Sustainability in clothing has become such a driving force for many companies (& consumers), and for good reason. Well- known trailblazers like Patagonia have showed that a commitment to protecting the environment can breed success, while fostering longevity for our environment. Here are a few other brands that can add a touch of green to your lifestyle!
1. Wolven Threads
Swim & Activewear, Women's, Pice guide: $$
Wolven was founded in 2015, and mixes patterns from nature with colors from Indian art. Each garment is made out of Recycled P.E.T fabric, which is fabric made from recycled water bottles. Each year, over 6.4 million tons of plastic enter our oceans. Using RPET fabric helps keeps trash out of our ecosystem.
Check out their website here: https://wolventhreads.com/
2. Pura Vida
Jewelry, Price guide: $
Photo Credit: Pura Vida Bracelets
Pura Vida is a jewelry company founded in 2010. Since its founding, the brand has become popular among many teen and college-aged students.
Artisans from Costa Rica hand-create these designs and patterns. Not only does a jewelry purchase help artisans in Costa Rica receive jobs, but they also offer bracelets that support certain environmental initiatives. Customers can choose from bracelets that give a percentage of the money to initiatives such as saving the oceans, rainforests (top left picture), protecting endangered species (top right), etc.
Check out their website here: https://www.puravidabracelets.com/
3. ThredUp
Clothing, Handbags, Accessories; Women and Kids; $
Photo Credit: TredUp (left), Laura A. Oda, Bay Area News Group (right)
Founded in 2009, ThredUp is one of the largest online thrift stores, recently opening a few in-person stores around the U.S. Online, customers can create an account to purchase clothes, or sell their own clothes by requesting a free clean-out bag. While some changes could be made to make the shipping process more sustainable, ThredUp highlights circular fashion: creating a platform to reuse apparel, keeping products and materials in use. In ten years, it is projected that circular fashion initiatives such as thrift stores will outpace Fast Fashion.
In 2018, ThredUp reused some of their donated t-shirts to create climate change statement pieces for Earth Day, enlisting artists to create the designs (example: top left picture). The designs were then auctioned off with proceeds going toward carbon reduction projects across the globe.
Check out their website here: https://www.thredup.com/
4. Amour Vert
Clothing & Shoes, Household; Men and Women, $$
Photo Credit: Retail Design Blog (left), and Melanie Preis (right)
Pronounced AH-more VER, meaning "green love" in French, this brand practices sustainability through their production process and business operations. The company was founded in 2010 and includes clothing for men and women. Through a collaboration with American Forests, for every tee purchased, one tree is planted in North America. (Since their opening, over 298,000 trees have been planted!)
Other features, like ensuring limited quantities of pieces, keeping manufacturing close to the offices, and partnering with fabric mills to produce sustainable materials, keep this company green.
Check out their website here: https://amourvert.com/
Other sustainable apparel companies to check out:
Whimsy and Row - creates women's fashions out of excess and leftover fabric from other brands
Tonlé - a zero waste fashion brand featuring clothing, jewelry, and gender inclusive options
Eco-Pup- Eco-friendly clothing for yes, dogs and cats!! 🐾
🌱Clothing companies recognize the need for sustainable practices in their production and manufacturing efforts. To research the sustainability of a brand, check out this site: https://rankabrand.org/fashion-clothing-shoes
Feel free to share your favorite sustainable clothing brands in the comments below!
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