Sustainable fashion is the marriage of two close friends: planet-friendly materials and socially responsible business practices. It’s about the way clothing and accessories are made, manufactured, circulated, and consumed in the world. The terms sustainable fashion, ethical fashion, eco-conscious fashion, and environmentally-friendly fashion have been trending for some time now.
Download the FREE Guide for more insights, including how to compare materials and de-clutter your closet
Why is Sustainable Fashion Important?
Understanding the importance of sustainable fashion is crucial because our choices as consumers have a direct impact on the industry, especially on the demand side. For example, opting for products that are responsibly produced can help decrease our carbon footprint, support ethical labor practices, and help combat the excessive waste associated with fast fashion. To be clear, the way something is made is about more than the materials used. It’s also about how the people involved in the making of our products are treated.
Consider this. Globally, only 2% of garment factory workers earn a living wage, yet many of them are pressed to work 10-12 hours per day. Here in the United States, we may think we are distanced from this because we have standards for fair wages (despite certain inequities and pay gaps). However, when you look at a label inside a garment or handbag, where did it come from?
As of 2019, more than 97% of all apparel is made overseas, not here in the U.S. So while it may be enticing to celebrate a bargain, we must think about how this low cost is possible in the first place. As more people embrace sustainable fashion, we encourage fashion brands to adopt socially responsible practices, thereby triggering a positive domino effect across the industry.
Benefits of Sustainable Fashion
Sustainable fashion offers a multitude of benefits, both for individuals and the planet. First and foremost, it contributes to the reduction of pollutants and environmental toxicity. By using eco-friendly materials and sustainable production processes, sustainable fashion helps conserve natural resources. By choosing sustainable garments and accessories, you can make a positive environmental impact and align your style choices with your values.
Another significant advantage of sustainable fashion is its durability. High-quality, well-crafted sustainable garments often outlast their fast fashion counterparts. This means fewer replacements and less waste, ultimately saving money in the long run. Sustainable fashion also encourages timeless designs, reducing the need for constant wardrobe turnover and, in turn, reducing overall consumption.
Ethical Clothing and Accessories Brands
The following brands are known to provide eco-friendly products and engage in sustainable supply chain practices.
|
Brand Name |
Ethical Products |
|
Makes eco-friendly casual wear made from recycled polyester, modal and cotton. |
|
|
Uses deadstock fabric, plants trees with American Forests, and sells pre-loved clothing through their resale marketplace. |
|
|
Focuses on sustainable and organic clothing, including cotton, cellulose and wool. They also offer jeans made from recycled material. |
|
|
A certified B corporation that specializes in circular design. They offer a renew program where customers can return garments (for a $5 credit) in order for items to be repaired and/or repurposed. |
|
|
Transparently produced modern basics made with sustainable materials. |
|
|
Focuses on organic and fair trade fashion. |
|
|
Organic, fair trade fashion from company with a supply chain focused the economic empowerment of their artisans. |
|
|
Offers knitwear using natural fibers. A certified B Corporation voted Best for the World™, with the fourth-highest B Impact Score of apparel brands in North America. |
|
|
Offers interchangeable, vegan leather handbags made from cactus, along with slow fashion, on-demand women’s clothing. |
|
|
Sells ethical and sustainable denim with repair shops available. |
|
|
Copenhagen based company offerings sustainable basics and undergarments. With every order, they donate 1% to a charity of your choice. |
|
|
They partner with Fair Trade USA, Global Organic Textile Standard and SimpliZero to ensure products and processes support people and the planet. |
|
|
Specializes in sustainable outdoor clothing. They also recently branched out to offer organic food. |
|
|
Provides sustainable activewear and outer wear using materials like organic cotton and hemp. |
|
|
Many of their items are made from recycled cotton, Tencel, and deadstock. |
|
|
Offers cruelty-free, sustainable luxury including handbags made from vegan leather. |
|
|
Offers eco-friendly clothing using materials such as viscose (EcoVera) and recycled polyester. |
|
|
Offers organic and sustainable outdoor and layered clothing. |