Consumers have gotten used to paying very little for clothing. And to accommodate us, brands have found ways to make garments cheaper and cheaper. This means using low-quality materials that are not as durable, and paying as little as possible for labor, which sometimes means exploiting workers in poor countries. “The truth is that the fashion industry is all about making us look good at the expensive of other people,” says Natalie Kay Costello, founder of Sustainably Chic, a media platform that helps consumers find more ethical clothing, FastCompany.com reported.
The good news is that there are many resources available to navigate the murky world of fashion. There are several organizations that examine fashion brands closely and give reports about how environmentally sound they are. The advocacy organization Remake releases an annual Fashion Accountability Report that scores the biggest fashion brands on the market based on traceability, raw materials, workers’ wages, and more. Startup Good On You finds eco-friendly brands and rates them across 1,000 data points. And media platforms like Costello’s Sustainably Chic and the Clotheshorse podcast often share lists of eco-friendly brands.
If you’re in search of an article of clothing and are worried about the materials in your clothes or how workers are treated, here are some companies for you to check out.
Pact makes its products from certified organic cotton and it is one of the most affordable eco-friendly brands on the market. It is a great source for basics, T-shirts, sweatshirts, dresses, and even underwear and bras.
Remake gives Everlane high marks in its report, thanks to its traceability, worker’s wages, and commitment to environmental goals. The brand makes a selection of jeans, starting at $98, that are designed to be flattering. They’re made using organic cotton in factories that preserve water.
DL1961 are higher-end jeans beloved by celebrities like Gigi Hadid and Jessica Alba. The company recycles textile waste salvaged from landfills and uses a waterless manufacturing process. The resulting jeans are sleek and flattering, thanks to technologies like InstaSculpt, that comfortably conform to your body.
You’ll find everything you need for the office from little black dresses to suits to button-down shirts; for casual options, there are simple sweaters and jeans. Clothes are reasonably priced: A T-shirt costs $48 and a trench coat runs $198. The entire brand is committed to women’s welfare, with clothes made in women-owned factories that pay a living wage and ensure the safety of workers.
At a slightly higher price point, Amour Vert offers a wide selection of office-appropriate dresses, along with blazers and jackets. The brand is known for its responsible supply chain, certifying fabrics and fibers. It often uses deadstock fabrics, and plants trees for every T-shirt sold. /BGNES