I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the sacrifices of choosing to pursue ethical fashion…
though I hate to even use that word because it implies that I’m giving up more than I actually am.
When I first made the choice to pursue ethical fashion, I made it because of an emotional response. Yes, I had thought a little about it before hand, and yes it also made logical sense to me. But my reason for actually going for it was an emotionally driven reason.
But as I’ve moved towards this lifestyle, and made choices that align with it, I’m realizing that once the emotions have waned, I have to start relying on why I know it’s the right way for me to live and not that I feel it’s the best way.
Does that make sense?
It’s easy to make a decision when you feel like it. It’s a lot harder to stay true to that decision when you don’t feel like it anymore.
Especially when it demands sacrifice.
And a decision as big as this one, inherently carries with it some sacrifices.
If my white tee gets worn out, I can’t just head on over to the nearest store and replace it right away. More likely than not, I’ll have to order it online or look for one at a local thrift store.
Either way, I’m giving up my ability to try it on and test the fit and size in person.
Or maybe I can’t find one at the local thrift store and my budget doesn’t allow for a new one from an ethical shop. Or I just don’t see one I like.
I might have to live without a basic white tee for a little while.
Or maybe I can afford one from my favorite ethical shop, but it means that I have to give up x number of coffee shop trips this month in order to compensate.
These are the sacrifices of my decision to only shop ethically.
My ability to immediately gratify my desire for a new, white tee is no longer a given. My right to have any wardrobe I want is stripped from me.
But you know what?
How silly do those sacrifices sound in the face of the abysmal workers rights for the people who make the clothes that give me instant gratification?
Is my right to have any white tee I want more important than another human beings right to safe working conditions and a fair wage?
Am I willing to compromise another person’s life just so I can have the perfect $10 tee?
You see, when I start to think about it in those terms, my sacrifices don’t even seem like sacrifices anymore.
My sacrifices are just so trivial in comparison.
So yeah, this way of life has its rough edges.
But I’m willing to put up with that so that hopefully someday a bunch of other people will decide they’re able to put up with it as well.
Because if that were to happen things might change. And if things change then my sacrifices will have faded under the knowledge that they led to people’s lives being changed for the better
Since I wrote this post four years ago, I’ve come to realize certain things about pursuing ethical fashion that I think are relevant to this post so I’m linking a more current post here.
Until next time,
Beautiful post. I’ll bookmarked and keep it to remind myself why I do CW and buy ethical fashion. Thanks.
This is just spot on! It’s been such a pleasure to read along with your journey. It seems like a very natural process and you sound more happy and confident with every post 🙂
– X Marloes
Amazing post! The sacrifices you make for a cause you believe in really don’t seem that significant when you put the meaning into the decision. This is a great reminder to always think of the why in our actions. Thanks for sharing!
Love this.
Your sacrifice is inspiring ! You’re inspiring ! We often buy cheap things without knowing where they come from. We’re not buying a 10$ white tee,we’re buying the time and the freedom of these people for that little ! I wish I could afford to only wear ethical clothe. It’s a beautiful way to save the environment as well.
http://veilbymaryam.com
This is a great way to think about clothing, and even belongings in general. We feel so entitled to things, yet we don’t need them, and don’t think about others’ real sacrifice to get them to us. Great post.
Great post! Jeans and a tucked in loose tee is literally my favorite thing to wear. Heck, I’m wearing it right now:)
Maybe just maybe if I think about shopping more in these terms, I won’t shop so much!
Stil learning a lot about capsule wardrobes. What I can say is I am MUCH more choosy in what I purchase and I purchase with LONG TERM in mind. Thanks for this post.
Such great food for thought on a very somber and often very uncomfortable subject matter. I admire you for sticking to your guns even when things are hard or inconvenient.
First off, your pup is too cute. This post was great.
xoxo, Jenny
This is perfect! I think we often make choices out of emotions and then later have to use our heads to keep focus. <3
This is exactly the conversation I had with my husband in the car this afternoon. I just want a white shirt, but I can’t find anything I like at thrift stores and I don’t want to order something online….#firstworldproblems is overused, but I seriously can’t think of a better way to describe the “struggles” that come with consciously creating an ethical wardrobe. And when it gets difficult, I allow the emotions that helped me make this decision to wash over me again. I look at my children, and I think about how I want others to not have to constantly work overtime so that get the opportunity to just witness their children more. I look at my comfortable home, and I think about how I want others to be paid a fair, living wage so that they can afford a safe home. Karin, you are such an inspiration to me and so many others in this fantatsic community. Thank you for working through the struggles, sticking to your guns, and showing that it’s possible to build a great ethical wardrobe.
I seriously applaud you for your clothing choices! I need to rethink my approach to clothes for sure. It’s so easy to just run out and buy whatever looks good without thinking twice, but I really do need to give it a second thought!
Everything you talk about on this blog is so convicting! Thank you for that! <3
Love this. Just re-posted to Facebook because your words so perfectly and gently sum up my feelings!