Given the option I think most would choose to shop from sustainable brands instead of fast fashion. However, the problem is often that sustainable clothing is double or triple the cost of its fast fashion counterparts. I used to think that quantity was better when it came to clothing and I would spend too much money on trendy clothes from Boohoo, Asos, and Forever 21 that would be out of style by the time the next season came around. I found out that the fashion industry is the 3rd most polluting industry and many fast fashion companies make their clothing with materials that contain microplastics that take decades to break down.
While studying abroad in England I interned for an independent fashion company and watched my boss make each piece of clothing by hand with eco friendly textiles and dyes. After this experience I learned the importance of quality not quantity when it comes to clothing. You don’t need a whole new trendy wardrobe for each season but rather staple pieces that will last you for many years. Shopping from sustainable brands and only buying a few new pieces a season is better for your wallet and for the environment. There are many incredible sustainable fashion brands out there but I listed my top 4 that have respectable ethics, missions, and prices as well as beautiful clothing.
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Naadam
Naadam was founded in 2013 by Matthew Scanlan and Diederik Rijsemus who have always been passionate about helping the environment. The company workers with local animal herders from the Mongolain Gobi Desert to source high quality wools and cashmeres from ethically treated animals. 100% of Naadam’s materials for their clothing come from renewable or recycled sources as well as 100% of their packaging is made from biodegradable materials or recycled plastics. If you are looking for extremely soft and high quality knits for this summer then Naadam is the store for you.
Shop: NAADAM | Sustainable Mongolian Cashmere Clothing
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Vetta
Vetta woven clothing is handmade in a family run factory in New York City while their knits are made in a factory in Los Angeles that uses solar power for 70% of its energy. Their clothing is made from a variety of eco friendly materials such as Organic Cotton, Tencel, and deadstock fabrics. Vetta’s packaging is also sustainable since it’s made from 100% recycled materials. Vetta offers a Capsule Wardrobe option with many different style options all with around 5 items of clothing that you can make into over 20 different options.
Shop: VETTA (vettacapsule.com)
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Sezane
Sezane is a sustainable french fashion brand that makes ¾ of their clothing from eco friendly materials and has plans to make 100% of their clothing from eco friendly materials within the next few years. Sezane currently carries 4 eco friendly clothing lines that are already made from 100% sustainable materials. They have also launched a recycling program for their clothing that has already saved 13,000 pieces from ending up in landfills. Their packing is 100% sustainable and within the last year alone they have lessened their carbon footprint by 22%. I have always loved Sezane not only for their sustainable efforts but also for their very unique and fun french fashion.
Shop: New in and restocks | Sustainable Parisian style | Sézane (sezane.com)
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Flower Child
Flower Child is a vintage store located in Cleveland and Columbus Ohio. Shopping second hand is one of the most sustainable ways to enjoy fashion and it also just happens to be one of the most fun ways as well. At Flower Child you can find clothing from the early 2000’s all the way back to the 50’s. Flower Child is one of my favorite vintage shops I have ever been to because I always find unique pieces that felt like they were made for me.