(The advantages of having most sustainable clothing brands are many. As ethical shoppers, we must be well aware of every fashion choice we make and use our power to vocally object malpractices taking place in the fashion world. With environmental concerns skyrocketing, and the likes of Greta Thunberg echoing the voice of thousands, the time for ethical and environmentally friendly clothing is now. According to a 2015 report by the Pulse of Fashion, the fashion industry was alone accountable for 1,715 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. According to reports, the fashion industry is said to consume more energy than both the aviation and shipping industries together. What is more alarming is that the report forecasts that fashion emissions could go up to 63% by 2030 itself, and this is a cause for great concern.
Before we get into sustainable clothing brands, we’ve to understand what environmentally friendly clothing is. As consumers, we’ve to be increasingly conscious of our purchases and channel the power of our collective voices to positively impact the people and livelihoods involved in the making of the clothes and goods we wear.
As brands are becoming more and more mindful of their clothing, it’s time to keep up with the evolving fashion trends and move into a new era of eco-friendly fashion. Here’s our list of eco-friendly clothing brands that are making a positive environmental impact on the long term fashion industry.
- Stella McCartney -
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It isn’t a lesser-known fact, but Stella McCartney’s love for affordable fashion is somewhat inspirational. Being a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative, the brand carefully picks its suppliers and partners and gives opportunities to many lesser-known artisans in Europe. Their cruelty-free and fur & leather-free approach to fashion makes us go gaga whether it’s a McCartney dress or a pair of shoes or accessories. Making use of re-engineered cashmere material, and wools sourced while maintaining ethical practices to a t, the brand makes use of recycled textiles and is today at the forefront of all environmentally friendly clothing brands. Occasionally the designer also partners with several conservation organizations and NGOs that are into wildlife preservation. From ready-to-wear fashion for men and women to sexy and sleek swimwear, sunglasses & bags, Stella McCartney is a brand that catches the eye of every fashionista.
- People Tree -
People Tree, the brand, is not only known for producing affordable ethical clothing time and time again but also for their Fair Trade certifications and offering better wages to their employees. Of all eco-friendly clothing brands, People Tree offers a range of clothes that are organic and promote the use of GOTS-approved dyes. With even their brand labels made from FSC-certified paper, the brand is dead serious about taking environmental stability a notch higher and go that far as to highlight the need for sustainable fashion.
By making use of vibrant colors and patterns and figure-hugging silhouettes, these high-quality garments are a must-have wardrobe staple. The brand makes use of exquisite fabrics like Tencel & organic cotton and thereby stay true to their sustainable approach to fashion.
From women’s dresses, jumpsuits to trousers, best evening tops for women, skirts and other fashionable essentials, People Tree is one of the most sustainable clothing brands out there.
- Rag & Bone -
Of eco-friendly clothing brands, famous celebrities of the likes of Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron, have all seen and shared with us our love for Rag & Bone denim. Founded by Marcus Wainwright & Nathan Bogle in 2002, the sustainable clothing brand is a luxury label that perfectly weaves the ever-evolving urban fashionista’s wardrobe whilst still keeping sustainability at its core. With locally produced denim and perfect attention to detail, the brand has created for itself a niche market in the American casual-wear segment. With a blend of edgy, modern and classy aesthetic, Rag & Bone is loved for its excellent designs and garment creation techniques that are all about sustainability. In 2017, the brand partnered with another denim brand to come up with a new denim recycling program, highlighting the benefits of sustainable fashion. The brand encouraged users to take their old jeans to stores for recycling. The donated jeans are then recycled and made into insulation for homes.
- Eileen Fisher -
For those of you who love stylish, minimalistic fashion, Eileen Fisher is one of our favorites among all sustainable clothing brands this year. From organic, recycled and sustainable garments, the brand sets sustainability at its core with the use of 100% natural dyes. For years, Eileen Fisher has been disrupting the eco-friendly fashion space with her luxury range of sustainable womenswear that is both size and gender-inclusive. The designer, originally from Illinois, says that she paints circular and vivid brushstrokes that help her recycle and give a brand new zeal to old throw-away garments. She is an icon for having created a signature fabric called the Silk Gorgette Crepe - a refined textile that is dyed & made without the use of harmful chemicals.
Apart from following ethical clothing practices, the designer also partners and works with several environment conservationists, fair trade artisans and even has her own program for women's empowerment, offered at the Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute.
- Dôen -
The brand is famous for its timeless dresses, and shapely silhouettes that will elevate any fashionista’s go-to look for the day. Founded by two Santa Barbara sisters in 2015, Doen is an online boutique store, now run by a group of creative women based out of LA. For a dose of luxury vintage fashion that is both ethical and environmentally friendly, make sure you shop at DOEN. With both meaning, elegance, and depth to the entire clothing line, every piece weaves a story and is a tribute to inspirational women of the past decades. The entire range exudes timeless elegance with feminine pieces that will give your wardrobe just the revamp it needs. The brand is entirely committed to producing garments domestically, and for those made overseas, the brand ensures fair wage practices and better working conditions with several of the factories being owned and co-owned by women. Many of DOEN’s clothes are handwoven and made with 100% natural fabric.
The socially conscious brand releases a kid’s collection every year with all the proceeds going to Room to Read - an organization that promotes literacy and equality.
Fashion may be expensive, and high end luxurious & ethical clothing brands all the more. But, if you're used to shelling out thousands of dollars on luxury brands, you might as well consider investing in affordable ethical clothing. These days eco-friendly fashion brands of the likes of Stella McCartney to People Tree and Thought Clothing, have released their own line of eco-friendly clothing, and the designs are to die for. The advantages of sustainable fashion are many, and if you’re a clothes horse, there are umpteen number of affordable ethical clothing brands that you could pick and shop from.
Zavi Designs -
From 100% organic fabrics, chemical-free dyes, recyclables, and the nitty-gritty of fashion & sustainability, to water conservation and other eco-friendly fashion practices - Zavi is your one-stop shop for affordable ethical clothing. Following in the likes of the luxury brands mentioned above, is Zavi - a high-end and ethical fashion brand, incorporating the best fair trade practices and ethical values in fashion. Based out of India, the brand is today a leading luxury brand from the many sustainable fashion brands in the market. Zavi means business when they say ethical. The brand is one of the few brands to purchase organic hemp fabric from Boheco, along with the likes of Sui and many other designers. With a mission to counter fast fashion trends and their impact on the environment, Zavi is an eco-friendly clothing brand that adheres to the values of environmentally friendly clothing and sustainability.
Fashion may be expensive, and high end luxurious & ethical clothing brands all the more. But, if you're used to shelling out thousands of dollars on luxury brands, you might as well consider investing in affordable ethical clothing. Eco-friendly fashion brands of the likes of Zavi, Stella McCartney to People Tree and Thought Clothing, have their own lines of eco-friendly clothing, and the designs are to die for. The advantages of sustainable fashion are many, and if you’re a clothes horse, there are umpteen number of affordable ethical clothing brands that you could pick and shop from.
Published by: Vibhuti Vazirani/ 2019-11-27