In the first two articles in my Sustainable Fashion Series, I’ve discussed the harmful impacts of fast fashion and ways to be more fashionably sustainable. For this week’s article, let’s talk about the different brands that we can hit up in our next, infrequent shopping excursion:
- Everlane
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Ethics: Everlane has ethical factories, sources fine materials, and is transparent about its supply chain.
Although definitely on the more expensive side, Everlane sells every item you would need for your minimal wardrobe from apparel to shoes to accessories. Everlane mostly focuses on making high-quality wardrobe essentials that can consequently be worn for longer periods of time. Next time you are out shopping and looking for essential, long-lasting items, be sure to check out Everlane!
- Levi’s
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Ethics: Levi’s will have reduced water consumption by 96 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, as published in their sustainability policies and commitments.
Did you know that the average pair of jeans takes around 2,000 gallons of water to produce? Neither did I, but the good news is that Levi’s certainly does and they are stepping up to reduce this figure! Associated with the edgy, rock ‘n roll aesthetics from your favorite era, Levi’s has been stepping up their game to reduce their carbon footprint by being transparent about the process of producing denim garments. This billion-dollar company and popular fashion brand name is leading the way by committing to significantly reducing its water use and greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Recently, Levi’s has also been encouraging their consumers to look after their denim garments and treat each purchase as a long-term investment. We love a company who cares about the fates of their goods, don’t we!?
- PACT
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Ethics: PACT uses organic cotton, is fair trade, and is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified.
Looking for a soft, organic cotton sweatshirt to lounge around campus in? Well, look no further, because PACT has got you covered! From sweaters to leggings, PACT focuses on casual and comfy pieces that you can wear on a daily basis that do not get worn out quickly by the dryer and washer (they also have underwear and pajamas if you are planning to go 24/7 with organic cotton, which I am all here for!). PACT is also GOTS-certified, which means that their products follow a strict processing protocol for organic fibers. You can rest assured that PACT looks into their sources, too, as they are also a fair trade-certified brand. Read more about PACT’s commitment with organic cotton and fair trade here!
- Alternative Apparel
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Similar to PACT, Alternative Apparel specializes in casual, daily pieces that often come with a cute twist (as you probably figured from their Instagram above)! You can never really go out of style with a cute oversized sweatshirt and a pair of leggings (after all, wasn’t that the go-to trend in 2012, accompanied by a messy top bun?). What I love about Alternative Apparel is that their sustainability does not end with just clothing, but their packaging and dyes are also low-impact. And as a cherry on top, Alternative Apparel pays their workers fairly!
- ThredUp
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Ethics: ThredUp uses only second-hand garments.
Good news, everyone! You can finally thrift online! ThredUp offers a variety of second-hand clothing, from a wide variety of brands, too!
The list of sustainable brands out there does not end here! Besides, being fashionably sustainable does not mean that you can only shop from sustainable brands (although that would be ideal, but I do acknowledge that it is hard when we’re living on a college student’s budget). Check out websites like Good Housekeeping and Good on You for more info on adopting a more sustainable lifestyle. Keep in mind that you as a consumer are ultimately the one with the power to influence the trends and behaviours of our apparels. Small steps do count towards enforcing change!