This is the second part of the article I wrote last week about what the true price of cheap clothing is. I was surprised to discover that many of you are going through (or have gone through) the same moral dilemma as me. Inexpensive, cheaply made clothing produced by large companies are typically void of ethical business practices. This clothing is produced by underpaid workers, using toxic production methods for either the material or final product. Large corporations push out small businesses and designers creating a monopoly of cheaply made, cookie cutter clothing. What is an ethical girl on a budget to do?
Now it is obvious that supporting an industry that actively chooses to produce vegan, environmentally friendly, sustainable products will help make those products readily available and more affordable in the future. However, I know that most of you (myself included) are on a strict budget and can’t afford to buy clothing from ethical designers although you would really like to. Below are some great ways to shop ethically, on the cheap!
Vintage – Vintage shopping is a great way to recycle, shop frugally and develop your own killer style. I am a huge advocate of vintage shopping and think that on top of all the other perks, it is so much fun! Try out your local vintage shops. While Goodwill and The Salvation Army can sometimes have good finds, you may have more luck with smaller shops. For more info check out: The Comprehensive Guide To Thrifting Like a Champ.
Etsy – Oh, Etsy. How I love you so. For those of you that don’t know, Etsy is a huge marketplace for creators. There are thousands of little shops selling handmade jewelry, clothing, and beauty products. There is even an option to search locally, so you ensure your purchase will be supporting your local economy.
Get creative – If you are looking for a new hobby, maybe you could start making your own clothing and accessories! You could upcycle clothing purchased second hand to create a custom piece you would love to wear. Try to think of new and exciting ways to use recycled and sustainable materials.
Be a deal hunter – Many vegan designers frequently have huge sales either directly (50% off at Beyond Skin right now!) or through membership sites like Rue La La, and Beyond The Rack. Membership is free if you can score an invitation code.
Buy off season – At the end of each season, scour your favorite indie sites and local boutiques for sales. I have found that you can typically find pieces for 50-70% off and sometimes even more. You can wear your finds during the season transition and during future seasons to come. If you buy all of your clothes off season you can save piles of money, the only thing you need is patience.
Buy less. Buy timeless – Instead of buying a ton of random items that end up in the back of your closet with no partner, try to purchase with intention. Developing a “core wardrobe” is a great idea and can save you time, money and frustration. Also, make sure your purchases aren’t obvious trends that will only last a season. Super trendy clothing will only make you look like everyone else and waste a whole lot of money.
I like your blog, but I'll be honest. This post offers nothing I haven't heard yet and offered nothing by way of realistic advice. You should have mentioned, for instance, that while American Apparel is not a vegan organization, they have a clean record as far as labor practices are concerned. Good place for t shirts, year round. Advice of the sort is more realistic and helpful than suggesting that we learn to sew. Again, I don't mean this in a snarky way, just as a pointer when you are running advice posts, particularly with an “investigative” and suspenseful part I and II. Silvid
Thanks for your honest opinion Silvia. I do think that the advice in this post is far from “unrealistic” but perhaps just not what you were hoping for personally.
My plan was to just provide generic ideas of where you can start to find clothing that best suits your ethical needs. I trust that my readers are smart and independent enough to be able to take these ideas, expand on them and do their own research into what works for their tastes and budget. I already have a list of companies that meet this criteria on my “resources” page and it is constantly added to.
BUT it might be helpful for you to know that from here on out I will be highlighting ethical companies in my newsletter and on the site. I will ONLY be featuring items from companies that uphold an all around “cruelty-free” policy (to the best of my knowledge). I also plan on posting some of my personal vintage finds as well as some crafty DIY tutorials. So hopefully the upcoming content will be more beneficial to your goal of finding out specific businesses and items.
Thanks again for your comment!
I think your post is helpful, but basic. I usually don't have any trouble finding ethically-made t-shirts and casual clothes, and I agree that it's also pretty easy to get nice shoes and bags on sale (endless is great for this as well – Olsen Haus, Beyond Skin, etc.). But what about dress clothes?!? As someone who has to dress business casual every day and business (suits) at least once or twice a week, finding ethical and vegan clothes (especially non-wool suits) is next to impossible. What I would really like some advice on specific web sites and companies to look at. Thanks!
Hey Kris – Thanks for your comment! I will be continually covering specific companies here on out on the site and in the newsletter and adding them to the “resources” page. There are literally a thousand businesses out there just waiting to be discovered and more are popping up everyday. I consider this an ongoing project.
I think you are totally right about business clothes! I have never thought much about how hard it must be to find dressy vegan clothes since I have never worked in a corporate environment. There was a great site: http://professionalvegan.blogspot.com/ that covers vegan (but not always ethical) clothing. She has stopped posting but you may want to check her archives for some ideas. And you have also inspired me to do a business post of my own, so keep checking back!
I have also struggled with this problem for years. The best thing I have found are second-hand shops that sell newer clothes, in Illinois the store is called Plato's Closet. They buy newer clothes from individual sellers, and then re-sell them. It's pretty good for everything (not undies or business clothes really though), and it is pretty cheap! Usually around half the price you would pay in any stores. I'm not sure if other states have stores like this though but it is definitely worth looking for one. I also usually let myself shop at TJ Maxx and Marshall's because I'm not buying directly from any of the companies. Since those stores buy things when other stores have too much, and who knows what they would do with the excess (I've heard of H and M burning extra clothes?)
I love Plato's Closet! Buffalo Exchange is a good one as well.