Now that going green in all ways is the height of hipness, it is not surprising that the future of chic apparel is all about ethical style. Chic ethical style means buying only from those designers and manufacturers that have taken into account what is good for the planet as well as the people producing the products. Chic ethical style places a high value on the environmental and social impact of the clothing industry as a whole and products labeled as organic and sustainable are quickly becoming the new standard of the business.
The new eco chic ethos has resulted in a slew of new eco friendly clothing from eco friendly designers that include everything from recycled handbags to eco underwear. Fair trade certification also goes along with transparent design, manufacturing and distribution processes. This means savvy eco chic consumers should look for brands that are working to become more sustainable and ethical, and produce products that leave a smaller footprint on the planet.
However, the labeling on eco products can be a bit confusing to decipher when one sees so many different green logos and labels out there touting eco friendliness. When it comes to reading labels that claim organic origins, fair trade practices, humane treatment of workers, cruelty free product testing and a whole lot more, there are certain things you can look for.
When it comes to organic products, the word organic is a regulated term and products must use at least 95% organic ingredients in order to be labeled as “organic.” There are several different certifying agencies that test and maintain organic standard requirements, but by law, all of them must meet the minimum standards set forth under the Organic Food Production Act of 1990.
Use of the Fair Trade label is another regulated term that signifies membership in a group of import organizations dedicated to promote market sustainability through economic self-sufficiency for producers. The Fair Trade label also means a producer works to improve social and environmental standards as well. Fair Trade labeling is very important for producers in developing countries and applies to many agricultural products like coffee, chocolate, bananas and various decorative flowers.
The Humane & Cruelty Free labels found on some times indicate products that have been endorsed by various non-profit organizations that set their own standards for labeling such as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) organization. These designations are especially important when it comes to purchasing cosmetics.
