Exploring the Social Dimension of Circular and Sustainable Fashion: Global North–South Perspectives and Emerging Themes

The fashion industry is associated with significant environmental and social challenges, including excessive waste production, modern slavery, and poor working conditions. The circular economy (CE) presents a sustainable model for this sector, focused on economic and environmental sustainability. However, the social dimensions of circular and sustainable fashion remain underexplored in the literature. The present literature review aimed at analysing how these social dimensions are being addressed, focusing on the differences between research originating from the Global South (GS) versus the Global North (GN). The study employed the PRISMA methodology for systematic literature reviews and integrated both quantitative and qualitative analytical approaches. Quantitative analysis was conducted using Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny to examine the geographical distribution of research and word frequency across thematic clusters, while the qualitative analysis, informed by grounded theory, identified core themes and developed interpretive categories. The reviewed literature was classified across four systemic levels of the CE, highlighting the emerging themes of ‘Social Equity’, ‘Consumer Perspective’, ‘Capability and Labour Practices’, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’, and the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain’. The findings revealed that discussions on the intersection of the CE, the fashion sector, and social impacts are relatively scarce. Nonetheless, this area is poised for expansion, particularly regarding research examining the experiences of the GS and the dynamics of the GN–GS relationship. A deeper focus on social dimensions through these frameworks will be essential for achieving sustainability in the fashion industry.