On average, Americans buy 68 items of clothing per year, and pieces are often worn less than 7 times before being discarded. In honor of transparency, I still shop fast fashion brands. But I want to make sure I am getting good use out of the pieces I buy (wearing them a minimum of 30 times each). Additionally, I want to start introducing more sustainable and ethical brands into my wardrobe, like the ones listed below:
Able
- WHAT: Ethical fashion brand producing women’s apparel, shoes, accessories, and home goods
- Pays living wages and shares wage data on website for transparency
- Invests in breaking the cycle of poverty by empowering and employing women (women make up 95% of their staff!!!)
- Partners with local community leaders in the countries where they manufacture to pursue economic transformation
Alternative Apparel
- WHAT: Soft wardrobe staples for women and men
- Utilizes upcycled cotton fibers and certified organic cotton
- By 2021, they pledge to replace all virgin polyester with 100% recycled polyester
The Rock Eco Fleece Hoodie is a favorite of my husband and I! I’ve been wearing these hoodies since high school. Our favorite color is the “Eco Black” (it’s more of a dark grey).
Girlfriend Collective
- WHAT: Sustainable, ethically-made activewear
- Made from recycled water bottles
- Pays ethical wages
- Partners with ECONYL to recycle ocean waste into fabric
- Inclusive sizing
I received my first pair of GC leggings for free as a part of a marketing promotion that they ran. I’ve been obsessed ever since! These leggings have a phenomenal fit (I never have to pull them up). I even converted my mom into a GC fan!
Organic Basics
- WHAT: Women’s and Men’s basics (think: under garments, tees, tanks, leggings, socks, etc.)
- Partner with factories that share the same sustainable vision and pay a living wage
- Share factory details on website for transparency
- Created a low impact website that reduces data transfer by 70% (resulting in lower carbon emissions from electricity usage). The website adapts based on the current server’s carbon intensity.
Know the Origin
- WHAT: UK retailer with a curated selection of sustainable brands for women, men, and conscious living
- Produces their own line of fair trade certified organic cotton basics
- Shares tons of educational material on their website
I love that so many of their pieces are affordable, which is sometimes hard to come by when shopping sustainably. One of my favorite pieces is their Tessa [tank] Dress which is the perfect casual dress for summer.
Everlane
- WHAT: Timeless pieces for men and women that are designed to last (think: cashmere sweaters, Italian shoes, and pima tees)
- Partners with ethical factories – each factory is subject to a compliance audit that evaluates living wages, reasonable hours, and the environment
- Transparent about cost of materials, labor, and production
They have so many elevated basics to choose from! I can’t wait to invest in my wardrobe by adding some Everlane products that will wear for years to come.
Cuyana
- WHAT: Female founded and operated business creating premium essentials for women
- Provide a way to recycle products through a second life program
- Reduce carbon footprint by manufacturing in close proximity to raw materials
- Produce in small batches
- Enable customers to maximize their wear of products
Cuyana is known for their quality leather bags. I’ve been wanting one for the past few years, and can’t wait to get a tote that I know I will use nearly every day walking around London.
Hope you’ll consider exploring more sustainable and ethical retailers and invest in pieces you’ll wear over and over again.
xxoxoxx
Alison
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which may result in the retailer providing me a small commission when you make a purchase (at zero cost to you).
