Give fast fashion the cold shoulder this winter

When the temperature plummets, the temptation to go out and spend your money on those cheap sweaters, mittens, and scarves from the nearest fast fashion chain store is hard to resist. To help you out, we’ve rounded up the best ethical and sustainable winter essentials from brands doing right by people, the planet, and animals.

From the chunky 100% hemp scarf by Opera Campi (Italy) to People Tree’s (UK) cream jumper and Outland Denim’s (Australia) vintage wash jeans, these warm essentials tick all the cold weather boxes.

The post 11 Sustainable Winter Essentials Worth Your Investment appeared first on Good On You.

Positioning itself as “fun ‘n’ flirty on a budget” has clearly worked well for Forever 21. This family-owned brand has grown over the last 36 years to be one of the biggest specialty retailers in the United States, and has over 790 stores globally. But the brand has a history riddled with controversies. From ripping off independent artists, to releasing culturally insensitive designs, to using straight-sized models in advertising for plus-sized clothing and even shipping plus-sized orders with weight loss bars—yikes! But what about behind the scenes… is Forever 21 doing the right thing for people, the planet, and animals? How ethical is Forever 21?

Environmental impact

Forever 21 has failed to say anything meaningful about its sustainability policies—or lack thereof. As a shopper, we believe that you have the right to know how a brand’s production practices impact on our environment. This lack of transparency is ‘Very Poor’.

Labour conditions

Forever 21 is ‘Very Poor’ for people, too. The brand received a score of 0-10% in the Fashion Transparency Index. None of its supply chain is certified by labour standards which ensure worker health and safety, living wages, or other labour rights. It also publishes zero information about its supplier policies and audits, and doesn’t disclose any policies or safeguards to protect suppliers and workers in its supply chain from the impacts of COVID-19.

It is one of the only fast fashion brands to still refuse to sign the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety—a legally binding agreement which requires brands to ensure safe working conditions in supplier factories. It has also made no progress towards paying employees across its supply chain with a living wage.

Animal welfare

Its animal rating is a couple of steps above the rest at ‘It’s A Start’. It has a general statement about minimising animal suffering but not a formal animal welfare policy. It does not use fur, angora, leather, down, or exotic animal skin, but it does use wool and exotic animal hair. There is also no evidence it traces any animal products, even to the first stage of production!

Overall rating: We Avoid

Overall, Forever 21 received our lowest possible score of ‘We Avoid’. Even compared to other fast fashion giants such as H&M and Uniqlo, Forever 21 is left trailing behind. It’s time for Forever 21 stop paying lip-service to corporate social responsibility and to be more transparent.

Note that Good On You ratings consider 100s of issues and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

While sustainable brands with thousands of products under $70 may not be realistic—and nor should it be, if we talk about the true cost of fashion—there are a few options out there if you’re on a budget. Read our articles on affordable sustainable brands and having ethical taste on a fast fashion budget, or check out these options below for some price or style matches to suit your needs.

Good swaps

Ethical alternatives to Forever 21

The post How Ethical Is Forever 21? appeared first on Good On You.

On March 8 we celebrate International Women’s Day—a global day dedicated to recognising the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It’s also a rallying point to bring attention to the many threats facing women around the world, and fashion is one of the worst offenders. Women form an overwhelming majority in the global garment industry and work in terrible conditions. According to the Clean Clothes Campaign, “80% of these workers are female.”

So when it comes to choosing what to put in our closets, we should keep the women making our clothing and the conditions they’re working in front of mind.

Here are 15 ethical brands that empower women and create beautiful fashion at the same time.

The post 15 Ethical Brands That Empower Women appeared first on Good On You.

What is Tencel?

TENCEL® is actually a brand name owned by the Austrian company Lenzing AG. While Tencel can also refer to Lenzing’s modal fabric, usually the ‘tencel’ label is referring to Tencel lyocell.

How is Tencel made?

Tencel is a type of rayon, like viscose and modal. These cellulose fibres are all made in a similar way: by dissolving wood pulp and using a special drying process called spinning. Before drying, the wood chips are mixed with a solvent to produce a wet mixture. This mixture is then pushed through small holes to form threads, chemically treated, then the lengths of fibre are spun into yarn and woven into cloth. Sounds simple enough—but what kind of environmental footprint does this process have?

So how does Tencel impact the environment?

Tencel lyocell is better for the environment than other similar fabrics, but not as sustainable as top-tier fabrics like organic linen or recycled cotton.

In production, Tecnel requires less energy and water than conventional cotton. As a plant-derived fibre, Tencel is also biodegradable, but check that it isn’t mixed with other synthetic fibres like nylon when it comes time to dispose of the garment. Although, like most materials, it is often coloured with harmful conventional dyes, Tencel requires a lot less dye than cotton. It is also pure white when produced, so no bleaching is necessary and undyed is always an option.

Tencel vs traditional viscose and rayon

There are two main ways TENCEL lyocell differs from most other fabrics made from wood fibre:

First, at the chemical treatment stage. The traditional viscose process is chemically-intensive, using harmful sodium hydroxide. Tencel replaces it with the NMMO process. The solution of N-Methylmorpholine N-oxide is more easily recoverable, and a closed-loop solvent system means almost no solvent is dumped into the ecosystem. Instead, it is recycled time and time again to produce new fibres and minimise harmful waste. Lenzing AG says the solvent recovery rate for their version is an impressive 99%.

Second, Tencel is made from sustainably sourced wood, while around 30% of rayon and viscose used in fashion is made from pulp sourced from endangered and ancient forests. Lenzing AG states it sources from sustainably managed PEFC or  FSC tree plantations. This is good news, considering concerns about the increasing impact of viscose production on deforestation.

Other sources of lyocell

Lyocell fabric is also manufactured by a company called Birla, under the name Excel. In 2017, the Rainforest Alliance assessed Birla as at low risk of sourcing products from ancient or endangered forests or other controversial sources. Birla also claims to recover over 90% of chemicals used in Excel production. This is an industry-leading result, so clothing made from Birla-sourced lyocell is another good option.

As versatile as it gets

Tencel fabric is extremely versatile. Depending on the length of the fibre chosen in production, varying thickness and texture can result. From a cottony feel to a silky one, the fabric adapts to a wide range of clothing types, from activewear to flowy dresses.

According to Lenzing, Tencel has incredible absorption characteristics: 50% more than cotton. Because it’s more breathable and less susceptible to odorous bacteria growth like environmentally-damaging synthetics, this fabric is ideal for activewear. Perfect for a sweaty gym or bikram yoga session!

While it is pricier than your average workout tank top, we believe it’s always worth prioritising quality over quantity. If exercising is part of your daily routine, consider investing in high-quality, durable garments that are good for your skin, such as those made from Tencel. If you look good, feel good, and do good for the environment, nothing can stop you from achieving your personal best!

Here are some ‘Good’ and ‘Great’ rated brands that use Tencel:

The post Material Guide: What Is Tencel? And Is It Sustainable? appeared first on Good On You.

It sounds cliché, but it seems like every year the call to shop your heart out in the lead up to Christmas gets earlier and earlier! With so much time and energy being spent on finding the “perfect gifts”, are we actually missing out on the main point of the holiday season, which, regardless of your faith, is really a time to relax, laugh, and unwind with loved ones?

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the Christmas chaos, consider bringing some minimalism to the table this festive season. Minimalist philosophy is basically about being, well, minimal. It encourages people to focus less on having stuff, and more on the important things, such as time, health, family, or whatever that might be to you.

Give mindfully

The last thing any of us needs is more stuff that we don’t love and won’t use. Most of us have been on the receiving end of a gift that wasn’t something we really wanted or needed. Knick-knacks gathering dust on a shelf or a piece of fast fashion that fell apart on the third wash.

Giving a gift that recipients really want means it is less likely to be binned, preventing the resources like energy and water that went into making it from going to waste. Make sure gifts are durable and they will last even longer.

Planet Ark

At Good On You, we’re inviting you to give mindfully, with our guide to sustainable Christmas gifts and holiday presents. From gifting experiences, to eco-friendly stocking stuffers, this list has you covered when it comes to conscious consumerism over the holidays.

Reduce wrapping

Think about the number of trees, dyes, and chemicals that get put into making cards and gift wrap each year. Then think about how much of that is put into landfill. Seems like a waste of energy, right? Both yours, and the planet’s! Here are a few ideas to reduce your impact:

Wrap in cloth

Why not wrap your gifts in something that is also, well… a gift? Grab some vintage scarves from an op shop, or “wrap” your gifts in a reusable tote bag. This is by far the most sustainable way of wrapping, and as a bonus will make your gifts shine with individuality. Our friends at Baggu have some great tips on how to use their bags for wrapping. Or, learn the art of Furoshiki—Japanese fabric wrapping. All you need is a piece of fabric and you can wrap gifts of all shapes and sizes!

Re-use and recycle

Can’t avoid the paper? Try opting for a reusable bag where possible. They will last for many more Christmases than flimsy paper. Recycled newspapers are also a unique wrapping material. Lastly, try to refrain from releasing the inner animal when present opening—the earth does not benefit from us shredding our wrapping to pieces! Instead be delicate and keep those pieces in good nick to be used again next year. This also goes for any ribbons and cards!

DIY decorations

Rather than spending money on loads of generic decorations, consider making your own personalised ones. These can also be lovely gifts, and making them is a fun way to entertain the kids or bond with family during the holidays—not to mention transforming your living space into a Pinterest board dream. Here are a few of our favourite ideas from around the internet:

Make your own wreath

Wreaths are a simple, traditional decoration that are so easy to create yourself! Unlike a plastic wreath, a real one can be much more minimal and authentic. Personalise your wreath by picking a leaf type that flows with your home decor. You can also add berries or flowers for a pop of colour.  Rosemary, bay leaves, or baby eucalyptus go down a treat, but here’s your chance to get creative! Go for a wander around your neighbourhood and see what natural flora grows in the area for some inspiration.

Go treeless

The Christmas tree debate seems to come around every year. If one thing is clear, it’s that neither option is an outstanding winner. So, why not go treeless? Plastic trees are usually made out of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) plastic and other chemicals that are harmful to the environment. ZME Science writes that regarding energy usage, a PVC tree needs to be used for 20 years before its energy usage meets that of a real tree. Real trees, however, would provide a much larger benefit being left in the ground.

Instead, go on the hunt for a fallen branch from a park nearby and adorn it with some LED lights. You could also use a potted plant you may already have in your home. Or, design a wall piece out of leaves and branches and set your presents underneath. These options won’t take hours to set up or take down, will be kinder to your wallet, and most importantly, will place far less burden on the environment.

Create gorgeous candle holders

These cute, unique citrus candles will look sensational and smell divine. Choose from oranges, limes, or lemons. The best part is you can blend the leftovers into a nice cold pitcher of OJ! Perfect for decor or gift giving.

Add a touch of green

Sometimes, all you need is a small touch of green. Rather than going all out with tacky tinsel or over-the-top splashes of colour, why not sneak in some nature instead. A branch here or there to hang some knitted stockings, or a string of pine cones can really bring a modern, minimalist feel to your Christmas decor.

Craft from the heart

I used to love making Julehjerter, or Danish woven heart baskets as a kid—so easy and fun! Hang them on the tree, hide little presents in them, use them as envelopes. Pro-tip: recycle cards or gift wrap from previous years to make these decorations truly unique and sustainable.

The ethos of minimalism is all about simplicity and need-based possessions. Taking the time to think of a meaningful gift or even craft it ourselves is a wonderful opportunity. It allows us to reflect on our loved ones and give a gift that truly means something, and that they can cherish for years to come. Happy minimalist Christmas!

The post Simple Steps for a Minimalist Christmas and Holiday Season appeared first on Good On You.

Originally an American phenomenon, Black Friday and its online cousin Cyber Monday have since spread their tendrils across the globe.

Hailed as the biggest shopping event of the year, Black Friday 2020 was the most polluting holiday yet, as consumers spent $9 billion shopping online—up 21.6% on the previous year. While Thanksgiving and Black Friday are still the busiest shopping days for stores, foot traffic has declined in the past couple of years: online shopping sales hit $7.4 billion in 2019, an all-time high.

The name Black Friday carries with it many negative connotations, such as crowds of frenzied shoppers pushing, shoving, and injuring each other to grab more stuff they don’t actually need, highlighting one of the ugly sides of (literally) fast fashion.

It’s especially disheartening when you consider that a large proportion of new clothing purchased around the world soon makes its way to landfill. Globally, 80% of discarded textiles are doomed for landfill or incineration after an average of only 7 wears. In the US, the EPA has estimated that shoppers throw away at least 13 million tons of clothes each year. In fact, consumers in North America are purchasing (and wasting) fives times as much clothing as they did 25 years ago.

It’s so easy, and so human, to feel some major FOMO when you’re surrounded by messages claiming that you need to take advantage of these amazing deals on items that will make your life better. Give yourself the gift of taking a moment to shift from unconscious to conscious consumer. Before you reach for your wallet, ask yourself these three questions:

1. How much do I already own?

2. How much will I wear it?

3. How long will it last?

After careful consideration, you may find that you don’t really need any new stuff after all. If you do still want to buy new, empower yourself to make ethical choices. Resisting the impulse to buy loads of cheap items in favour of investing in quality pieces not only makes your look more streamlined, it also reduces the amount you consume and spend overall.

Even a gorgeously tailored black dress isn’t worth much to you if you already have 10 just like it. A $15 t-shirt is no bargain if it’s worn out after a few washes. And those jeans on sale aren’t worth $40 if you’ll wear them just twice before consigning them to the back of your closet

Marc Bain

Make sure to choose something from a brand having a positive impact on the planet and its inhabitants. You can use the free Good On You app or the directory to check the labour, environment, and animal ratings for over 3,000 fashion brands. You can also find exclusive offers on ethical brands all year round, which is especially helpful for those of us who can have trouble affording new ethical fashion.

Some brands recognise the damage of events like Black Friday on conscious consumerism, and go out of their way to fight against the tide. Here is a selection of eco-initiatives worth supporting:

The post 3 Questions That Will Help You Avoid the Black Friday Hype appeared first on Good On You.

Fall back in love with your wardrobe

There’s no use throwing out the clothing you already own and rebuilding your clothing collection from scratch. The deed has been done and it shouldn’t go to waste. Instead, it’s time to fall back in love with your wardrobe. Style your existing pieces with different accessories, reinvent them with a DIY project, or try combining that top with a different skirt. Find the hero items that always make you look and feel great and wear those babies as much as you can! After all, the most ethical wardrobe is the one you already have.

Be mindful during the laundering process

This is actually where your clothing impacts the environment the most, not the production phase. For example, the washing and drying of a polyester blouse consumes around 6 times as much energy as that needed to make it in the first place! Not to mention the deal with microplastics.

Go for natural fibres

Natural fibres tend to require less laundering, especially in summer. You can just hang your clothes out to air overnight, and they will be fresh as a daisy in the morning. Unless something is visibly dirty or on the nose, take the challenge to wear your garments at least three times before they hit the laundry. If you’re not sure where to start, we created a guide to natural fabrics.

Invest in some good coat hangers

Most plastic and wire hangers will stretch out the shoulders of your tops  and leave you with saggy clothing. Despite being a little more expensive, wooden hangers will last longer and take better care of your garments. For more tips on caring for your clothes, check out our Ultimate Guide to Making Your Clothes Last Longer.

Take those high investment pieces in need of repair down to the tailor today

A new zip or an extra inch on the waist will set you back as little as $30. Or why not empower yourself by learning those skills yourself? There’s nothing quite like the feeling of adding a new skill to your repertoire. Learning to sew, repair, and re-fashion your own clothing puts the power back in your hands. Here’s 3 simple tricks to mend your clothes from Fashion Revolution founder Orsola de Castro.

Upcycle

Upcycling is a way of tweaking an item to make it even better than the original. This means taking something that doesn’t fit or is stained/torn and refashioning it as a fabulous new piece. There’s a wealth of upcycling videos and how-to guides or you could take a class at your local community college.

You really don’t need to pay $300 for ripped and distressed denim. Grab a cheese grater and some scissors and try it yourself.

Faye de Lanty

Taking control over your wardrobe also means you no longer have to put up with clothing that “just isn’t quite right”—you can tweak things as your style changes, getting optimum wear from your well-loved items—and earning yourself some bonus bragging points into the bargain!

Before you reach for your wallet, first ask yourself these three questions: How much will I wear it? How much do I already own? How long will it last?

Invest in quality pieces

Resisting the impulse to buy huge numbers of cheap items in favour of investing in quality pieces not only makes your look more streamlined, it also reduces the amount you consume overall. Saving your hard-earned dollars for affordable quality is really win-win.

Although shopping at ethical retailers may seem like a more pricey up-front commitment, taking the time to curate a careful and worthwhile wardrobe of items you love will be much gentler on your wallet—and the planet—in the long run.

Even a gorgeously tailored black dress isn’t worth much to you if you already have 10 just like it. A $15 t-shirt is no bargain if it’s worn out after a few washes. And those jeans on sale aren’t worth $40 if you’ll wear them just twice before consigning them to the back of your closet.

Mark Bain

Create a list of items that you’d be ecstatic to own. Focus on quality—which doesn’t just mean more expensive. It can include organic natural materials, well-made rather than on-trend, perfect-fitting, and preferably a brand that in some way makes an effort to be ethical and sustainable. As well as being better for the planet, people, and animals, higher quality pieces will often last longer due to superior materials and overall construction.

Start by browsing clothing online while checking their ratings using the Good On You Directory or app. Place the items you want in your virtual cart, add them to the wishlist feature on the sites, or create a Pinterest board. Pin images that include what you have in your wardrobe so you can see how they’d all work together. The more you mull over the options and revisit your choices, the less you’ll probably want any of it, and the more certain you’ll be to love the pieces you finally end up purchasing.

Shop second hand

According to resale platform thredUP, “if everyone bought one item used instead of new this year, it would save 5.7B lbs of CO2e.”

Op shops are a treasure trove for fashionistas who love beautifully crafted vintage pieces and unique pre-loved items. Buying something feels even better when you know that the proceeds are going toward projects making the world a better place. Not sure where to start? Stylist and op shop guru Faye De Lanty says it’s important to “Shop the whole store, not just your section. Some of my favourite pieces came from the men’s section. (Oversized boyfriend shirt anyone?!).”

Local markets are often packed with quirky and unique finds you just can’t get anywhere else. Buying second hand from a local market means you’re not only recycling clothing and accessories that might otherwise end up in landfill, you’re supporting local enterprise and giving back to the community.

Look into rental fashion

For some of us, the idea of turning up to every formal event in the same gown and that one pair of trusty heels is just not on. But neither is a wardrobe overflowing with barely worn formal wear or a maxed out credit card from buying clothes we can’t afford…what to do? It’s time to look at the rental market! There’s a huge variety of fashion rental businesses who provide designer dresses and accessories, like our favourite GlamCorner in Australia, in the US with Rent The Runway and in Europe, with Le Closet and Frontrow. You can also browse most sites via occasion and designer to give you some inspiration.

Swap your clothes

Fun and free ethical wardrobe additions? Yes, please! Clothes swapping is another sustainable way to find a new outfit without spending a cent, and it’s also a great opportunity to meet other fashionistas like yourself!  Swap events can be big formal affairs or just a casual get together with you and friends. For example, The Clothing Exchange hosts events in venues around Australia with guidelines to ensure everything is fair and fun. Keep an eye on your council’s community events page for swaps happening in your neighbourhood or better yet, organise one yourself.

Less is more

A capsule wardrobe refers to a small collection of seasonally appropriate, mix-and-match clothes. Back in 2015, Harper’s Bazaar art director Matilda Kahl shared her experience of adopting a “work uniform”. This consisted of a crisp white shirt, black pants, a unique accessory, and optional black blazer. The idea came to her after a classically frustrating morning trying to find the right outfit only to feel uncomfortable in her chosen look. Three years after pinning down her Monday to Friday uniform, Kahl has continued to stick with her chic, minimal ensemble as a way to save time, energy, and money.

There’s so much you can borrow from the uniform concept! Like investing in ethically made basics to build a capsule wardrobe a la Jennifer L. Scott.

Wait for discounts

While many well-made ethical fashion brands can be pricey, most companies host amazing deals at some point during the year. Stalk the sale sections in stores and online. Sign up for emails to receive coupon codes, and befriend shop owners to find out when blow-out sales are approaching.

You can also shop off-season for the best prices. Stock up on your winter jumpers in spring so that you’re prepared to rug-up when June rolls around again. Also make sure you check out our special offers for a weekly selection of offers from our favourite ethical brands!

Put Good On You to good use

Want to understand which brands are doing best by people, the planet, and animals before purchasing? We’ve already done the research for you! Check our easy-to-understand brand ratings using the Good On You Directory or app.

If you don’t like what you see when searching the brands you typically shop, check our suggestions for similar brands that do better, or you can send a message to the brand asking them to do better. While we typically recommend supporting brands rated ‘Good’ or ‘Great’, sometimes an ‘It’s A Start’ brand may better meet your needs when building your ethical wardrobe, and that’s okay!

You can also browse via clothing category, such as “jeans”. Then filter by price, location, and more to make sure the results are spot on. Save the brands you love and refer back to them when you need to update your wardrobe. Check out our article for more tips on using our Directory.

So there you have it! Our comprehensive and helpful guide to creating an ethical wardrobe that doesn’t break the bank, and that you will love for many years to come.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Creating an Ethical Wardrobe appeared first on Good On You.

An easy way to begin your journey as a conscious consumer is to choose your basics from brands that do right by people, planet and animals. The great news is you can do this without sacrificing your sense of style. Each brand below has been rated for its impact on the ethical and environmental issues you care about.

Underwear

Switching out your undies for their ethical alternatives is the easiest place to begin. You can start small by purchasing eco-friendly or fair trade underwear whenever items in your current collection need replacing. Since underwear is something we’ll continually need to repurchase, opting for brands that produce sustainably makes a huge impact over time—and we promise they’re just as fun to dance in on those nights out (or in).

The post The Ultimate Guide to Ethical and Sustainable Basics appeared first on Good On You.

However, as it does with all trends, the fast fashion industry encourages a disposable system. Consumers are now rushing out to buy a new pair of sneakers as soon as their white Nike Airs or Stan Smiths lose their original pristine look. Over the years shoe companies have become notorious for bad environmental and labour practices. Which is why it’s so great we’ve found ethical sneaker brands that are setting new standards.

Sustainable sneaker brands

Investing in a pair of ethical, good quality shoes and learning how to care for them is ultimately more sustainable, both for the planet and for your bank account.

These 9 sustainable and ethical sneaker brands have been rated ‘Good’ or ‘Great’, which means they are all working hard to reduce their impact on the people, planet and animals.

Here’s the lowdown on which brands out-run the rest!

The post 9 Eco & Ethical Sneaker Brands You’ll Love appeared first on Good On You.

You know that when a mother and daughter team up to say enough is enough to fast fashion – it’s the start of something special. Ecoture’s Rebecca Dow and Caitlin Clark are bringing you clothing, accessories and beauty products that are ethical, sustainable and cruelty-free. Oh and they look great too!

From her earliest age, Rebecca’s thing has always been quality over quantity. “Fast fashion has never enticed me with its glitzy and beguiling promises of more, more, more for less, less, less,” says Rebecca.

Then, when my daughter became a committed vegan, I discovered firsthand just how hard it can be to find clothing, accessories and beauty products that are ethical, sustainable and cruelty-free while at the same time being fashionable.

The result of this common ground between mother and daughter? Ecoture – an online shopping destination for those fashion cognoscenti who are looking for real style, but not at the expense of our planet and its human and animal occupants.

Waste not, want not

Rebecca and Caitlin care about the big picture when it comes to fashion and beauty. That’s why they’ve partnered with non-profits Wear for Success and St Kilda Gatehouse, to help reduce their clothing and textile footprint. Through their Waste not, Want not (WNWN) program, Ecoture aims to ensure that clothing and accessories purchased from their online store find their way to good homes once their status becomes pre-loved.

Fashion, accessories and beauty galore

Ecoture carries a carefully curated range of brands including apparel, footwear, accessories and beauty products. “For many people, the term eco-fashion conjures up images of clothes that are, in short, unfashionable and unwearable, but there are so many fantastic brands out there designing awesome merchandise and with such inspiring stories behind them,” argues Rebecca.

“It should be cool to be kind, and by offering an on-trend collection of innovative products in one place via a premium online shopping experience, we’re aiming to make that as easy as possible,” says Caitlin.

Here are some of our favourite brands stocked by Ecoture:

The post Ecoture Australia: Your Antidote to Fast Fashion appeared first on Good On You.

Tip #1 – Start simply with sustainable basics

If you’re looking to make a difference with your wardrobe, why not start from the bottom up? Opting for sustainable basics is the perfect way to dip your toe into the world of ethically-made clothing. By choosing your underwear, socks, and camisoles from brands that do right by people, the planet and animals, it’s easy to begin your journey as a conscious consumer.

Tip #2 – Fall back in love with your clothes

Take those high investment pieces in need of repair down to the tailor today! A new zip or an extra inch on the waist will set you back as little as $15 – $30. Style your existing pieces with different accessories, reinvent them with a DIY project, or try combining that top with a different skirt. Find the hero items that always make you look and feel great, and wear those babies as much as you can!

Tip #3 – Put the power back in your hands

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of adding a new skill to your repertoire. Why not learn how to sew, repair, and re-fashion your clothing? There’s a wealth of videos and how-to guides available for free online, or you could enroll in a class in your local community. Taking control over your wardrobe also means you no longer have to put up with clothing that just isn’t quite right – you can tweak things as your style changes, getting optimum wear from your well-loved items.

Tip #4 – Invest in quality over quantity

Before you reach for your wallet for something new, first ask yourself these three questions: How much will I wear it? How much do I already own? How long will it last? Resisting the impulse to buy huge numbers of cheap items in favour of investing in quality pieces not only makes your look more streamlined, it also reduces the amount you consume and spend overall. Saving your hard-earned dollars for affordable quality is a win-win. Although shopping at ethical retailers may seem like a pricier up-front commitment, taking the time to curate a careful and worthwhile wardrobe of items you love will be much gentler on your wallet – and the planet – in the long run.

Tip #5 – Shop outside the box

Thrift shops are a treasure trove for bargain-hunting fashionistas who love beautifully crafted vintage pieces and unique pre-loved items. Research by the Bureau of International Recycling shows that rescuing a single kilogram of used clothing from landfill can help save up to 3.6 kilograms of CO2 emissions and 6,000 litres of water consumption. And if you’re not sure where to start, take on board this tip from stylist and thrift shop guru Faye De Lanty, who says it’s important to “shop the whole store, not just your section. Some of my favourite pieces came from the men’s section. (Oversized boyfriend shirt anyone?!).”

Tip #6 – Swap till you drop

Clothes swapping is another sustainable way to find a new outfit without spending a cent, and it’s also a great opportunity to meet other ethical fashionistas like yourself!  Swap events can be big formal affairs or just a casual get together with you and friends. It’s great fun to organise a swap yourself, but if you’re not the most organised fashionista, you can keep an eye on local community pages or check out meetup.com, a site that helps facilitate swaps around the world!

Tip #7 – When in doubt rent it out

For some of us, the idea of turning up to every 5-star event in the same gown and that one pair of trusty heels is just not on. But neither is a wardrobe overflowing with barely worn formal wear or a maxed-out credit card from buying clothes we can’t afford… So, what to do? It’s time to look at the rental market! Renting a dress is a cost-effective, socially conscious way to make fashion’s high-end trends and couture accessible. There’s a huge variety of fashion rental businesses who provide designer dresses and accessories. You can also browse most sites via occasion and designer to give you some inspiration. Be sure to check out our fave, Glam Corner, if you’re based in Australia!

Tip #8 – Look after your clothing

Be mindful during the laundering process to minimise your environmental footprint. Natural fibres tend to require less laundering, especially in summer. You can just hang your clothes out to air overnight, and they will be fresh as a daisy in the morning. Unless something is visibly dirty or on the nose, take the challenge to wear your garments at least three times before they hit the laundry.

Invest in some good coat hangers. Most plastic and wire hangers will stretch out the shoulders of your tops and leave you with saggy clothing. Despite being slightly more expensive, wooden hangers will last longer and take better care of your garments. For more tips on caring for your clothes, check out our Ultimate Guide to Making Your Clothes Last Longer.

Tip #9 – Be on the hunt for deals

Good On You will give you exclusive offers on some of the best ethical fashion brands in the business. Alongside this, you can stalk the sale sections in stores and online, sign up for emails to receive coupon codes, and befriend shop owners to find out when blow-out sales are approaching. You can also shop off-season for the best prices – stock up on your winter woollies in the warmer months, when they’re on sale.

The post 9 Ethical Fashion Hacks: Look Great and Save Money appeared first on Good On You.

Where versatility meets sustainability

Indecisive balance modern and relaxed luxury with sustainability by producing beautiful trans-seasonal pieces for women made from eco-friendly materials. Designed and developed on the South Coast of New South Wales, Indecisive is the perfect label for anyone with a timeless and practical approach to fashion.

The more wears you can get out of the items in your wardrobe the better and Indecisive’s pieces have been designed for you to wear them individually or combined. Each of their pieces is suitable for casual, corporate, formal and evening wear; helping you to transition seamlessly from day to night.

“We will not release a design unless it can be worn in a few different ways or combined to create different styles,” says Indecisive’s Commercial Manager, Anthony LaFace. “Ultimately this leaves the choice of styling the piece up to the customer, which we feel is important and allows our customers to express themselves in multiple ways through the same piece.”

Indecisive use sustainable, organic and eco-friendly materials, proving that luxury doesn’t have to come at a cost to the environment, or be unaffordable for the consumer.

We’re also pleased to see that many of their beautiful pieces are now available up to size 20. We love to give big props to brands who recognise that fashion should be for every body.

We want our customers to feel like the Indecisive piece they are wearing is so comfortable that it could almost be a second skin

Indecisive remain committed to using both upcycled and closed-loop bamboo fabrics. They’re also researching other sustainable fabrics available in the market, such as Tencel. When you buy an Indecisive piece you’re supporting a label that:

• is dedicated to bringing manufacturing back to Australia;
• pays employees above award wages;
• is committed to using high-quality sustainable fabrics; and
• cares about its environmental footprint.

Meet the exciting new collections

Indecisive’s new Coastal Collection has arrived just in time for summer! According to Anthony, “This collection is inspired by ideas of warm summer nights, the great Australian beaches and our country’s naturally beautiful coastline.” This collection is hassle-free yet striking, comfortable and flowing yet shapely and flattering. The pieces included in the coastal range are made from light, breathable fabrics. The cuts are designed to be attractive. The pieces are made to be loved.

Organic Bamboo MM Dress from the Coastal Collection

There is a vibe related to ‘being coastal’ in Australia, and Indecisive’s team captures this beautifully in their latest collection. “We have famous ocean and coastal landmarks where tourists flock in droves to witness the beauty on offer in Australia,” says Anthony. “We as Australians absolutely love a day at the beach. We have been blessed with amazing stretches of sandy beaches. The coast is part of Australian lifestyle and so it only seemed fit to pay tribute to that lifestyle by creating a collection that speaks to the heart of the coastal lifestyle.”

Excitingly, Indecisive have also released a collection of truly once in a lifetime garments. Their Limited Edition collection consists of a gorgeous range of dresses, tops and pants crafted from upcycled and surplus fabrics. “Fate,” argues Anthony, “has brought these unique, outstanding outfits to you so you can express your exceptional, distinct individuality.”

As well as being stylish and sustainable, items from the Limited Edition will keep you from blending in with the crowd! “We are starting to get cleverer with our designs and we are creating cleaner cuts that produce less waste fabric. As we make all of our products in-house we are able to manage the process closely and ensure that patterns are cut in a way that produces the most minimal amount of waste possible.”

If you’re based in NSW, you’re invited to host an Indecisive party! If you’re interested in finding out more, get in touch via orders@indecisive.com.au. You can check out their full range of sustainable fashion here.

The post Indecisive Bring You Timeless Sustainable Fashion appeared first on Good On You.

In 2008, Kunthear Mov and Hanna Guy joined forces to create fashion brand Dorsu. The label started out as a way to raise funds for a local language school in Kampot, Cambodia. In the nine years since it has grown into a team of 18 dedicated people, providing accessible and reliable ethical alternatives for conscious consumers.

We focused on building an approachable and progressive clothing company and are now striving to not only be a part of the fashion industry, but to be a voice in changing it.

Hanna Guy – Dorsu Co-founder

Dorsu has evolved into a label that seeks to cause a shift in consumer attitudes, to redefine what is considered typical ethical fashion, and to encourage and inspire conscious and mindful living, travel and experiences.

Consciously crafted capsule collections

Dorsu is a go-to brand for those of us looking to curate a capsule wardrobe using stylishly simple garments suitable for everyday wear. The company work closely with their customers to create a wardrobe that stretches across seasons and suits all purposes, rather than releasing seasonal collections influenced by temporary industry trends.

Dorsu continue to produce their most popular and versatile designs, while adding new pieces according to what customers want and need. Capsule wardrobes are central to Dorsu’s designs – every item of clothing is reliable and easy wearing, meaning you can be sure you are investing in quality pieces that will remain stylish.

Their material of choice is remnant cotton jersey sourced from fabric suppliers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Dorsu buys high-quality cotton jersey and burn test every fabric to ensure they are making garments with little to no synthetic fibres. Using remnant fabric means they only use what is available to them, and no excess production is required. This means that colours and styles combinations in each collection are limited, but versatile.

Dorsu doesn’t believe in mass production and mass consumerism, so working with limited runs of fabric allows them to create exclusive collections.

Keeping it real is the Dorsu Way

We love that Dorsu is all about challenging today’s fast fashion industry. By designing, producing and selling their clothing all in one building, Dorsu is able to respond directly to their customer’s needs and wants to ensure they are creating pieces that will be worn and loved for many years.

The Dorsu way is about being real – they are dedicated to being open and honest about what they do and why they do it. Dorsu’s mission is to about produce quality clothing, made by real, skilled people, for consumers who value the impact their clothing and purchases have.

Dorsu produces all of their clothing at their production studio in Kampot, Cambodia. Each piece you buy from Dorsu has been designed, cut, sewed and packaged by their in-house team. Dorsu pays their employees a living wage and ensures they work realistic hours with regular breaks. On top of annual and sick leave, employees also receive maternity and paternity leave.

When it comes to sustainability, no detail goes unnoticed by this dedicated team! Their packaging is made from leftover fabric, their swing tags are printed on 100% recycled card using vegetable ink and their care labels are Certified Oeko-Tex® Standard 100.

Stay tuned as Dorsu brings you new collections, new styles, fresh new colours and a steady supply of core favourites!

The post Dorsu Creates Beautiful & Affordable Basics to Help You Build Your Capsule Wardrobe appeared first on Good On You.

When elegance meets honesty

After working in the fashion industry for a few years, Courtney Holm came to a point of conflict where her personal values were no longer aligning with her work. “I decided I could no longer be a part of it unless I was doing something radical to make a difference,” explained Courtney. “I started No brand ID provided for this external link. to help change an industry full of secrets and exploitation.”

“I wanted a company that had a heart of gold yet could still create desirable pieces, as beautiful as fashion can be. I can’t do anything in half measures, for me it was all or nothing, and the idea of the Whole Garment was born,” says Courtney.

Whole Garment design means that A.BCH considers the impact of every little detail, from the buttons, threads, interlinings and dyes to the labels.

One of the many things we love about A.BCH is how open they are and Courtney is the first to admit that they haven’t solved all of fashion’s problems. “However, by being as honest and transparent as possible,” she argues, “we can continue to go on that journey and not settle on the way that it is“.

Considering the entire cycle of the Whole Garment life is also imperative, and every piece we create has a plan for its life, extended life and eventually its death. Our raw materials are either recyclable or compostable, right down to the sewing threads.

Fashion as a force for good

A.BCH is a brand that’s been founded on a deep passion and respect for people, animals and the planet. This is reflected in their choice of materials. They use cotton and linen that has been certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which requires them to comply with strict environmental and social criteria across their entire supply chain.

“We believe that business can be a force for good,” says Courtney, “and that our influence can impact the world. We don’t make anything unless it has a positive environmental and social impact – that includes animal welfare. For us, profits are only possible after we have fulfilled both of these areas.”

Classic wardrobe essentials

Whenever you’re considering purchasing a new piece of fashion, it’s important to choose items that are versatile and that will last you for many years to come. We love that A.BCH brings you carefully designed staple items to help you build your own capsule wardrobe. In their first collection you’ll find great modern essentials like crisp white tees, classic button up shirts, the everyday tote, perfect crops, stripes and the little black dress.
A.BCH is keen to encourage fashion-lovers to build long-lasting relationships with their clothes. “We really care about each purchase,” says Courtney, “and want to ensure that when someone buys from us that they are equipped with the knowledge required to make that garment last as long as possible.”

Currently they’re doing this through tailored workshops, talks and blog articles, which equip people with the skills to give their clothes a second, third and fourth life! This can include clothes swaps, learning to make repairs and eventually returning your pieces to A.BCH for recycling or composting.

“I think so many people want to do the right thing, but it’s just not convenient enough. If I make it a little more convenient for them,” says Courtney, “maybe they will be impacted and start to make small changes in their lives that will help.”

This consciously chic label has only just begun to spread its wings. Courtney assures us that there are plenty of exciting developments on the horizon, including new products and educational programs. A.BCH will be expanding their head quarters in Melbourne to include ethical in-house manufacturing, while also bringing the brand to the Northern Hemisphere. So, stay tuned!

Courtney sums it up beautifully:

Imagine, feeling good about what you wear not just because it looks nice, but because it has a story.

The post Know the Story Behind Your Clothes with A.BCH appeared first on Good On You.

New team same ethos

In 2016 we met the Thread Harvest team working hard to bring global ecofashion labels to Australian shoppers. Since then there’s been a change of crew but the ethos remains the same – providing an opportunity for those who care about both style and substance to shop their values.

According to the new Director of Thread Harvest, Neridah Morris, their motivation “stems from a revelation each member of our team holds – that the injustice we see in this world is simply not acceptable and if we are in a position to do something about it then it’s our responsibility to do so.”

Curated for your ethical shopping pleasure

Thread Harvest is no ordinary online marketplace. Their range of men’s, women’s and children’s wear has been curated based on 8 Impact Badges:

• Fair Trade Conditions;
• Organic;
• Employing the Marginalised;
• Upcycled;
• Eco-Friendly;
• Empowering Women;
• Cause Supporting; and
• Living Wage.

Each brand that Thread Harvest works with must meet at least 2 of these badges and be able to provide confirmation on how they display these values. “This means your personal impact reaches far and wide,” says Neridah. “Because you when you purchase something from Thread Harvest you are supporting more than one aspect of ethical and sustainable fashion.”

Style and substance

As passionate as the Thread Harvest team are about ethical fashion, they’re not willing to compromise on style. “We curate our collections based on what we see trending in the market and then choose ethically made product that meets that trend,” explains Neridah.

Here are my top 3 finds from Thread Harvest:

1. For me, jewellery should not only look beautiful but also come with a great story attached! The Giving Keys delivers on both fronts. Each unique piece has been hand engraved by an individual transitioning out of homelessness, who is now meaningfully employed by The Giving Keys.

2. A flattering yet comfortable maxi dress is a fantastic go-to piece for a wide range of occasions. This relaxed-fit dress by ALAS is made from super soft GOTS certified organic cotton jersey. Pair it with some ecochic flats and you’re set!

3. Speaking of ecochic flats…I’m loving these Kelapa shoes by Indosole. This stylish shoe is 100% handcrafted with re-purposed tyre sole and organic canvas uppers. You can rest easy knowing that your shoes are cruelty-free and were made without using any fuel-powered machinery.

“We are in a unique position of privilege, what we do with that privilege will determine whether or not we leave this world in a better state than when we arrived,” says Neridah.

Click here to browse the entire Thread Harvest collection.

The post Shop Your Values with Thread Harvest appeared first on Good On You.

Consciously created

Designer and founder of Study NY, Tara St James, knew from an early age that she wanted to work in fashion. For her, fashion is an art.

“I studied menswear in college because I liked the rigid structure of tailoring”, Tara explains, “I still apply a lot of those principles to my work.  An underlying principle I learned from studying menswear was a disregard for trendy items, with a focus on craftsmanship, fit and longevity of wear.”

Tara started her career working in the denim industry, then worked for larger fashion brands in Montreal and New York. Frustrated with mass production and the fast fashion model, she left her job as a designer for a high-street label in 2009 and started Study NY.

By the time Tara was ready to step out on her own and create a fashion label from scratch, she was armed with a tremendous amount of knowledge about the industry and production.”At that point in my career I couldn’t conscientiously create a new brand that wasn’t sustainable,” Tara argues.

Quality ingredients

Tara’s depth of experience, combined with her frustration with throwaway fashion, helped to shape the direction of Study NY. Part of the brand’s ethos is to examine a garment’s story every step of the way – “from field to cutting table”. Their focus is on four major pillars: responsible fabrics; zero waste; ethical production; and slow fashion.

Their fabrics include sustainable materials such as certified organic cotton and hemp. These organic materials are sourced from the US, China, Egypt, India and Turkey. They also use recycled materials like excess fabric; and pieces such as the Twist Dress (pictured above), Zero Waste Tanksuit and the Kimono Dress, have been designed to minimize the amount of waste fabric that’s generated.

When sourcing materials, Study NY works closely with suppliers regarding their labor policies and conditions, the compensation of workers and the transportation of materials from one place to the next.  Study NY also uses natural plant-based dyes to limit the use of hazardous chemicals. According to Tara, “I always start my collection with fabric sourcing, as they inspire me most.”

Local flavor

Study NY reduces their carbon footprint by manufacturing the majority of their pieces close to their main retail outlets in the United States. All of their garments are manufactured and cut in New York City, with the exception of some collaborations in Peru and Mexico City. Their knits are produced domestically by family-owned mills, located close to the North Carolina headquarters.

With Study, we wanted to not just source sustainable materials but also produce locally. There is a bit of a disconnect between sourcing sustainable materials and then producing garments in a large factory in China.

They’ve adopted a labor Code of Conduct based on the principles described by Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production. Additionally, Study NY visits their local manufacturers at least once per week. “Producing the clothing locally was something completely new for me, very different, but a really enjoyable experience”, says Tara, “I love being so hands on.”

In order to create their latest collection, Study NY collaborated with four different artists and organizations:

• Weaving Hand – a healing arts organization in Brooklyn that teaches people with learning disabilities how to weave.  They upcycled Study NY’s production scraps into new handwoven yardage;
• Reroll – a new initiative launched by Zero Waste Daniel to help designers upcycle their production scraps;
• Make It Black x Sam Serafino – an upcycled collaboration with Sam Serafino with an upgrade from a new service based in Brooklyn that dyes vintage or overstock garments black; and
• The New Denim Project – a textile mill in Guatemala that upcycles pre-consumer denim waste into a new woven material.

For the FW17 Capsule collection, Study NY has also worked with Fibershed in California on their new Climate Beneficial Wool Cloth for a small group of knit and woven styles.

Beyond seasons

One of the hallmarks of fast fashion is its mindset of disposability. This has led to big brands churning out new styles quickly and cheaply. Where traditionally we had two seasons, Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter, there are now up to 52 micro-seasons per year. Study NY is providing shoppers with an alternative to the traditional fashion calendar.

We have moved away from seasonal collections, which never made sense to me. This has been a great change for me, and the stores love it as they are getting new stock in that is relevant to the time of year and can really build a collection.

Tara sums it up beautifully: “I don’t believe another human, animal or the environment should have to suffer for fashion. It’s as simple as that.”

The post Study New York: The Art of Sustainable Fashion appeared first on Good On You.

Who are these dorks?

Melbourne-based buddies Gabrielle Murphy and Megan O’Malley are about to walk 4000km across Southeast Asia. During their journey they’ll be speaking with and learning from the people that are making fashion in a positive and sustainable way. Under the awesome name of Walk Sew Good – the inspiring pair launched a successful crowdfunding campaign to not only help them make the trip but also to film their adventures along the way.

Why Southeast Asia?

Southeast Asia is a well known hub of activity for the fast fashion industry, an industry that sees millions of tonnes of clothes churned out to shoppers every day. Fashion brands flock to the region for its cheap manufacturing prices. As a result, millions of people working in factories in countries like Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam are not paid enough to live on. According to the Clean Clothes Campaign, garment workers in places like Cambodia would need the minimum wage to be at least twice as high to cover the basic cost of living. Environmental laws, where they exist, are not strictly adhered to and waste and emissions discharged from these factories pollute local waterways severely impacting local communities.

Awareness of the damaging practices of the fashion industry is growing, but people don’t always know about better alternatives. Instead of overwhelming people with the negative impacts of fast fashion, we aim to empower people to support a different kind of fashion industry.

Megan O’Malley

Walk Sew Good plan on sharing positive fashion stories from Southeast Asia; stories of people creating beautiful clothing with beautiful impacts against all odds. Intrigued, I spoke to Gabrielle and Megan about their motivations for the epic trip which kicks off on 15 November.

Q. When did you first begin to realise that there was a darker side to fashion?

M: Bear with me on this one, it’s a bit of a complicated answer!

I used to be a major shopaholic. At one point during a 2009 trip to the USA, my dad asked me if I was trying to single-handedly revive the US economy. I loved fashion (still do). I also worked as a dancer on cruise ships and saw that working conditions and pay for people that worked on the ships were heavily reliant on their country of origin. People from developing countries were paid less and worked 13 hour days, every day of their contract. They were paid significantly less than those from more developed countries. I had to really acknowledge my privilege and up until that point that had not been something I’d ever thought much about. And I wasn’t comfortable with it.

After finishing my work on cruise ships I came home and started uni. I took a sustainability class and began to realise that the practices that I’d witnessed on the cruise ships were happening at a whole other level in the fashion industry. Those practices that I had been so uncomfortable with were happening in an industry that I was supporting. I realised that I could no longer communicate who I was through fashion without first examining how the clothing I was buying was impacting people and the planet.

G: Honestly I don’t really remember, there wasn’t really an ah-ha moment for me. I vaguely remember being a kid and Nike was all over the news at the time being hounded for their sweatshop labour. There was this huge global boycott, I didn’t understand what was happening, but when mum explained that there were little kids the same age as me working all day to make clothes, I was horrified. The world basically promised that it would never happen again, but here we are.

Q. What are you most looking forward to experiencing on your adventure?

M: So many things! I’m looking forward to learning so much. I can’t wait to meet inspiring people, see beautiful scenery and experience the challenges (I have no doubt that this will be the toughest thing I’ve ever done). I know that walking everywhere for a year is going to force me to slow down and take stock of my surroundings. I can’t wait for that. I’m also looking forward to hopefully watching the Walk Sew Good audience grow and seeing the conversations and impacts that come from that. Hopefully. That’s the aim anyway!

G: I’m looking forward to meeting the people at the frontier of change. The innovators who have had the foresight to say “Fast fashion isn’t okay, let’s not use toxic materials, let’s pay fair wages”. I’m also looking forward to the challenges, to be able to push ourselves to the limits and to take in the world around us step by step, as Megan said.

Q. Are there any particular aspects of your walk that you’re nervous about?

M: Yes. Again, quite a few things. I’m terrified of being eaten alive by large mammals. I’m worried about injuries and diseases, getting lost and surviving in general. Gab has already said that she wants to draw up a contract that says she can eat me if I’m mortally wounded and she’s starving. I’m a vegetarian so I’m not that into that idea.

G: I’m quite nervous about diseases, I mean really, that could cancel the entire expedition. Also I’m hesitant of making it through some politically turmoil areas, I think that authorities may have difficulty understanding our purpose.

Q. What’s significant about your chosen destination?

M: I wrote a blog piece about this recently. People were questioning why we were going to Southeast Asia to support an industry there instead of raising awareness and support for the local Australian industry. I definitely think that supporting local brands is such a great thing and definitely a part of the solution. But if we’re going to really address the issues presented by the fashion industry, we need to look at a much more diverse solution.

Southeast Asia is where are lot of these issues are happening on a pretty grand scale. The region also doesn’t have the same level of legal enforcement when it comes to human rights and the environment as we do here in Australia. The people working to create positive fashion there are up against a multitude of challenges and they are doing it anyway. How inspiring is that?

G: Southeast Asia and Asia in general is so closely linked to the Australian market, however we largely ignore issues in the region. It’s kind of like we rely on this whole region as our own personal factory and then cry ignorant when anything bad happens. I think it’s so ironic that people go and watch movies like ‘12 years a slave’ and say “I would never have let that happen, how could people do that.” But it’s happening right now, in this day and age, and big and small clothing brands alike are saying “We didn’t know, we gave the contract to so-and-so, it’s their fault for the bad practices, the poor working conditions. We are doing the right thing, at least we’re giving them jobs.”

It’s kind of like this big joke, a really bad joke. Whereby, rather than curb our own practices, make our own clothes and buy less for example, we ship the horrors offshore. It’s a classic out of sight, out of mind. I think that Southeast Asia is a good place to start because it contains Australia’s main trading partners and is so close to our doorstep. It will be great to actually meet the people in the region and make their stories more tangible to Australians (and the rest of the world for that matter).

Let’s not forget though, that the fast fashion industry is prolific globally, in South and Central America, Africa, Eastern Europe. Anywhere really that people and environment can be exploited with as little protection as possible. But we’re not ready to walk across the world just yet. Who knows, if this is successful, maybe we’ll go to South America next haha, I haven’t asked Megan yet though.

You can follow their ethical fashion adventures via Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

The post Meet Two Dorks Walking for Change in the Fashion Industry appeared first on Good On You.