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Organic materials? Fair trade? Water filters that recycle water? Giving back to the community? What makes a sustainable fashion brand sustainable? There is more than one answer, because there are many moving parts just to bring a vision, like a fashion brand, to life. So, when a brand claims to be sustainable, they’re saying that they’ve made steps to cause the least amount of harm to the people who make their items and the environment where the items are made. They’re saying that conscious decisions were made to ensure that they are helping us move towards a good future. Because, the opposite of that is an ocean full of plastic from unconscious clothing and packaging, slave labor and countless toxins leeching into our environment and bodies. What makes a sustainable fashion brand, are conscious decisions made in more than one area.
While The Wellness Feed team hasn’t personally interviewed any of these brands, we’ve rounded up 60 brands we’ve been watching and listed they ways that they say their sustainable.
Lingerie
Let’ begin with the layer that is closest to your skin.
1. Vibrant Body Company
Vibrant Body Company was launched “after seven years of research and prototyping by the top three global lingerie designers.” The company’s flagship product is awireless bra designed and made without the use of potentially harmful chemicals and dyes. It’s also engineered for flexibility and movement to put women’s breast health first. The Vibrant bra comes in two shapes – a full coverage and semi-demi, each sold with three color options.
Environmental impact: The first wireless bra was OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, meaning that it was made with 100 percent non-toxic materials. While most bras are made with synthetic petroleum-based materials such as nylon, polyester or Lycra, the Vibrant bra has foam cups constructed of five non-toxic layers.
Price Range: $29 for a bottom to $89 for a bra
2. Azura Bay
Azura Bay is an online boutique brought to life by Ashley Mcintoshcarrying an inclusive collection of luxurious and socially conscious lingerie, PJs, and loungewear. Each and every piece is been made in total harmony with the environment and the artisans making the items.
Environmental impact: Most of the brand’s products are made with organic cotton, bamboo, eucalyptus Tenceland recycled lace. The team at Azura Bay pack everything into 100% recycled boxes, recycled tissue paper and compostable mailers. A portion of the profits from every Azura Bay purchase will be donated toBecause I am a Girl, World Wildlife Fund, or the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Price range: $24 for a pair of underwear, to $99 for a bralette
3. Brook There
Brook There is an ethical, minimalist lingerie brand designed for women who don’t want to reshape their body through heavy padding. Founder Brook DeLorme wants every woman to feel comfortable and confident in her versatile underwear.
Environmental impact: Cut and sewn in Massachusetts, Brook There uses low-impact production techniques. The brand’s core fabric is certified organic cotton, but some styles use a silk trim. Brook then hand-dyes the fabric herself in her studio in Maine before sending it to Massachusetts. Finally, Brook There ships its clothes with Eco-Enclose recycled poly bags and recycled tissue paper.
Price range: $28 for a bottom, to $88 for a bra
4. Proclaim
Proclaim is an inclusive, nude lingerie line founded by Shobha Phillips in 2017, made in Los Angeles from eco-conscious fabrics. Proclaim seeks to promote the inclusion of all women, regardless of size, shape, or color. Its bras are long lasting, lightweight and wire-free.
Environmental impact: Proclaim manufactures locally in Los Angeles to reduce its carbon footprint. It tackles the issue of the global plastic waste crisis by producing its lingerie with 100% used and recycled plastic water bottles. Tencel is another sustainable fabric used, which is produced from wood pulp from sustainably managed sources. When it comes to shipping, the brand uses poly mailers, wrappers and hang tags all made of 100% recycled materials.
Price range: $28 for a bottom, to $59 for a bralette
5. Sokoloff Lingerie
Created by designer Sofia Sokoloff in 2012, the label designs and manufactures their intimates in Montreal, Canada. Its panties and bralettes, designed with delicate lace and comfy cotton are lauded for their exceptional fit. To give an identity to her designs, each piece at Sokoloff Lingerie is named after a fictional woman.
Environmental impact: Materials used for the production of its sustainable lingerie include Oeko-Tex-certified bamboo, modal, organic cotton (the lining of every panty) and recycled spandex- all natural clean and biodegradable materials. Lastly, Sokoloff donates all its fabric scraps to a Montreal paper-making studio, thus turning them into beautiful stationary.
Price range: $26 for a bikini to $90 for a bra
6. Skin
This New-York based sustainable fashion brand creates luxurious and elegant loungewear, intimates, lingerie, swimwear and clothing from natural materials. It was founded by designer and entrepreneur Susan Beischel back in 2003. Skin is widely known for its sophisticated and versatile silhouettes, reversible designs and multi-ways straps.
Environmental impact: From underwear to a relaxed-fit knitwear, all items at Skin are made using natural fabrics. Organic cotton and other super soft natural materials such as wool are the brand’s calling card.
Price range: $24 for a bottom, to $145 for a robe
7. Parade
‘Sexy’ stereotypes and narrow definitions of beauty prompted Cami Tellez to launch the direct-to-consumer brand Parade in 2019. Parade does not put boundaries on womanhood and includes sizes ranging from XS to 3X. The label offers three essential styles- a thong, a cheeky and a boyshort, in a range of cheery colors like rainbow sherbet. Parade also donates 1% of its profits to Planned Parenthood.
Environmental impact: Parade is committed to eco-conscious textiles. Their core, breathable fabric is called Re😛lay, which is crafted from pre-consumer waste. This fabric is also Oeko-Tex certified to ensure that it’s free from harmful chemicals that pollute our skin and waters. The underwear is made at a factory in China, which is then shipped in compostable packaging that’s made of wood cellulose and cornstarch.
Price range: $9 per pair to $11 for limited-edition styles and prints
8. Base Range
Baserange is a sustainable fashion brands of modern basics focused on clean, easy and soft silhouettes. Founded in 2012 in Denmark and France, the contemporary fashion line creates minimalist collections of sporty yet feminine lingerie that are super comfortable and stand the test of time.
Environmental impact: Base Range prioritizes using sustainable fabrics like bamboo, Lenzing Modal and organic cotton. The brand is also committed to eliminating synthetic fabrics from every collection’s production, from their small, family-owned factories in Porto, Portugal.
Price range: $40 for a pair of seamless shorts to $50 for a jersey tank
9. Only Hearts
Helena Stuart founded Only Hearts in 1978, the world’s first “Inner Outerwear” collection with bras, sexy undies and bodysuits that are meant to be seen. Ethically manufactured in NYC, Only Hearts is complete with wear-anywhere versatile pieces that are sweet with a touch of sass.
Environmental impact: Only Hearts uses local, deadstock, organic, recycled, and certified textiles such as lace, velvet, silk and organic cotton, keeping their footprint low. More specifically, fabrication is made up of 100% organic Pima cotton from Peru. Also, all pre-bleaches, optic bleaches, dye processes are created in accordance with the GOTS, IMO, and the ETAD. You can find out more about these standards here.
Price range: $33 for a bottom to $265 for a dress
10. Uye Surana
Uye Surana is a New York based independent lingerie brand, founded by Monica Wesley in 2010. The name Uye Surana rose from combining the last names of Monica’s mother and father. All undergarments are handmade in limited quantities and their bralettes are packed with luxury details and technical features. The brand was awarded the title of “Best Indie” by the Lingerie Addict in 2016, in its notable “Best Of Lingerie” series.
Environmental impact: As a brand, Uye Surana, strives to reduce its carbon footprint everyday. Handmade in small batches, its styles are not overproduced. Furthermore, a portion of their materials are reclaimed deadstock, sourced from trusted local or overseas suppliers. The label has also partnered with a recycling team, so that their leftover scraps are reused and don’t end up in the trash.
Price range: $28 for a cute undie to $134 for a bra
11. Underprotection
This a Danish lingerie, loungewear and swimwear brand was founded in 2010 by Sunniva Uggerby and Stephan Rosenkilde. Their earthy, feminine and fun collections are full of glamorous prints challenging the belief that sustainable fashion is dull and undesirable. What’s their motto? “Almost as sustainable as being naked.”
Environmental Impact: Underprotection makes its pieces using sustainable fabrics at certified factories. Materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled wool and lyocell are made in a Fair Wear Foundation factory in India. The brand is committed to sustainable packaging which includes polybags and postal bags that are either recycled or biodegradable. Furthermore, most of its products tick the animal welfare box too since they are vegan approved by PETA. It also supports a more conscious way of doing fashion by producing two main collections and two smaller mid collections a year.
Price Range: $40 dollars for a pair of underwear, up to $220 for a jumpsuit
12. Les Lunes
Les Lunes is a French sustainable fashion brand founded by Anna Lecat in 2011 bridging the Paris – San Francisco Fashion scene. The brand stands for stylish, feminine and comfortable clothing. With classic colors, and timeless designs, it has established itself as a leader of the “slow fashion” movement.
Environmental Impact: Les Lunes uses bamboo to make many of its products, which requires less water and care but is also an incredibly soft and comfortable fabric. It also supplies it from the oldest and most specialized bamboo producer in China who is Oeko-Tex 100 certified. Some other of its soft fabrics it uses are organic cotton and nylon.
Price Range: $32 for an undergarment to $225 for a blazer
13. AmaElla
AmaElla was created in 2016 by two friends, Lara and Julie, who share a passion for fashion and sustainability. With fabrics that are soft to the touch, breathable for the body, and detail-oriented designs, AmaElla ensures an offering of high-quality products that will make everyone feel as good as they look.
Environmental Impact: AmaElla offers an inspiring collection of 100% organic, ethically produced lingerie manufactured in Portugal and the UK. Its range is made of GOTS organic cotton and it works exclusively with certified organic cotton suppliers. Also, it uses GOTS certified printing. This means that most of its inks are water-based, thus reducing the need for harsh chemicals throughout the dying process.
Price Range: $31.06 for a pair of knickers, to $83.24 for a negligee
Fashion
1. Junglefolk
It was a journey through rural Latin America that inspired Swiss designer Pauline Treis to design a womenswear line. In 2013, she began working on a collection alongside other artisans.Aptly named JungleFolk, the brand came to life as carefully designed pieces that are simplistically timeless. Skillfully crafted from organic fabrics, each piece is skillfully crafted to make you feel great from ‘head to toe, morning to night’.
Environmental Impact: JungleFolk is hand-made in Colombia and Peru from sustainable and certified fabrics that meet with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Organic cotton and linen, peace silk and alpaca wool are some of the materials that define this fashion brand. JungleFolk also designs outside the fast fashion model of launching multiple seasonal collections every year. Instead they see sustainability in the longevity and quality of a design.
Price range: $92 for a cotton top to $283 for a silk dress
2. Alchemist
Inspired by the alchemists who throughout history wanted to transform everyday materials into gold, this sustainable fashion brand is on a mission to combine luxury fashion with an honest lifestyle. The Netherlands-based label draws attention to both social, ethical and sustainable production processes.
Environmental Impact: The website states that in 2016 they “signed the IMVO Agreement for Sustainable Clothing and Textiles” and the Clean Clothes Transparency Pledge in 2019. Also, Alchemist moved most of their productions to Europe, 80% of which takes place in Portugal, to cut transportation. More than just producing their clothes sustainably, the packaging of the garments is biodegradable and presented to their clients in organic cotton tote bags.
Price range: $88 for a cotton top to $165 for a dress and denium jeans
3. Reformation
Brought to life in 2009 by Yael Aflalo, this eco-friendly company is known for everyday dresses in romantic minimal prints. The expertly cut floral dresses and smocked tops crafted from recycled fabrics have become firm fashion favorites among Reformation’s cult following of style-setters.
Environmental Impact: The California-based brand has sustainability at its core. There are partnerships with the Brazilian Rosewood Amazon Conservation Project. In 2018 they “protected 1,000 acres of the Amazon Rainforest from deforestation, contributed 27 million gallons of freshwater to critically dewatered rivers and wetlands in California”. Additionally, since 2015 they have been 100% carbon-neutral. Reformation is also accountable for its actions and shares with its customers annual sustainability reports. They use a data tracking scale, Refscale, where customers can track the environmental impact of each piece in its collection.
Price range: $48 for a simple t-shirt and $329 for a dress, topping up to $581 for a formal gown.
4. Studio Jux
Studio Jux, a sustainable, high-fashion label for men and women, was founded in 2008 by Jitske Lundgren who was inspired by a ‘purple man’ in India responsible for dyeing fabrics. Years of daily work with purple dye had turned his skin the same color as the clothes he produced. Impacted by that experience, Studio Jux’s founder Jitske was determined to change the fashion industry and bring a sense of commitment and joy. That was the ethos behind studio JUX, which means ‘fun’ or ‘having a laugh’ in German. Through a handshake program, customers can connect with the makers of their bespoke garments online.
Environmental impact: Each garment is crafted at their own factory in Nepal, which uses electricity generated from renewable sources like hydropower. They only invest in recycled materials such as vegan silk, and mixed twill which consists of high-quality organic cotton, hemp and recycled polyester from PET bottles. They also use recycled paper to make buttons and hangtags. In fact, “in 2017, around 85% of studio JUX’s entire collection was made from environmentally preferred materials.”
Price range: $38 for a strappy top, to $252 for a kimono-style raincoat.
5. Jan ‘n June
It was the classic founder story- two friends, chatting over a bottle of wine about an idea. Not long after that late night chat, Anna Bronowski and Juliana Holtzheimer found the sustainable fashion brand Jan n’ June. Simple and stylish. Cool and elegant. The design duo has been designing sustainable timeless pieces for your wardrobe since 2013.
Environmental impact: All materials used are certified at their factory in Wroclaw. Recycled materials include plastic fishing nets recycled and transformed into yarn. They are also transparent with their Eco ID’s which you can find in every piece from Jan ‘n June. These tags give customers information such as the garment’s designer, the origin of the materials, when it was produced and which resources were recycled.
Price range: $42 for a t-shirt, to $142 for a kimono dress and $176 for a jacket
6. MPCo.
This Los Angeles based brand focuses on using clothing as a platform to advocate for fair labor practices. GOTS certified organic cotton fabrics are cut and sewn into tees in Los Angeles and feature prints of Labor bills to highlight the ethical issues that need to be addresed in the fashion industry.
Environmental impact: Streetwear is brought to the activists’ stage with tees that educate and a brand that advocates for the vulnerable workers working behind the scenes in the fashion industry. They are also transparent, carefully choosing the fabrics and factories along each step of their supply and manufacturing chain.
Price range: $44 – $328
7. Rhumaa
South African based brand Rhumaa unites African street art and fashion to produce beautiful sustainable collections designed to make a positive environmental impact. Each piece has an emotional story and a powerful message by an African-based artist expressed through print, design, colors etc. that you can embrace and share.
Environmental impact: Rhumaa’s website lists 3 green goals that they strive to achieve every day- sustainable fabrics, sustainable practices in our office, and in our deliveries, working closely with our partners and production, and finally, recycle, re-use, reduce. Rhumaa uses their leftover fabrics to create new products, proceeds of which are donated to the Rhumaa Foundation where they strive to support sustainable programs and projects in South Africa. This season the brand has partnered with ‘The Beach Coop,’ an NGO focusing on saving the sea and reducing pollution.
8. Cossac
The eco-hot label Cossac was launched by Agatka Kozak in 2014, a Polish designer, who wasn’t fooled by the glamor of the fashion industry. Her label is committed to slow fashion and sustainability and promotes. She also promotes the minimalist concept of Capsule Wardrobes with trans-seasonal styles and colors, in order to minimize wastefulness and maximize usefulness. Her sassy, feminine designs can appeal to the mainstream fashion customer and compete with the likes of Zara and H&M.
Environmental impact: With regards to sustainability, Cossac is all about optimized production processes, and small production runs. Their small GOT-certified factories in Portugal enable them to reduce transportation and their eco footprint and cost.
Price range: $87 for a top to $230 for a maxi dress
9. Alcana
This s plant-based Australian and handmade brand was founded in 2017. It was born from a desire to incorporate traditional textiles from various cultures and communities into contemporary design. Weaving beautiful stories into our lives is the ethos driving this ethical brand with their neutral, earthy tones and simple designs, that fit anyone’s style and can be worn on every occasion.
Environmental Impact: Alcana implements an ancient dyeing techniques that protect the wellbeing of both the planet and the workers. Herbal plant dying employs the use of medically rich herbs, plant-based materials, minerals and oils. The herbal plant dying process includes 5 steps: desizing, bleaching, mordanting, dyeing, finishing. You can read more about it here.
Price range: $61 for a top, up to $225 for a dress
10. Wasi Clothing
South American textiles are made with love in New York City. Founded by Bolivian-American designer Vanessa Acosta, Wasi aims to be not only sustainable, but also inclusive in terms of skin tones and body types. Slogans highlighting social issues that affect woman from all backgrounds ( Black Lives Matter, Immigration) are boldly emblazoned across the handmade sets she creates in her studio.
Environmental Impact: Stella McCartney has long been using eco-conscious materials. 61% of the cotton they use is organic which doesn’t come from ancient and endangered forests, and in 2016 they replaced all virgin cashmere knitwear with regenerated cashmere yarn. Also, econylon and recycled polyester from fishing nets and plastic water bottles respectively are used to line the brands handbags. Stella McCartney was also the first luxury brand to implement the Clean by Design initiative at its textile mills. Furthermore, all of its stores in the UK are powered by wind energy, and renewable energy abroad.
Price range: $5 for a sticker, to $165 for a dress
11. Epoque Evolution
Epoque Evolution (Epoque means “the emergence of a new beautiful era” in French) was brought to life in 2018 by two friends who traveled together to Morocco. This trip inspired them to create a sustainable collection of versatile tops, sweaters, skirts, dresses, jackets, and trousers that could fit in a single backpack and be worn at all hours of the day.
Environmental Impact: Epoque Evolution’s collections are made from organic, upcycled, deadstock and post-consumer waste recycled fibers and they are low-maintenance (no dry cleaning and no toxic chemicals). For example, its best-selling legging are made from ECONYL which is an 100% regenerated nylon fiber from fishnets and other nylon waste. It also works with mills that manufacture consciously. In fact, one of the mills it works with in Italy recovers 30 million liters of water each year, which are then reused, and 47,000 kilos of selvage (waste) are repurposed.
Price Range: $68 to $228
Jewelry
1. Bar Jewellry
Founded by Sophie McKay in September 2016, ethical accessory label Bar Jewelry is defined both by its minimalist style and its commitment to sustainability. BAR, which is a block of metal in its pure form, is the basic concept behind Bar Jewelry – being stripped back to basics. The brand draws inspiration from vintage pieces, as well as architecture and contemporary art.
Environmental Impact: The majority of pieces are handmade by skilled artisans in local factories in London. They are created from dripped, molten wax moulds and cast in gold-plated or recycled sterling silver that has been refined. Another way the brand tries to reduce its impact on the planet is by avoiding chemicals in the manufacturing process, using wrapping that is plastic- free and printed materials from sustainable sources.
Price Range: $37 for a ring to $547 for a bracelet
2. Loft & Daughter
Loft & Daughter, an ethical and sustainable jewelry and lifestyle brand, came to life in 2017. This brand exists to create maximum social and economic uplift for disadvantaged artisan communities, with minimal environmental footprint. Their unique designs are inspired by the beauty of distant places, and each piece has its own story behind it, which you will be able to find in its description.
Environmental Impact: Loft & Daughter is a transparent brand that is honest about its practices. It doesn’t claim to be perfect, and there is still a long way to go on its sustainability journey. For its homewares, the use of cotton has been eliminated in favor of organic cotton and other vintage textiles which will be explored. It will also develop fully recycled plastic PET cushions (front & back) for its next collection. In regards to jewelry, they are made with silver and gold vermeil. The jewelry pouches are GOTS certified cotton and dyed with natural plant-based dyes
Price Range: $49 – $147
3. Soko
This women-led ethical jewelry brand connects with marginalized Kenyan artisans to create a brand that is ‘profit with a purpose’. This B-Corp company’s minimalist gold jewelry has been worn by celebrities like Megan Markle for their bold designs that are meant to empower women.
Environmental Impact: Soko works on a unique supply chain structure, one where they communicate directly with individual artisans through cell phones. This allows for independence and chance for artisans to work around their own schedules. Materials like recycled brass and used in pieces coated in silver and gold. Also, water recycling ensures that fewer resources are used and wasted.
Price Range: $58 for a ring to $200 for a necklace
4. Omi Woods
Founder of Omi, Ashley Alexis McFarlane combines her Jamaican heritage with her love for everyday jewelry. From her coin necklaces to charm bracelet, each piece is handmade by artisans from metals sourced from small suppliers to ensure that all aspects of the supply chain are ethical. ‘Omi’, the term for water in Yoruba combines the intricate artwork from the past with modern elegance for pieces that you’ll want to be your next heirlooms.
Environmental Impact: Only refined and fair-trade African gold is used. All other metals are conflict-free to ensure fair wages and the safety of the miners involved. Produced in small batches, each piece is handmade working with artisans to ensure fair practices.
Price Range: $79 for a ring to $3500 for a necklace
5. Valerie Madison
Valeria Madison began her eponymous line with a mission to create a trusted jewelry brand that was also pleasing to the eye. With a ‘natural’ aesthetic her jewelry is often a stunning blend of exotic stones such as salt-and-pepper diamonds or pink sapphires molded into hammered gold. Each unique piece is crafted in Seattle to ensure heirloom-quality and tailored-to-you designs.
Environmental Impact: Valerie Madison uses recycled metals that have been certified by the SCS Global Services as being 100% recycled. Recycled stones are also used to further the brand’s environmental initiatives to reduce pollution, greenhouse gases, and to ensure fair labor practices
Price Range: $79 dollars for a ring to $3500 for a ring
6. Devi Arts Collective
Designer Bayousha Mengesha launched her collective of artistically nature-inspired jewelry in 2104. The idea for her line came after her travels promoted her towards being ethically conscious and buying quality ‘slow’ pieces. After sources gemstones from a 3rd-generation gemstone cutting family in India, Bayousha returned to her studio in Vancouver to craft the sustainable jewelry collective that she sells today.
Environmental Impact: Devi Arts Collective pieces are made with artisans in India where stones are sourced and cut ethically.
Price Range: $25 for a ring to $92 for a necklace
7. Arlokea
Arlokea is a sustainable fashion brand and jewelry line that is centered around the idea of making a positive impact on the community that we’re a part of. With an eye for easily wearable pieces, Arlokea focuses on nickle-free materials that can be worn every day, all day long.
Environmental Impact: This ethical spin comes across through the geometric pieces which are sold at an inclusive price range. Upcycled materials are often used in the minimalist jewelry collections to minimize waste. Each piece is transparently presented to share the artisan’s story. Customers can read about who made each beaded earring or brass cuff. Also, the brand partners with various organizations in their community to promote education and inclusivity.
Price Range: $18 for a ring to $60 for earrings
8. Yam
Founded by designer Morgan Thomas, Yam is a blend of vintage beads and pearls tied into gold and silver chains. Bold and dainty, the brand makes a nod to the past cast into the future to create pieces with just the right amount of spalsh to upgrade your daily look.
Environmental Impact: Upcycled metals and vintage stones are used throughout Yam’s collections alongside shiny new gold and ethically sourced stones. All items are made in in-house at the Astoria, NY studio to minimize gas emissions and to ensure fair labor practices. And, each piece is shipped in biodegradable and recycled packaging.
Price Range: $30 for a ring to $260 for pearl earrings
9. Moonstoned
Elizabeth Potts combined her love of history with heirloom jewelry when she founded Moonstoned. It’s an online shop where she features the world’s coolest vintage baubles and each comes with their own unique story. From a 1920s turquoise ring to a Gothic style necklace, each piece is a unique dash of luxury for you to wear and keep forever.
Environmental Impact: Each cameo ring or sapphire brooch is a one-of-a-kind vintage find. That means all metals and gems are pre-loved, sourced from around the globe and come with their own story. The luxury pieces are shipped in recyclable mailers to further reuse what was once loved.
Price Range: $300 for a ring to $5000+
Swimwear
1. Vivida
Vivida is an outdoor adventure lifestyle brand born in 2015. Its mission is to inspire & empower the Vivida community to pursue their passions, create the best & most sustainable activewear clothing and accessories to protect the planet. Its name is derived from “Viva la Vida,” the basis of its philosophy in all that it does, supports and creates.
Environmental impact: In 2019, Vivida signed on as participants of the UN’s Fashion for Climate Action Charter. Vivida’s OrganicEarth line of Tees and Hoodies are made of 100% organic sustainably grown cotton and 95% of water used for their production comes from monsoon irrigation. Also, the factory in India where their clothing is produced is 100% powered by renewable energy. The swim and activewear lines are made of post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, delivered to you in a plant-based material bag that is 100% compostable. Its “no plastic” ethos goes even further by replacing plastic straws with stainless steel ones and using glass water bottles.
Price range: $54 for a bikini bottom, $129 for a one-piece surf suit
2. Wolven
Wolven is a Los-Angeles based athleisure and swimwear brand founded in 2015 by designer Sydney Jones. The female-founded brand’s leggings, sports bras and other athletic styles offer a super comfy and stylish alternative, not to mention that they are also reversible. Wolven’s stunning prints and colors are inspired by nature and the colors of Indian art. Its motto is:
Environmental impact: Make sustainable sexy. Wolven’s swimwear is ethically made in China and its activewear in Los Angeles. All are produced in small batches to minimize waste. OEKO-TEX certified Recycled P.E.T fabric (RPET) (fabric made from recycled plastic water bottles) and modal are used. Wolven has also partnered with Climate Neutral to offset its greenhouse gas emissions, and its minimal, carbon-neutral packaging is biodegradable.
Price range: $54 for a bra, to $104 for a pair of leggings
3. Bikyni
Jude Al-Khalil launched Bikyni, her line of minimalist, classic styles in quality fabrics and at accessible prices in 2015. Their website features a comprehensive fit guide to help you choose the right suit on the first try, and its clean palette of ivory, black, blues, and gingham calls for mixing and matching.
Environmental impact: Bikyni bathing suits are entirely made in Los Angeles from imported high quality Italian fabrics, sourced from a mill that’s been knitting innovative, performance fabrics for over 50 years. Its fabrics are made from rescued waste (like ghost fishing nets) and industrial plastic from landfills and oceans that are processed into nylon.
Price range: $58 for a top/bottom, to $110 for a one piece
4. Baiia
Baiia, which means “one who has the capacity to change the world for the better,” is an Australian swimwear label founded by Amber Boyers in late 2016. Its ethical, reversible, sustainable swimwear is flattering and well-fitting for women of all shapes and sizes. Its philosophy is to empower women to feel confident, self-assured and love the skin they’re in.
Environmental Impact: Baiia uses only the highest quality recycled fabrics. Its recycled nylon is produced in Italy from industrial and post-consumer waste such as fishing nets, carpets, plastic bottles and other discarded plastic. Furthermore, the fabric is certified Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, a world leader in testing fabrics to regulate harmful substances.
Price Range: $66 for a bottom, to $179 for a wrapsuit
5. Natasha Tonic
The Los Angeles-based sustainable brand Natasha Tonic, launched in 2017 “with the intention of changing women’s swimwear for the better.” Its minimal pieces are soft to the touch and are designed for those who like to multi-task. Natasha Tonic does not only work for swimming, but for everyday wear and activewear as well.
Environmental Impact: Natasha Tonic makes its swimwear in China from a fabric based on a unique blend of hemp, certified organic cotton and 4% Lycra, that’s anti-microbial, durable, breathable, biodegradable and UV-resistant. A portion (5%) of sales is donated to help fight against plastic pollution, and the brand has partnered with such organizations as 5 Gyres and Basta con la Plastica.
Price range: $50 for a bottom, to $250 for a yin-yang
6. All Sisters
allSisters is a Barcelona-based brand launched in 2015 by Patricia Caballero and Alba Bisbal. allSisters is inspired by sisterhood, highlighting the bond that exists between women and mother earth. Its collections are all about respecting the female body as well as the environment, and feature minimal designs with geometric motifs and thoughtfully designed pieces cut in athletic shapes.
Environmental Impact: allSisters uses recycled fabrics from Italy made with ECONYL® 100% regenerated nylon. Theses textiles carry the Made in Green by OEKO-TEX® certification, which guarantees that they are tested for harmful substances and that the facilities in which they are made are both environmentally friendly and socially responsible. It also uses upcycled garments made of stock material proceeding from local factories.
Price Range: $50 for a bottom, to $145 for a one-piece
7. Amara Tulum
Lisa Jackson, the founder behind the Tulum-based sustainable swimwear brand, adopts a “from the sea, for the sea” approach. This helped her to blend her love for fashion with her love for the planet. Amara Tulum’s designs are reversible, mix & match, and are made with minimalism, versatility, sustainability and comfort in mind.
Environmental impact: The brand’s Italian fabric is manufactured in a green energy facility. The two game-changing fibers include ECONYL and LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™. ECONYL® is created with regenerated nylon recovered from our oceans through the Healthy Seas project, which helps to remove tons of plastic waste. LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™ is added for quality that’s made to last. Amara Tulum also organizes beach cleanups quarterly in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, South of Tulum. Finally, its boutique is built from an upcycled shipping container, which runs on solar power.
Price Range: $95 for a top/bottom, to $190 for a one-piece
Handbags
1. Cuyana
Founded in 2011 by Karla Gallardo and Shilpa Shah, Cuyana, are accessories that will last a lifetime. San Francisco-based Cuyana’s brand mission of “fewer, better things,” combined with its clean, confident, feminine aesthetic, have established it as a go-to label for fashionable women everywhere.
Environmental Impact: 80% of the pieces at Cuyana are made from 100% natural materials, and created by skilled artisans around the world. For example, its cotton comes from Turkey, its alpaca from Peru, and its straw from Ecuador. Furthermore, it works with the best leather craftsmen in Argentina and Italy. Its tannery partner in Italy is Gold Medal-certified by the Leather Working Group. To minimize its waste Cuyana has established the Lean Closet program in partnership with thredUp, something which encourages its clients to recycle the items they no longer use. You can read more about its sustainability commitments here.
Price Range: $150 to $350
2. ABLE
This U.S-based sustainable fashion brand is on a mission to eradicating poverty through providing economic opportunities for women. The company works with entrepreneurs in Ethiopia, Mexico, Peru, and Brazil to manufacture effortless, feminine and timeless leather bags, clothes, shoes and jewelry. ABLE represents all styles, the bold, the chic, and the elegant, bringing something for everyone.
Environmental Impact: ABLE makes its products by hand to reduce its climate impact. Its jewelry is made in Nashville, TN. Some of the materials it uses for its apparel include cotton, viscose, silk, lyocell and much more. However, there is no evidence it minimizes waste and it tries to reduce its use of hazardous chemicals.
Price Range: $34 for a ring, to $188 for a bag
3. Samara
Salima Visram started Toronto-based SAMARA Bags in December 2017 after launching her non-profit, Soular Backpack, an initiative providing children in East Africa with a backpack outfitted with a solar panel. SAMARA, which is actually named after her sister, later came to fill the gap that was missing in the market: a line of minimalist, high-quality vegan bags.
Environmental Impact: Samara’s commitment to the world is that it will use the most eco-friendly vegan leather there is. The brand uses water-based PU to make its vegan leather which is less toxic than the industry standard PVC. Also, apple leather is a material used a lot for its bags. It is made from the by-product of apple skins (discarded by juicing companies) and its far more environmentally friendly than vegan leather.
Price Range: $50 to $235
4. Telfar
Telfar Clemens created the it bag of 2020. With a waitlist in the thousands, the vegan leather totes with the eponymous ‘T’ have created a frenzy. Yet, the brand has been around since 2014, with its sleek easy-to-wear handbags attracting celebrities and influencers alike. Now, the rest of us are just catching up to the world’s most ‘inclusive’ handbag.
Environmental Impact: All handbags are 100% vegan and packaged in a 100% cotton bag. After winning a CFDA fund in 2017, Telfar used the funds to make the brand more sustainable by choosing their fabrics and the factories that they work with based on their sustainable credibility.
Price Range: $250 for a small bag to $245 for large
5. Kintu
Sarah Nakintu began her line of handbags after finding it difficult to source unique and beautiful handbags. Designed in New York and made by a team of global artisans, Kintu is a feminine line of bags that focus on craftsmanship and slow fashion. Each bag is handmade with brocades from Kenya, leather from Italy, and other of the world’s best materials to ensure that each piece is beautiful and durable.
Environmental Impact: Each bag showcases an artisan’s skills. Saraha works closely along each step of the supply chain to ensure that the people who are making Kintu handbags are being paid fairly and well for their work.
Price Range: $500 to $600
Shoes
`1. Rothy’s
Founded in 2015, Rothy’s is the perfect startup for stylish and comfortable knit flats. Rothy’s flats come in a variety of neutral and bright colors, as well as flashy prints. In addition to women’s flats, the brand sells loafers, sneakers, and kids’ shoes as well as bags. Because of how they’re made, Rothy’s shoes are very light, and flexible, moisture-wicking and machine-washable.
Environmental Impact: The unique upper knits of the shoes are made from 3D-knitted fabric made from recycled plastic water bottles. As of this writing, the company has repurposed more than 60 million water bottles (and counting). The use of sustainable materials doesn’t stop there. The insoles contain recycled plastic water bottles as well and recycled foam, while the rubber soles are carbon-free. Finally, the packaging the items come in is made from 100% recycled materials and is biodegradable.
Price range: $65-$165
Shop: https://rothys.com/womens/new-arrivals
2. Oka-B
Environmental Impact: Oka-B’s flats are handcrafted in Buford, GA from 15-25% recycled materials and are made to order. Also, the brand offers a recycling program in which customers can return their worn shoes to be recycled into material that can be used for future Oka-B shoes. They will even be rewarded by receiving a 15% off promo code for their next purchase.
Price Range: $28 to $60
3. Sylven
Casey Dworkin launched Sylven New York in 2017, a sustainable women’s footwear brand focused on craftsmanship, style and innovation. The brands waterproof shoes are impeccably crafted with a timeless, upscale sensibility and unique details.
Environmental Impact: Sylven’s collections are handmade in Italy, using a combination of bio-based renewable, recyclable, organic and biodegradable materials, like apple leather. The brand also uses recycled plastics and fibers, natural rubbers, water-based glues, chrome-free leathers, natural wood, and more materials made from organic and renewable resources. To limit their environmental impact, they work with TerraCycle to ensure proper recycling and disposal of all unusable parts of their products. Furthermore, when it comes to shipping, every pair is delivered with recycled paper, recycled cotton dust bags, and recycled / recyclable shoe boxes.
Price Range: $350 to $495
4. Beflamboyant
Beflamboyant is a Spanish unisex sneakers brand that is vegan and sustainable. The brand was founded by a vegan couple, Jorge and Tatiana, who share a love for animals, people and the planet. The name they chose represents the stylish, attractive and young spirit of the company.
Environmental Impact: Beflamboyant is PETA approved, which certifies that they produce 100% vegan footwear. They also use recycled materials with GRS certification and OEKO TEX, which provides added value to the customer. To make the upper material and lining, Beflamboyan uses high-quality microfiber, produced with zero CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the removable insoles are made of recycled polyurethane. The cotton parts of the shoes are made with a mix of recycled, organic and virgin cotton and the sole with a 100% recyclable thermoplastic rubber. Lastly, in collaboration with the One Tree Planted organization, for every pair of sneakers sold, Beflamboyant will plant one tree in California, which has seen an increase in wildfires during the past years.
Price Range: $130
5. The Root Collective
The Root Collective Founder Bethany Tran is committed to employing men and women to make unique, quality shoes and accessories and to fighting poverty in Guatemala City. The result is a comfortable, versatile and fashionable shoe with a timeless design.
Environmental Impact: TRC creates handmade shoes in Guatemala using handwoven textiles. They partner with artisans, who create and assemble the shoes in small batches. Even the soles are sewn by hand, using very traditional shoemaking techniques. TRC also packages their products in recyclable and biodegradable materials.
Price Range: $54 to $258
6. Fortress of Inca
Since 2010, Peruvian based Fortress of Inca has focused on creating quality, handcrafted booties, mules, and sandals that are refined, versatile and will stand the test of time. With bold colors, and eye-catching patterns and designs, these native looking boots combined with the modern boot silhouette will make for a very stylish and elegant product.
Environmental Impact: Fortress of Inca’s shoes are made in family-owned and operated factories or workshops that are closely audited. They are manufactured using natural, locally sourced materials – leather, rubber and wood – and responsible production practices that don’t step all over the planet.
Price Range: $160-$275
7. Nisolo
Nashville-based Nisolo (meaning ‘not alone’) is a footwear and lifestyle brand born in 2011 by Patrick Woodyard and Zoe Cleary. With a range of styles and offerings for both men and women, Nisolo focuses mostly on leather: boots, sandals, heels for women and many more. There are also bags, accessories and jewelry made in Kenya.
Environmental Impact: In Nisolo’s Ecosphere+ program, with every product sold, the brand offsets their carbon emissions by donating a portion of their sales toward conservation efforts in the Amazon Basin. As mentioned on their website, to date Nisolo has protected 138,180 trees from deforestation. Furthermore, through its Shoe Reclamation Program and by its partnership with Soles4Soles, Nisolo is collecting used shoes to send to developing countries that can be easily refurbished and resold. And when a participant sends any old pair of shoes to Nisolo, they receive a $30 credit toward a future purchase.
Price Range: $81 for a pair of sandals, to $170 for a bag
8. No Saints
No Saints is an Australian shoe company offering high quality unisex sneakers causing zero harm to animals, people and the planet. No Saints hip and modern sneakers can be worn in all stages of life and in almost every occasion. Currently, the sneakers are in seven different color ways.
Environmental Impact: No Saints’ shoes are handmade by skilled shoemakers in Portugal using the best cruelty-free materials. Some of the company’s sustainable materials include apple leather, pineapple leather and aquabase nappa. Apple leather is crafted in Italy from the apple peels discarded by the juicing industry, therefore avoiding waste. Pineapple leather is made in Spain using pineapple leaf fibers. Lastly, aquabase nappa is a high-quality synthetic leather made in Italy using recycled polyester.
Price Range: $150.37 to $198.21