People toss around the terms ‘sustainable clothing’ and ‘ethical clothing’ interchangeably. And while they share some commonalities, they are not the same thing. Knowing the difference between these two types of fashion is important for anyone interested in human rights.

While both strive towards conscious consumption and responsible fashion choices, they address diverse aspects of apparel production. Taking a closer look at what that means.

10 Differences Between Sustainable and Ethical Fashion

Sustainability is about the planet, and ethics is about the people, but that is not all! Navigating these nuances can be a bit tricky, exploring in greater depth what sets these two apart.

1.  Basic Understanding

As a rule, ethical fashion is human-centred and focuses on how every process of the supply chain impacts garment workers. On the other hand, sustainable fashion concentrates more on the environmental aspects of garment production (and how that can affect human health).

2. Material Sourcing

Sustainable fashion comes from environmentally gentle resources like organic cotton or recycled materials. Ethical brands may also deploy these sustainable fabrics but along with ensuring that the resources are not linked to labour exploitation, either at home or overseas.

3. Worker Welfare

The welfare of those who make the clothes matters a great deal in ethical fashion but not so much in sustainable fashion. Fair wages, reasonable working hours, and safe environments become priority, unlike in sustainable brands that primarily centre on environmental concerns.

4. Waste Reduction

While ethical clothing producers may place some focus on reducing waste, they are more concerned with how their staff are treated. On the other hand, sustainable brands make a conscious effort to create zero-waste designs and opt for biodegradable packaging materials.

5. Production Method

Sustainable companies aim for a greener process, such as using less water or non-toxic dyes during production. For ethical labels, they guarantee workers have safe and just working environments regardless of their manufacturing techniques (although that may play a role).

6.  Carbon Footprint

Particularly keen on minimising the industry’s carbon footprint, sustainable brands often opt for local production or carbon offset initiatives to balance out their environmental impact. But ethical brands will care about their carbon footprint because of its consequences on human health.

7.  Shipping Practices

One can buy both sustainable and ethical clothing online, but each will have different priorities regarding shipping. For example, sustainable brands prefer carbon-neutral shipping methods, whereas ethical brands will care more about fair trade stipulations and fair working hours.

8.  Longevity

Durability is highly valued in both types but with one key difference. While long-lasting clothes reduce waste (thus making them important for sustainability), they must also be produced under fair working conditions to meet the standards of ethical clothing and fashion regulations.

9.  Cost Differences

Ethical clothes almost always cost more than non-ethical clothing because employers are paying their staff a living wage. However, sustainable clothing brands will often cost less than ethical brands because they have more resource-efficient processes at their factories.

10.  Brand Transparency

Both types would ideally maintain transparency about their practices, but they would focus on different areas. Sustainability labels would ensure customers know about their environmentally friendly practices, whereas ethical brands would want to showcase their fair working conditions.

In Conclusion

Now that the broad differences between sustainable and ethical clothing have been outlined, one is armed with the knowledge to make better choices. Remember, every individual’s purchases send a message and contribute to shaping the fashion industry. Whether opting for environmental concern or social justice, or even better, a blend of both, each conscious choice makes a difference.