https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 02 May 2026 21:14:13 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920573 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:38:44 +0000 CocoLion 920573@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like to buy local/regional, USA-made clothing. &nbsp;I follow certain brands who are known for design and manufacturing quality. &nbsp;I wear a lot of denim and tees; the brands I buy are made in California where I live so that works well. &nbsp;I also think about the retailers I purchase from; do I respect their hiring and labor&nbsp;practices in particular. &nbsp;As someone in small business, I really believe in the power of job creation.<br /><br />However it is not always possible to buy USA-made goods especially in categories like knitwear and footwear. &nbsp;Also, I cannot always afford it. &nbsp;A California-made t-shirt will cost a minimum of $45 and the jeans, at least $160. &nbsp;So I do certainly buy non-USA made goods. &nbsp;In this case, I look first very carefully at the workmanship. &nbsp;(Of course this holds for domestic garments as well -- just because it is US made doesn't mean it's well made or ethically produced.)&nbsp;Regardless of where the item is made, if it is well made, that implies to me a more respectful work environment than something shabby. &nbsp;(Although that might be a really dangerous assumption, perhaps there is a whip next to each sewer which results in the perfect seam, or maybe the garment is being made by a skilled worker who is fairly treated by their employer, who knows?)&nbsp;Probably most important,&nbsp;the well made garment will last more than one wearing. &nbsp;Fast fashion which rips after one or two wears is so wasteful&nbsp;(hello Zara I'm looking at you, three times in a row this has happened and I finally brought the garment back, receipt in hand, requesting a refund and you said no but I persisted and you did give me a credit).&nbsp;<br /><br />If a garment checks out, I admit to having a soft spot for buying things from certain developing countries, it is a very arbitrary list but let's just say they are usually countries that don't already own a large part of the US.<br /><br />ETA -- I wanted to add that I appreciate it when designers integrate local craft and cultural heritage into their collections and then manufacture those garments in that country. &nbsp;I think it is <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.edun.com/">Edun</a> whose design is inspired by Africa and also ethically produced there. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920564 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:22:20 +0000 ManidipaM 920564@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gaylene and Angie: Those are great points and really resonated with me too. It's gotten so that many people just despair of making a difference, but wading into the nuances shows you that blanket solutions (only local; only organic; only second-hand) can only ever be partial ones in this scenario. That said, I figure every is a start, a little bit better than unquestioning mainstream consumption. Even though, even in a developing nation, being in the middle class and living in a metropolitan city, travelling for both work and leisure&nbsp;are also quite enough to give me a footprint impossible to erase with any number of 'offsets'.<br /><br />And Beth Ann makes a GREAT point---there's more than one way to support ethical than embargoing the unethical, more than one way to vote with your dollars!<br /><br />Claire, I like your online shopping strategy and will shamelessly steal it. Being a bit too restricted for mall crawls&nbsp;by a baby has resulted in shocking amounts of online/telephone orders for me this last month---and the amount of packaging it adds is NOT funny, not to mention the miles.<br /><br />Rachy, I've a very soft spot for upcycled things myself; my partner, who often baulks at it, keeps ribbing me. (Currently guilty of eyeing a sling bag made out of old seat belts and industrial webbing!)<br /><br />IK, Kristin: great accessible solutions, those, actually---buy old/used or improvise at home! Strange how recently these were such a part of life we never gave them second thought, while today only the 'conscious' will go those routes!<br /><br />Rosee and others, thanks for my week's reading list in links!<br /><br />Interesting how many of us made the food comparison. Like clothing, both a necessity and a luxury in that it has the latitude of personal tastes. For my part, the last 10 months of eating with an extra eye to health, opting for cleaner foods has added to my dilemma. There's no organic or traditionally grown produce in my immediate neighbourhood, and the local stuff is riddled with poisons (not exaggerating---look up the Yamuna's pollution issues, and that's our source for water for local farming); so greener and healthier choices come necessarily with the caveats of transport and packaging. Not to mention premium pricing, often inflated because such a choice is deemed a luxury for the affluent, and affluence of the customer&nbsp;is seemingly a reason to put a premium label on items for some sellers. This last one&nbsp;really gets my goat...&nbsp;&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920502 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:48:33 +0000 rosee 920502@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Maquila Solidarity Network (some info is dated):<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.maquilasolidarity.org/issues/ca/bycompany">http://en.maquilasolidarity.or...../bycompany</a><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920501 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:46:54 +0000 rosee 920501@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ a good article from a Canadian daily (online):<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://life.nationalpost.com/2013/04/26/a-guide-to-ethical-shopping-five-tips-for-buying-clothes-more-responsibly/">http://life.nationalpost.com/2.....lothes-mor</a><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920495 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:43:12 +0000 rosee 920495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ ...from the US:<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.goodguide.com">http://www.goodguide.com</a><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920493 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:40:55 +0000 rosee 920493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ ...this looks interesting:<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/buyersguides/clothing/clothesshops.aspx">http://www.ethicalconsumer.org.....shops.aspx</a><br /><br />(I think it's from the UK). https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920174 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 19:24:15 +0000 ironkurtin 920174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kristin - No, not at all.&nbsp; She has published two books that show you how!&nbsp; I own them both and they are amazing.&nbsp; Go for it!<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920155 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:53:58 +0000 Angie 920155@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ TOTALLY resonate with what Gaylene wrote, and that's more or less how I feel about it Manidipa (so great to see you back on the forum and big hugs to you!!!!). Having seen and visited&nbsp; RAG trade factories all over the world, and lived in non-first world cities, I view these situations with another set of eyes. I am all for the economic revolution in developing countries, AND I want to support our own economy. <br /><br />At the end of the day, I also think that as a privilaged person living in a developed country with all sorts of pampered luxuries, to use Gaylene's succinct description, I am leaving a large unethical footprint on this planet no matter what I do. <br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920147 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:42:02 +0000 Echo 920147@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is an excellent question, but a very difficult one to answer. As it has been mentioned, sometimes things are not what they seem as far as labels go, and sometimes there are worse conditions in places we wouldn't imagine than there might be in better factories in third world countries.&nbsp;<br /><br />I have tackled this issue pretty well as far as food goes. We buy all of our meat and vegetables from local farms and co-ops. I freeze veggies in the fall, so I know where they all came from. Most fruit that can be grown locally I buy locally, although I am guilty of occasionally buying bananas. I buy fair trade coffee, and hope that the label is accurate. Mostly for health reasons, we try to eat as few items in boxes or cans as possible.&nbsp;<br /><br />But I am not quite "there" yet (wherever there might be) as far as clothing goes because it is such a tangled web. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920127 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:13:01 +0000 Kristin L 920127@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ @Ironkurtain - Very true. I think that's one of the big drawbacks that some people face. It prices a lot of people who want to help out. Is it wrong that I want to make study the skirt and try to make a copy of it for myself (not to sell, but just for my use)? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920119 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:00:26 +0000 rachylou 920119@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I buy from the upcycle ladies, but obviously not exclusively. Still, I appreciate upcycled materials.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920114 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:52:32 +0000 Gaylene 920114@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The more I try to figure out how I ought to behave, the more confusing and complex I find this topic. It almost seems that for every "good" action, there is another side that isn't quite so ethical or "green", with the reverse also being true. <br /><br />While logically it feels right to buy locally, even if the cost and effort is greater, I've heard others make a compelling argument that sourcing my food from small, local, organic farms is a game that can be played only by a relatively few individuals who are lucky enough to live in a wealthy nation. The same goes for boycotting companies whose products are made under abysmal conditions in countries like Bangladesh. Stephanie Nolan is a journalist whose reporting I admire very much, especially after I read her book <i>28: Stories of AIDS in Africa</i>; I found her take on the horrible incident in Dhaka and the revulsion directed toward companies like Loblaw/Joe Fresh thought provoking.<br /><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/cheap-clothes-have-helped-fuel-social-revolution-in-bangladesh/article11589450/" rel="nofollow">http://www.theglobeandmail.com.....-in-bangla</a><br />So my dilemma: Do I boycott companies who sell products made in these deplorable factories? Or do I support an economic revolution and enhance women's rights in countries like Bangladesh by purchasing an $8 Joe Fresh T-shirt? I wish I knew the answer.<br /><br />But, in answer to your question, I do try to be careful about buying so, as much as possible, I don't throw out perfectly wearable clothing or food that has languished too long in my fridge or cupboard. I do buy from local farmers, most of whom I know personally, because I know first-hand how hard they work to keep their operations going. I use my own shopping bags and ask retailers to remove excess packaging at the store in the hope that, even if it doesn't get re-cycled, it makes a point about excessive waste (Almost funny, if I'm at a cosmetic counter where they want to wrap everything in tissue and tie it with a ribbon!). I buy from companies like MEC (the Canadian REI) because I know, as a member, they take recycling and ethical sourcing very seriously. Their gear jackets may not be quite as fashionable as a Michael Kor's version, but that's fine with me. My husband and I live in a small house which we built with a contractor who tries very hard to build energy-efficient, "green" homes. Because my husband is European, his background and inclination is to "live small", so we walk and bike often, drive a small vehicle infrequently, and try very hard not to accumulate too many "things".<br /><br />Am I an ethical/green consumer? The more I try to be, the more discouraged I get. I think, as a citizen of a highly developed nation blessed with a good income, in spite of my best efforts, I have a very large, very unethical, footprint on this planet.<br /><br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920095 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:10:10 +0000 ironkurtin 920095@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kristin - yes, Alabama Chanin clothing is so gorgeous. It's all made by hand by Alabama seamstresses from recycled fabrics.&nbsp; Take fair wages and the amount of craft, and you get a $2K skirt, I'm afraid.<br /><br />Her line used to be Project Alabama, but she got pushed out and the PA line (carried at Anthro) is now pretty cheesy, alas.&nbsp; You can still find the original Project Alabama items on ebay, for less than $2K but still a bit $.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920084 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:47:09 +0000 lyn* 920084@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh! I should also say that the organic coop around town has this great thing going on during the summer - for $50/month you get two "hampers" of local grown and organic produce. In addition, for every hamper you get, they donate one to a family in need! And they employ people otherwise having difficulty securing employment to pack your hampers (including some of my patients!)<br /><br />Organic strawberries are so NOM NOM NOM.<br /><br />@ Kristin - that's interesting to know! I usually use Clinique though https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920066 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:13:41 +0000 Beth Ann 920066@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ There is the option of being reasonable with out clothing budgets and financially supporting ministries and initiatives that work for fair trade, social justice and compassion world-wide.&nbsp; Many of these organizations will tell you that these contributions are greatly needed.&nbsp; These groups promote change at the source.<br /><br />I agree that it is hard to tell the white hats from the black hats -- but then, people's motives are not easily sorted!<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920054 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 15:56:30 +0000 Anonymous 920054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Like IK, I buy most of my clothes, shoes and bags second-hand. I used to avoid dry-cleaning like the plague but now my local one has converted to organic/non-toxic solution so I'm excited about that. I've also found a cobbler so when my favorite sandals broke, I paid him to repair them (even though I was pretty sure I could find another pair for just a few dollars more) instead of throwing them out.&nbsp;<br /><br />I'd like to say that I do all of this to be ethical and earth-friendly but I'm not that saintly! I can just get better quality for my money this way, and the clothes last longer. Sometimes I can't find something to plug a wardrobe hole--or I just need a fast fashion fix and I buy new in a store that might be questionable *hanging head* but I'm trying&nbsp;to be more conscious of this. I also try not to collect more clothing than I can use. Mostly I stay local for my purchases because there seems to be plenty available near me.<br /><br />I recently was convicted of ordering some things&nbsp;online just so I could try them (shipping and return shipping&nbsp;was free). Just because it cost me nothing to try them on, doesn't mean there wasn't an impact to the environment. Some people live in the middle of nowhere and this is their only option for shopping, but I think I could be more mindful and not order things online unless they are unavailable in the stores and/or unless I'm reasonably sure they will work for me. I think if I just ask myself the question, "Would I still order this if I had to pay $8.95 for shipping, would I still order it?" it will be enough to keep me honest.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920051 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 15:51:17 +0000 Kristin L 920051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ @Lyn* - I just saw that Drew Barymore has started her own line of make-up that's made in the US that's carried at Walmart. It's suppose to be like high-end, but I haven't tried it yet.<br /><br />I'm trying to buy more second-hand and I'm practicing my sewing so I can learn to make (and repair) what I've got.&nbsp;<br /><br />Has anyone heard of Alabama Chanin? I know it's all made here in the US, but I don't know if I'll ever be able to justify paying over $2K for a skirt. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-920019 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:46:46 +0000 ironkurtin 920019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Most of my wardrobe is used.&nbsp; When I do buy new, I try to avoid stores or labels with upsetting labor policies, although that can be hard.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-919965 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:00:37 +0000 ManidipaM 919965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for sharing, folks!<br /><br />Lyn, so hear you on cosmetics and toiletries! I'm terrified of some of the local stuff here---one of those things on my 'safety watch' list!<br /><br />Anne, thanks so much. Hadn't seen the guardian list and it helps, as some of those brands are familiar and accessible even for me.<br /><br />Lantana, yes, very much agree that in the bewildering morass of greenwashing and having to choose the devil or the deep blue sea, <b>less</b> is one of the easiest, most universally applicable rules to follow!<br /><br />JJ, believe me, it has to count. The sea of packaging makes me hate shopping so much more some days. Esp online shopping, which comes with extra layers of it...<br /><br />Suz, I know, that's so aggravating to have to take someone's commitments/standards when time and again the industry has proved less than transparent and vigilant about their responsibility. And guilty here of still going by their word, with a hope and a prayer (looking askance at my bamboo underthings, old recycled-bottle pants, organic baby clothes, tyre-rubber sandals etc).&nbsp;<br /><br />Rosee, great insights---thanks so much for taking the time!&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-919953 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 13:38:45 +0000 rosee 919953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I used to know more about this (than currently) but I will have to comment later when I have more time. &nbsp;I just signed in to favorite this thread.<br /><br />Google "Maquila Solidarity Network" and browse their site - they used to publish yearly reports about which companies were in compliance with ILO - International Labor Organization -&nbsp;standards for garment production and which were not. &nbsp;Some companies like Nike and Gap, previously on the boycott list, have improved their standards though there is still much work to be done. &nbsp;They responded to the pressure from consumers to better implement just standards for their factory workers, but there is still much room for improvement (cynical me says that they did this just to keep their North American customer base more than for the workers themselves). &nbsp;There was something in the US like "the Good report" (help, knowledgeable people!) but I can't seem to find the link right now.<br /><br />Also, "made in ... (said country, USA, Canada, UK, France, etc.)" is not necessarily an indication that the manufacturing standards were high. &nbsp;There have been sweatshops busted in Canada (in Calgary and Montreal), because the work was subcontracted to workers not on company payroll who were paid mere pennies a garment. &nbsp;Some factories in Asian countries actually have good standards (within ILO recommendations) and are monitored by independent sources not affiliated with the companies. &nbsp;Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) produces much of their line in Asia under strict but fair&nbsp;standards. &nbsp;<br /><br />With regards to the eco question, there is much "greenwashing" so some things that seem to be more ecologically responsible are not always as they seem. &nbsp;Continued research needs to be done in this area, and time will provide experience for both producers and buyers. &nbsp;There are some companies' products I used to buy but have stopped for various reasons: performance /quality of the item, cost, later knowledge that the item was not produces as ethically as stated, etc. As buyers, we can only do our best in choosing products based on our needs, but the biggest help to this vast problem seems to be to reduce consumption first. &nbsp;Harder done than said, but carefully planning purchases (and using Angie's capsule formulas) probably does more than we realize. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-919951 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 13:34:53 +0000 Suz 919951@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great question, Manidipam. As I realize with shame that when it comes to clothing I don't really have a "strategy."&nbsp;<br /><br />For food, we belong to a community agriculture co-op so much of&nbsp;our produce, eggs,&nbsp;are locally and organically raised, along with some of our meat. In winter this doesn't work so well (given where we live) so we have to rely on regular groceries but we still aim for local whenever this is possible.&nbsp;<br /><br />WIth clothing, in the past I had a lot of thrifted/ consigned items and I still have some. For new things, I&nbsp;generally try to read the company's policies on treatment of workers, etc. before I buy something. I also aim for a small, well-curated wardrobe (though I seem to have had to do a fair bit of buying and editing even to approach that goal -- making mistakes on the way.)&nbsp;<br /><br />I may read what the companies claim, but&nbsp;I don't really know how honest they are being. I appreciate Anne's links so I can think some more about how I might like to make these decisions.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-919946 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 13:17:25 +0000 Jjsloane 919946@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Does using reusable shopping bags count? Sadly that is the extent of&nbsp;my current contribution (and since I shop ALOT it must have some effect). I also sell and buy many of my kids' clothing at a consignment sale and some of mine at a consignment shop.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-919909 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:05:25 +0000 Lantana 919909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My main strategy is to reuse and upcycle gifted or thrifted/ebay clothes. I am also a dab hand at keeping clothes in good nick, so they last a long time. When clothes are too shabby to be seen in public they become my gardening gear, after which they go into the rag bag.<br /> However, I realise that wearing second hand clothing doesn't address the issue of fair pay and conditions but it does cut down on the consumption of resources.<br /> I sew and knit and can make clothes that are suitable for my way of life. I have a stash of vintage fabrics I was given but I also buy fabric online. I buy new clothes online when they're on sale. This post has been a wake up call for me to investigate their provenance.<br /> Finally, there's this thought: through YLF, I have learned so much about what suits me and what I actually need in the way of clothes that I believe I'm making fewer mistakes. I have fewer wardrobe orphans and I am not buying impetuously. So less resources are being consumed to clothe me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-919856 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 06:34:41 +0000 anne 919856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ There certainly are different ways to assess it. For example the guardian's ethical fashion directory <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/page/ethicalfashiondirectory" rel="nofollow">http://www.guardian.co.uk/life.....ndirectory</a><br />has categories for "Fairtrade certified, made from organic cotton, recycled materials, sustainable fabrics, made in the UK or from vegan materials."<br /><br />For me the primary concern is the treatment of the workers. Do they work in a safe environment, do they get paid a fair wage for their context, is their slave or child labour involved?<br /><br />I started off thinking that I would only buy from those to who accredited with Ethical Fashion Australia, which certifies award wages and is only for those who manufacture in Australia. <a href="http://www.ethicalclothingaustralia.org.au/consumer/accredited-brands" rel="nofollow">http://www.ethicalclothingaust.....ted-brands</a>&nbsp; Presumably this would cut down on carbon footprint issues as well.<br /><br />But I am finding I can't really stick to this, and am happy to buy from overseas companies if my concerns can be met. But it is hard to tell!<br /><br />I also try not to buy too much - but I was doing that already.<br /><br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-919845 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 05:37:24 +0000 lyn* 919845@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can tell you a funny story about origins of stuff - my friend's mom used to work in a jean factory, and she would make this one particular type of jeans for this company. They would then be shipped to a processing plant in Montreal to get "tagged" with that company logo.<br /><br />In essence, even if I ordered jeans that were made down the street from where I live, I'd have to pay for the carbon footprint of that pair of jeans to go from (at least) down the street to Montreal and back again! It's kinda crazy, eh?&nbsp;<br /><br />I think Le Chateau brands a lot of its higher end merchandise as designed and manufactured in Canada, but I don't have a lot of $150 to blow on dresses :)<br /><br />I do buy a lot of stuff from the UK though, most of my flare dresses are by Closet UK, which states that their dresses are designed and made in London. Are they ethical? I dunno.<br /><br />I think the only "ethical" company I shop from is The People Tree - but their clothes are pretty expensive, but quite pretty :)&nbsp;<br /><br />The last time I was at walmart (&lt;1 year ago), there was a t-shirt that was made from bamboo that was supposed to be ethically produced. Even if that shirt was, the rest of the shirts at walmart probably weren't. That being said, I found a Forever 21 skirt that was "Made in Canada" and one that was "Made in France" - are they lying to me?<br /><br />I try to buy my makeup from "safe" countries - I choose Made in Canada or USA or France over other countries, because I feel I am putting it in contact with my skin :)<br /><br />It's bizarre how these things work, isn't it? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-do-earth-friendlyethical#post-919841 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 05:28:33 +0000 ManidipaM 919841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So soon after Earth Day,&nbsp;Anne's <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-my-ethical-fashion-plan">thread</a>&nbsp;today just&nbsp;got me musing and wondering---what are the various ways we do (more)&nbsp;ethical or eco-friendly(-friendlier) shopping in fashion? In Anne's thread, for example, the way Lyn and I choose are somewhat different, but I would like to think complementary in effect...<br /><br />What's your rubric or strategy for ethical/eco-friendly shopping (especially in fashion of course, but otherwise too)?<br /><br />Do you swear by local origin&nbsp;and reduction of miles/carbon footprint? Or do you deal with long-distance transport if the sourcing is beneficial to an embattled culture or particularly messed-up manufacturing space? Do you put 'do-gooding' in your own zip code first, or do you go by products that step the lightest on the earth from a global perspective?<br /><br />Please weigh in!<br /><br /><br />