Follow my blog with Bloglovin I wish I had a nickel for every time someone…
Wanna buy sustainable clothing? Read on….
In previous posts we’ve talked about moving to a Slow Fashion Lifestyle, which means knowing where your clothing is made, who makes it and under what conditions. We talked about the inherent value to the planet and humanity of buying better quality, classic items made from natural fibers and keeping them forever and, when they need it, mend them, dye them… generally reimagine them! All of that sounds great, but who has time? So here it is, practical information about where to go to buy ready made fashion for companies manufacturing in a responsible, sustainable way.
Question: Are there responsible, thoughtful companies who are changing the way fashion is sourced and made?
Answer: YES!!!!!
Question: Don’t I need to spend a small fortune to buy responsibly?
Answer: Hell NO!!!
Question: Are Patagonia and Eileen Fisher the only companies doing it right?
Answer: Absolutely not. There are tons of other little known options at all price points.
There is a growing list of companies out there who are doing it right and at affordable prices. The kicker is that some of these companies are focusing so heavily on manufacturing responsibly, they fall short on marketing which means we often don’t know about them. So A Maker’s Circle wanted to help by outlining a bunch of smaller sustainable companies here. We will give you an idea of price range from $ to $$$ for each company. And yes, shoe lovers…we have shoe companies too!
Here are the clothing companies you have heard of but do you know about their commitment to sustainability?
Patagonia – $$ to $$$
Patagonia was one of the earliest defenders of environmental ethics in the activewear fashion industry, and one of the first adopters of using recycled materials and switching to organic cotton. Patagonia is expanding its commitment to labor ethics as well by working with Fair Trade Certified factories in India, Sri Lanka, and Los Angeles. We admire Patagonia for the positive, personal impact their fair trade factories have around the world.
And for a truly sustainable option, check out Patagonia’s WornWear. These are items that have been returned to Patagonia that are torn, showing wear, or generally not wanted anymore. They repair and reinvent the items and sell them for a major savings. Their tagline, “Drop it in the mail, not a landfill.” Love that. I have purchased their WornWear clothing for me and my kids and been really happy. Be aware of the “condition” of each item which they clearly state…”excellent”, “great” or “good”. Items for the whole family are available!
Eileen Fisher – $$$
EILEEN FISHER is an industry leader in ethical and sustainable fashion. They believe social and environmental injustices are a reason to do business completely differently, and carefully oversee their supply chain to ensure fair working wages. By 2020, their vision is to have 100% organic cotton and linen fibers, responsible dyes, carbon positive operations and a no-waste facility. And they are well on their way to that goal.
Like Patagonia, Eileen Fisher is recycling their clothing too. I have brought from them as well and have been very happy with what I received. Check out Eileen Fisher Renew…returned or gently worn EF items that have been sent back to the company and resold at a huge discount!
Boden – $$
Aside from Boden’s really great fabrics, colors and cuts, they are committed to responsible sourcing, fair trade and ethical practices across the 17 countries they have factories in, and eco-friendly options at every part of the supply chain. Their clothing includes menswear, adorable baby stuff, but it’s their women’s clothing that is really fun, youthful and flattering. Known for their dresses, you’ll find the responsibly made one that you will reach for often…and their reviews are always honest and useful.
And here are some companies that you may not know about.
Everlane – $
Everlane is all about transparency. They spend months finding the best factories around the world—the very same ones that produce our favorite designer labels—and then they build strong personal relationships with factory owners to ensure their factory’s integrity and to maintain ethical production practices at every step of the process. They believe customers have the right to know what their products cost to make and where they were made. They reveal their true costs and share the factory and production stories behind each piece of clothing. Their minimal, modern aesthetic makes them a personal favorite!
People Tree – $ – $$
One of my favorites is People Tree! People Tree is recognized by consumers and the fashion industry alike as a pioneer in the Fair Trade and environmentally sustainable fashion movement. For over twenty years, the brand has partnered with Fair Trade artisans and farmers in the developing world to produce a wide collection of ethical and eco wear. Their collection ranges from the perfect lightweight organic cotton sundresses to workwear, jumpsuits, relaxed yoga wear and more. And they are affordable!
ADAY – $$
I am loving this site and am ordering a couple of things for myself post haste. Many of their pieces are made from recycled materials and they strive to create clothing that you will wear season after season thereby creating a sustainable closet. They want to change the way people shop believing the by owning versatile clothing means you buy fewer things, Cool sections of their website include “best for petites” and the “carryon wardrobe”. Making life easier!
Outerknown – $$-$$$
Looking for durable classics that move across seasons? Check out Outerknown. This sustainability-forward brand is dedicated to considering both people and planet before, during, and after production. Outerknown works with many global partners who offer fair wages and practice sustainable production, and they carefully detail each and every partner on their site.
Their women’s cloths are really cute, but I want one of their blanket shirts! Made for men, but so comfy and cute for winter and tons of colors.
Pact – $
PACT is pretty obsessed with making clothes that make the world a better place at a better price. This certified B Corp goes to great lengths to make sure their entire supply chain, from the growing and harvesting of the organic cotton to the final sewing and all the processes in between, are as clean and responsible as possible. Their super soft tees, dresses and underwear are 100% cotton. And it’s non-GMO cotton which is great for you and the farmers growing it.
Kotn – $
Based in Toronto (and we love Canadian!), this certified B Corp uses organic, safe and fair labor practices. So if you’re looking to add some affordable luxury into your daily wardrobe, look no further than Kotn’s ultra-soft basics made from Egyptian cotton. From their farms to their factories, Kotn creates all of their garments in a fair and safe environment, and are even helping their suppliers make the switch to organic within the next five years. Their team is also dedicated to quality manufacturing, so you know one of their cotton tees will last.
Reformation – $$ – $$$
Such cute stuff…especially if you have teenage girls in your house! Reformation sells on-trend pieces that will still be stylish well after the season is over. This Los Angeles-based brand creates products only from sustainable and upcycled materials in a fair wage environment. Reformation’s dedication to sustainable production is extensively explained on their website in their signature bold and unabashed style, plus each item comes with a description of its environmental footprint.
Vetta – $$$
This one is kinda cool…think capsule wardrobe. Now that’s sustainable. Rework your closet to get the most outfits out of what you have. Vetta is on a mission to help you build a more thoughtful wardrobe with their innovative shopping model: you can buy a long-lasting capsule collection of five pieces that translate into 30+ outfits. Or, shop pieces individually and build a custom timeless wardrobe that you’ll be wearing for years to come. Vetta crafts all of their garments responsibly in the USA from deadstock and sustainable materials, and even goes so far as to source details like buttons and elastic from the US as well.
And now my lovelies…SHOES!!!
Nisolo – $$-$$$
Nisolo collaborates with local artisans in Peru from the design to the handmade production of their leather shoes, chukka boots, bags, jewelry and accessories. Nisolo provides fair wages and full-time employment to their artisans and each shoe has heart put into it from every person who works at Nisolo. We love their gorgeously-designed, well-made shoes and their fast, free shipping both ways.
Sazane – $$$
Seriously?!? Those green velvet boots?!? Love them! Ok, back to sustainability. Sézane believes in sustainable production that benefits people and planet. This French brand started entirely online as a way to cut out the middleman, focusing on production that’s ethical and as close to zero waste as possible. In 2017, Sézane created a philanthropic initiative, DEMAIN, to help disadvantaged children access education and equal opportunities, giving back with each purchase. This company sells beautiful clothing as well as shoes…their cloths are built to last and can be worn every season paired with cardigans and leggings. With leather goods, denim, shoes, swimwear, and jewelry, the collection has something for every ethical consumer.
Remember, it is easier than ever to spend your clothing budget responsibly and ethically. This is just a sampling of the available options but there are so many others who are striving to do it right. The internet is your friend people…and spread the word!
And don’t forget to get those green, velvet boots! KILLER.
Oh, and if you’ve found some sustainable options, share with the group, please. We love feedback in our comments!
Notes:
- Among other places, we sourced a lot of this information from www.thegoodtrade.com. This website is a great place for sustainable information across food, fashion, beauty and more.
- We reference “b-corps” in this post. A B-Corp is a company that meets the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. The assessment is made by a non profit group committed to helping consumers understand the impact of their purchases on people and the physical world.
Related Posts
