Sustainable Shopping Guide: The Best of the Best
Sustainable Shopping Guide: The Best of the Best
By: Briley Rakow
Sustainability has been a prominent topic of conversation in the fashion world for years. While the concept of an entirely sustainable fashion industry sounds great, it can be difficult to know which brands are actually implementing the sustainability practices that they preach. The focus of consumers has shifted to avoiding companies that have been labeled as “fast fashion”. Brands today are trying to convince consumers that they are a “green” company, but all too many of them are misleading their customers with false information, or only focusing on one sustainable practice while ignoring the rest. Sustainability encompasses many things, and these companies all promote sustainability as a core value.
Activewear + Athleisure
For several decades, Patagonia has been donating one percent of total sales to the “preservation and restoration of the natural environment.” By focusing on sustainable production practices, fair pay and treatment of workers, and durable clothing that is made to last, Patagonia is leading the way toward total sustainability in the fashion industry. Consumers are also encouraged to donate their Patagonia gear back so they can resell it used through their Worn Wear program, which extends the life of products by two years on average.
Nearly all synthetic activewear is made from plastic, so the Girlfriend Collective works to reduce this waste by only using recycled plastics that otherwise would end up in landfills, such as fishing nets and used water bottles. All packaging is recycled and recyclable, and all factories are SA8000 certified by third-party companies, meaning factory conditions and worker wages are protected. Coming in a variety of sizes to fit all body types, Girlfriend Collective is the perfect place to shop sustainably for lasting activewear.
Using organic farms and GOTS-certified manufacturing, Pact creates earth-conscious clothing for men, women, and kids. They also offer services like Carbon Offset Shipping and a Give Back Box to encourage consumers in their own sustainability journeys.
Shoes
Allbirds has planned to reduce their carbon footprint by fifty percent by 2025 and have it at zero by 2030 through the use of carbon offset practices. The shoe company uses regenerative agriculture and renewable resources throughout their business to ensure that they are not only limiting their carbon footprint, but reducing the world’s as a whole.
Veja partners directly with organic cotton farmers to ensure sustainable materials and fair producing practices are used throughout the supply chain of Veja sneakers. The company also buys Amazonian rubber at four times the market price, supporting the producers and creating a standard of fair wage throughout the brand.
Built to Last
Reformation was founded on sustainable principles but has recently taken their practices to a new level with RefRecycling, a program to have used consumer goods be recycled into new Reformation products. The use of deadstock fabrics, low-impact materials, and smaller collection sizes allow for the company to have a much lower footprint while also providing quality and unique products that consumers adore.
Nearly everyone has heard of Levi’s, one of the world’s leading denim brands, but not everyone is aware of their eco-friendly practices and their ongoing efforts of making sustainable denim the norm in the fashion industry. With creations like Cottonized Hemp and production techniques that use less water than ever, Levi’s is actively seeking to use fewer resources to create the same durable denim consumers know and love.
Everyday Wear
Vetta allows you to shop for a capsule wardrobe that fits your style and needs, each coming with five pieces capable of combining into thirty or more outfits. The brand is making a difference, not only by producing sustainable clothing materials but by encouraging consumers to practice more mindful fashion practices through the use of easily matched clothing pieces and capsule wardrobes.
Summersalt is a clothing brand built for travel, making clothes that are comfortable and stylish using recycled materials and packaging. The company also promises the perfect fit for any body type with data from over 10,000 women informing the fit of their clothing.
Companies that focus on creating safe work environments and creating long-lasting, sustainable products are the future of the fashion industry, and supporting them is an important step toward becoming a more socially and environmentally conscious consumer. For more information about sustainability in fashion and beauty, keep reading on umsquaremagazine.com and follow us on Instagram @um.squaremagazine.
All photos belong to their respective owners.