What is the most ethical way to purchase clothes?
We asked academics, industry representatives and researchers how they shop for clothing. Simon Lewchuk, senior policy adviser, World Vision Canada  Its overwhelming and its guilt-inducing and its going to be ultimately paralyzing. So what we try and do in our home is, we take a handful of things that were going to try and be super conscious about, and know that its never going to be perfect. We make sure that were buying our fair trade coffee, and try to do a little bit of research on some of the brands where we might buy our clothes from, or look for the ethical certifications where they exist. That being said, thats why I think legislation is needed, because ultimately it shouldnt be up to consumers to figure this stuff out.  Ayesha Barenblat, founder of NGO Remake and sustainable supply chains expert  I rent my clothes. I have been a renter for many years now. [I dont purchase clothing] because I know its all terrible. I use my time that I could spend mindlessly buying, on advocating for the rights and dignity of the women who make the clothes and assuring that shes kept safe and makes a living wage. For my kids, we only do second-hand. There are certain things we have to buy for hygiene reasons, (like) underwear ... So when I buy, I buy local or I buy used.  Mark Anner, supply chain and garment industry academic, Pennsylvania State University  Unless you really had a lot of free time and purchasing power, the average consumer, if we wanted to feel that we were walking around totally sweat-free, would be mostly naked. I do the best I can, but I put my energy into changing  to the extent I can contribute to research and conversations  the logic of the whole industry. We as consumers did not cause this problem. We can contribute to solving it by pressuring, by speaking up. If we have a favourite brand, we ... can make our voice clear about what we expect for decent work.  Avedis Seferian, president and CEO, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation Program  Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...  Its easy to say you want something done right and that youre willing to pay extra. But when the time comes for you to make that decision at the cashier, the cheaper one tends to be one that wins out. I dont mean to sound more Catholic than the Pope, but I try not to buy too much. I own, and have owned for several years now, two pairs of jeans. Im wearing one and I have a spare. Thats it. And I dont think I need any more. And each one of these is going to be worn pretty threadbare before I buy the next one.  Sarah Newell, communications and outreach director, Worker-Driven Social Responsibility Network  If youre going to spend an hour in solidarity with garment workers, I would rather you go to a protest organized by garment workers than sew your own clothes out of hemp. As an individual, I thrift a lot ... If I need a new piece of clothing, I buy a new piece of clothing. I dont have any delusions that one brand is better than the others and I dont count any voting with my dollar or purchasing anything as a contribution now. I absolve everyone of all that guilt. There is an entire industry created to make it confusing and unclear. And so, of course people cannot figure it out.  Greg Distelhorst, associate professor, University of Toronto  I generally tell people to not waste too much of their moral energy on their consumption decisions. If you feel you want to dedicate your dollars towards making ethical change, you can contribute to political campaigns or social movement organizations. I think thats the way to go. I just dont think the consumers are going to save us. They havent really before.  Kelly Bennett is a freelance investigative reporter based in Hamilton. Reach her at kelly@kellyrbennett.com