The fashion industry has long been known for its environmental and ethical shortcomings, but with more people demanding sustainable options, many brands are now taking steps to reduce their environmental impact. Let’s explore some of the trendiest sustainable fashion labels that have embraced eco-friendly practices and are leading the way towards a greener fashion industry.
1. Fashion Labels Embracing Eco-Friendly Practices
More and more fashion labels are embracing eco-friendly practices. Following a general trend toward conscious consumption and sustainable living, many industry giants are developing innovative initiatives that reduce their environmental impact and promote environmental well-being.
Some of these initiatives include:
- Using organic and recycled materials instead of traditional fabrics.
- Reducing water waste by using sustainable dyeing methods.
- Gaining accreditation from eco-certifications such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard).
- Increasing transparency around their production processes.
- Exploring plant-based and cellulose-based alternatives to traditional fabrics and dyes.
The transition to more eco-friendly practices is a gradual one, often starting with small changes such as swapping out single-use plastic bags for eco-friendly totes. But these small steps can have a big impact over time. For example, by switching over to LED lighting in its stores, a clothing store can reduce its monthly energy bill by 75%.
The fashion industry is rapidly becoming a leader in sustainability, exploring regenerative farming, sustainable packaging, and biodegradable clothing. These measures are not just beneficial for our environment, but can boost a brand’s credibility and competitive edge even further.
It is clear that fashion labels are taking their corporate responsibility seriously when it comes to eco-friendly practices, and their efforts combined with consumer demand are driving progress in this area. In future, it is likely that other industry giants will follow in their footsteps to reduce their environmental impacts.
2. Our Top Picks for Sustainable Brands
Patagonia
Patagonia is the premier name in sustainable apparel and other goods. Whether it’s the unique materials they use or the care that goes into manufacturing their products, durability and sustainability are at the forefront of the Patagonia mission. They strive to use recycled fabrics in almost all of their pieces, and they back all of their quality gear with a repair and recycle program that cuts down on waste typically found in the fashion industry.
Everlane
Everlane knows that clothing doesn’t have to be expensive to be sustainable. They keep their production costs low by maintaining direct-from-factory relationships and placing strict ethical standards on their production process. They’ve even gone a step further with some of their products, using materials like recycled plastic bottles and offering them at a price that is unaffordable to most luxury brands.
Allbirds
Allbirds is a shoe company that believes that sustainable apparel should more than just check the sustainability box, but also look good and feel comfortable. Using manufacturing processes that create minimal waste and utilize renewable materials like trees, sugarcane, wool, and eucalyptus, the company creates stylish, sustainable shoes for everyday wear.
Tentree
Tentree is a brand that believes in making an impact. For every item that is purchased, TenTree plants 10 trees, hewing to a strict standard of planting only native trees in native soil. All of their apparel is also made with materials that are upcycled, organic, or recycled to limit the environmental footprint.
ThokkThokk
Fancy sustainable apparel that doesn’t feel like a compromise? Look no further than ThokkThokk. This European-based company is all about creating fashion that treads lightly on the environment while still looking good. All of their apparel is made with sustainably sourced, organic materials and eco-friendly practices that help minimize their carbon footprint.
Everlane Denim
If you love the sustainability of Everlane’s clothing, but find that you’re lacking on denim options, then take a look at Everlane Denim. With the same eye for sustainability and quality as the rest of the brand, they’ve created a line of jeans with better water use and fewer chemical treatments than traditional denim.
3. Making Eco-Friendly Fashion Accessible
is becoming an increasingly popular topic in sustainable fashion. Consumers are becoming more aware of their purchases and how they can make an impact on the environment. Eco-friendly clothing is not just for those who care about the environment, but for everyone who wants to wear stylish and comfortable clothing for a fraction of the cost.
Switching to Eco-Friendly Clothing
Switching to eco-friendly clothing can be an easy step towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Eco-friendly fabrics are made from fibers such as bamboo, organic cotton, and hemp, which are significantly less toxic and energy intensive to produce than synthetic fabrics. These fabrics are also often better for the environment as they don’t contain any chemicals, are naturally anti-microbial, and can biodegrade. Not only that, but these fabrics are often softer and more durable than their synthetic counterparts.
Finding Affordable Options
Not all eco-friendly clothes are expensive, and there are a variety of eco-friendly options available for any budget. Thrift stores offer an affordable way to “shop green”, as they divert fabrics from landfills and give the garments a second life. With the amount of fast-fashion products being produced, there are usually an abundance of clothes up for grabs. Hosting clothing swaps is also another option to find affordable and trendy eco-friendly pieces.
Environmental Dogma and Quality vs. Quantity
It is important to note that eco-friendly clothing doesn’t just mean buying from certain stores or wearing all-natural fabrics. It is more holistic approach that involves investing in quality pieces that last, and adopting an “environmental dogma” that includes being mindful of how much energy and resources are consumed when producing and shopping for your garments.
No Fashion Police
Lastly, it’s important to remember that there is no fashion police. Eco-friendly fashion is all about personal experimentation and finding what works for you. Whether it’s buying from secondhand stores, sustainable-minded brands, or replica vintage pieces, eco-friendly fashion can be fun and accessible for everyone.
- Switching to eco-friendly fabrics is an easy step towards a more sustainable lifestyle
- Thrift stores and clothing swaps offer an affordable way to “shop green”
- Environmental dogma includes being mindful of how much energy and resources are consumed when producing and shopping for your garments
- Eco-friendly fashion is not just about certain brands or styles, it’s all about personal experimentation and finding what works for you
4. The Benefits of Investing in Sustainable Brands
1. Increased ROI
Investing in sustainable brands pays in the long run. Not only are you helping yourself by investing responsibly, but by choosing sustainable brands, you can actually receive higher returns on investments. Studies conducted by organizations such as the United Nations have shown that sustainable businesses outperform non-sustainable businesses by as much as 63% over the long term.
2. Support Ethics
When you invest in companies that practice sustainable principles, you are sending a clear message that you value their moral and ethical standards. Sustainable investments not only help the environment, but they also promote ethics and transparency within the business. This is important in today’s world, as many businesses are avoiding these standards in order to remain profitable.
3. Reduce Risk
Investing in sustainable companies can actually reduce the amount of risk associated with investing. Many sustainable companies have safeguards in place to ensure that they are not engaging in unethical practices that could put their investors at risk. These safeguards allow investors to have confidence in their investments and know that their money is being used in a responsible manner.
4. Create a Lasting Impact
By choosing to invest in sustainable companies, you can help to create a lasting positive impact on the world. Sustainable investments have the potential to help reduce global warming, improve air quality, protect water supplies, and conserve natural resources.
5. Increase Visibility
By investing in sustainable companies, you are helping to increase the visibility and legitimacy of the sustainability movement. Investment in sustainable businesses allows individuals to use their money to influence the corporate world and send a clear message that sustainability is important to them.
6. Increase Position in the Market
Developing a strong sustainable investment portfolio can also help to increase your position in the market. By positioning yourself as an investor in sustainable businesses, you can gain access to new markets and opportunities that can be quite lucrative. This can help you to build wealth faster and make more money in the long run.
5. Join the Sustainable Movement and Support these Brands
Consumers have a fundamental role to play in a sustainable future. Every choice we make reflects our values and shapes our collective impact on the planet. That’s why we have compiled a list of some of the most reliable, trailblazing brands that prioritize sustainability in their product design and manufacturing processes.
Each of the brands on this list has made positive changes to reduce their environmental footprint and prioritize sustainability in their business practices. Plus, the products have been field tested and come with rave reviews, making them great choices for those aiming to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
- Reformation: Reformation manufactures stylish, sustainable clothing pieces from some of the most eco-friendly materials available, like Tencel and recycled deadstock fabric. Even their packaging is sustainable, with boxes made from recycled materials and paper wrapping that’s made from recycled wood pulp.
- Everlane: This direct-to-consumer apparel company puts transparency at the core of their business model, adopting best practices when it comes to sustainability. With low-impact dyes and responsibly sourced materials, Everlane’s making a commitment to lead the fashion industry towards an eco-friendly future.
- Dagne Dover: This stylish handbag and accessories company offers fashion-forward products made from recycled water bottles and produced in environmentally conscious factories.
- Pact: If you’re in the market for organic basics that are both stylish and sustainable, Pact has got you covered. Their ethically made pieces, like their classic underwear and tees, are made from certified, organic cotton.
- Goodtrade: If you’re searching for new, sustainable wardrobe pieces, look no further than Goodtrade. Fairly traded and ethically made, this fashion marketplace curates unique pieces from socially responsible brands.
No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a green option out there for you. Joining the sustainable movement is a great way to show your commitment to the planet and make sure that you’re buying from companies with similar values.
Addressing climate change isn’t easy, but changing our consumption habits is a great place to start. So without further ado, check out the brands on our list and help pave the way for a more sustainable future.
The one thing that is certain is that sustainable fashion is not going away anytime soon. With an increased focus on social and environmental responsibility, more and more fashion labels are embracing the eco-friendly practices necessary to protect our planet. We can all be part of the trend and make a difference to help make this world a better place.
