Photos and copy by Jess Lambi
It’s been about a year since I’ve been more conscious about the brands and items that I invest in. Lucky for me and everyone else doing the same, there are more options than ever before that make clothing with sustainable practices more accessible. The setback for many people, myself included, can be the sticker shock of many sustainable and ethical brands. It certainly takes a mental switch first and foremost: that saving to buy one item that is made responsibly and will last longer is more worthy of a financial investment than fast fashion, and buying less in the first place is certainly where to start when it comes to shopping sustainability. With that in mind, here are my favorite sustainable brands:
Everlane
My tried and true go-to brand. Even if you’re not seeking out sustainable brands, you may still have heard of or even shopped from Everlane. Their extensive offering of wardrobe basics (denim, cashmere, t-shirts and sturdy shoes to name a few) at a fairly affordable price point means that I am very likely to find anything I could need for my wardrobe here and can also justify buying it! Their boyfriend jeans are my absolute favorite pair of denim that I own and these boots have been on my wish list for quite some time. Not only do they provide transparent pricing to the customer, so you know you’re paying a fair price for the materials and labor of your items, but they have recently launched an initiative to remove all plastic from their supply chain by the year 2021. Read more about it here.
Mejuri
When it comes to ‘everyday’ fine jewelry, you truly can’t beat the quality that Mejuri provides. I’d much rather spend on a piece that’s gold or gold-platted and timeless, as opposed to costume jewelry that will tarnish after a few wears. (Plus, we’re talking about sustainability here– longevity is key!) Even as a minimal jewelry-wearer, this locket is one that I wear day after day, and more often than not, I’m sporting these delicate hoops. Learn more about their materials and processes here. Read about their processes, jewelers and materials here.
Elizabeth Suzann
Based out of Nashville, this made-to-order line makes truly beautiful pieces that are built for function and comfort. Not only do I usually save up for these pieces for a decent amount of time before ordering, but lead times vary from 4-6 weeks after purchase. The wait for them is worth it, I promise! When the items finally arrive, it is so much more satisfactory than instant gratification, and the immaculate quality is just the cherry on top. I absolutely love the Clyde work pants and feel way cooler than I am when I throw on the Harper tunic over a turtleneck and leggings. Their vision of careful, mindful consumption can be read about here.
Reformation
While Reformation is a place I go to splurge (so, not that often) I love that they offer on-trend pieces. While I am a ‘wardrobe basics’ supporter through and through, not all sustainable fashion has to be basic. I love their selection of flirty dresses and tops — Even better, they talk carbon dioxide emissions, energy efficiency and overall standards in depth and even send you a summary of all resources you save by shopping with your emailed receipt. Here are some of my favorites:
Vetta
A local favorite, Boston’s own Vetta Capsule is a great brand if your looking for sustainable pieces to play a key role in creating a capsule wardrobe. Designed to be extremely versatile (5 capsule pieces create 30 outfits!!), the Vetta collection is made responsibly in every sense of the word. If you were to invest in one item, my absolute favorite is the Oversized Sweater. It’s a cardigan, crew neck and turtleneck all in one! When you consider the number of ways each item can be worn, the price is definitely justifiable. Plus, every piece I own is truly an invaluable piece of my wardrobe. Learn all about their sustainable practices here.
Siizu
Based out of New York, this brand promises that sustainability is a driving force behind all of their decision-making. Not only are all of their fabrics 100% natural and sustainably grown, they package their pieces in recyclable paper bags! There’s a ton of information on their website about their factories, fabrics and philosophies, so you can feel good about being an informed shopper. This sleeveless sweater is great as a layering piece for any season and I love this tunic dress as an easy to throw on and look great outfit.
Thank you for this list! I love Everlane and been looking for more sustainable brands!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
So glad you enjoyed it, Rach! –Jess
Everlane is one of my all time favorite brands. You need to add Cuyana to your list of favorites. I love their leather goods so much!
Mine too — And I was just gifted my first piece from Cuyana for the holidays and the quality is absolutely amazing! Thanks Julia — Jess
Another great brand is Peopletree – but sadly the shipping fees from the UK are really high. Sometimes they have some of their stuff on ASOS. Another brand is Amour Vert!
I’ll have to check them out, I have never heard of them before! Thanks for the recommendation, Lia! –Jess
I recently ordered a cashmere sweater from Naadam and I am really happy with it…https://naadam.co/pages/aboutus
Awesome recommendation, thank you!! — Jess