There are numerous ways to incorporate eco-friendly practices into your everyday life. An easy way is to support companies that prioritize sustainability and use earth-friendly manufacturing processes. Buying clothing from sustainable brands can lower your carbon footprint. We’ve become increasingly aware of how fast fashion depletes the Earth’s resources and exploits workers to offer cheap products to consumers; however, there are other options besides fast fashion. Here at Glass Planet, we found sustainable fashion brands that you should know about no matter what your personal style is.
Sustainable Practices:
Sustainable practices involve making the dyes from eco-friendly materials that are chemical-free, using renewable energy in the production process, using durable fabrics so clothing lasts a long time, and recycling old materials like scrap fabric and plastic bottles into new garments.
Sustainable Fabrics:
Organic cotton, bamboo, linen, and hemp are all eco-friendly fabrics. There are also quite a few synthetic fabrics, like Lyocell and Modal; these have become very popular among sustainable fashion brands because they don’t require much water or pesticides to produce. Lyocell is made from the pulp of eucalyptus trees, and almost 100 percent of the dissolving agents used to create it can be reused. Similarly, Modal is made from beech trees, and the water and solvents used to create it can be reused repeatedly. Some brands are also using fabrics made from single-use plastic, such as water bottles that would otherwise be crowding landfills, giving these bottles new life. These items get turned into recycled polyester, which is very versatile and can be used in a variety of garments ranging from activewear to formal wear.
Clothing Brands:
1. Christy Dawn
This Los Angeles brand makes sustainable dresses from pieces of deadstock fabric, which are excess rolls of fabric leftover from larger fashion houses. They have a farm-to-closet collection where the clothes are produced in Erode, India. The brand works with the Oshadi Collective, a community of traditional farmers and craftspeople, that grow their own cotton using regenerative practices. The Oshadi Collective processes the cotton using centuries-old methods that don’t require chemicals but instead work in harmony with nature. This brand is known for its Spring floral dresses that are perfect for an outside picnic.
2. Everlane
This brand is focused on creating simple pieces for men and women that will last a long time. They partner with ethical factories all over the world. Each factory they work with undergoes a compliance audit, where they evaluate them on factors such as fair wages, reasonable working hours, and more. The company is also transparent about the true cost to make each garment they produce. You can go to their site to see exactly how much the company spent to make the item you’re purchasing, and you can see just how much it is marked up for sale.
3. Patagonia
This brand is known for its outdoor wear and for being one of the most ethical brands out there. Patagonia uses sustainable materials whenever possible and will help you repair items to make them last longer. They also buy and resell their own styles. Consumers can get credit for turning in an old item or can purchase pre-owned items to give them an even longer lifespan. They also donate to earth-friendly organizations.
4. Reformation
This Los Angeles-based brand began in 2009 by selling vintage clothing. The company is 100 percent carbon neutral and exclusively uses sustainable/upcycled materials to create the on-trend, stylish pieces it sells. Reformation also offers a recycling program where consumers get paid for their old clothes, and the materials are reworked into new pieces.
5. Cuyana
Cuyana embraces simplicity and aims to make timeless clothes for a variety of occasions. They produce high-quality products for an affordable price and are known for their cozy cashmere sweaters. Cuyana partners with thredUP and donates 5% to H.E.A.R.T.
6. Alternative Apparel
They are committed to creating casual, comfortable clothing that is also environmentally friendly. Alternative Apparel uses recycled materials such as heavy-weight cotton and hemp-blend jersey. Their clothes are soft and durable, and a majority of their factories are wrap-certified, adhering to the Fair Labor Association guidelines every step of the way.
7. Smash + Tess
Their motto is to make chic and cozy clothing. Their best-selling item is a Romper made from a sustainable rayon from bamboo and cotton blend; it became a bestseller due to how it doesn’t lose its shape and softness. Sizes range from an XXS petite to an XXXL to fit anyone. Items are also produced in small batches on-demand, in order to prevent any excess inventory.
8. Ninety Percent
Their website states, “We share 90% of our distributed profits between charitable causes and those who make our collection happen. Then we invite you to vote for your chosen cause using the unique code found in your garment’s care label”. They give back to charities such as BRAC, Children’s Hope, Wild Aid, Big Life, and more. Ninety Percent also uses planet-friendly fabrics and has a whole collection of clothing made from samplings and leftover fabric from previous collections.
9. Theory Good Collection
Theory Good specializes in tailored workwear for women while making a positive impact on the planet. They released a collection named the Good Collection, which includes basics made with recycled fabrics in textile mills with sustainable manufacturing. There is also a Good Cotton collection made from American-grown SUPIMA cotton. Their goal is for the signature fabrics to reach 100% traceability by 2025. They are currently focusing on their wool, cotton, and linen production to ensure their quality, traceability, and that each is ethically grown.
10. Rent the Runway
Rent the Runway allows you to rent pieces of clothing for a small fee. This allows you to save money because you don’t have to pay full prices for pieces you may not wear often (like a formal gown). This also means that each item gets the most possible use because lots of people are able to wear the clothing.
Let us know about your favorite sustainable clothing brands in the comments below. Make sure to follow our Instagram for more exclusive content.
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