Does paying more for a T-shirt mean that it’s more likely to be ethically made? The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. In short (sleeves): no. People who spend their time investigating fashion companies’ supply chains and employment practices seem united in the conclusion that money cannot necessarily buy us a clear conscience. “Our ratings show that price is not a reliable indicator of ethical production,” says Gordon Renouf, a co-founder of the website Good on You, which has rated 7,000 brands on their published policies on the treatment of workers and animals, along with their sustainability credentials. “Many luxury and premium brands charge significantly more without demonstrating evidence of that value flowing to workers or environmental practices.” “A higher retail price can reflect many things,” says Dr Eleanor Scott, a lecturer in fashion design, creative knit and innovation at the University of Leeds. The money may go towards “branding, marketing, retailer margins – rather than necessarily better labour or environmental standards,” she …