Back to School, Forward in Ethics

With Term 2 in full swing and a transition to winter wear, now is the perfect time to talk about school uniforms.

Whether you’re a parent to a preppy, school leaver, first year uni student, a teacher or staff member, uniforms play a big role in our daily lives. From buying to washing, ironing and mending, uniforms are one of the most repeated outfits in our wardrobe. Despite this, have you ever stopped to ask yourself where your uniforms were made?  

• Was it made locally or overseas? 
• Were the people who made your uniforms protected and respected?  
• Were they paid fairly according to Australian workplace laws?  

At Ethical Clothing Australia, we’re proud to support accredited Australian manufacturers specialising in a diverse range of school apparel, sportswear and merchandise. Through accreditation, these businesses have ensured that their garment workers are paid fairly, treated with dignity and safe at work.  

Extending beyond uniforms, get to know the local manufacturers raising the bar when it comes to school essentials.  

Looking to up your game when it comes to custom apparel? The team at Queensland-based accredited business Struddys Apparel specialise in sportswear, staff wear and attire for senior students. Australian owned-and-operated since 1975, Struddys Apparel uses the highest quality materials and latest manufacturing technologies to produce superior garments that will last long after the final school bell rings.

Only specific product lines (including clothing and uniforms) are proudly made in Australia and accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia. 

Putting people and the planet first, Bluegum is an Australian-owned and operated company with almost 40 years of experience in apparel and promotional manufacturing. Passionate about creativity, design and innovative solutions, they produce a wide range of clothing such as hoodies, tees, beanies and sporting gear, along with promotional merchandise, offering in-house decoration including printing and embroidery.

Their clientele includes Australian universities – creating an array of high-quality merchandise and apparel that students have used and worn with pride.

Bluegum uses an end-to-end custom design service, which includes in-house design, production, delivery and distribution. 

Only specific product lines (including clothing and uniforms) are proudly made in Australia and accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia. Check swing tags and product descriptions for more information. 

Whether it’s for school or sports, top-tier socks are a must have for any student. Brand and manufacturer Compuknit Hosiery is a third generation, family-run company that combines over three decades of knitting expertise with cutting-edge technology. Established in 1994 and based in the industrial hub of Thomastown, Victoria, Compuknit prides itself on its superior customer service from the early stages of sampling, through to the moment it arrives at your door.

Offering a wide variety of socks for different occasions, including school, all codes of football and other sports, business, fashion dress socks, novelty and corporate promotional socks – every pair goes through a meticulous manufacturing process. 

Compuknit Hosiery Australia is proudly 100% made in Australia and accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia. 

One of the last remaining manufacturers of neckwear in Australia, Rembrandt Imagewear has been crafting quality clothing and neckwear for over six decades. A family-owned business based in Kent Town, South Australia, Imagewear supplies custom clothing for school, workwear and sports/team apparel, as well as custom-made ties and neck accessories. From supplying garments to government entities and councils, to offering bespoke embroidery and print services, the Rembrandt Imagewear team strives to exceed expectations with every garment they produce. 

100% of Rembrandt Imagewear’s products are proudly made in Australia and accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia. 

Ready to go back to school? Discover our database of accredited manufacturers here.