Wardrobe You
Page last updated: 18th Jun 2008
Clothes say a lot about us. The label, the cut. If you can afford it and enjoy it, why not? You can always take them to Oxfam so someone else can enjoy them, too (maybe me!). Then start again with next year's season.
However, if you really want to save the planet, you can do well by making a statement in your clothes. Natural fibres are a must. These are sustainable products that keep their local producers alive.
Linen
I wear a lot of linen, I love the feel of it and its beautifully cool in the Summer. But now I am coming to realise that the cotton and flax industries use a whole heap of pesticides and chemicals in the production process. Some people have developed allergies to cotton fabrics for this reason.
An even bigger problem is the conditions under which the chemicals are delivered to the plants. If there is no Fair Trade agreement, the chances are that people walk through the plants spraying by hand without protection. Their allergic response is far worse.
Fair Trading
If we want cheap, then we are encouraging companies to set up in developing countries where labour and overheads are much cheaper. This can be great for locals who get a job where they would otherwise go hungry, and great for us as we get it cheaper than if it were produced here. So everyone wins? Yeah? If only...
If its cheap and doesn't have a fair trade label, then there is a strong chance that factory workers somewhere along the line are being exploited. We end up with the dilemma of budget vs conscience. And that is a very personal thing - rather like our clothing.
Company Ethics
A good place to find out about company ethics is the magazine Ethical Consumer. Its worth looking into the ethics before making a decision to buy cheap.
People Tree - Good stuff but very pricey
Traidcraft - I've just bought a couple of pieces from our local representative, Clem Short
Other sites I've not yet tried but might...
Amana : Ciel : From Somewhere : Adili : Bishopston Trading : Terramar : Terraplana (for shoes) :