Why Is Sustainable Fashion More Expensive?

You want to buy from sustainable clothing brands, but then you see the price tags and think twice. Why spend $200 on a dress from Reformation when you can grab one for $10 from Shein?

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In this situation, it's natural to ask: "Why is sustainable fashion so expensive?" While that's a fair question, a more appropriate one might be: "How can fast fashion and ultra-fast fashion brands be so cheap?"

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Sustainable Clothing Brands Pay Fair Wages

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At any point in time, you'll find thousands of clothes on Shein's website priced at $5. But pause for a moment and consider this: How is it possible to grow cotton, harvest it, convert it into fiber, weave it into fabric, make a t-shirt, package it, and ship it across continents — all for just $5? What could a garment worker possibly earn from making this t-shirt? Well, it's only possible if these workers aren't earning a living wage. And that's exactly what's happening in the fast fashion industry.

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Most of these clothes are made in developing nations like Bangladesh, where legal requirements are lax. The national minimum wage in Bangladesh was $72.50 per month in 2023.

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In the absence of strict legal frameworks, ethical and sustainable brands set their own minimum living wages, which are higher than what fast fashion brands pay. These brands work with ethical factories and sometimes even hire external auditors to ensure that workers' rights are upheld. This increases the cost of the final garment, but you can be sure that no one is exploited to make the clothes you wear.

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Also listen: The Cure for Fast Fashion

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Sustainable Clothing Brands Use Higher Quality Materials

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Besides cutting labor costs, cheap garments are made using lower-quality materials. Fast fashion brands primarily use inexpensive synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels. These low-quality fabrics lose their shape after a few washes, leading to quick disposal. The discarded clothes end up in landfills, where synthetic materials take decades or even centuries to biodegrade, polluting soil and water. Moreover, washing these clothes contributes to microplastic pollution.

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In contrast, sustainable brands use more eco-friendly, durable fabrics like certified organic cotton. While these materials are better for the planet, they're also more expensive. This higher cost of materials further adds to the price of sustainable clothing.

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Sustainable Clothing Brands Take a Slow Fashion Approach

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Fast fashion brands play the volume game. Their profit margins are low (how can a $5 t-shirt be profitable?), so they produce tens of thousands of items for each style. This bulk production reduces the cost per piece, as factories offer discounts for large orders. Even if they can't sell everything, they can discard unsold items and still turn a profit. But, this approach wastes valuable material and human resources.

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In contrast, most sustainable and ethical brands avoid overproduction. They produce smaller quantities that match demand more closely. This approach increases their costs, which are then passed on to customers.

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While it may feel like we're paying a premium for sustainable clothing brands, this pricing actually reflects the true cost of ethically produced garments. It might take some time to rewire our brains and move away from fast fashion. A helpful trick is to consider the cost per wear rather than the upfront price. A $200 sustainable piece worn 50 times costs $4 per wear, while a cheap $10 top worn just once costs $10 per wear.

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To transition to sustainable fashion, we also need to buy fewer clothes. Currently, Americans purchase 53 new clothing items per year—four times as much as in 2000. Investing in better quality clothes would naturally lead us to buy less. 

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Check out some other tips to move away from fast fashion here: How to Quit Fast Fashion for Good

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