If you’ve spent much time in sustainable fashion communities, whether that entails shopping with different brands, reading thought pieces or engaging in online discussions, you’ve probably noticed that these spaces are often founded and led by women. Women also make up the majority of the activists and engaged community members in these spaces.
And to be clear: that’s a great thing.
But you may be wondering: “where are the guys in sustainable fashion?” Well, guys actually care about shopping sustainably quite a bit, maybe even more than women do. Whether they’re buying sustainable clothing because it makes them feel good or because they know it has a positive impact on the environment, men have proven themselves to be eco-conscious consumers. So why the discrepancy of male participation in sustainability?
One theory, evidenced by a study conducted by Margarita Torre, is that when spaces are dominated by women, men tend to flee from them. Her data shows that it’s not necessarily uncommon for men to venture into female-dominated fields for a short period of time, but they’re far less likely to stay there.
There are a number of social and political issues that may contribute to this phenomenon. For example, the “Man Up” episode of NPR’s “Hidden Brain” discusses many men’s fear of appearing feminine. Gender psychologist Jennifer Bosson claims that “manhood is something that is hard to earn and easy to lose, relative to womanhood.” Many men are uncomfortable with anything that may threaten their masculinity, even an action as small as ordering a cocktail that features a mini umbrella.
Shopping and fashion in general are interests that have long been associated with women, even though men and women both care about their appearance and both need to buy new clothing from time to time. This is most likely because it is much more socially acceptable for women to be actively involved in the fashion world. Perhaps this has paved the way for women to become leaders in sustainable fashion communities, while men may feel less welcome, despite similar values and buying habits.
Whether the lack of men in sustainable fashion is due to feeling unwelcome or a fear of appearing feminine, the point remains the same: the sustainable fashion sphere is ruled by women, and it’s underrepresented by men.
The good news: we can change that.
Where do guys go to shop sustainably?
There’s one resource created specifically to bring men into the conversation: Eco-Stylist. By speaking directly to guys and focusing on making their sustainable shopping journey easy, Eco-Stylist broadens the sustainable fashion community.
It can be difficult to figure out if the clothes you’re buying check all the right boxes, especially in a space so dominated by womenswear. Do the materials used to make your shirt have a negative impact on the environment? Are the people who stitched together your jeans being paid fair wages? It may feel like there aren’t as many options out there for men who care about sustainable fashion when compared to the number of options that women have, and, to put it bluntly, there aren’t. Not yet, anyway.
But before you call it quits and opt to buy the $15 sweatshirt from the fast fashion retailer that you know isn’t likely to be providing an acceptable workspace for their underpaid employees, know that there are resources out there doing the hard work of answering these questions for you.
Using Remake’s sustainable brand criteria, Eco-Stylist takes the time to thoroughly research brands before choosing to partner with them. This criterion takes into consideration a number of factors, including transparency, environmental sustainability, maker well-being, use of sustainable raw materials, and the leadership of the brand within the ethical fashion sphere.
Eco-Stylist compiles sustainable clothing from 50+ researched brands all in one easy-to-use marketplace, making it possible for men to browse a variety of items in one place. This means that you can find Outerknown t-shirts, Veja sneakers, and Finisterre board shorts with the convenience of just a couple of clicks.
How can guys learn more about sustainable fashion?
Watch this short film by Remake, which explains why a tag that reads “MADE IN THE USA” doesn’t necessarily mean your clothing is being ethically produced.
Next, watch this clip by Hasan Minhaj to learn (and laugh) about the deceptive practices major fast fashion retailers use to appear more green than they really are.
Listen to these podcasts during your commute to work or while you’re sorting through your closet, deciding which pieces to keep for your capsule wardrobe.
Follow Eco-Stylist and Sustain Your Style on Instagram to keep up with sustainable tips, products, and brands.
What’s Next?
Share this post with 3 guys in your life so that we can bring more men into the conversation surrounding sustainable fashion.
Regardless of your gender, shopping sustainably should be a comfortable and accessible experience for everyone.
Author:
Celia Wiseman studied Communication and Creative Writing at the University of Iowa, and her growing interest in sustainable living led her to Eco-Stylist. In her free time she enjoys reading, writing, and making videos, as well as any other activity that allows her to get creative.