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Fashion and Clothing

There are many problems associated with the fast fashion industry from supply chain issues to high greenhouse gas emissions. Our fashion and clothing guides help you find the most ethical and sustainable brands and companies. Our news and features discuss a cover a broad range of topics including, workers and human rights abuses, toxic chemicals and sustainable fabrics.  

Image: Catwalk clothing industry

Issues

Most high street clothing companies are fixated on producing disposable fashion that relies on overworked and underpaid factory workers. This obsession with fast fashion puts profit over people, the planet and animals.

Sustainable Fashion

However, it isn’t all doom & gloom. We have a number of innovative, small independent brands that are doing things differently. Our sustainable fashion section provides tips on how to avoid this ‘fast’ fashion trend, introduces some fashion campaigns worth supporting and shines the spotlight on ethical brands making thoughtful clothing. 
 

Shopping guides

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Ethical Clothing Brands

Which are the real sustainable ethical clothing brands? Ratings for 29 UK ethical clothes brands, with Best Buy recommendations.

See how brands rate on key areas including use of sustainable fabrics, climate impact, fair wages and working conditions, animal rights, and supply chain transparency. We look at their range of clothing and at the innovators that are going beyond fairtrade and organic. We also cover vintage and secondhand clothing companies, and have a head to head between Depop and Vinted.

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Ethical Designer Clothing

In this guide we investigate, score and rank the ethical and environmental record of 18 designer and luxury fashion brands

We also look at fur, response to Rana Plaza,  exotic skins and we shine a light on the ethics of Stella McCartney.

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Image representing the Ethical Jeans shopping guide

Ethical Jeans

Finding ethical and sustainable jeans. We rank the ethical and environmental record of 56 jeans brands.

We also explore the issues around sustainable denim and other materials, organic cotton, recycled and secondhand jeans, pollution and chemicals, vegan jeans, workers' rights, and the price of jeans. We shine a spotlight on the ethics of Gucci and give our recommended best buys.

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Ethical outdoor clothing

Rating 41 brands of outdoor clothing and gear for their ethics and sustainability. 

We look at the environmental impact of synthetic materials and toxic chemicals, animal rights and workers' rights. We also look at repair options for a more sustainable approach, vegan outdoor clothing, and put Berghaus against North Face in an ethical head to head.

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Ethical Shoes

How to find eco friendly, vegan and sustainable shoe brands.

We rate and review 36 brands of shoes, investigate how sustainable or ethical leather and synthetic leather are, vegan shoes, workers' rights in the footwear industry, how to repair shoes, options for buying secondhand shoes, and give our recommended buys.

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Ethical Sportswear

Ranking the ethical and environmental record of 48 brands of sportswear.

We look at the materials used including synthetics and the problem of microplastics, size inclusivity, shine a spotlight on the ethics of Lululemon and Sweaty Betty, review secondhand sportswear and give our recommended buys. 

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Ethical T-shirts

Finding ethical and eco-friendly t-shirts. We rank the ethical and environmental record of 25 ethical t-shirt brands

We also look at sustainable fabrics, forced labour, supply chains, price, shine a spotlight on No Sweat the anti-sweatshop brand and give our Best Buy recommendations. 

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Ethical Trainers

Guide to ethical and sustainable trainers; ratings for 44 brands of trainers, for their ethical and environmental record.

We also look at leather including use of kangaroo leather and plant based alternatives, vegan trainers, use of recycled plastic bottles, workers' rights, whether you can wear secondhand trainers, pitch Adidas and Nike in a head to head on ethics, and give our best buy recommendations. 

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High Street Clothes Shops

In this guide, we investigate, score and rank the ethical and environmental record of 52 high street brands.

We also look at the problem with fast fashion, workers' rights, shine a light on the ethics of Boohoo, Shein, and Temu, look at sustainable fabrics, delve into greenwashing, and give some recommended buys.

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Image representing the Outdoor clothing shops shopping guide

Outdoor clothing shops

In this guide we investigate, score and rank 11 brands of outdoor clothing and equipment shops. We look for which are the most ethical and environmental outdoor clothing and sports shops.

We look at their policies on synthetic materials and PFAS, animal rights and workers' rights. We also look at own-brand labels, and shine a spotlight on Sports Direct.

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Image representing the Sustainable Underwear Brands shopping guide

Sustainable Underwear Brands

How to find sustainable and ethical underwear which is eco friendly.

In this guide we investigate, score and rank the ethical and environmental record of 41 brands of underwear which make adult bras and knickers or pants. 

We look at fabrics, organic and fair trade options, workers' rights, longevity of underwear, secondhand options, price and sizes, and give our recommended buys. 

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