Ever looked at where your T-shirt was made? Considered what misery may have gone into the production of that new jumper or pair of jeans? And what of the environmental or health consequences of unethical fashion?

We all want to look our best, but at what cost? With more and more allegations of sweat labor being levied at high street fashion companies, itâ??s hard to know who the good guys (and gals) are.

child labor sweatshop

Choosing ethical fashion should first include sweatshop-free clothing. Those who suffer most in the production of most clothing are developing countries. According to Behind the Label, as little as 0.04 percent of the total cost of a garment will go to labour. The accusations made against sweatshops include:

• Extremely low wages that many suspect are insufficient for individual survival.
• Physical and sexual abuse, and forcing young women to abort babies to keep them working.
• Forcing children and adults alike to work very long hours in unhealthy working conditions.
• Failure to offer health care, child care, and other benefits to employees.
• Squashing strikes and the formation of unions by firing anyone inciting such activities.

Then you also want to look for something thatâ??s healthy for you. Chemical dyes used in many traditional textiles can contain heavy metals like copper, zinc, and chrome, all of which are suspected carcinogens. And then, of course, these dyes are often tested on animals to ensure their â??safetyâ?� for humans. Looking for eco-friendly dyed clothing ensures youâ??re safe from unhealthy, cruel clothing. Low-impact dyes (such as fibre-reactive dyes and plant-based dyes) and â??colour-grownâ?� fibres are both good alternatives.

Opting for organic, natural textiles is also a good choice. Conventionally-grown cotton is the worldâ??s most pesticide-intensive crop and requires a lot of water, too. Wool, on the other hand, can be sheared from cruelly-treated sheep. And synthetics like polyester, lycra, spandex, and the like are all made from petroleum byproducts, making them inherently unsustainable. Better options include organic cotton, bamboo, soy, hemp, and other natural fibres, which are now used to produce all types of garments.

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