Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll of heard the words ethical and sustainable a lot this year, especially when it comes to the fashion industry. With people offering different opinions on the topic, it can be a little overwhelming trying to work out what’s right or wrong when it comes to the Australian ethical fashion industry. If you want to know more about what it means to be an ethical consumer, then keep reading for our simple guide to shopping for sustainable fashion and ethical clothing in Australia.

Research, Research, Research

Luckily, most of us now have the joys of the internet at the click of a button. In fact, all the information we could ever need in life is pretty much at our fingertips. One of the first steps to becoming a more sustainable shopper, is to start researching where your clothes are actually coming from. Start educating yourself on the types of retailers that you usually shop at to make sure that they don’t employ underage workers or underpay anyone!

It’s also pretty important to make sure that you check out the charities and organisations that they promote and donate part of their profit to.

You want to make sure your dollars are going somewhere positive and making a difference, don’t you?

Recycle!

There are so many different ways to exchange and donate pre-loved items. We recommend giving away unwanted clothing or any other items instead of letting them lie at the back of your wardrobe never to be seen again! It works both ways as a buyer too, why not invest in some pre-loved bargains?

If you haven’t the time to pop in to a store, you may have noticed clothing bins around Melbourne. These bins have been placed around by various charities and make it that little bit easier to donate any unwanted items. No need to throw them away, after all, one girls trash is another girl’s treasure!

Reusing products reduces the consumption of energy, fuel, water and other valuable natural resources, as well as reduces waste and greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a no brainer!

Rent Your Clothing

We’re all guilty of buying an item of clothing for an event, and never wearing it again. What can we say? Once we’ve hit post on Instagram, the love affair with our outfit is over and we’re on to the next look with the wow factor.

Here at Style Theory, we promote smart shopping, and that’s a fact! On average, the Australian woman only wears 33% of her wardrobe, throwing away around 23kgs of clothing every single year. That’s an insane amount of clothing!

By loaning your dresses, skirts, and more, you’re able to enjoy high-end fashion at affordable prices. No breaking the bank and no wasting valuable closet space on one-night items! Perfect for this generation of social media lovers, as well as consumers wanting to make the move in to a more sustainable lifestyle.

Australian ethical fashion choices are simple with us.