How to Shop Sustainably and Build an Ethical Clothing Collection

"Sustainable" and "ethical" fashion are related but not identical. Good On You, a brand-rating platform, defines sustainable fashion as clothing produced in a way that meets present needs "without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs," which requires moving away from overproduction. Ethical fashion, in the same framework, focuses more narrowly on whether workers are paid fairly, treated well, and whether animal welfare is respected, and the two dimensions overlap in practice.

Why it matters: the scale of the problem

Apparel-sector greenhouse gas emissions rose 7.5% in 2023 to 944 million tonnes, roughly 2% of global emissions, according to the Apparel Impact Institute's "Taking Stock of Progress Against the Roadmap to Net Zero 2025" report. The report attributes the increase — the first since tracking began in 2019 — to rising production, including ultra-fast fashion, and continued reliance on virgin polyester, which it says makes up 57% of global fiber production. Some manufacturers still cut emissions in the same period: H&M reduced its scope 3 emissions 23% between 2019 and 2024, and supplier Shenzhou Group cut scope 1 and 2 emissions 24% between 2022 and 2024, the report states.

Steps to build an ethical clothing collection

1. Before buying anything new, check whether you already own something similar and base purchases on what you actually wear, as Earth Day's shopping toolkit suggests.
2. Shop secondhand first, through thrift shops, consignment stores, vintage sellers, or resale platforms, which keeps garments out of landfill and avoids the resources needed to make new clothes, per Fair Trade Certified's guide.
3. When buying new, prioritize natural or recycled fibers such as organic cotton, hemp, linen, wool, or TENCEL™ over virgin synthetics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic, which Earth Day's toolkit and Ethical Consumer both note are petroleum-based and shed microplastics.
4. Check for third-party certifications on labels, including Fair Trade Certified™, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and OEKO-TEX®, which Fair Trade Certified's guide says help ensure clothing was made with respect for people and the planet.
5. Research a brand's labor practices and supply-chain transparency; Ethical Consumer rates companies on worker protections, climate action, and whether they dump unsold or discarded clothing in other countries, a practice it calls "waste colonialism."
6. Buy fewer, higher-quality pieces with durable construction — Earth Day's toolkit points to strong seams and zippers as signs a garment will last.
7. Use repair and care to extend a garment's life, including brands that offer free or low-cost repair services, per Earth Day's toolkit.
8. Swap, donate, or resell clothing instead of throwing it away; both Earth Day and Good On You list clothing swaps and resale as ways to keep garments in circulation.
9. Favor brands with take-back or recycling programs that accept worn-out clothing in exchange for store credit, as described in Earth Day's toolkit.

Certifications to look for

The '5 Rs' framework

Good On You's guide summarizes the consumer approach as the '5 Rs of fashion': reduce, rewear, recycle, repair, and resell. The organization also offers a free brand directory and app that rates companies across the three impact areas it tracks.

What to avoid

• Very cheap garments, which Ethical Consumer links to poor-quality, unsustainable materials and underpaid labor.
• Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, and spandex, which Earth Day's toolkit and Ethical Consumer both link to microplastic shedding.