Bye Bye Poncho! – ethiquette Inc.

This article includes research that was conducted for the Guide Acheter Vert, a green buyer’s guide developed by ethiquette and Protégez-Vous.

The growing popularity of responsible consumption, as well as the range of attractive and accessible choices now on the market, are allowing more and more shoppers to buy hip while also buying green.
 

Eco-Friendly and ethical fashion are not covered by any recognized certification label. So just how does one determine the social and environmental value of one’s choices? For a start, several qualities can be identified as making some choices more “responsible” than others. Items composed of reused materials, clothes that are made locally or made in Fair Trade conditions or those made of alternative eco-friendly fibers all fall into the category of responsible fashion.

Fringues & Cie. New and Used Clothing  A used clothing store that offers a wide selection of women’s clothing and accessories at low costs. … Falakolo Bags Trendy and unique handmade bags of all types made from 100% recycled materials … Bazura™ Bags Bazura™ Bags are sturdy lunch bags, book bags, purses and pencil cases handcrafted by a women’s cooperative in the Philippines from recycled juice containers …

 

A select group of clothing manufacturers have resisted the global trend of moving production overseas and have kept their production facilities in Canada. When you choose their products, you encourage companies that still pay their workers a decent salary all while reducing the significant emissions linked to overseas transport of goods.

Here are some choices recommended by ethiquette:

Canada Goose™ Parkas
Every Canada Goose™ parka is a high-quality product made specifically to face up to extreme cold (like many a winter’s day in Quebec). …

Quartz Nature Winter Jackets
Quartz-Nature produces high-end winterwear for local and global markets. Their jackets are put together entirely in Quebec. …

 

 

  
Your choice of textile is another way to show your social and environmental commitment.
 

Fair Trade cotton, for example, is grown and harvested under the supervision of organizations that promote the well being of their workers. Organic cotton, for its part, helps preserve the balance of ecosystems and the fertility of soils by replacing pesticides with natural products.

 

100% natural wool fiber is also an eco-friendly choice because its growth has a relatively low impact its environment. Also just as green are hemp and soya-based fibers because they require relatively little land and fewer pesticides.

Here are some choices recommended by ethiquette:

OÖM Ethikwear Worker Friendly Organic Clothing
OÖM Ethikwear produces a line of “ethical urbanwear” which includes hip t-shirts with positive social messages. …

MEC’s organic cotton full zip hoodies
MEC’s comfortable hoodies join the environmental benefits of organic cotton with the performance of fleece …

Lilidom Children’s Clothing
The very first line of fair trade and organic children’s clothing designed in Québec. …

Ideo’s eco friendly and ethical clothing
Eco friendly and socially responsible, Ideo’s line includes skirts, pants, blouses and dresses all made from organic cotton.  …