Fashion Labels: What Do They Tell Us?

While the planetary and human rights impacts of the fashion industry have received lots of attention, there is comparatively little focus on the daily impact of fashion’s fibers and chemicals on our health. What, exactly, is in our clothes? Truth is, we really do not know. It is difficult for a consumer, even an informed one, as there is no ingredient list. Look at your clothing labels. Compared to food and cosmetic labels, you will not find much there. Clothing labels usually list the type of fabric (cotton, wool, silk, polyester, etc.)., where it was made (often China, the leading exporter of textiles, India, and Vietnam, among others), and the performance functions, such as wrinkle-free, stain-proof, or waterproof, etc.