You may have heard of sustainable or ethical fashion. Both are part of slow fashion, a sustainable and conscious approach to clothing production. Although the two terms are often used together, they are different. Are you curious about the difference between sustainable and ethical fashion? In this guide, we explain it to you in a simple way.
In this article:
- What is sustainable fashion?
- What is ethical fashion?
- The difference between ethical fashion and sustainable fashion
- Ethical issues in the fashion industry
- Why is ethical fashion important?
- What are sustainable and ethical fashion brands?
- How do you choose ethical brands and clothes?
- MUD Jeans: an ethical and sustainable brand
- Frequently asked questions about sustainable and ethical fashion
What is sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion means making clothes with respect for people, animals, and the planet. For example, using environmentally friendly materials such as organic cotton. Reusing old fabrics to reduce waste. And ensuring fair working conditions.
The sustainable fashion movement also looks at other sustainable practices, like environmentally friendly packaging, shipping methods and energy sources. The ultimate goal? Having the least impact on the environment.
Read more: Fast Fashion vs. Slow Fashion Explained
What is ethical fashion?
Ethical fashion is about social justice and human rights. Workers are paid a fair wage and work in a safe and healthy environment.
Ethical fashion is also about transparency in the production process, inclusivity, diversity and animal welfare. The aim is to treat people and animals with respect.
The difference between ethical fashion and sustainable fashion
Sustainable fashion and ethical fashion are often seen as the same thing. And in a way, they are. There is a lot of overlap between them, and they both aim for a better world. For example, sustainable fashion frequently includes fair working conditions, and ethical fashion often uses materials without chemicals. But there are also some differences. We have added them to a table below so you can easily see the real difference.
|
Sustainable fashion |
Ethical fashion |
|
Environmentally focused |
People-focused |
|
Environmentally friendly materials |
Labour free materials |
|
Sustainable production process |
Safe and healthy working environment |
|
CO2-neutral shipping methods |
Fairtrade conditions |
|
Message: sustainability |
Message: good working conditions |
In short, while both aim to improve the fashion industry, ethical fashion prioritises human rights, and sustainable fashion focuses on the environment.
Ethical issues in the fashion industry
Although more ethical and sustainable clothing brands are being created, there is still much to change in the fashion industry. In fact, disturbing situations are still exposed.
For example, the extremely low wages paid to workers to keep clothes cheap for consumers. They often earn less than the minimum wage, and can sometimes barely meet their basic needs with their salary. On the other hand, big fashion producers often employ cheap materials that are full of toxic chemicals. These chemicals, such as formaldehyde, are detrimental to workers who are constantly exposed to them. As a result, they often develop chronic health problems.
Workers also work long hours to produce as much clothing as possible, often trying to meet gruelling quotas. Some are even barred from seeking medical help in the case of sickness or incapacitation. There is also the issue of animal suffering in the fast fashion industry. Animals are used for their fur and live in poor conditions. These are just some of the many ethical issues that are in dire need of solutions in the fashion industry.
Why is ethical fashion important?
Ethical fashion is essential to create a fairer fashion system. By buying at an ethical fashion brand, you, the consumer, are making a statement about the need for change. Your support for companies that are transparent about their production processes and pay fair wages to their workers are crucial in creating a new wave of ethically-inclined fashion companies.
What are ethical and sustainable fashion brands?
Fortunately, more and more fashion brands understand the importance of sustainability and ethics. Ethical and sustainable brands are committed to changing the fashion industry. They reduce their impact by, for example, using environmentally friendly and recycled materials and ensuring that paint does not end up in wastewater by using a closed-water system. They also strive for a fair and transparent production process with good working conditions and adequate compensation.
How do you choose ethical fashion brands and clothes?
It can be quite difficult to find sustainable or ethical clothing brands. A study by the European Commission in 2020 found that 53.3% of environmental claims examined in the EU were vague, misleading, or unfounded. And 40% were not substantiated at all. We call this greenwashing: companies pretending to be green while continuing to pollute.
So, how can you, as a consumer, make the right choice and avoid the greenwashing trap? Research is key. Our tips below will help you along the way.
- Check labels: Look for words like 'organic', 'fair trade', 'eco', 'recycled' or 'vegan'.
- Choose environmentally friendly, natural materials: Organic and recycled cotton, hemp, bamboo and linen, and organic paints.
- Look for labels: GOTS, OCS, Cradle to Cradle, OEKO-TEX, Fairtrade International, B Corp, Cruelty-Free, USDA Organic, bluesign® and FSC.
- Be selective: Choose quality, season-long garments instead of cheap, low-quality, trendy clothes.
- Check repair options: Find out if a brand will repair clothes for you so you don't have to buy new ones.
- Research transparency: Check if the brand is transparent about its production process. For example, on social media or their website.
- Check engagement: Does the brand promote inclusivity and diversity? Does the brand give back to the community?
- Read reviews: Read reviews from other customers and see if ethical organisations recognise the brand.
MUD Jeans: an ethical and sustainable brand
Although ethical and sustainable fashion differ, they represent the necessary change towards a fair fashion industry.
MUD Jeans also represents this positive approach. We recycle pre-consumer denim into new, seasonless jeans and use an eco-friendly production process. We also keep our entire supply chain short so that our denim experts earn above minimum wage. Do you want to know more?
See all our goals on our sustainability page. Or read our Sustainability Report.
Frequently asked questions about sustainable and ethical fashion
What is the difference between ethical and sustainable fashion?
Ethical fashion is primarily about fair labour practices. Workers are paid a fair wage and work in safe conditions. Sustainable clothing is about reducing the impact on the planet by using environmentally friendly materials and processes. While both seek to improve the fashion industry, ethical fashion emphasises human rights, while sustainable fashion focuses on the environment.
How is sustainable fashion ethical?
Sustainable fashion is about protecting the environment and ensuring fair treatment of workers. By using environmentally friendly materials and reducing waste, this approach helps to reduce the impact on the planet. At the same time, sustainable fashion ensures that workers are paid fairly and work in safe conditions. So, sustainable fashion is good for the planet and for the people.
What is the difference between eco-fashion and sustainable fashion?
Eco-fashion and sustainable fashion aim to protect the environment but focus on different things. Eco-fashion is mainly about reducing environmental damage by using organic materials and minimising waste. Sustainable fashion takes a broader approach, looking also at social issues such as fair working conditions and timeless designs.
Is fast fashion ethical?
Fast fashion is not usually seen as ethical because it often involves low wages and bad working conditions. It also causes a lot of environmental damage through waste and pollution. The rapid production of cheap clothes encourages overconsumption and a throwing-away culture, which is bad for both people and the planet. Ethical fashion focuses on fair working conditions, so fast fashion is not really in line with these values.
