The Human Cost of Fashion - Beyond Business as Usual

The Human Cost of Fashion - Beyond Business as Usual

On the morning of April 24th, 2013, the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, collapsed. Over 1,100 people died. Thousands more were injured. They were mostly young women, sewing garments for global brands. They worked in unsafe, overcrowded conditions with no union representation, no voice, and no real choice. It was a human tragedy — and a stark indictment of fast fashion’s darkest side.

For many, that was the first time the true cost of “cheap” clothing came into sharp focus.

At Swingmor, we believe it’s never enough to simply avoid being part of the problem. Ethical golf clothing — real ethical clothing — goes far beyond the bare minimum of avoiding disaster. It demands we ask more of ourselves, and more of the systems we operate in. Because the goal isn’t just to prevent harm. It’s to actively do good — for our community, our partners, and the world we share.


What Is Ethical Labour?

Ethical labour starts with the basics: no child labour, no forced labour, safe working conditions, fair wages. These principles form the foundation of global standards such as the Fair Trade certification, which outlines 10 key principles:

  1. Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers
  2. Transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain
  3. Fair trading practices and payment of a fair price
  4. No child labour or forced labour
  5. No discrimination, gender equity, and freedom of association
  6. Good working conditions
  7. Capacity building (supporting professional development)
  8. Promoting Fair Trade values and awareness
  9. Environmental stewardship
  10. Respect for cultural identity and heritage

Yet, for us, doing “just enough” doesn’t sit right. We don’t believe in outsourcing our values. That’s why Swingmor goes beyond ethical minimums — we aim for best practice, and then push even further.


Beyond the Minimum: How Swingmor Does Business with Purpose

Golfers know the frustration of small details throwing off an entire round. A sleeve that chafes, a collar that doesn’t sit right, or a shirt that wilts under pressure. In our world, attention to detail matters — not just in design, but in how our clothes are made.

At Swingmor, our approach is grounded in accountability, proximity, and trust. That’s why we onshore and nearshore our production. Every garment travels a supply chain that is, on average, 10 times shorter than typical fashion brands. This allows us to ensure tighter quality control, better transparency, and stronger relationships.

Here’s what our ethical supply chain looks like:

  • Material Origins: Sustainably grown Austrian wood, turned into Tencel™ lyocell fibres in Austria using a closed-loop, non-toxic process in state-of-the-art facilities.
  • Fabric Innovation: Designed in Denmark, our fabrics are knitted and woven in Turkish mills with over 35 years of ethical operations — providing fair pay, reasonable hours, employee insurance, doctors on-site, and transport benefits.
  • Design & Garment Production: Garments are co-created by avid golfers and fashion designers in the UK, then cut and sewn by vetted ethical manufacturers in the UK. Each partner is selected based on Fair Trade criteria, including above-cost of living wages.

We also actively assess every part of our chain through regular audits and offer an anonymous whistleblower platform to ensure any potential issues can be safely flagged.

But the impact doesn’t end there.

We’ve embedded purpose into every stage — not as a marketing hook, but as an operational philosophy. We believe a happy, thriving workforce creates premium quality clothes. When people are treated with respect and empowered in their roles, the results speak for themselves — fewer mistakes, higher quality, greater pride. You feel it in every thread.

That’s why ethical manufacture for us isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about building a brand that earns trust, not just from customers, but from everyone involved in creating each product.


Ethical Golf Clothing: Performance with Purpose

We know our community. Many of you are busy professionals. You play when you can, and when you do, you want to feel good — confident, free to move, comfortable all day. Our Tencel™ men’s shirts are breathable, moisture-wicking, and designed for real life — whether you're at the tee or in a client meeting.

If you’re shopping for a partner, we get it. You want sustainable golf gifts that reflect their values and match their lifestyle. You want to give them something that lasts. Something that performs.

That’s what responsible golf fashion means to us — gear that doesn’t just look good, but does good.

Because performance and ethics aren’t in conflict. In fact, they make each other stronger.


At Swingmor, we’re building a different kind of golf brand — one that creates more time, freedom, and purpose through True Athleisure. Every product is crafted for modern life, designed to transition seamlessly between work, travel, and play — and built with an ethical foundation you can trust.

We’re not in this to sell you shirts. We’re here to help you live more, play more, and feel great doing it — while contributing to a better world.


So next time you put on your golf shirt, ask yourself — does it make you feel good in more ways than one? If it’s from Swingmor, we promise the answer is yes.

— Mathew Hampshire-Waugh, Founder of Swingmor
A different kind of founder. A different kind of company.

🟢 Explore more:

Tencel - King of Athleisure,

No Fs in Fast Fashion,

Green in Regulation, Not Greenwashing

 

FAQs – Ethical Golf Clothing at Swingmor

Q: What makes Swingmor’s golf clothing “ethical”?
A: We go beyond basic compliance to ensure our entire supply chain adheres to — and exceeds — international Fair Trade principles. That includes above-living wages, safe and supportive working conditions, zero tolerance for child labour, and a focus on capacity building. We also onshore and nearshore production to ensure full transparency and accountability.

Q: Why is Tencel used in all Swingmor garments?
A: Tencel™ is a sustainable fabric made from FSC-certified wood pulp, processed in a closed-loop system without toxic chemicals. It’s naturally breathable, anti-bacterial, moisture-wicking, and incredibly soft — ideal for everyday athleisure that supports comfort, freshness, and performance on and off the course.

Q: Are your clothes made in Bangladesh or other low-cost regions?
A: No. We’ve chosen to keep our supply chain close to home, manufacturing in the UK, Austria, Denmark, and Turkey. This gives us better visibility into working conditions and allows us to build long-term, ethical partnerships with our production teams.

Q: What do you mean by “True Athleisure”?
A: True Athleisure is our promise to deliver wardrobe essentials that perform across every part of your day — from work to golf to travel. Designed with stretch Tencel™ fabrics, flattering fits, and smart features, our clothes are made to simplify your wardrobe and elevate your lifestyle.

Q: How do I know your sustainability and ethical claims are genuine?
A: We operate with full transparency and invite accountability. Our production partners are selected based on audits, and we offer an anonymous whistleblower platform across the supply chain. We also publish regular updates on our impact, and our commitments are built into the core of our business — not just our marketing.

Q: I’m buying a gift — is ethical golf clothing really a good present?
A: Absolutely. Swingmor apparel makes an ideal sustainable golf gift — it’s thoughtful, versatile, and built to last. You’re not just gifting high-performance style; you’re giving something that aligns with values and purpose, whether for a birthday, holiday, or just because.

Q: How does Swingmor sizing work?
A: We offer a True Fit Sizing System based on both height and width, rather than just small/medium/large. This ensures a more flattering, accurate fit for different body types — no more guesswork or awkward returns.

Q: What if the item doesn’t fit or I change my mind?
A: No stress. We offer free and even instant refunds. Our community-first policy means we prioritise your satisfaction and want every item to feel right for you — or your money back.

Q: How do you support ethical fashion education?
A: We’re committed to transparency and conversation. Through our blog, social platforms, events, and advocacy we regularly share insights into sustainable fashion, responsible golf fashion, and ethical production. We believe education empowers better choices — and we’re here to help lead that movement.

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