And look, as a disclaimer I AM NOT PERFECT! Half of my closet is from fast fashion companies, some of my BIGGEST brand deals are with fast fashion companies, but I am working towards change, which in my opinion is most important. We have to at least TRY. Another topic I will touch on in the future.
I know what you're thinking though, "Olivia, how can we shop 'slow fashion' if it's so expensive?" This is exactly why I am starting this segment with this post, because the fact of the matter is, sustainable, slow fashion can be EXPENSIVE. Like hello $400 dress that's vegan and made to order. It's hard to be convinced of something so big when the potential outcome will burn a gaping hole in your pocket. WELL here I have for you some brands that I really like, that you can actually AFFORD!! They are all sustainable and not RIDICULOUSLY expensive! Take a look :)
There are a few things I really like about Everlane. First that they stand for being "radically transparent" which means they share all their information with the customer, and it's the information you like to see, like their usage of ethical factories, sourcing the finest materials and more. Second, they aren't about trends, they are about quality over quantity, meaning that they are made to last and aren't making to waste. Third, and not so much to do with their actual clothes, but browsing around their site, I noticed that none of their models are airbrushed, and are of all sizes, something really admirable for a company.
shop underwear here // shop shirt dress here
Peoples Tree is proud to be one of the first fully fair trade fashion brands ever. All of their products are hand made by artisans around the world who are being paid well and are supported by the fair trade standards of the world. They work primarily with organic fair trade cotton farmers, producers, garment workers, and artisans in the developing world to help create "a new type of fashion business"
shop romper here // shop button up here // shop peplum top here
Starting out as a small menswear company, Thought's main goal back in the early 2000s was to make thoughtful clothing that is lightweight, feels good on, and feels good to buy, knowing that you are supporting an ethical and sustainable practice of making. The biggest point for Thought in my opinion is that they use natural fabrics made to order. Coming from plants like naturally grown bamboo, hemp, cotton and wool, which are naturally just better for the Earth than plastic based fabrics you find in most stores. Their motto is, "Wear me, love me, mend me, pass me on" The clothes are meant to last a long time, and the motto is a reminder to look after what we own with care.
shop yellow top here // shop chambray top here // shop jumpsuit here
Mayamiko is so much more than their amazing textiles and fun silhouettes. They are a superstar brand! Not only are they 100% vegan, but they are also a zero waste, solar power using, locally sourced, package conscious, tree planting, and wash conscious company. Seriously guys this is the company to look into. They are constantly working to lower their carbon footprint and do well by the ways of the Earth. On their site you can see all of their makers, and who they collaborate with, they are transparent and trustworthy, everything you want in a brand.
shop jumpsuit here // shop tie front dress here // shop shift dress here
Able does have more than shoes, BUT I wanted to highlight them as being both affordable, adorable, and ethical and the only brand I have featured that has some fabulous shoes. Able is a fantastic brand by women, for women giving women a second chance at a better life. Creator of Able, Barrett Ward noticed while living in Ethiopia that many woman would resort to prostitution in extreme poverty when they had no other means to support their families and themselves. Ward wanted to change that, giving woman a better, safer job and would eventually get them out of the ruthless cycle trap of poverty. Now, when you buy from Able, you are supporting all women and giving them a new chance in a healthy work environment.
shop yellow mules here // shop brown sandals here // shop booties here // shop bow heels here
Similar to other brands I have featured here, Alternative Apparel is proud to be a fair trade, eco friendly brand. They use organic cotton, post-consumer recycled polyester, low impact dyes, and eco friendly packaging. And they are the perfect company for lounge wear. It's so important to buy all/most clothes through slow fashion, not just statement pieces, and you can never leave out the comfy clothes. Clothes like t-shirts and other loungewear is actually some of the biggest contributors of waste through fast fashion. But more on that later.
shop hoodie here // shop sweat pants here
Not only is Dazey a handmade to order company, minimizing all waste, but they are also a fantastic company made to empower women! Graphics are hand drawn and designed by creator, Dani Nagel who sets out to spread good vibes to women. She touches on political issues, mental illness, female empowerment and so much more. Her graphic tees go beyond any other graphic tee, they have meaning and a story behind each one. All made start to finish in Los Angeles, DazeyLA is proud to be a 100% slow fashion, locally sourced brand. They now even have feminist tees for men too, because feminism is for everyone! Heck yeah!
shop She is We tee here // shop Stand for Something tee here // shop normalize nips tee here
Lastly, Stava. An activewear company made sustainably and made to last. Stava is proud to source their fabrics from only the most ethical places. Workers are treated fairly and ethically in India and proceeds of every purchase go back to workers, supporting a more healthy and comfortable life for them. Every fabric is made from organic cottons and other plant-based, natural products. Satva is the activewear company you can trust.
shop top here // shop leggings here
I could go on and on about which brands to buy and not to buy, if you're looking for the cheapest alternative, there is ALWAYS Goodwill and other thrift stores, when in doubt, shop second hand, that is the best and easiest way to recycle clothing, and at least in my experience, I find the BEST thing at thrift stores.
More to come on this topic, I am super excited to get this started here. It is so important and there really no time to waste with it, you can never be overeducated when it comes to ways to help our planet. So with that in mind, stay tuned for more soon! Happy shopping!! xo, O
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