With the world becoming more and more ethically-conscious over the last few years, the fashion industry has been slowly reevaluating itself as a whole in order to make fashion a much more ethical and sustainable trade. Thanks to a few key designers who have taken the initiative to change the way clothes are manufactured, the future looks bright for the rise in ethical fashion.

One major catalyst in the shift towards ethical fashion was the release of the documentary “The True Cost” last year. Exposing the serious negative consequences of fast fashion, from unethical labor practices to environmental issues, this documentary managed to leave an unforgettable image in the minds of fashion enthusiasts who, up until then, didn’t think twice about why those jeans only cost $20.

As the fashion industry grows more aware of the long term effects of its unsustainable and unethical practices, many trends are emerging that hope to change the way we manufacture and purchase clothing forever.

Sustainable Undergarments

A trend that is expected to pick up in the coming year is sustainable underwear. Companies like La Vie En Orange will take your cotton t-shirts and recycle them into underwear, making the brand a 100% sustainable company. By creating sustainable fashion, the brand avoids outsourcing manufacturing to factories that engage in unethical labor practices.

Brands That Give Back

Expect to see more fashion brands that take charitable initiatives. Ten or so years ago, we learned about Tom’s Shoes, a shoe line that donated a pair of shoes to an underprivileged child each time a pair was purchased. Today, we are seeing more brands pop up with philanthropic missions, like Warby Parker, an eyewear brand that donates a pair of glasses per unit sold.

Sustainable Synthetic Leather

Pleather may stir up memories of early 2000’s fashion, but today’s faux leathers are made from sustainable sources such as mushrooms and pineapple, making these materials compostable and environmentally-friendly.

Major Brands Ditching Endangered Materials

In 2017, expect to see more brands pledging to give up clothing materials taken from endangered forests. Companies like Stella McCartney, H&M and Eileen Fisher have already announced that they will no longer use materials such as viscose and rayon which originate from endangered trees.

Responsible Labor Practices

Thanks in part to intense media focus on the poor working conditions of fast fashion brand factories, more and more companies are promising to enforce responsible labor practices for the safety of their workers. Companies like H&M have pledged to hold themselves to strict ethical standards from now on.

Conclusion

Based on the trends we’ve listed, 2017 should be an exciting year in which fashion grows more responsible than ever. Public interest in the various consequences of fast fashion have forced fashion brands to hold themselves accountable, and the hope is that the future of fashion will be 100% sustainable and ethical for the sake of a better world.