FashBlog.com

Living a socially conscious life does not have to mean living without any sense of fashion. Nor does it have to mean looking like a hippie. I mean no offense to any hippie readers out there, of course, but some people are stuck between wanting to look trendy or fashionable (or thinking they need to for work or other purposes) and wanting to make good decisions that will have a positive impact (or at least lessen the negative one). The two are not mutually exclusive if you are willing to spend some time trying to find the right clothes and accessories.

The first step is to keep an eye on groups like Sweatshop Watch. This organization, and others like it, are very interested in the working conditions in places like the South Pacific where the lack of labor laws often mean that employees can be treated harshly. These employees are paid very little (though often it stretches farther than in the Western world), and they may be in unsanitary conditions or face fire hazards on a regular basis. Sweatshop Watch can keep you informed about these activities through their newsletters and action ideas. You will be able to make your decision on major retailers by using these websites.

A second way to make a difference through your buying is to look locally instead of globally. While we are living in an increasingly global world, supporting our own small business still has major importance. We should work to make sure that Susie who lives three streets over and makes jewelry in her spare time is well compensated. You should check out craft fairs and local boutiques. Ask specifically about the people who make and sell these items. Shopping at local retailers increases the chance that your money and taxes are staying in your community.

A third option is to seek out companies that explain upfront that they are using pieces made by artisans from around the world. A number of these companies have popped up in recent years. The basic concept is to go to a nation in a poor part of the world, such as Africa. The Westerner finds a fashion that she thinks people in the United States or Great Britain would love.

Perhaps she finds a type of dress that would be interesting for many women, or she may find indigenous bracelets that you cannot get anywhere else in the world. The Westerner then sets up an agreement with the native people to produce the items for sale in the West. A good portion of the money (check to be sure how much) goes back to the people who made the items. They get food, water, medical supplies, and other needed items while you get a cool new accessory or fashionable piece of clothing.

You also should shop secondhand whenever you can. While you may not be helping an individual retailer, you will be re-using, which is vital in a global environment with fewer and fewer resources available. Many people, particularly in affluent areas, do not wear clothing until it can no longer be used. Instead they wear it until the next season of fashion arrives or until they are tired of it. By rifling through their tossed out possessions, you can find something clothing at a bargain and still be fashionable yourself. If you stick to classic pieces, then you will find that you can put together an entire wardrobe for little money.

Finally, you can work to create your own fashions. Learn to sew or to make your own accessories. You can start small by getting a lap-friendly sewing machine and working on a few pieces here and there. Then you can try out creating beaded necklaces and bracelets to match. Beading is really in this year, so you should have no problem finding something that will work for little money.

People who are socially conscious can be fashionable as well as long as they are willing to hunt for clothes and occasionally to pay a higher price for them. If you want to help do your part in the world, or at least not make it worse, then you should try out these suggestions to create a fashionable wardrobe that did not harm anyone.