You’ve probably gone through the introductory phases of living an eco-friendly lifestyle. This includes going zero-waste or growing a tiny herb garden. However, many dive headfirst by looking at their clothes, as the fashion industry is one of the most harmful to the planet. Sustainable fashion brands are popping up everywhere, but it can be hard to tell if they’re truly Earth-friendly. Forget red flags — these green flags will keep your shopping searches sharp.

1. Transparency

More shoppers research products before buying them than ever because information is so accessible. You have likely read reviews or perused a fashion brand’s website for climate commitments. If these details are easy to find — front and centre in a straightforward menu — then this shop might be on the right side of sustainability. The most transparent brands have several or all of this information available for free in understandable language, including:

Supply chain practices
Sourcing information
Decarbonization goals
Ethical labour promises
Green certifications
Nonprofit collaborations

2. Use of Eco-Friendly Materials

Not all clothes are created equal, and they comprise more than squares of synthetic fabric. There are zippers, buttons and frills that make any garment a complex mishmash of resources. Cotton, metal, wood, dyes or plastic are only a few options at a fashion retailer’s disposal.

They have to pick the right ingredients and source them ethically to avoid greenwashing claims, especially when many lead to deforestation or species displacement. Green fashion companies prioritize fabrics and components that are kinder to the environment. Harvesting raw materials from the planet uses countless resources and exploits workers.

So, if a brand advertises using sustainable fabrics like cotton, hemp or bamboo, you can have greater peace of mind spending your money there. If tags and signage have buzzwords like recycled, upcycled, organic, compostable or fair trade on them, it’s even better.

3. Fair Labor Practices

Sustainability requires fashion designers to pick climate-aware materials. However, intersectional, eco-conscious storefronts have a more holistic approach to their impact. Social justice and the planet’s health are connected. Brands express these values through their mission and commitment to their staff.

If a business has happy employees who brag about adequate wages and fair working conditions, then that company is considering the climate crisis from more angles. This is commendable in an industry with a gruesome reputation for taking advantage of its workers and putting them in dangerous environments.

4. Circularity

You’ll want to find a clothing company that prioritizes circular thinking. A circular economy reduces waste production and extends the life cycle of products. How does this manifest in a fashion brand?

The retailer could offer clothing repair and resale services or alterations if items don’t fit correctly. Does the store have a recycling program to dump old textiles? Does the website advertise a way for you to send back unwanted clothes to repurpose into new products? These are all good signs that an organization is going the extra mile to prevent clothes from heading to landfills.

5. Reduced Environmental Impact

Sustainable fashion stores will do more to reduce their carbon footprint than make their garments eco-friendly. The textile industry wastes more water than almost every sector on the planet, so brands are responsible for lessening their consumption. One shirt could use 3,000 liters of water, so finding a slow fashion option is crucial for a green wardrobe. If there is a brick-and-mortar store, see if they have low-flow fixtures.

Additionally, they will incorporate energy and waste management habits that better the planet. In-person stores may have solar panels and compostable tags. E-commerce businesses should advertise how they optimize their websites to use less energy or minimize shipping emissions.

The brand should also be receptive to customer criticism and suggestions to continue reducing impact. Around 91% of plastic ends up in oceans or landfills. So, if a brand still uses it for packaging, gently suggest a cleaner alternative. No company is perfect, and you can spread your awareness to make corporations better.

6. Certifications

Numerous eco-friendly certifications are out there for companies to get. They should be plastered on websites and printed on labels. These are crucial because they prove a fashion brand sought approval from an expert, third-party organization to verify its sustainable practices. A few include:

Global Organic Textile Standard
Cradle-to-Cradle
Certified B Corp
Bluesign
Fair Trade Certified
World Fair Trade Certified
Oeko-Tex
Certified Organic
Fairtrade International Standards

Other partnerships that aren’t necessarily certifications also prove a company’s green commitment. For example, brands can make a promise to donate 1% of their proceeds to climate change recovery. You can also look for collaborations with local nonprofits to verify how dedicated a fashion retailer is.

Guilty-Free Fashion

Companies try to lie about their sustainable goals all the time, which is why the news exposes tons of greenwashing yearly. You have the ability to learn these green flags to make shopping more considerate of the planet’s healing. You may also decide to reach out to your favourite fashion brands and suggest ways for them to be more ethical. Customers have enormous power to change the fashion world, and awareness is the best place to start.

6 Sustainable Fashion Green Flags to Look for When Shopping