Ethical Fashion Shopping Guide: Dog Days Edition!

I live in Kansas, and at this point I figure it’s reasonable to assume that it’s going to be really, really hot here for the rest of my life. If you’re in a similar place, it might be a good time to add something new to your hellish-weather wardrobe. Here are some ways to do it and feel pretty good about your purchase, too!

 

This cute and cheerful dress from Global Mamas is made by women in Ghana for a fair wage, and you can buy it at worldofgood.com for $78. World of Good is the best place I’ve found for fair trade clothing in larger sizes, but they only have one or two of many items over there, so you have to dig a little.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conventional cotton production uses lots of chemicals that harm workers’ health in the short term and the planet in the long term. That makes it a great idea to choose a garment made from organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo once in a while if you can. The flowy organic cotton Chaela Top comes in a few different colors and costs $38. A women’s co-op in Mumbai produces the items for Marigold Free Trade Clothing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethos Paris makes a lot of great, on-trend things and pays workers a living wage. I am too old to wear this mini Malaga Dress of organic cotton. I think it would look amazing on you, though. $82.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This wear-with-everything, organic cotton, made-in-USA skirt is just $35 at Fair Indigo!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They offer a lot of good things at great prices, so the whole site is worth a look. I love this organic tee, also USA-made, which is on sale now for $25. Their plain scoopneck tees are even cheaper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This fair labor organic cotton drawstring dress from Indigenous looks like something you could wear a couple of times every week, just changing up the accessories. Throw a jacket over it for the office. $105.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of accessories, scarves and wraps can ease the transition between the kiln-like outdoors and fridge-like offices and movie theaters. Novica sells approximately a million different scarves designed by artisans around the world. They arrive beautifully packaged with a note from the creator, so they make fabulous classy gifts. This silk batik shawl by Yuni Kristina sells for $40.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Know what’s great about Chaco Flip Ecotreads? Three things, actually: they’re made out of recycled rubber, they apparently last a long time, and because they have arch support, they are super comfy. This color is on sale for $48, but most colors are $60.

 

 

 

 

 

I just love Punjammies–adorable pajama pants, capris, and shorts that are perfect for huddling inside in the air conditioning. I’d even wear them around town on weekends. They’re created by women in India who have gotten out of a life of forced prostitution, and you can read more about the program behind them here. Prices range between $15 and $45.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ooh, this Botanic Opuntia Pendant Necklace is so pretty. Clare Johnston in Tucson, AZ makes them out of recycled sterling silver, cast from a piece of cactus skeleton. $90.

 

Hope you see something you like. Keep cool, y’all!