My ethical lifestyle aspirations are not hugely compatible with my career as I try to climb the corporate ladder in the City. But I try to make small differences where I can … every little helps. In the meantime, where can I find a classic, well-fitted ethical/organic (pencil skirt) suit for work? Is my best bet to go to a tailor? What about shoes? I am 30 and a size 8. I wouldn’t really want to spend more than ?250 on the suit and ?100 on the shoes.
Elizabeth Bedford
The ethical fashion industry is still, despite huge growth in recent years, such a small part of the gigantic fashion behemoth that more specialised requirements can sometimes be tricky ? and in ethical clothing, smart workwear definitely counts as specialised. A good suit requires sharp tailoring. Companies working in a genuinely fair trade way will not simply outsource to skilled workers but work to support local weavers and tailors and develop their skills over a long period of time. This is one of the many reasons why setting up an ethical fashion company is a long-term investment and not a route to a quick buck. And it means that while it is perfectly possible to find sharply cut ethical clothes, it does sometimes require a little patience and a lot of hunting.
