally or in certified ethical factories are more likely to meet ethical standards. Brands that manufacture in factories adhering to ethical labor laws, fair wages, and safe working conditions are often proud to showcase this, so look for this information when researching a brand.
Does it Focus on Longevity and Durability?
Ethically sourced clothing is designed to last. Brands promoting slow fashion tend to create high-quality, durable garments that withstand wear and tear. This means less waste, as you won't need to replace your clothes as often, contributing to a more sustainable wardrobe.
6 Examples of Ethically Sourced Fabrics
Here are some well-known examples of fabrics that are commonly used ethically:
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is grown without harmful pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, making it a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional cotton. It uses less water and promotes healthier soil. Look for organic cotton certified by GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) to ensure that it meets strict ecological and social criteria.
Linen
Linen, made from the flax plant, is a naturally sustainable fabric. Growing requires minimal water and pesticides, and the entire plant can be used, leaving little waste. Linen is also biodegradable, making it a great option for eco-conscious consumers.
Hemp
Hemp is another plant-based fabric that is incredibly sustainable. It grows quickly with little water and doesn't require pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Hemp fibers are durable, breathable, and biodegradable, making it a versatile option for ethical clothing.
Lyocell
Lyocell is made from sustainably harvested wood pulp, typically from eucalyptus trees. It’s produced using a closed-loop process, where 99% of the water and solvents used in production are recycled, minimizing environmental impact. Tencel is soft, breathable, and biodegradable.
Recycled Polyester
Recycled polyester is made from post-consumer plastic, such as plastic bottles, reducing the need for virgin plastic production. While not biodegradable, it gives a second life to plastic waste, diverting it from landfills and oceans. When sourced and produced responsibly, recycled polyester can be a more sustainable option.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource that requires little water and no pesticides. When processed sustainably, it can produce soft, durable fabrics. However, be cautious, as some bamboo fabrics are chemically processed in ways that are not environmentally friendly. Look for certifications or brands that use eco-friendly methods.
Challenges in Ethical Sourcing
While ethical sourcing is a growing focus in the fashion industry, it still presents significant challenges for brands that adopt sustainable and ethical practices. Here’s how:
High Costs
Ethical sourcing often comes with higher production costs. Sustainable materials, fair wages, and environmentally friendly processes are typically more expensive than the cheaper, faster methods used in conventional fashion production.
For smaller brands or those operating on tight margins, the higher upfront costs can be a barrier to fully committing to ethical practices.
Complex Supply Chains
The fashion industry relies on a complex, global supply chain management that make tracking every stage of production difficult. From raw material harvesting to manufacturing and distribution, ensuring that every step adheres to ethical standards can be a logistical nightmare.
This lack of transparency makes it hard for brands to guarantee that every aspect of their production is ethical.
Lack of Consumer Awareness
Although consumer demand for ethical fashion is growing, there’s still a lack of widespread awareness about fast fashion's environmental and social impacts. Moreover, many shoppers prioritize affordability and convenience over ethical considerations, making it challenging for brands to justify the higher prices that often come with ethically sourced garments.
Limited Availability of Sustainable Materials
While the demand for sustainable fabrics is increasing, the availability of such materials can be limited. Ethical fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, and Lyocell are less widely produced than conventional fabrics like polyester and conventional cotton, making it harder for brands to source them in the quantities needed for large-scale production.
Final Thoughts
Choosing ethically sourced clothing is a conscious decision to support fair labor practices, reduce environmental harm, and promote responsible and sustainable methods.
Explore our Rizz collection of responsibly sourced fashion that is good for you and for the planet.
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