Where Do I Start When It Comes to Shopping Ethically?
OUTFIT DETAILS | Top: Elegantees (use code stillbeingmolly for 15% off) | Necklace: oNecklace | Jeans: Rag & Bone | Shoes: ABLE (on sale!) | Clutch: MYM International / iDefend | Earrings: Sela Designs (use code MOLLYSTILL10 for 10% off) | Bracelets: Aid Through Trade
If you’ve begun to think about shopping ethically or beginning to change the way you shop and have thought any of the following to yourself: “I have no idea where to start, I feel really overwhelmed! This seems so hard. I feel like I can’t do this!” You. Are. Not. Alone!
Shopping ethically and changing my buying habits has been an eight year journey for me. I started small (really small) and I’ve gradually, over time, made changes over the years! I am NOT perfect and don’t claim to be (or even try to be! What a fruitless pursuit that would be)… but progress in any form or fashion is always good!
We do not need one million people shopping ethically and getting it 100% right every single time in every single purchasing category to make a difference. We need one billion, three billion… heck, seven billion people taking little by little steps to impact their communities in the way THEY can. Over 3.5 billion people live on less than $2.50 a day… obviously it is going to look different for anyone. This whole idea of LITTLE BY LITTLE PROGRESS applies to ANYTHING we do… do what works for you and what is within your capacity.
To answer that initial question of “Where do I start?” in 2015, I created a FREE resource on my blog called “The Ethical Brand Directory.” Last year, I upgraded the directory and created categories AND I made it searchable! There are over 400 ethical brands on the list from jewelry to menswear to intimates to kids clothing to gifts and more.
So, if you’re wondering where to start when it comes to shopping ethically, you can just go to the directory and search for what you want!
So as we head into the holiday season, think about one “gift” category you could shop ethical and fair trade brands! Think about the brands you buy from regularly… is there an ethical “switch” you could make?