With slow fashion still being a relatively new movement, it is important to be able to determine whether a brand is actually selling sustainable fashion. The good news is, it’s getting easier and easier to shop your own unique personal style in a conscious way — Yay!

Firstly here are some quick tips on how you can raise your own awareness & shop in a mindful way.

Get Informed about the Ethics and Sustainability of Fashion

Read blogs and websites about sustainable fashion. Some great examples are:

Books:

Overdressed by Elizabeth Cline

Wear No Evil by Greta Eagan

To Die For by Lucy Siegel

Wardrobe Crisis by Clare Press

Watch The True Cost on Netflix. It is a groundbreaking documentary film that pulls back the curtain on the untold story and asks us to consider, who really pays the price for our clothing? Podcasts

Wardrobe Crisis by Clare Press

Conscious Chatter by Ketsrel Jenkins

Low Tox Life by Alexx Stuart

Ethical Hour by Sian Conway

Finding your Perfect Match:

There are stores and directories that have done the hard work of identifying brands based on ratings and values for you!:

Stores (take a look through and see which store is made for you!):

Directories:

If you find a brand that you love and would like to understand their values and ethics, follow these steps:

Read the “About Us” section on fashion brand websites

Sustainable fashion brands will have invested heavily in creating sustainable manufacturing processes. It’s likely therefore that sustainability will be ingrained in the company’s DNA. The best way to get a sense of this is to read their website. Do they tell you how they do things? Are they being transparent about their sourcing and production process? Have they made a point to explain their vision? Google search results

The natural next step is to broaden your search results by looking at the first few pages on Google search results. How is the company viewed by the press? Overall, are the press articles on the company generally positive? Where companies have questionable business practices, there may be a scandal that the press has brought to light that can serve as a warning. On the other hand, there may be a positive message relating to charitable projects, partnerships with civil society etc.

Certifications

Look out for product certifications. A claim of ‘organic’ or ‘environmentally-friendly’ on advertising can be false if not substantiated by a certification. Two of the most recognisable standards are the GOTS — Global Organic Textiles Standard or Fair Trade. If you come across one you don’t recognise, you can look them up at Ecolabel Index.

I hope that some of my favourite resources for living and consuming fashion in a mindful way are helpful for you and make living your true self and true style that little bit easier!

This list is actually part of an Ebook that I have put together with Upeffect: “A step by Step Guide to Conscious Fashion”. It’s jam packed with more how to’s when it comes to Conscious Fashion so if you want more, Download it free here:

Brooke xx