2 min read
In an age of Shein hauls and incessant fast-fashion trends (please keep the low-rise jeans in the 00s), it’s hard to know how to shop responsibly. However, there are alternatives to the constant consumption of low-quality brands. These sustainable fashion brands have gone well beyond the basics of recycled packaging and are committed to making clothing while being kind to our environment. So you can spruce up your wardrobe guilt-free.
Sézane is a Parisian brand, so if you’ve ever craved the effortless elegance of the French, Sézane may be a way in. They design limited-quantity, high-quality items that are meant to last a lifetime. Launched in 2013, they were one of the earlier adopters of sustainability. Three-quarters of all materials used in manufacturing are sustainable, and three-quarters of the clothing sold is certified sustainable by leading textile organizations like Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and more.
Aesthetic: Chic, French
Price Point: Tops: $100-$175, Bottoms: $100-$200, Dresses: $100-$300
Britain knows knitwear if movies like “The Holiday” and “Love Actually” taught us anything. Navygrey is a British knitwear company specializing in luxury wool jumpers. The wool used in their luxurious sweaters is 100% natural, traceable, and increasingly regenerative. It’s sourced directly from certified farms in South Africa, New Zealand, England, and Australia, and most of that wool is spun locally in the United Kingdom.
Aesthetic: Cozy, classic
Price Point: Sweaters: $100+
Stella McCartney’s eco-friendly fashion commitment is primarily centered on materials. Since launching in 2001, they have never used leather, fur, or animal glues. Now, they use cruelty-free alternatives for almost all of their garments, including organic cotton, regenerative, traceable wool, plant-based insulation, recycled cashmere, and more. These materials are also ethically sourced with global organizations like PETA and the Ethical Trading Initiative.
Aesthetic: Strong, feminine
Price Point: Tops: $350+, Bottoms: $475+, Dresses: $1,000+
Everlane is a sustainable brand that’s become a household name for its ethically made basics at affordable prices. Its clean fashion efforts focus on natural, sustainably sourced materials, ethical wages, and a dramatic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Everlane has certifications from 16 different sustainability organizations, including GOTS, FSC, Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), and many others.
Aesthetic: Simple, versatile
Price Point: Tops: $30-$100, Bottoms: $30-$150, Dresses: $50-$200
This eco-friendly brand has become a beloved staple for sustainable shoppers. Their ballet flats, made from recycled plastic bottles, are chic and flexible and come in dozens of styles. Since its original launch, the brand has branched out into sandals, espadrilles, sneakers, and men’s shoes. Best of all? These babies are machine washable, a dream for busy women susceptible to unpredicted rain showers.
Aesthetic: Cute, comfy
Price Point: Flats: $100-179, Espadrilles: $139, Sneakers: $60-190
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