How to know if a clothing brand is sustainable and ethical: the 7 keys

On the way to sustainability, there are many steps.Each person who tries to live sustainably and change their habits carries a different process and according to their needs and customs, but also to their resources and possibilities.

When I began to disseminate on these issues my mentality was much more strict and resounding, something that people who follow the same path are very common when you start in this movement.Therefore, we should never get tired of emphasizing that sustainability is not white or black, but a spectrum of gray in which there are many issues beyond plastic and close the tap when we brush our teeth.

The scope of fashion is one of these grays.It is gray, because it is not just about using sustainable materials and making clothes without using toxic materials, but also to respect the rights of people who make those clothes and ensure decent conditions and salary.A brand cannot be sustainable if it does not meet these points, no matter how much organic cotton and hemp fiber.

Therefore, for most people, detect whether a garment or clothing brand is sustainable or is not more complicated than the typical choice between a bamboo brush and another plastic, since there are many factors that play a fundamental role in thisjudgment.

We must face each decision on fashion with critical thinking, and at the same time taking into account the following points:

This is the most important point of all, because the most sustainable thing that exists is what already exists in our closet.It doesn't matter if Fast Fashion or the most sustainable brand in the world.

The important thing is that this is already there, that purchase is already made, and the most sustainable thing that there is is to use what we have again and again, instead of buying something new to try to "create a sustainable closet".

There is nothing less sustainable than buying new things that you do not need, whether sustainable or not.

The most sustainable way to buy fashion, after using what you have in your closet, is the second hand.It is true that many towns and cities have a limited (or non -existent) selection of garments, but there are online applications where we can search for keywords and find exactly what we are looking for.

Recall that what already exists is the most sustainable brand.Buying second hand we are contributing to a more circular economy.

When we buy something new, one of the things that we must take into account are the materials.The more natural they are, the better.Hemp, pineapple or apple fibers, linen or organic cotton are some of the most sustainable and natural fibers that we can find in the market.

At this point we could also consider recycled fibers as a sustainable option, since they are reusing existing garbage to create new materials.

The Bask Brand brand is a great example of this, since this summer has traveled all possible beaches collecting bottles and plastic networks to be able to make its garments from these waste.While making garments, clean the beaches.

Another thing that we must take into account is the closeness of the garments, but here there is trap.It is not about something being done in Spain, because if the materials have imported from China, from a purely environmental point of view it is exactly the same as buying the garment already made directly to China.

Therefore, we must always prioritize garments that are made with national or at least European materials, when possible.

The SHE TOLD Bathroom Brand is a great example of this, because they use materials made in Barcelona and make their garments in the same province.

An advantage of fashion made in Spain is that it is much easier to know about the working conditions of the people who make the garments or accessories that we buy.

For a brand it is much easier to visit a factory and perform audits if these are located in Spain or even in Portugal.

The Mireia Playà shoes brand is a great example of this, since the brand visits its Alicante workshop often to verify that the conditions of the workers are fair and worthy.

Trends are very fun, and in fact, so they are a real business.But there are several ways to be part of the trends (if one wants).

A brand can be inspired by current trends to create basics that we can use beyond a season.That is, a brand that creates basic pieces that can be seen modern and aesthetic in any context and season is a brand that is more sustainable than another that focuses on extravagant trends that will not survive this year.

The Canussa accessories brand is a great example of this, creating timeless bags with vegan materials of the best quality.

The most important thing that a brand can offer to confirm that it is sustainable is to offer transparency and traceability.

A brand that is responsible for its processes and is proud of the way in which their garments are manufactured shares this information.If the brand does not offer this information on the website or it is ambiguous in your answers when we ask you, you would doubt your social responsibility and your real sustainability.

These are some key points when determining whether or not a brand is sustainable, and in doubt we must always ask the brand.A brand that takes into account the materials, people and processes and is respectful of the environment and people, will always share details of it and will be proud to shout at four winds how it does things.Unlike fast fashion, it will immediately tell you that its brand has a philosophy that makes the world a better place while sharing its sartorial art with the conscious consumer.