2 Unethical Clothing Brands You Should Most Definitely Avoid.

With so many brands touting their conscious, transparent ways, it is sometimes hard to weed out the marketing ploys from the companies creating real sustainable change. Thankfully there are organizations out there, such as Project Just and Fashion Revolution, who are checking in on your favorite brands so that as a conscious consumer you can shop confidently. Here’s a heavy hitter list of 3 unethical clothing brands you should definitely avoid.

1 | Forever 21
The inexpensive clothing sold at Forever 21 feeds the negative fast fashion industry by cranking out poor quality clothing that is trending one moment and in the trash the next. Most designs are questionably original, “according to a report by Privco, Forever 21 has been sued more than 50 times by designers like Diane von Furstenberg and Anna Sui for allegedly knocking off designs.”  

So let’s talk sweatshops. Forever 21 does not share any information about their supply chain, even dodging the U.S. Department of Labor subpoena, who in 2012 found that Forever 21 clothing is being produced in “sweatshop-like conditions” by workers in Los Angeles-area factories.” Did you catch that? Not China, but CALIFORNIA factories! Furthering our point, that’s just because it’s Made in the USA doesn’t necessarily mean it’s ethical.

2 | Limited Brands
Limited Brands, parent company of Victoria’s Secret, Express, and The Limited, is making an incredibly Limited effort (...get it?) towards conscious business practices. A basic example, Express does not guarantee a livable wage to supply chain employees. 

Secrets, secrets are no fun. Want to know Victoria’s secret? Well, it is that, “Rank-a-Brand gave Victoria’s Secret an E, the lowest possible sustainability score. Rank-a-Brand states that Victoria’s Secret earned it by communicating nothing concrete about the policies for environment, carbon emissions or labor conditions in low-wages countries.” 

Feeling down?
Keep up with our blog on the reg for kickass conscious brands doing great work for people and planet. And you can always check out Project Just before your next shopping trip for more complete information about the business practices and conscious efforts of top clothing brands. 

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