Ethical Consumer
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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. 
 

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Shopping guides

Image representing the Ethical Clothing Brands shopping guide

Ethical Clothing Brands

Which are the real ethical clothing brands? Ethical ratings for 27 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.

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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 eco-friendly jeans. We rank the ethical and environmental record of 64 jeans brands.

We also explore the issues around sustainable denim and other materials, organic cotton, recycled jeans, forced labour, pollution and chemicals, vegan jeans, and gender neutral jeans. We shine a spotlight on the ethics of Levi Strauss and Hiut and give our recommended best buys. 

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Ethical outdoor clothing

Ranking the ethical and environmental record of 38 brands of outdoor clothing and gear.

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.

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Image representing the Ethical Shoes shopping guide

Ethical Shoes

In this guide we investigate, score and rank the ethical and environmental record of 42 shoe brands

We look at vegan shoes and synthetic faux leather alternatives, harmful chemicals, sexism, forced labour, local cobblers and give our recommended buys. 

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Image representing the Ethical Sportswear shopping guide

Ethical Sportswear

Ranking the ethical and environmental record of 26 brands of sportswear.

We also look at workers' rights, materials used including synthetics and the problem of microplastics, size inclusivity, shine a spotlight on the ethics of Gymshark and Lululemon, and give our recommended buys. 

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Image representing the Ethical T-shirts shopping guide

Ethical T-shirts

Finding ethical and eco-friendly t-shirts. We rank the ethical and environmental record of 20 ethical t-shirt brands

We also look at sustainable fabrics, forced labour, sweatshops, shine a light on the ethics of Birdsong, and give our Best Buy recommendations. 

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Image representing the Ethical Trainers shopping guide

Ethical Trainers

In this guide we investigate, score and rank the ethical and environmental record of 50 brands of trainers.

We also look at vegan trainers, the carbon footprint of trainers, recycling, fast footwear, forced labour, supply chains, shine a spotlight on the ethics of Puma, and give our best buy recommendations. 

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Image representing the Ethical Underwear shopping guide

Ethical Underwear

In this guide we investigate, score and rank the ethical and environmental record of 30 underwear brands

We also look at supply chain transparency, price comparison, shine a spotlight on the ethics of Victoria's Secret and our recommended buys. 

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Image representing the High Street Clothes Shops shopping guide

High Street Clothes Shops

In this guide, we investigate, score and rank the ethical and environmental record of 44 high-street brands

We also look at the problem with fast-fashion, workers' rights, shine a light on the ethics of Boohoo and Shein, and give some recommended buys.

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Image representing the Outdoor clothing shops shopping guide

Outdoor clothing shops

Finding ethical and eco friendly outdoor clothing and sports shops. We rank the ethical and environmental record of 11 brands of outdoor clothing and equipment shops.

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

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