I always say that there’s no ethical consumption under capitalism, but that’s no excuse for not trying. Approaching the impending doom of the climate crisis, sustainability is now in fashion. With platforms like Depop seeing a rise in users, sustainable wavey garms are easy to get without compromising personal style!
A search into Facebook secondhand clothing groups can go a long way on a budget. But ‘tis the season to treat yourself, so here are some of my favourite sustainable brands!
That Thing Pricing: £££
Home to more than 50 independent Bristol designers, That Thing prides themselves in being both local and sustainable. They have amazing vintage clothing which is reused, recycled and reworked to prolong its lifecycle. Over summer, they have a whole line of festival wear with a distinct Bristol identity. It’s not just clothing; jewellery, bags and accessories are all sold here! They’re also a small business – every purchase supports a small, dedicated team who truly have a passion for sustainable independent fashion!
Nobody’s Child Pricing: ££
London brand Nobody’s Child is made up of in-house designers who practice the ethos of sustainability by producing small collections and upcycling fabric. They only source textiles from local factories with fair wages and good working conditions, to ensure their supply chain is as close to ethical as possible. The collections are all seasonal – once it’s gone, it’s gone! They have a 15% student discount and Christmas sale going on, so get your orders in quick!
Over Here Pricing: £-££
One of my Bristol favourites, Over Here hosts art from smaller artists on their clothing (artists retain the rights and commissions from each design). The collections are mostly streetwear, with inspirations ranging from Japanese to comic-book art. All clothing is sustainably sourced. There’s no outrageous pricing for t-shirts either, with comparable prices to mainstream (less ethical) brands like ASOS.
BangBangCrash Pricing: £££-££££
On most days, BangBangCrash would be out of my budget. But they also don’t make clothes for most days. They’re a festival clothing brand specialising in sustainability! With amazing reversible dungarees, colourful leggings and funky catsuits, their clothing is perfect for festivals, a big night out or a day in the Arts & Social Sciences Library. They make clothes using post-consumer waste and aim to tackle fast fashion especially when it comes to festivals. Perfect for a big Christmas gift!
Antiform Pricing: ££-££££
Personally, I find Antiform incredibly interesting as a brand. They’re not just a clothing brand, they also do research, workshops and consultancy on sustainable fashion. The creator, Lizzie Harrison, has more than a decade’s worth of experience in sustainable fashion. You can even design your own clothing through their Antiform x You option, and make a curated sustainable piece to keep. Lizzie believes that in the UK, the biggest raw material is waste – Antiform finds ways to use it to create fashion. They always try to source materials locally, or even from their own design studio if possible.
This article is part of our Festive themed week 2019. Happy holidays from Her Campus Bristol!