At the beginning of every new year, I like to jot down a few goals I have for myself.
One thing that is always on my list is how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Of course, this topic can cover many areas of our lives. A lot of us try to eliminate single-use plastics or recycle more.
However, not many of us realize the impact that our fashion choices make on the environment.
Fast Fashion
In a fast world, it makes sense that “Fast Fashion” would be popular. So, what is “Fast Fashion”? It is clothing made quickly, cheaply, and in large quantities. It is primarily trendy items that will soon be out of style. You might have heard of Shein. That is fast fashion.
Companies that quickly make cheap, trendy clothing in large quantities typically do so without any regard for environmental regulations. The other problem is, due to the quick production and wide variety of trendy styles, this type of clothing quickly ends up in your local landfill. Not to mention the strain on fossil fuels to make clothing.
To simplify it, fashion creates one of our planet’s biggest pollution problems.
Sustainable Brands
Thankfully, many clothing companies are getting on board with making more sustainable choices. Below, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite sustainable clothing brands.
Pact
Pact is number one on my list because they have it all. They are fair trade certified, carbon neutral, and GOT (global organic textile) certified. They are great for basics. You can find styles for women, men, kids, and babies. I love that their clothing is super soft, too!
Everlane
Everlane is known for sourcing the finest materials and using ethical factories. My favorite thing about them is their “radical transparency.” This means they share the true cost of their clothing with the public. Everlane has classic pieces that won’t go out of style. They also offer women’s, men’s, and footwear.
Reformation
Chances are, if you have ever searched for formal wear, you have stumbled across Reformation. They offer not only formal wear but also wedding dresses that are sustainable! Their line is feminine and romantic while still earth-friendly. Their goal is that by 2025, 100% of their materials will be renewable, regenerated, or recycled.
Allbirds
I love this company’s vision for the future. Allbirds is on track to cut its carbon footprint in half by 2025. They also plan to have it to nearly zero by 2030. Currently, they mainly offer shoes for men, women, and children. However, they also have a small selection of tees and sweats available as well.
Warp + Weft
This may be my favorite brand on my list! I am a jean-loving girl, and Warp + Weft makes the best ones around. This company is family-owned, and they are making big strides in the fashion industry. One pair of jeans typically takes 1,500 gallons of water to make. Warp + Weft has gotten that number down to only 10 gallons! Their price point is great, too!
Clothing Rental Subscriptions
Another fantastic option is to find a clothing rental company to supplement your wardrobe. Of course, many people have heard of Rent the Runway, but there are several other great options as well. Nuuly and Armoire are just two that I have personally used. I just rent items that I need for events for the month. This saves me time and a lot of money. I can feel good about the rental fees because I am reusing clothing instead of purchasing something new!
Other Options
Obviously, buying used clothing from sites like Poshmark, ThredUP, or Etsy is always another great option. You can find lots of one-of-a-kind or vintage pieces from websites like this. I don’t know about you, but I love a vintage piece almost more than something new! I think vintage clothing has a story to tell.
Make the Right Choice for You
There are so many ways that we can make sustainable decisions in life. I hope this article has inspired you to try and buy more environmentally friendly fashion. I do realize that not everyone has the same budget. Sustainable choices often come with a higher price tag. If that is the case, try one of the resale websites listed above for more affordable clothing. Or maybe you just really love those styles on the fast fashion websites. Then, by all means, do what makes you happy!
