Fair Trade Clothing Brands Changing the Fashion Industry

Supporting fair trade clothing brands is a powerful way to promote ethical fashion practices while enjoying high-quality garments.

These brands focus on using sustainable materials and ensuring fair labor practices, making a positive impact on the fashion industry.

This article explores the best fair trade clothing brands, their benefits, and how they compare to traditional options.

Key Takeaways

• Fair trade clothing brands promote ethical labor practices and sustainability.
• Common sustainable materials include organic cotton, recycled fabrics, and natural dyes.
• Ethical manufacturing ensures fair wages, safe working conditions, and minimal environmental impact.

Short Summary

Fair trade clothing brands are revolutionizing the fashion industry by prioritizing ethical labor practices and sustainability. This article reviews top fair trade brands such as People Tree, Patagonia, and Eileen Fisher, detailing their sustainable practices, popular products, and price ranges, and comparing them in a table. Advantages of fair trade clothing include reduced environmental impact, support for ethical labor practices, and high-quality materials, while disadvantages may include higher costs and limited styles. Tips for choosing the best fair trade clothing involve considering material sustainability, certifications, and brand transparency. Supporting fair trade clothing brands contributes to a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry.

Why Choose Fair Trade Clothing?

Fair trade clothing significantly reduces environmental impact and promotes ethical labor practices.

Traditional fashion often involves exploitative labor conditions and harmful environmental practices.

Fair trade alternatives ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and the use of sustainable materials, supporting both workers and the environment.

Top Fair Trade Clothing Brands

Outerknown

Overview: Outerknown is a brand that combines style and sustainability, focusing on creating high-quality, eco-friendly menswear.

Sustainable Practices: They use sustainable materials like ECONYL (recycled nylon) and organic cotton. Outerknown is also notable for its Fair Labor Association accreditation, ensuring fair labor practices.

Popular Products: Blanket Shirts, ECONYL Swimwear.

Price Range: $38 – $200.

prAna

Overview: prAna is committed to creating versatile and sustainable clothing for active lifestyles, with a strong emphasis on fair trade and environmental responsibility.

Sustainable Practices: prAna’s Fair Trade Certified™ program has contributed over $400,000 to workers worldwide. They focus on using organic cotton, recycled wool, and responsible packaging.

Popular Products: Organic Cotton Pants, Activewear.

Price Range: $35 – $150.

People Tree (no longer active)

Overview: People Tree is a pioneer in sustainable and fair trade fashion, known for its stylish and ethical clothing.

Sustainable Practices: Uses organic cotton, natural dyes, and fair trade certified production.

Popular Products: Organic Cotton Dresses, Fair Trade T-Shirts.

Price Range: $30 – $150.

Patagonia

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Overview: Patagonia is committed to environmental sustainability and ethical labor practices, offering durable outdoor apparel.

Sustainable Practices: Uses recycled materials, organic cotton, and supports fair trade certification.

Popular Products: Better Sweater, Organic Cotton Tees.

Price Range: $50 – $300.

Eileen Fisher

Overview: Eileen Fisher focuses on creating timeless, high-quality garments while promoting sustainability and fair labor practices.

Sustainable Practices: Uses organic fibers, recycled materials, and fair trade certified production.

Popular Products: Organic Cotton Pants, Sustainable Knitwear.

Price Range: $100 – $400.

Fair Trade Clothing Brands Comparison

Here is the comparison table for the top fair trade clothing brands:

Brand	Sustainable Practices	Popular Products	Price Range
Outerknown	They use sustainable materials like ECONYL (recycled nylon) and organic cotton. Outerknown is also notable for its Fair Labor Association accreditation, ensuring fair labor practices.	Blanket Shirts, ECONYL Swimwear	$38 – $200
prAna	prAna’s Fair Trade Certified™ program has contributed over $400,000 to workers worldwide. They focus on using organic cotton, recycled wool, and responsible packaging.	Organic Cotton Pants, Activewear	$35 – $150
People Tree	Uses organic cotton, natural dyes, and fair trade certified production.	Organic Cotton Dresses, Fair Trade T-Shirts	$30 – $150
Patagonia	Uses recycled materials, organic cotton, and supports fair trade certification.	Better Sweater, Organic Cotton Tees	$50 – $300
Eileen Fisher	Uses organic fibers, recycled materials, and fair trade certified production.	Organic Cotton Pants, Sustainable Knitwear	$100 – $400

Advantages and Disadvantages of Fair Trade Clothing

Advantages ✅

• Promote ethical labor practices
• Support sustainable and eco-friendly materials
• High-quality, durable garments
• Transparent supply chains
• Encourage fair wages and safe working conditions

Disadvantages ❌

• Often more expensive than conventional clothing
• Limited styles and availability
• May require more research to find suitable options
• Availability can vary by region

Tips for Choosing Fair Trade Clothing

Choosing the right fair trade clothing involves considering factors like material sustainability, brand transparency, and overall impact.

Look for certifications such as Fair Trade, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), and B Corp. Reading customer reviews can also provide valuable insights.

Considerations

Considerations	Potential Issues ❌
Material sustainability and durability	Some garments might have higher prices
Transparency and fair labor certifications	Availability might be limited in some regions
Positive customer reviews	Limited styles and preferences
Ethical production practices	Limited information on lesser-known brands
Support for fair wages and safe working conditions	Fewer mainstream brand options

Additional Tips for Sustainable Fashion

• Choose timeless styles that won’t go out of fashion quickly.
• Support brands with strong environmental and ethical practices.
• Opt for minimal packaging or packaging made from recycled materials.
• Buy second-hand or vintage clothing to extend the life cycle of garments.
• Recycle or donate old clothes to reduce textile waste.
• Consider the cost per wear to justify the investment in fair trade fashion.

Final Thoughts

Fair trade clothing brands are changing the fashion industry by prioritizing ethical labor practices and sustainability.

Supporting these brands helps reduce environmental impact and promotes fair wages and safe working conditions.

Explore the featured brands and make the switch to fair trade clothing, contributing to a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry.

FAQ

What makes clothing fair trade?
Fair trade clothing is made from sustainably sourced materials and produced through ethical practices that ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and minimal environmental impact.

Are fair trade clothes more expensive?
While some fair trade clothes can be more expensive, they often provide long-term environmental and ethical benefits that justify the cost.

Where can I find fair trade clothing brands?
You can find fair trade clothing through specialized eco-conscious stores or by researching sustainable and ethical fashion brands online.

How do I know if a clothing brand is truly fair trade?
Look for certifications and detailed information about their materials and production processes. Customer reviews and brand transparency can also provide insights.

Can fair trade clothes be as stylish and comfortable as traditional options?
Absolutely! With the right materials and design, fair trade clothes can be just as stylish and comfortable, if not more so, than traditional options.