Finding ways to reduce our personal environmental impact can be overwhelming. There’s so much to be done, and, we might feel like small players in a gigantic cause, but what we can control is what we buy, and our closets are a great place to start. A few clothing brands have risen to the eco-conscious challenge, building their companies with ethical practices in mind, helping us to protect our earth against the destructive cycles of the fast fashion industry. The ethos behind many of these brands: you might be spending more money up front, but the clothes will last a long time, meaning you can shop less, and ultimately create less waste. Of course, there are other cheaper sustainable options, like thrifting locally or upcycling your own clothes, but if you have the budget to splurge on a few capstone pieces, these brands are a good place to start your hunt. These brands are also all U.S. based, a sure way to minimize your carbon footprint.
Christy Dawn
Christy Dawn is committed to giving consumers an alternative to the exploitative, unethical practices of the textile market. They make all their clothes from deadstock- excess fabric from other fashion companies- turning it into truly dreamy dresses, jumpsuits and more. They also offer a line of reusable and washable face masks.
VETTA
VETTA takes minimalism seriously, and understands its environmental impact. On their site, they have a helpful graphic of how to use five of their pieces to style thirty different outfits, helping to break the wasteful cycle of overconsumption. Take their style test to see which of their capsule collections fits your personal style.
Girlfriend Collective
Size inclusivity and comfort is a priority for Girlfriend Collective, whose colorful range of leggings, shorts, and sports bras are gym (or lounge) ready. Their gear is made from old water bottles, so they recommend you wash their gear in a washing bag to prevent microplastics from escaping from the clothes and into the ocean. Their prices are comparable to Lululemon or Fabletics, with the added benefit of decreasing your environmental footprint.
Whimsy and Row
Los Angeles based Whimsy and Row makes a small but timeless range of understated pieces fit for rounding out any wardrobe, all using locally sourced and deadstock materials. They also make sustainable greeting cards, pillows, and dish ware, perfect for outfitting the eco-conscious home.
Boyish
Jeans are some of the worst fashion culprits in terms of impact- it takes tons of water to produce denim, and the requisite blue dye has drastically damaged a river in Xintang, China. Boyish aims to make jeans outside of this toxic process, using plant-based dyes and recycled water. The result: supercute jeans indistinguishable from Levi’s beyond their environmental effects.
PANSY
In terms of ethical consumption, what we wear underneath is just as important as what we wear on top. Pansy has a range of classic and approachable bras and underwear, all made from 100% organic cotton, grown and sewn in the U.S. Their high-waisted undies are a win for comfort and cuteness.
MATE the Label
MATE the Label is committed to minimizing their impact at every turn, from shipping with recycled packaging to creating with non-toxic textiles. Basics are what they do best, and their sweat suits, tees, comfy dresses would be appealing to anyone. Their line of thermals are perfect for curling up at the house.
Nothing New
Love Adidas and Converse but don’t love their environmental impact? Nothing New has a classic sneaker for you, and they’re made from post-consumer materials. They sell low tops and high tops, and both made to last and look good doing it.
Vitamin A
Amahlia Stevens had a mission to bring sustainability to the world of swimwear, and Vitamin A is the result of her endeavors. The suits are created in California at an eco-friendly warehouse, and the vibrant range has fashion-forward options for most body types.
Mara Hoffman
Glamor and sustainability go hand in hand at Mara Hoffman. Using organic and natural materials all manufactured in the USA, they create truly show stopping pieces, proving that you don’t need to sacrifice flair for ethics.