Ethical Fashion Brand Checklist: 12 Things to Look for Before You Buy
“Ethical” has become one of fashion’s favorite words. But what does it actually mean?
An Ethical Fashion Brand considers the people, practices, and environmental impact behind its clothing, from the fibers and dyes, used to the people who sew the garments, and to what happens to excess inventory. Ethical fashion is not about checking one box. It requires looking at the entire lifecycle of a garment.
So how can you tell whether a brand is actually ethical or simply good at marketing itself? Start with these 12 questions. P.S. There’s a FREE easy checklist to download and save to your phone here!
1. Is the Brand Transparent About Its Materials?
Start with the garment itself. An Ethical Fashion Brand should clearly tell you what its clothing is made from rather than relying on vague phrases such as “eco-conscious fabric.”
Look for responsibly sourced materials and credible certifications. GOTS-certified organic cotton, for example, follows standards that cover organic fibers and multiple stages of textile processing and manufacturing.
At APD, we use organic cotton and TENCEL™ fabrics whenever possible, as these fibers decompose faster than man-made fibers such as acrylic and polyester (which can take up to 200 years). TENCEL™ is a natural wood-based cellulosic fiber known for its closed-loop production process. You can learn more in our APD guide, Get to Know Your Sustainable Fabrics: What Is TENCEL™ Fiber?
Want to dig deeper into organic textiles? The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) establishes requirements covering organic fibers as well as textile processing and manufacturing.
2. Are Safer Dyes and Responsible Processing Methods Used?
A sustainable fiber is only part of the story. A responsibly sourced fiber such as cotton can still undergo dyeing, printing, bleaching, washing, and finishing processes involving potentially harmful chemicals.
Look for brands that disclose how their fabrics are dyed and finished and certifications that provide additional verification. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, for example, tests textiles, including components such as thread and buttons, against a list of harmful substances.
Some garment manufacturers, such as Eco Prk, use less than a cup of water to wash their denim, compared with traditional denim wash houses, which use anywhere from 130 to 790 gallons of water, depending on how many rinses, stone washes, etc. are used to achieve the desired look.
In other words, don't just ask: What is this fabric made from? Ask: What happened to it afterward?
3. Does the Brand Tell You Where Its Clothing Is Made?
Manufacturing transparency can actually be one of the hardest things for consumers to investigate.
In the U.S., textile labeling laws generally require brands to disclose fiber content and the country where a garment was processed or manufactured. What you usually won't find on the label is the name and address of the actual factory that cut and sewed your garment.
That means much of the deeper transparency is left up to the brand.
And global supply chains can get complicated. A brand may contract with one overseas supplier or manufacturer that then uses additional factories or subcontractors. Without strong supply-chain oversight, brands themselves may even have limited visibility into every facility or worker involved in making their clothing.
This is why country of origin alone should never be treated as proof that a garment is ethically made. Countries and regions with stronger labor laws and enforcement may offer additional worker protections, but unethical practices can occur anywhere. We discussed USA sweatshops that were shut down in our previous blog on Garment Workers’ Rights.
Instead, look for brands willing to go beyond what's required and tell you where, how, and by whom their clothing is produced.
At APD, our collections are designed by Amy in her Rhode Island studio and produced locally in New York City's Garment District. Keeping production close to home allows Amy to maintain direct relationships with the people making APD garments and have greater visibility into the production process.
Read more in Made in NYC: Why Local Production Matters in Contemporary Women's Fashion.
4. Does the Brand Work With Responsible Factories?
A “Made in USA” label alone does not automatically make something ethical. Consumers should look deeper.
Ask whether the brand knows its manufacturers, visits its production facilities, maintains relationships with them, or uses audits and certifications to verify standards.
APD's local production model allows Amy to work closely with NYC garment specialists, including skilled pattern makers and seamstresses, while maintaining greater oversight of quality and production practices.
5. Are Workers Paid and Treated Fairly?
Ethical fashion is about people as much as the planet.
Look for evidence of fair compensation, reasonable working hours, safe working conditions, freedom from forced and child labor, and other worker protections.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) identifies five fundamental principles and rights at work, including freedom of association and collective bargaining, elimination of forced labor, abolition of child labor, elimination of discrimination, and a safe and healthy working environment.
Here at APD, we have deliberately chosen local production even though manufacturing overseas could potentially cost less. Supporting skilled domestic garment workers and the local small business economy is part of the brand's approach to responsible production.
6. Does the Brand Prioritize Quality Over Quantity?
An Ethical Fashion Brand should not simply replace fast-fashion fabrics with more sustainable ones while continuing to encourage endless consumption.
Look for quality construction, thoughtful collections, smaller production runs, and slow fashion principles.
APD designs clothing to transcend fleeting trends, using quality fabrics and thoughtful construction, like tighter stitches per inch, so that garments can be worn season after season rather than discarded after a handful of wears.
Learn more in Contemporary vs. Fast Fashion: Why You Should Choose Quality Over Quantity.
Too Much to Remember? Take the Checklist With You
Ethical fashion goes far beyond checking a label. Download our free Ethical Fashion Brand Checklist and keep all 12 questions handy the next time you shop.
7. Does the Brand Avoid Excess Inventory and Overproduction?
One of the biggest questions shoppers should ask is: What happens when a brand produces more clothing than it can sell?
Small-batch manufacturing, limited-edition collections, made-to-order clothing, and presale models can help brands better align production with actual demand.
APD produces in small batches and uses pre-sales to help avoid unnecessary inventory. We also find creative ways to give leftover fabric another life. Fabric remnants have been transformed into APD's No-Waste Tote Bags and Scrunchies, and we recently used leftover fabrics to create No-Waste Wrap Skirts and Boxer Shorts, both coming to the site soon!
Instead of treating leftover material as waste, the goal is to ask: What else can we make with what we already have?
8. Is the Clothing Designed for Longevity?
Longevity isn't just about whether a seam holds up. It is also about whether you'll actually want to wear the garment years from now.
One way to achieve that is through trend-less design. Trends are intentionally temporary. Timeless personal style doesn't have to be.
That's what APD is all about. Rather than designing around every passing micro-trend, APD creates distinctive wearable art meant to transcend seasons. No trends = timeless.
Quality craftsmanship, distinctive prints, thoughtful construction, versatile silhouettes, and investment pieces can help create a wardrobe that feels relevant year after year.
9. Does the Price Reflect Responsible Production?
A suspiciously inexpensive garment should make you curious about how that price was achieved.
A garment's price should reflect fabric, trims, pattern making, sampling, skilled labor, manufacturing, freight, duties, packaging, marketing, and the many people required to bring an original design to life.
That doesn't mean every expensive garment is ethical. Instead ask: Can the brand explain what you're paying for? Check out our explanation here.
For a behind-the-scenes look, read Why Ethical Fashion Brands Produce Less and Charge More, where we break down what actually goes into the price of an APD garment.
10. Does the Brand Consider Packaging, Shipping and Even the Small Stuff?
Ethical responsibility shouldn't end when the garment leaves the factory. Sometimes the seemingly small business decisions reveal just as much about a brand's values.
At APD, we use compostable mailers, reuse cardboard boxes, avoid plastic whenever possible, and use paper to stuff packages instead of unnecessary plastic materials. We also reuse garment bags and other packaging that fabrics, trims, and materials arrive in whenever possible rather than immediately throwing them away.
And responsible sourcing doesn't stop with clothing. APD intentionally works with many ethical and small businesses for the other things required to run the company, from buttons and trims to business cards and other supplies.
Could some of those items be sourced more cheaply from large overseas suppliers? Absolutely. But price isn't the only consideration. Supporting responsible companies, local makers, and other small businesses is another way APD chooses to put its values into practice.
When researching an Ethical Fashion Brand, look beyond the garment itself. How does the company operate when no one is paying attention?
11. Does the Brand Back Up Its Ethical and Sustainability Claims?
Words such as “green,” “clean,” “conscious,” “sustainable,” and “ethical” sound impressive, but what do they actually mean?
Instead of accepting marketing language at face value, ask: Where is the evidence?
Look for certifications, sourcing information, manufacturing locations, factory standards, material specifications, measurable goals, and detailed explanations of a brand's practices.
Learn more about the distinction in Ethical Fashion Brand vs. Sustainable Fashion: What's the Difference?
12. Does the Brand Encourage Thoughtful Consumption?
Finally, look at the brand's overall philosophy.
Does it encourage you to constantly chase the next micro-trend and buy more, or does it promote intentional purchasing, quality, rewearing, and choosing pieces you genuinely love?
APD's philosophy centers around small-batch production, thoughtful design, quality over quantity, trend-less fashion, and clothing intended to be worn and loved for years. It is also closely connected to what we call Curated Luxury, the belief that modern luxury isn't about owning more. It's about thoughtfully choosing distinctive, well-crafted pieces worthy of a place in your wardrobe.
Discover more in What Is Curated Luxury? A New Definition of Luxury.
How Does Your Favorite Fashion Brand Measure Up?
No single fabric, certification, factory, or label can tell you everything you need to know about a fashion brand. A truly Ethical Fashion Brand considers the entire journey of a garment, from fibers and dyes to workers, manufacturing, excess inventory, packaging, and ultimately how the company encourages customers to consume.
That sounds like a lot to investigate while you're shopping, so we've made it easier for you.
Download the free APD Ethical Fashion Brand Checklist: 12 Things to Look for Before You Buy. Save it to your phone and pull it up whenever you're considering a new brand or purchase.
Check the boxes. Do the research. Ask the questions.
Because where you spend your money matters to both the planet and the people who inhabit it.
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