11 Sustainable and Stylish Fashion Brands to Shop

Fashion can be both stylish and kind to our environment, especially since more and more fashion brands are turning to sustainable fashion. Sustainable fashion is made of either natural fibers, such as cotton, hemp, silk, bamboo, angora, cashmere, and wool, or recycled or upcycled fibers. Also, Nichole Dunst of EcoCult suggests that “thrifting will always be the most green option when it comes to shopping, and I believe that a combination of ethically-sourced fashion apparel and thrifted items is the best way to go.”

Sustainable fashion, also known as eco fashion, “is a part of the growing design philosophy, the goal of which is to create a system which can be supported indefinitely in terms of human impact on the environment and social responsibility.” {Wikipedia}

With the average American throwing away nearly 70 pounds of clothing per year, the fashion industry is the second largest cause of pollution worldwide.

In doing some research for this post, I looked around the internet for some sustainable fashion companies and absolutely fell in love with these particular brands. Sustainable garments and products range in price from affordable to luxury.

1. Alternative Apparel – This company makes over 70% of its garments with sustainable materials and processes.

2. Everlane – This online-only shopping site not only has beautiful clothes, but they are affordable as well. I really love their $100 cashmere sweater, which comes in ten different colors.

3. Urban Renewal by Urban Outfitters – This brand features vintage, remade, and recycled garments, making each one unique.

4. ASOS Eco Edit – ASOS is committed to reducing its impact on the world.

5. H&M Conscious Exclusive – This collection is exclusively made from materials like organic silk, leather, linen and cotton, recycled polyester and lyocell, making it one of H&M’s greenest collections ever. For the first time, even beads and sequins are recycled.

6. Patagonia – This company switched to organically grown cotton in 1994.

7. Coclico – This shoe company was recognized for its dedication to sustainable fashion as the winner of the 2013 SOURCE AWARD in the footwear category.

8. Mirabelle – Most of their jewelry is produced by fair trade suppliers.

9. The Little Market – Created by Lauren Conrad and Hannah Svarkla, their mission with The Little Market is “to build sustainable partnerships with artisans from around the world, by connecting them with customers through an online marketplace. We seek to empower women artisans to rise above poverty and support their families.”

10.  Tom’s – For every one product you purchase, Tom’s will help one person in need. “Buying a pair gives a pair.”

11. Stella McCartney – This is the first luxury brand to team up with the Ethical Trading Initiative and the National Resources Defense Council on its Clean by Design program to improve the environmental impact of our textile mills.

Aside from the actual brick-and-mortar stores, you can also find sustainable fashion online, like Everlane and Etsy.

And don’t forget… you don’t have to buy all of your clothing from eco-friendly or sustainable fashion brands to be a more responsible and conscious consumer. And buying ethical fashion does not have to break the bank.

{Image borrowed from Anuschka Rees}

You don’t have to sacrifice style when you purchased sustainable and eco-friendly fashion, or fair trade products. Yes, you can splurge for that Stella McCartney dress or fur-free coats. Just know that there are plenty of eco-friendly, sustainable, and ethical fashion brands that are not only stylish, but affordable.

Host a clothes swap party, or shop your local Goodwill or Salvation Army Thrift Stores. I have purchased some nice pieces from my local thrift stores, including a Chanel scarf, a Hermes scarf, and a Coach crossbody bag.

However you decide to purchase or style your sustainable fashions, just remember to take care of your clothes, buy vintage or second-hand, and support sustainable brands.

Yours Truly,
Vanessa