Podcasts are an entertaining (and often free!) way to stay productive whilst going about your day-to-day business. You can listen to one while you’re making breakfast, sitting on the train, or even walking the dog. But did you know there are a bunch of great ethical fashion podcasts well worth tuning into?
You might not have the time to do your own research, but luckily we’ve compiled a list of the best fashion podcasts that you can simply download and listen to wherever, whatever you’re doing. Let’s get listening!
1. Conscious Chatter
Kestrel Jenkins, founder of AWEAR World, has a wealth of experience in the ethical fashion industry, working for sustainable companies such as People Tree. Her fashion podcast Conscious Chatter covers style, and sustainability. She interviews a wide range of fashion industry experts from designers, entrepreneurs, and advocates, to farmers and factory workers. Kestrel talks style and ethics with guests such as:
- Andrew Morgan, director of groundbreaking documentary The True Cost (S01 Episode 44)
- Safia Minney, founder of People Tree (S01 Episode 08)
- Elizabeth Cline, author of Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion (S01 Episode 05)
- ((DRUM ROLL)) Sandra Capponi, the Co-Founder & Head of Development for Good On You (S02 Episode 54)
Her latest series, The Root, made in collaboration with black indigenous sustainability expert Dominique Drakeford, focuses on the need to decolonise the sustainable fashion agenda, and equitably centres the voices, knowledge, and labour of BIPOC! Tune in on the Conscious Chatter website, subscribe and download for free on Apple Podcasts, or download on Overcast, a free podcast app for iOS. Follow Kestrel on Twitter @kestrelee.
2. Wardrobe Crisis
Clare Press is a fashion journalist, former editor-at-large for Marie Claire Australia, and author of several books, including our fave Wardrobe Crisis: How We Went From Sunday Best to Fast Fashion. Now this eco-influencer has hit the airwaves with her ethical fashion podcast also titled Wardrobe Crisis. According to Clare, “this show unzips the real issues that face the industry today, with a focus on ethics, sustainability, consumerism, activism, identity, and creativity.” Having only kicked off in 2017, Clare has already spoken with an amazing array of experts, including:
- Marine biologist and fashion model, Laura Wells on why plastic sucks (Episode 1)
- Director of Philosophy at Patagonia, Vincent Stanley on ethical fashion (Episode 22)
- CEO of Sussan, Rebecca Hard for a Fast Fashion Question Time (Episode 16)
Start listening via the Wardrobe Crisis website or subscribe via Apple Podcasts. Follow Clare on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
3. American Fashion Podcast
Run by co-hosts Charles Beckwith, Seth Friedermann, Cathy Schepis, and Lisa-Maria Radano, American Fashion Podcast, which ran from 2014 and has an archive of 200+ episodes, explores current issues in the garment industry. The team also looks at more sustainable and ethical practices in the future of fashion. Featuring a range of designers, retailers, executives, photographers and writers, the ethical fashion podcast holds discussions with fashion bigwigs.
American Fashion Podcast is perfect for anyone—from those wanting to learn more about the ethical fashion industry, to those looking to start a business. Listen on the website or subscribe and download for free on Apple Podcasts! You can follow their conversation on Twitter at @AFPod.
4. Spirit of 608
Lorraine Sanders is a long-time fashion journalist whose podcast Spirit of 608 puts a spotlight on women at the forefront of fashion, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and tech. Her weekly episodes are a great resource for people looking to start or expand their own ethical fashion business. Guests discuss a range of challenges they face running businesses and how they manage to overcome them, for example:
- Moving from flea markets to a flagship store with Marcia Clarke (Episode 84)
- How to launch a fashion tech startup with Sarah Shapiro and Melissa Koerner (Episode 82)
- The business of ethical fashion blogging with Sustainably Chic’s Natalie Smith (Episode 71)
Listen on the website or subscribe, download for free on Apple Podcasts, or join the convo on Twitter @Spiritof608.
5. Business With Purpose
Hosted by Molly Stillman, a long-time lifestyle and fashion blogger, Business With Purpose highlights a number of businesses—from huge international brands, to community non-profits, and everything in between—who all aim to change the world for the better. For instance, Molly interviews:
- How to support ethical, fair trade, and small businesses during COVID-19 (Episode 190)
- How to get started shopping ethically (Episode 210)
Tune in on Molly’s website, subscribe and download on Apple Podcasts, or tune into what Molly has to say on Twitter @stillbeingmolly.
6. Low Tox Life (Episode 5)
While Alexx Stuart’s podcast series Low Tox Life isn’t all about fashion, this episode featuring Hannah Parris is a must listen. Hannah is the co-founder of sustainable brand Mighty Good Basics. In this podcast she covers a range of topics, including issues in the garment industry, overcoming challenges in ethical fashion companies, and successful marketing tactics.
Listen via Alexx’s website or subscribe and download for free on Apple Podcasts. You can also follow Alex on Twitter for tips on how to live your own ‘low tox’ life, @Alexx_Stuart.
7. Pre-Loved Podcast
Pre-Loved Podcast is a weekly interview show about rad vintage style with guests you’ll want to go thrifting with, hosted by Emily Stochl of the Brume & Daisy blog. They chat about style, running a fashion business, sustainability, slow fashion, the stories behind incredible vintage pieces, and why they choose secondhand things first.
- The founder of the non-profit-organization Remake, Ayesha Barenblat, talks about fashion as a force for good (S02 Episode 14)
- Jenny Welbourn, creator of Wear I Live, a blog which is focused on “what we’re wearing, how we’re living, and its effect on the planet and its people” (S02 Episode 11)
To follow along with all things #PreLovedPod and otherwise, you can listen on the website and Apple Podcasts.
8. Sustainably Influenced
In Sustainably Influenced, Bianca Foley and Charlotte Williams explore the efforts in making changes to their lifestyles as influencers. As they aim to live more sustainably and consciously, they hope that they can encourage you to make one small change today. They also shed a little light on the many different terms in the sustainability world, and discuss the different aspects of living a conscious lifestyle and how we can do our bit to make a difference.
- We talk sustainability & second hand fashion with Emma Slade Edmondson (Episode 15)
You can listen to Sustainably Influenced on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
9. Good Ancestor with Aja Barber on Sustainable Fashion
Hosted by globally respected speaker, anti-racism educator, and New York Times bestselling author of Me and White Supremacy, Layla F. Saad, Good Ancestor is an interview series with change-makers and culture-shapers exploring what it means to be a good ancestor. In episode 22 Layla speaks with writer, stylist, and consultant, Aja Barber, whose work focuses on the intersections of feminism, colonialism, and race in regards to our clothing and how we choose to consume.
If you’re interested in more from Good Ancestor, check them out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
10. Style With Substance
Each week Style With Substance explores a new topic, joined by an industry insider guest to discuss clothing recycling, renting your wardrobe, thrifting and fashion that gives back to the planet. Series one explores greenwashing and the myths that surround sustainable fashion.
- How To Support Black Owned Businesses With Marilyne Kékéli of Mamater (Season 2, episode 5)
Check Style With Substance out on Apple Podcasts.
11. Wear Your Values
When it comes to morals and values, there is a brilliant podcast in case you want to dive deep into the topic. Wear Your Values was created by the sustainable fashion brand Echte and offers a free step-by-step handbook on how to keep a realistic overview in a world where words like ‘sustainable’ and ‘eco-friendly’ often suffer from greenwashing. One episode per day on your morning trip to work and you will already feel so much more prepared for the next shopping spree after just one week.
Tune in on the Echte website for free! Who can say no to that!
12. Fashion: No Filter
If you happen to spend some of your time scrolling through Instagram, you might already know at least one of the creators of this podcast. @camillecharriere is not only an influencer, but alongside her colleague Monica Ainley, also a dedicated fashion journalist. The two women are hosting a great series of interviews such as:
- Talking accountability in the fashion industry with Fashion Director and Chief Fashion Critic of the New York Times, Vanessa Friedmann
- Tackling the ‘ultimate elephant‘ in fashion’s closet—sustainability—by discussing ideas on how to improve the industry with experts, activists, and authors in the episode ‘Eco Warriors‘.
Tune in for free on player.fm: there is literally a topic for everyone!
13. Fashion Revolution Podcast
A global movement consisting of designers, producers, workers, and fashion lovers from all around the world? And this movement making a podcast series? We don’t know about you, but we were all ears right away! Fashion Revolution Podcast is a movement which aims to transform the fashion industry by telling stories that vary across the whole value chain, making them accessible for almost everyone.
Tune in on Apple Podcasts to learn about the production of the clothes you are wearing and which personal stories might be connected with these garments. While there are only three episodes, they are well worth a listen!
14. Ethical Fashion Initiative’s Ethical Fashion Podcast
Explore the issues driving the ethical fashion conversation with your hosts Simone Cipriani, Head and Founder of the ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative and sustainable fashion journalist Clare Press in the new Ethical Fashion Podcast. The series 2 is dedicated solely to Africa, featuring the voices of African creatives and leaders, from designers to entrepreneurs. This time, Simone and Clare are joined by a number of guests hosts to lead a 12-episode series of thought-provoking discussions surrounding ethical fashion, African creativity and sustainability.
Listen to the episodes on Ethical Fashion Initiative’s website.
So, what are you waiting for? Time to stop playing Sex and the City re-runs off your phone on the bus to work. Why not download one of these fashion podcasts and learn more about style ethics and the industry? Happy listening!
P.S. Hungry for more? Check out these great ethical fashion books and documentaries.
