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Anyone who knows me or reads my articles knows I’m way too into secondhand shopping, or just shopping in general. Another big fact about me: I’m an environmental science major and have been inspired by sustainable practices since the eighth grade.
While fast fashion may be appealing, with their cute aesthetics and cheap buys, it’s legitimately terrible for a number of reasons (I’m looking at you, Shein). Trust me, I get tempted by the persistent ads and adorable fits but we have to stay strong and look elsewhere. Allow me to play the moral, ethical and environmental cards real quick and lay down some truth.
The fast fashion industry stresses Earth’s resources, creates excessive waste, and relies on often unpaid labor to make the clothes you end up buying. There are other ways of keeping up with trends and looking cute without supporting companies that promote this kind of unethical mass production.
One problem with the business of fast fashion is the way its products are made. According to the New York Times, “More than 60 percent of fabric fibers are now synthetics, derived from fossil fuels, so if and when our clothing ends up in a landfill (about 85 percent of textile waste in the United States goes to landfills or is incinerated), it will not decay” (Schlossberg 2019).
And not only do consumers need to start thinking about their purchasing habits, but they also need to consider their throwaway habits, too. The lifecycles of most garments are long enough to leave a negative impact on the planet, which is why so many are switching to slow fashion or secondhand buying.
Anyways. I could lament about the state of fast fashion for ages, but that’s not really the point of this article (nor is that why you’re here). I promised sustainable brands, and sustainable brands I will give you.
Now without further ado, here are some of my favorite sustainable brands right now.
Allbirds
This bad boy here is a delight. I’m straight obsessed with Allbirds sneakers and have been for years (think eighth grade again). They are incredibly detailed about their sustainable practices, from their global partners displayed on maps to the explanations of their processes and how they incorporate materials for great products. They have an inspiring and very near goal for cutting their carbon footprint.
And speaking of footprint, every product they make is measured for its impact and then recorded for the company and consumer. So, when you look at your pair of Allbirds, you can see their carbon footprint and understand that the company you support is working to reduce emissions at every stage of production.
Plus, their sneakers are so comfy and genuinely wick moisture when they need to or keep my toes warm when they need to. Honestly, I could continue talking about this company and how exciting they are, but there’s more to this article and I don’t want to lose you. Check out Allbirds here.
Girlfriend Collective
This brand makes me happy in so many ways. Way one, they are more size-inclusive than most brands out there, offering options from XXS-6X. I’ve worked in retail off and on for years, have seen and felt the struggle of others as there were little to no options for them in stores. Girlfriend Collective changes the game by offering activewear, swim, and even maternity wear in many sizes.
Way two of why Girlfriend Collective makes me so happy is that just about every activewear product is made out of recycled plastic bottles and can be recycled again in their take-back program (talk about changing the life cycle of their products). They also track how much water they save in their processes and how much CO2 pollution they’re preventing, too. Run, don’t walk, to this company!
Pact
Pact is fantastic for oh so many reasons. I’m pretty sure they weave magic in between the strands of organic cotton they use, it’s the only explanation that makes sense. Their basics are so comfy and affordable, which is the company’s goal. They use organic cotton in their production and do so in a way that uses 81% less water than conventional cotton, according to their site. Pact also sells more than just apparel, which is way nice. They care about the entire process, from harvesting to shipping (aka, they offer carbon offset options for shipping)!
May I suggest their undies if you want your butt to be embraced the way it deserves.
United By Blue
United By Blue sells a lot of more affordable, slow fashion products. I enjoy this brand for its sustainably sourced outdoor clothing and everyday wear. There are many neutrals and well-made pieces meant to last a long time and go with many outfits.
One of the best parts of supporting this company is that every product purchased directly supports the removal of a pound of trash in oceans and waterways. They also care about their products from the beginning to the end of their life cycles, so you know they’re a company looking out for the planet.
Outerknown
This brand has a lot to offer in terms of apparel for all. While on the pricier side, Outerknown offers classic, well-made products that can appeal to many. They’re also incredibly serious about their sustainability and are very open and detailed about their processes and goals with the public.
90% of the fibers they source for production are recycled, organic or regenerated materials. They also have products made entirely of recycled material. The company is big on investing in their workers and listing their global partners, too.
My favorite part about this company is their continued growth and vision; on their site, they have an honest and clear plan for their company’s future (which you can read about here).
A summary
Clearly, I haven’t lost any passion since the eighth grade. If you’ve made it through this whole article, we’re likely kindred spirits going on a sustainable journey. I hope one of these brands spoke to you, but if not keep searching friend!
We’re here to find our own style and voice, and you can’t very well do that if you’re wearing the same shirt as thousands of other people. So let’s shop secondhand, let’s thrift, let’s get sustainable and ethical. It’s the new sexy.