With the growing awareness of the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry, more and more brands are claiming to be sustainable. However, it can be difficult to know which brands are truly committed to sustainability and which ones are just using it as a marketing ploy. In this blog post, we will provide guidance on how to evaluate and choose sustainable fashion brands, including what to look for in terms of materials, production methods, and labour practices.
When choosing sustainable fashion brands, it's important to look for brands that are transparent about their materials, production methods, and labour practices. Look for brands that use sustainable materials such as organic cotton, linen, hemp, recycled polyester, Tencel and bamboo, and that produce their garments using sustainable production methods such as closed-loop production, low-impact dyeing and zero waste production.
Additionally, it's important to look for brands that have fair labour practices. This means that the brand should not use child labour and should pay workers a living wage. Brands that have certifications such as Fair Trade, Global Organic Textile Standard, and SA8000 are often a good indication of fair labour practices.
Another important consideration is the brand's commitment to circular economy, this means that the brand should have a closed-loop system, where they have a program for repair, recycling or upcycling their garments. Brands that have certifications such as Cradle to Cradle, Global Recycled Standard are often a good indication of a circular economy approach.
Popular sustainable fashion brands to consider include Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, Stella McCartney, Everlane, and Allbirds. These brands are known for their commitment to sustainability, transparency, and fair labour practices.
In addition, smaller sustainable fashion brands such as, Altid, Young Goat, and GreenAF who are all on Greenmarket are also worth considering. These brands are often smaller, independent companies that have a more personal approach to sustainability and are more likely to have a close relationship with their suppliers and manufacturers.
By choosing to shop with sustainable fashion brands, we can support companies that are committed to reducing the environmental and social impact of the fashion industry. Additionally, by supporting sustainable fashion brands, we can also help create a more sustainable consumption pattern, by purchasing quality, timeless pieces that can last for years, thus reducing the need for constantly buying new clothes. As consumers, we have the power to drive change in the fashion industry by choosing to support sustainable fashion brands and by making conscious and informed choices about the clothes we buy.