I wrote an article for Unibeez, a technical service, about how students can engage in ethical and sustainable fashion

Link: https://www.unibeez.com/the-hub/a-students-guide-to-sustainable-and-ethical-fashion/ (now archived)

So you want to consume fashion more sustainably and ethically? As a student, it may look difficult trying to navigate the fashion world through a sustainable, ethical lens. But, contrary to what many people might say, it’s not impossible. It’s actually achievable and these steps will show you how.

1. Understanding Ethical and Sustainable Fashion

Ethical and Sustainable fashion are often used interchangeably, but they refer to

separate things. Ethical fashion is concerned with the workers who make it possible

for clothes to be sold in shops. Many garment workers and farmers do not work in

safe conditions and get fair pay, but ethical fashion brands make sure that this

doesn’t happen to their workers. Sustainable fashion is concerned with the

production and consumption of fashion. Many fast fashion brands use cotton and

polyester to make garments which require mass amounts of water and billions of

barrels of oil, which contributes to global warming. Sustainable fashion is mindful of

the environment by using eco-friendly materials to make garments and avoiding overproduction.

2. Consuming Ethical and Sustainable Fashion Content

Learning about ethical and sustainable fashion is a great way to understand its importance and why fast fashion is harming the environment. Whether you prefer

reading books or blogs, watching documentaries or listening to podcasts, there are

many resources to help learn more about ethical and sustainable fashion. Notable

resources to check out are Fashion Revolution, How To Break Up with Fast Fashion

by Lauren Bravo, The True Cost documentary, and Common Threads podcast.

3. Consuming Less Fast Fashion

Now that you understand the importance of ethical and sustainable fashion, the next

step is to consume less fast fashion. Going cold turkey and completely cutting off fast

fashion is difficult to do, especially when you’re surrounded by student culture where

buying a new dress for every night out is normalised. Remember, this process is

gradual and as a student, it’s understandable that you might still buy a few items from

fast fashion brands because they’re accessible and convenient. Start with deleting

those tempting fast fashion apps. After that, try unfollowing the influencers who haul

£500 worth of fast fashion clothes often and encourage you to do the same. You’ll

start realising that you don’t need to buy into every popular fashion trend!

Most importantly, rewearing the clothes you already have is the best way to consume

less fast fashion. It only requires finding ways to mix and match what’s in your

wardrobe, which could help evolve your own personal style!

4. Find a way to consume more ethically and sustainably

Buying from ethical and sustainable brands is ambitious with a student budget. So,

as a student, an easy, less expensive way to buy ethically and sustainably is by

buying second-hand. Depop is a very popular app for this and Vinted is a recent app

on the rise too. You could also pop into charity or vintage shops around your area,

you might find some hidden fashion gems there!