Riley Pan ‘24
In the age of 2021, where we vote with our dollars, "there is no ethical consumption under capitalism." But what exactly does that mean?
For the most part, this is more rhetoric, meant to showcase that no matter how people change where we buy from and what we choose to buy, humans will still contribute to capitalism. Whether we buy from sustainable brands, like Reformation (according to The New Yorker) and Patagonia (according to Patagonia’s website), or fast-fashion brands like H&M (Vox says) and Forever 21 (Curiously Conscious says), we’re still contributing to capitalism.
When taken more literally, there are other ways to interpret this phrase. First is the notion that any individual who participates in consuming under a capitalist society is complicit and should try to limit their consumption as much as possible. The second is that no piece of clothing bought is made ethically because we live in a capitalist society. Thus, there is no evading this action of moral corruption.
What exactly does it mean for something to be made ethically? Why isn't it possible under capitalism? In the article “Every Question You’ve Ever Had About Ethical Fashion” from Ethical Made Easy, ethical fashion is defined as "fashion that aims to reduce the negative impact on people, animals, and the planet... ethical fashion is kind to the planet and people every step of the way, from seed to garment.” This means fashion that pays its employees fair wages, does not use animal cruelty, and that is sustainable/long-lasting. However, the qualities of ethical fashion contradict capitalism's very existence and purpose—making a profit. Because of this desire to make money, companies often exploit their workers to generate revenue. The level of exploitation simply differs between companies. For example, Athleta boasts its sustainable athleisure wear, even just on their website. However, when it comes to labor conditions and animals, it falls short. Not only does the chain not have certified labor standards that ensure their employees' health and safety; they also use animal products such as leather, wool, and exotic animal hair. This goes to show that not every brand claiming they’re sustainable is telling the truth.
We must also keep in mind not everyone has the financial stability to afford ethical brands, as they are often pricier. This is due to the energy required to source sustainable materials and pay workers fair wages and ensure their health and safety. This makes most ethical brands inaccessible to the lower and lower-middle class, which in itself is morally corrupt, and circles back that idea that we can’t have ethical consumption under capitalism and the only reason prices are this high is to generate a profit and further support our society's capitalist structure.
So—what can we do? To truly shop ethically, we would have to restructure our entire economic system. This is a lot to ask, so in the meantime, you can shop at brands that use sustainable materials, are fair trade, or are cruelty-free. To figure out how ethical brands are, we suggest a visit to Remake, which rates clothing brands in terms of their ethics and sustainability. Another great option is shopping secondhand and thrifting, which reuses and recycles unwanted clothes. We also have to start distancing ourselves from thinking of shopping as a hobby or activity, and only shop in moderation and for items that we need. In a world where shopping is a constant ethical dilemma, the best thing you can do is start buying less.
Commenti