Reconsidering Ethical Fabric

A couple of months ago, when I was writing the post on ethical swimwear, I started thinking about the environmental footprint of making fabric, even eco-friendly fabric. Quite a few of the ethical swimwear brands are made using recycled water bottles and fishing nets and other plastic, keeping some plastic out of landfills and oceans. I then started thinking about how resource intense many other fabrics are.

Organic cotton is probably the best example. Yes, it is pesticide free. But, what about the other resources? Organic cotton typically uses more water and land than conventional cotton. And the amount of water? Well, the Aral Sea is completely dried up as a result of growing cotton. I would not call that sustainable, eco-friendly, or ethical. Would you?

I have long since moved away from bamboo fabrics for similar reasons. While the plant itself is super sustainable, the process from plant to fabric is resource intense and toxic. I love bamboo for housewares, flooring, kids stuff, almost everything else, but I try to stay away from bamboo rayon. But, in the first season of Future:Standard, we had a few dresses made of bamboo, because I didn’t know better.

So, where does that leave me? I am not exactly sure, but I am reconsidering ethical fabric and what that might mean to me. Some thoughts…

Can I limit my consumption to only recycled, deadstock, or vintage fabric? And is it sustainable? Both over the long term, for me and to the earth? Can I only buy things that prevent things from going into landfills and oceans? Only fabric that isn’t brand new?

Is the process of converting plastic bottles and fishing nets resource intense and toxic, like bamboo? I don’t know the answer to this either, and it deserves a little more research?

Will I be happy with just the brands that offer these items? I don’t know. There are a few brands that I absolutely love that I’ve talked about before. Reformation for deadstock and Groceries Apparel for recycled plastic basics are two of my all time favorites. And of course, Poshmark (code jessiraefs for $5 off) and others for second hand clothes. I have never been a huge vintage shopper, just now and then, but getting a little better at that could be an option. Again, with a little more research, I can find more.

Should I update what ethical fashion is to me?

Truthfully, I am aware of a couple things. The first is that I am 5 months pregnant, so I am not buying any clothes for the next few months to a year. I have enough maternity clothing to get me through January, and I will likely wear the same flannel shirt and a variety of sweatpants and maternity jeans through my fourth trimester. So, I don’t need to make any commitments right now.

I also know that I am probably not going to commit to this for our little guy’s clothing. Ethical kids clothes are not the most accessible. There is a half written post about this waiting to go up, but I am much more ethical when it comes to my own clothes than I am for Buggy’s. He gets a lot of hand me downs (great!), and an occasional second hand item (also great!), a few actual vintage pieces (some amazing pieces from our babyhood), and organic cotton from time to time (hmmm…). But much of the time, his clothes are gifts or purchased in a hurry, as in “OMG, there is another hole in his shoes!? Let’s go to Target.” (Not great, but when time and money are considered, it is often the best I can do).

So, I am starting here. By just reconsidering ethical fabric. Will I make this commitment? I don’t know. Will I make an effort to seek out more ethical and sustainable options, yes, definitely. I will keep learning about different options, researching and falling in love with more brands, and trying a little harder to find second hand options for all of us.

Is this something you’ve considered? I would love to know where you ended up and any favorites.

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10/22 Update: Everlane just announced their Renew collection of clothing made of recycled plastics, so add that to the list. And, while I certainly don’t need a coat or a puffer, living in this 70+ degrees almost all year climate, I love the sweatshirts!