The Ultimate Ethical Fashion FAQ

By Alex Assoune Feb 20, 2020

This is the ultimate ethical fashion FAQ to help you quit fast fashion! I like to think that the future ahead of us is beautiful. Slow, fair, ethical, eco-friendly and cruelty-free. That is why I work to promote slow fashion. It is the alternative to fast fashion.

With me, I encourage you to join the movement promoting a fairer and an environmentally friendlier approach to fashion. Follow this ultimate ethical fashion FAQ which hopefully will answer all your questions about this issue.

There is already many people involve in this combat. This is not a trend. This is a revolution. Let's make buying less and higher quality the norm. Picking second hand clothes over new ones should come first. I encourage you to buy locally as much as possible.

I know this might be difficult and not always an option. But please prefer high quality garments with a longer lifespan that you can wear over and over. I know it can be confusing with so many different names! Sustainable, ethical, green, slow, eco, fair trade. So many things to think about when it comes to buying clothing. To help you make more mindful choices regarding ethical fashion and sustainable living, here is the ultimate ethical fashion FAQ.

What is ethical fashion exactly?

Ethical, slow, eco-friendly, sustainable or fair fashion are very similar but with nuances. Being ethical means a strong focus on the social aspects around clothing production. How the factories operates, how employee are treated and payed plays an important part in being ethical.

Fair fashion is also ethical but with focusing more on helping developing countries with better trading conditions protecting workers right, culture and tradition while taking great care of the environment.

Eco-friendly or sustainable fashion consider the environmental impact of fashion as the highest priority, promoting harmless chemical usage, lower resource consumption and waste production.

Why is ethical fashion important?

Our society is consuming more and more at a faster rate than before. Due to mass production, we buy and discard products we no longer want very easily, not thinking of the long term consequences. Too many products are now designed with a short life expectancy in mind. The fashion industry is one of the worst. If it goes on this way, it is not sustainable.

The clothing and textile industry contribute towards global warming massively. It causes huge damage to soil, water, air, biodiversity with excessive use of resources, pesticides and toxic chemicals.

Around 80 per cent of all clothing produced ends up in landfills to decompose or is incinerated. We have to take action to improve sustainability and revert the damage to the environment that has already been done.

Slow fashion with a more sustainable and ethical approach is the solution. But it is challenging. We have to encourage consumers, producers, brands and retail to shift their behavior. Fast-fashion has to stop. Consuming cheap clothing at a rapid rate is not the way to go.

Where should I start?

You have come to the right place! Panaprium helps you live a more healthy, fair and eco-friendly lifestyle. We provide philosophy, influences and awareness around the attitude and desire of better living. We give inspiration and ideas, tips and buying advice as well as a platform for discussion.

We are all about health, fitness and sustainability while delivering information, guidance and expertise on topics such as ethical fashion. Continue reading this FAQ for more information about slow fashion. Then you will find plenty of resources here in the related articles section.

What is the first step I can take today?

Begin by taking great care of the clothes you already have. Make sure to treat them well so they last longer. Wear them over and over until they are too old or unwanted. Then see if you can re-purpose these clothes responsibly or recycle them. Then you can start shopping ethical brands you trust like Panaprium.

Where can I buy ethical fashion?

At Panaprium! We offer a large variety of high quality products and focus on exceeding your expectations. Check also our regularly updated blog where we list the other upcoming ethical brands already making an impact.

Can I shop ethical clothing without a big budget?

Absolutely. There are many luxury and ethical brands out there. But also other brands offering basics or designer clothing for lower budgets. You can also try out buying second hand or renting your clothes! And focus on buying well made pieces when you need them.

How to tell if a brand is ethical?

You can study the information they provide or contact them for more information on how they make their products. The best way to tell if they are trustworthy and not practicing green-washing is to look for certifications. Check out this article for more information on the best eco-friendly certification standards for textiles.

Is it better to buy second hand or brand new from ethical brands?

The five Rs to slow fashion are repair, reuse, re-purpose, rot and recycle. Ideally, you would do all of them at the same time for all pieces in your closet. But that is not practical at all. So do what feels right for you at the current moment.

Is buying organic important?

You may wonder if it is worth it to buy organic cotton. The answer is, it depends. I know this is not what you want to hear but the answer is a bit more complicated than that. Check out the truth about organic cotton and bio textile to find out more.

Is the future of fashion sustainable?

Yes. I truly believe so. We have to take responsibility for our actions. Together let's reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and contribute to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It will take some technology improvement and innovation. But also change in mentality and behavior.

All clothing should be made from 100% sustainable fabrics. All production should run on 100% renewable energy. Luckily, with constant effort, the world is becoming more and more aware of the issues present in the fashion industry.

Last thought

Ethical fashion is so important. Creating minimal, functional versatile and durable clothing is key. Remember you have the power. Buying sustainable pieces makes a big difference in the world. It really does.

Every small step counts and adds to the bigger picture. We have to start treating human beings, the planet and animals way better. I know it is not easy to quit fast fashion instantly. We are here to help you. Even if you make mistakes, don't beat yourself up. Now you know the solution. Now you know what to do. Just keep making progress. Join the movement.

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

What We're Up Against

Multinational corporations overproducing cheap products in the poorest countries.
Huge factories with sweatshop-like conditions underpaying workers.
Media conglomerates promoting unethical, unsustainable products.
Bad actors encouraging overconsumption through oblivious behavior.
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