Organic fashion - the most beautiful shops and labels
The new organic fashion: a real alternative to fast fashion
More and more, always cheaper - this is the motto for producing fast fashion. So fashion, which is as cheap as a hamburger and a portion of fries and the buyer only for a short time. First, because the trends are over as fast as they come. On the other hand, because the quality of these clothes is often so bad that the pants, tops and dresses are ready for the barrel after just a few washes. No problem, if the next shirt is already to go for the price of a coffees ...
But somebody pays the price for this disposable fashion: the women and men in textile factories in Asia and Africa, who produce our clothing under degrading conditions - often without adequate protection against toxins, without labor rights and far from a decent wage. And the environment. In hardly any other industry, for example, is so much water consumed as in the clothing industry. Incidentally, expensive clothing from well-known designers is not automatically sustainable and fair produced.
But there are alternatives: More and more designers have realized that fashion can work differently. And more and more shoppers are demanding clothing that has been produced as sustainably and fairly as possible - and yet does not look like an eco store or a scratchy jute sack. The range is great, organic fashion can be casual and elegant, minimalist and modern, cool and romantic.
So what can we do as a consumer? Quite a lot, from conscious buying decisions to the right care, to keep the clothes as long as possible, to environmentally sound disposal. We answer the most important questions about organic fashion.
Does eco mean fair?
Most labels that strive for fair production conditions also pay attention to environmental aspects. But not always ecologically produced products were inevitably manufactured under fair working conditions. For example, the use of organic cotton in big fashion chains does not necessarily say something about whether workers also receive fair wages. Magdalena Schaffrin from the eco-fair fashion fair Greenshowroom recommends that you make sure that as much as possible comes together. Because environmentally friendly clothing is good for the people who wear it, but not necessarily for the people who make it. Nevertheless, according to Schaffrin: "It is better to buy an organic shirt from H & M than a conventional one, which is a step in the right direction."
There are so many different organic labels and labels - how do I keep the overview?
This is not easy, because there are actually many different eco-standards and seals for clothing. Basically: Pay attention to who is behind the seals. Is it an independent seal of approval or a seal awarded by an NGO? Look carefully at other seals, because even industry associations and manufacturers themselves now characterize their clothes through their own labels. Here you will find an overview of quality labels for textiles.
Where can I find sustainable fashion?
There are still more stores and labels for fair fashion in cities than in the countryside, but things are also happening in smaller cities. On the internet platform Get Changed by the network "Faire Mode" you can find shops that sell fair eco-fashion in your area. And of course there is a huge selection online - the most beautiful shops and labels we present above.
What else can I do except buy organic fashion?
Secondhand clothing is a great and affordable alternative - and the total contrast to the fast-paced "ex and hopp mentality". If you shop at flea markets, online or in second-hand boutiques, extend the life of originally worn out clothes and breaks the cycle of fast fashion.
In addition: Be good with your clothes, neatly tidy them, repair or sew them when something breaks - and wash them only when necessary. So you have some of your favorite parts longer and you have to go shopping less often.
And if you really do not want to wear something anymore, please do not throw it away. Here you will find tips on how to dispose of old clothes in a meaningful way.
Can I buy shirts for less than ten euros?
Fair fashion costs more than discounterclothes, but conversely expensive does not automatically mean fair. One thing is certain: a five-euro shirt can not have been produced under clean conditions. Pay attention to seals that point to ecologically, socially produced or completely ethical clothing.
How do I avoid buying clothes produced by children?
With the "aVOID plug-in", a program that extends the function of computer browsers, you can buy online in a sustainable way: If you have installed it and shop at web shops like Asos, Amazon and Zalando, products of those companies become hidden or suspected of producing with the help of child labor. The plug-in is based on data from the campaign against child labor. The extension for safari and crome browsers is available for free download at www.avoidplugin.com.
