Oh The Places We Will Go: Sustainable Shopping
April 08, 2019
Sustainability has become a big topic in the fashion industry as consumers have moved into a more eco-friendly mindset. Being sustainable has many facets to it; it's not as simple as just recyclable materials or low manufacturing emissions. There is also a human rights element to sustainability involving fair pay and working conditions or even community benefits.
Finding brands that fall into this category for all your shopping needs can be a tedious and expensive process, but I've developed a quick guide to give you all as many trend-forward options as possible. Even I can't afford a number of these brands for regular purchase, but this also serves as a reason to choose quality over quantity. Most sustainably-made pieces are a lot more durable and long-lasting whereas fast fashion garments tend to fall apart much sooner.
These are simply suggestions for those who want to invest in a more ethical side of the industry. Small impacts can amount to greater changes in the end.
Enough lecturing, let's get shopping!
APPAREL
Dresses, tops, jeans, and jumpsuits made in LA with breathable, washable materials. $$
Modern basics and accessories for everyday versatility. $$
Luxury consignment with plenty of sales and affordable vintage. $$-$$$$
Online boutique presenting ethical designers that tote an all-year-long spring feel. $$$
Known for jeans and minimalist apparel. You can recycle jeans at their store too! $$
Modern, wearable designer chic. Also houses athletic wear. $$$
Founded to promote trade and artisans in Africa.
Former Parsons design student committed to fashion responsibility for nearly 20 years. Pretty swimwear too! $$$
Vegan and fair trade clothing, bags, & beachwear. $$
Light, airy fabrics and comfy jumpsuits are the highlight of the LA brand. $$
Designs for all occasions along with home decor and skincare. $$
Dedicated to avoiding the dry-clean only lifestyle. $$
CFDA designer duo crafting clothes for feminine elegance. $$$
A member of the Ethical Trading Initiative, their designs support income-generation, healthcare, and education for women and children in Asia. $$
All your workwear wardrobe needs made with certified organic cotton. $$
Affordable clothing that is sustainable at every point in the process and donates to American Forest to aid in restoring wildlife habitats. $
Feminist fashion brand by and for women. $$
Responsibly sourced Mongolian cashmere and ultra-soft, flexible closet assets. $$
Australian luxury designs with eclectic flair. $$$
High-end up-cycled materials and ties to designer's local communities. $$$
Evening and special event garments with gorgeous silhouettes. $$$
Denim centered on functionality while catering to both women and men. $$
Reinterpretation of textiles from Indian artisans for casual business looks. $$
Jeans that suit the modern woman's desires for fit and style. $$
Offset of the main brand devoted to biodegradable fabrics and reduced plastic consumption. $
SHOES
(Many of which also sell handbags)
Their mules and sandals are bound to incite compliments from all your friends. $$
Vegan and cruelty-free shoes for any style and even just look comfy. $$
The e-store promotes the idea of choosing solid, lasting pieces wisely rather than amassing 500+ shoe closets. $$$
Wide selection of sandals and boots to cover you on both sides of the seasonal spectrum. $$
Pretty well-known sustainable sneaker brand in fashion that covers a clean look similar to Adidas. $$
HANDBAGS
The vegan luxury bag you need in your closet. No more baby calf leather please. $$
For those who greatly value structure and storage capacity. $$
They even partnered with Marie Kondo for a collection that's enough of a selling point. $$
One of the few British brands to actually produce goods in East London and the face bags are too cute. $$
Manufactured in San Francisco, the company is involved in a plethora of causes supporting victims of sexual violence and trafficking, building safe homes and transforming slums, and providing education for women in Africa. $$$
For fans of minimalist and belt bags, here's your affordable vegan choice. $
Timeless pieces with modernistic twists based on Swedish lifestyle philosophies. $$$
Perfect woven bags just in time for spring/summer. $$
Everything from reusable bags to fanny packs to travel essentials. $
Each bag sold funds lifesaving vaccines and treatments for a child in need and they're beautifully made, so it's worth the price. $$$
SWIMWEAR
For those who enjoy simple suits and warm colors. $$
Where east and west coast meet to create swimwear that can outlast trends and multiple wears. $$$
These suits are derived from recycled nylon and inspired by '70s beach glamour. $$$
Mature, refined swim and surf-appropriate pieces especially for sports and heavy activity. $$$
LINGERIE
Made to be non-restrictive and have a natural fit no matter your size so you're always supported. $$
Organic cotton underwear. Nothing more nothing less. $$
Handmade in NYC, the brand celebrates women of all sizes and has a variety of patterns to stray from the usual. $$
The label strives to grow and use their platform to address issues within the industry regarding sustainability and diversity while showcasing a gorgeous array of models. $$
They employ women from the slums of Colombia to make the bags that come with each lingerie purchase and a percentage of their profits goes into educating these women as well. $$
THE EVERYTHING BAGELS
Garmentory
Garmentory aims to connect consumers with indie designers and boutiques from around the country to minimize fast fashion purchases. $$-$$$$
Depop
Depop is a community-based reselling tool to decrease wasteful habits when getting rid of old or unused clothes.
Feel free to leave more of your favorite sustainable brands in the comments below!
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