This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them help support this website.
Last week I talked for the first time about my goal to embrace eco friendly fashion, sew more of my own clothing, and be a more ethical consumer. I am thrilled that this got such a strong response from all of you, because I feel more excited than ever to embark on this journey. I have been reading and researching non-stop for the past week on eco friendly fashion brands, trying to understand all of the ways that we can be better consumers. As I stated in my initial post, the first step is consuming less. Whether you are buying high-end or low, we need to really think about each of our purchases so that we can make sure it fits into our wardrobe and style in the long run.
The second step is doing our part to buy more ethically made and sustainable clothing, which can come in many forms. I will definitely go into a larger post about this later, but to be brief there are a few things to look for.
1. Made in the US, Europe or Japan, i.e. countries that have strict labor laws and support the garment workers with fair working conditions and pay
2. Use of organic materials, so that the farmer, the factory worker and the wearer avoid dangerous toxins, and any run-off does not pollute our water
3. Sustainable production. This is definitely harder to verify, but look for brands that use less water to produce their clothing, all-natural dyes, vegan materials and/or cruelty-free treatment of animals, carbon dioxide saving and waste saving measures.
4. Use of recycled or re-purposed materials
5. Companies that give back socially or financially to workers, accept used clothing to recycle purposefully
Now that you have the brief outline of some things to look for, you should know that there are actually a lot of eco friendly fashion brands that have beautifully made and well-designed items that fit at least one or more of the above criteria! I have rounded up a few of my favorite ethically made pieces that are available now that I think will be amazing come spring, fall, and years more to come.
1. Reversible Soft Wool Cashmere Coat, Cuyana, #CompaniesthatGiveBack
2. 100% Alpaca Sweater, Cuyana, #CompaniesthatGiveBack #EthicallySourced
3. Rainbow Ribbed Intarsia Sweater, Chinti & Parker, #EthicallyProduced #FairTrade
4. Pop Stripe Cashmere Sweater, Chinti & Parker, #EthicallyProduced #FairTrade
5. White Tunic with Pocket, Free People #MadeintheUSA
6. Ribbed Cotton Sweater Dress, Everlane, #EthicallyProduced #FairTrade
7. Riley Mixed Print Top, Ace & Jig, #EthicallyProduced #FairTrade
8. 501 CT Jeans, Turbulent Indigo Wash, Levi’s #ReducedWater
9. Fisher drawsting waist pant, Reformation, #EthicallyProduced #FairTrade
10. Premium Wool Flannel Crop Pant, Everlane, #EthicallyProduced #FairTrade
11. Willow embroidered shirtdress, St. Roche, #EthicallyProduced #FairTrade
