When it comes to selecting ethical, environmentally sustainable fashion, it’s important to consider not only what an item is made from, but also who made it. Unfortunately, unlike fabric type, this information isn’t typically included on the tags, and it can be next to impossible to track the origins of a specific piece of clothing, especially if it was produced for a large retail chain. Instead, consumers are turning to independent certifying organizations to make certain that the production of their clothing treats both people and the planet with respect.

One common designation for ethical fashion is “fair trade”. Many consumers might be familiar with fair trade as an agricultural label, applied more commonly to chocolate and coffee than clothing, but several organizations do offer additional certification for goods. These include Fairtrade International, the Fair Trade Federation, and the World Fair Trade Organization (a group of member organizations, many of which are themselves fair trade certifying agencies). The exact standards vary from certifier to certifier, but the general ideals remain the same: good working conditions and fair pay for workers, environmentally sound production methods, and promotion of disadvantaged populations and their products onto an international trading platform. This allows workers who might otherwise be forced into a cycle of desperate poverty and subsistence to create more stable environments for themselves and their families, not only financially, but also with regard to their health and well-being thanks to safer work spaces.

It’s difficult to gauge the full impact of fair trade practices on the clothing industry because of the complexity of the supply chain. Some materials (such as cotton) can earn fair trade certification in their own right, but the majority of clothing produced, even fair trade certified garments, does not use raw materials that are fair trade certified. Additionally, the variety of certifying agencies makes it hard to compare across companies; though many use the standards set forth by the World Fair Trade Organization, this is not always the case.

Observing an industry-wide impact poses a challenge, but it is much easier to see the improvements offered to the employees of fair trade factories. Fair Trade USA, the first agency to offer a fair trade apparel certification, ran a two year pilot program for the certification that reported an average 15% increase over typical local wages for fair trade factory employees. Additional funding these businesses received from participation with Fair Trade USA went toward material improvements in local communities, such as constructing schools.

Though certified fashion is now available through some large retailers, like REI and Zappos, these items make up only a small percentage of the companies’ total offerings. The best way to find a wide selection of fair trade clothes is through boutiques and specialty shops, or websites that fill a similar niche online. By spending their money on ethical clothes and accessories, consumers can help steer the fashion industry juggernaut away from cheap, exploitative business models and toward more sustainable future.