Sustainable fashion is a term used to describe fashion creations, designs, and production methods that are environmentally friendly and socially responsible. It is a movement that goes beyond just the simple act of buying clothes from ethical brands. It is about creating a holistic lifestyle that honors the planet and its limited, natural resources. This includes using sustainable materials in clothing, reducing waste during production processes, and creating garments with longevity in mind. Sustainable fashion also encourages the use of recycled materials and upcycling of existing clothes to reduce the amount of new textile waste produced.
Convenience and high costs associated with sustainable fashion are one of the reasons most consumers don't easily purchase at sustainable retailers. In this article you can expect to read about:
Types of sustainability labels and certifications you need to look out for
Apps that will help you easily find sustainable fashion brands
6 of our favorite affordable and sustainable fashion brands to follow
Benefits of purchasing at vintage shops
Understanding Key Sustainability Labels & Certifications When Shopping for Clothes
Shopping for clothes can be overwhelming, especially when trying to find sustainable options. To help make the process easier, there are environmental sustainability labels and certifications that you can look for. These labels and certifications indicate that certain standards have been met in regard to the production of clothing items. By understanding what each label or certification means, it is possible to make more informed decisions when shopping for clothes that are ethically made and environmentally friendly.
For example, Fairtrade certification standards ensure fair wages and safe working conditions throughout the entire production process.
Additionally, organic cotton certification requires farming processes that reduce carbon emissions while conserving natural resources like water and soil fertility. Understanding these key sustainability labels and certifications is a great way to make sure that your clothing purchases are helping to support a greener future.
Using Technology to Help Choose Sustainable Clothing Options
Technology has enabled us to have more control over our shopping decisions and reduce the environmental impact of our clothing. Apps for ethical shopping allow us to research and compare different brands to find out how sustainable they are, while AI-powered sustainability rating systems can provide us with personalized product recommendations based on our individual values. With these tools at our disposal, we can make more informed decisions about what we buy, ensuring that we're doing our part to help conserve resources and reduce waste.
Top 3 apps for ethical shopping
TreeClicks - Plant trees for free while shopping online
Are you conscious of the ethical implications of your shopping habits? TreeClicks is a Chrome and Firefox browser extension that allows you to plant trees while you shop online. When you add TreeClicks to your browser, it receives an ad fee, while you are shopping. With this ad fee, TreeClicks invests in tree planting projects, which help absorb CO2 from our atmosphere. It does that all for free, while shopping prices remain the same.
Too Good To Go - Be more sustainable by preventing food waste
Shockingly, nearly 40% of all food waste in America comes from restaurants and stores due to company policies. The Too Good To Go app offers an effortless solution to help reduce food waste, allowing you to select your favorite food or store and pick it up for a discounted price of often more than 50%.
Good On You - Eco Shopping
Good On You makes it easier for consumers to shop in an ethically responsible way. The app simplifies the process of determining a brand's ethical responsibility with its five-star rating system, enabling you to look up a brand and instantly evaluate its ethical performance.
6 Affordable Sustainable Fashion Brands
Sustainable clothing is an increasingly popular option for consumers looking to reduce their environmental impact. When looking for sustainable clothing, it is important to consider both quality and cost. Organic cotton is one of the most sustainable textiles available on the market, but non-toxic textiles and artisan-made clothing can also be a great choice. By understanding where and how these materials are sourced, you can ensure that you are getting the best quality product possible while still staying true to your sustainability goals.
Here is our curated list of 6 shops where you can find sustainable fashion brands:
Clothing
1. Everlane — Ethically-made basics brand for both women and men with transparent pricing. Everlane offers sustainable denim wear starting at $50.
2. Only Hearts — Sustainable intimates, lingerie, and pajamas manufactured in New York. Loungewear starting from $49.
Accessories
3. Baggu — Sustainable line of colorful bags and practical accessories. Bags starting from $12.
4. Catbird — Fine jewelry made in their Brooklyn studio. Jewelry starting from $38.
Shoes
5. Veja — Vegan, fair trade, and B Corp-certified sneakers for men, women, and kids. Shoes starting from $150. Kids' shoes starting from $99.
6. Rothy's — Washable shoes and bags made with recycled materials. Shoes starting from $129.
The Benefits of Shopping at Vintage & Secondhand Stores
Shopping for vintage and secondhand clothes is becoming increasingly popular as people start to become more conscious of the environment.
Vintage and secondhand stores offer a variety of benefits for sustainable shopping. By shopping at these stores, you can help extend the life of clothes, reduce textile waste generated by fast fashion brands, find unique items, save money on your wardrobe, and support local businesses. Moreover, you have the option to upcycle the items you discover and add a personal touch by customizing them through tailoring or engaging in fun, creative DIY projects. With all these advantages in mind, shopping at vintage and secondhand stores is a great way to build a sustainable wardrobe while still looking fashionable!
The Role of Online Stores in Finding Affordable Sustainable Fashion Options
Online stores are increasingly becoming significant in aiding consumers to discover budget-friendly and eco-friendly fashion alternatives. With the rise of online thrifting, it is now easier than ever to find clothes that not only look good but are also eco-friendly. Many sustainability stores also offer discounts as an incentive for customers to shop responsibly.
Online stores have revolutionized the way we shop for fashion items. Not only can you find great deals, but there is also a wide range of sustainable fashion options to choose from. From recycled materials and organic fabrics to upcycled and vintage clothing, there's something for everyone who wants to be more conscious about their purchases.
Key takeaways
By making conscious choices when it comes to what we wear, we can help protect our environment while supporting local businesses that prioritize sustainability practices.
Shopping sustainably is one of the best ways to reduce our environmental impact and do our part for a greener future. It involves purchasing products that have been responsibly sourced and produced, including those made with recycled materials, sustainably-sourced ingredients, or are ethically made.
Want to learn about starting a sustainable business or supporting sustainable initiatives? Join us at our upcoming virtual Emerald Summit: Eco-Business Network event on April 21st, at 11 am EST!
The event is FREE!
You will:
Learn from knowledgeable experts.
Participate in interactive workshops and panel discussions around the latest sustainability developments and innovative solutions to help drive your business forward.
Network with like-minded professionals and help us protect the environment!