4 Sweater-Weather Ready Pieces for Fall (That Are Ethically Made)
I know, I know. It's only August. But here in Kansas City, the weather has dropped to a delicious 70 degrees. And you know what that means . . . sweaters, warm blankets, candles, space heaters, boots, knit socks, and steaming mugs of coffee (but you all know I drink coffee all the time, so no big change there). So even though it's probably going to be 90 degrees this weekend (thank you, Kansas weather), I'm reveling in all the Fall things right now.
Another thing I've been thinking about a lot lately is how our fashion choices matter. I recently read a great pieces by Andrea Pfarr on ethical fashion over at FemCatholic and it got me thinking, researching, and closet purging.
"Ethical fashion upholds the dignity of its workers at every level — from the cotton picking, to the manufacture of the raw fabric, to the garment production," Andrea writes.
I love talking about human dignity, and exposing a culture of use in today's culture. But what about my clothing choices? Do they reflect that passion of mine? A quick peak into my closet revealed a big, fat nope. Brands like Forever 21, H&M, and Urban Outfitters stared back at me.
What you have in your closet isn't just about you. From those who plant, grow, and harvest cotton to the men and women who put the final touches on that t-shirt, there are so many people who's lives are affected by our fashion choices.
Ethically made clothing isn't just a fashion issue though - it's a Catholic issue.
"The consumer has a specific social responsibility, which goes hand-in- hand with the social responsibility of the enterprise. Consumers should be continually educate regarding their daily role, which can be exercised with respect for moral principles without diminishing the intrinsic economic rationality of the act of purchasing," Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his encyclical letter Caritas in veritate
“It is good for people to realize that purchasing is always a moral - and not simply economic- act. ”
I'm not going to sugar coat it, friends. You'll often find that it's a heck of a lot cheaper to buy fast fashion than it is to invest in ethically made fashion pieces. But there's a reason ethically made clothing pieces cost more than something you could pick up at your local Forever 21. The cost factors in the fact that everyone involved in making that sweater, dress, or pair of ants was paid a fair wage and treated justly. And that is absolutely worth the extra money that you'll spend on ethical fashion.
If you, like me, are eagerly pulling out your boot socks and knit scarves, here are four gorgeous fall sweaters that are not only beautiful, but also ethically made. Bonus - they're all under $50.00.
TenTree // Morgen Sweater
Thought // Fairfield Mustard Cable Knit Jumper
Krochet Kids // Saturdays Sweater
Ash and Rose // Nancy Sweater
Which of these ethically made sweaters is your favorite? Do you have ethically made pieces hanging up in your closet right now? What do you love about them?