Let’s face it, the majority of us purchase considerably more clothing than we wear. And, despite our efforts to donate the majority of our outgrown clothing, they nevertheless end up in landfills, adding to the already enormous environmental waste.
We can do more for the environment if we choose slow fashion.
What, though, is slow fashion? Slow fashion emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity. It’s about investing in timeless pieces that you’ll wear season after season, rather than stuffing your closet with trendy (and frequently low-quality) items that are outdated before you’ve worn them twice.
Today, there are hundreds of slow fashion firms dedicated to producing eco-friendly apparel through ethical and sustainable techniques. These brands want you to look great without wreaking havoc on the environment.
Best Slow Fashion Brands
Not sure where to begin your slow fashion buying expedition? These are some of our favorite ethical slow fashion brands that have made it their aim to approach fashion ethically and transparently, while also being mindful of people and the environment:
1. Pact
Pact is a socially conscious brand that goes above and above to ensure that the entire process of producing its ethical clothing is environmentally friendly and sustainable. Pact’s luxuriously soft clothing is crafted from organic cotton that has been certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
Organic cotton is used by the company because it is grown naturally, preserving the health of soils, ecosystems, and people. Organic cotton is grown without the use of hazardous pesticides and consumes 81 percent less water than conventional cotton.
Pact also partners with factories that are Fair Trade CertifiedTM, ensuring that employees are treated decently and paid a living wage. Additionally, these manufacturers employ environmentally friendly manufacturing procedures that produce the least amount of harm to the environment.
Based in Colorado, United States of America. Worldwide shipping available.
2. Everlane
Everlane is one of the brands that aspires to be completely transparent about how their products are made. The brand’s delectably soft cotton tees, cashmere sweaters, and Italian leather loafers are manufactured with the least amount of environmental effect possible.
Committed to sustainability, the firm recycles 98 percent of its water during the manufacturing process. Through a closed-loop water cycle, it saves roughly 1,500 liters of water each denim process. Additionally, it employs renewable energy and air-dries 85 percent of its jeans. This significantly cuts CO2 emissions by 80%.
Everlane is also honest about the cost of manufacturing each piece and does not add an exorbitant markup to the pricing.
3. Summersalt
Summersalt, a vacation apparel business that specializes in swimwear, athleisure, and loungewear, has created an incredibly adaptable and enjoyable collection of clothes. The brand’s travel essentials are both functional and fashionable, ensuring that your vacation is one to remember.
Each garment is ethically manufactured using sustainable materials like as recycled polyamide, regenerative cupro, and cruelty-free wool. Additionally, they are manufactured in WRAP- and sustainably certified facilities.
Packing for your trip will be stress-free with Summersalt clothes, as it mixes fashion and usefulness. Now you can both explore and care for the world.
4. Boden
Boden has been a fixture in the fashion business for nearly three decades. The company is committed to ethical sourcing, fair trading, and responsible business methods, particularly in its factories. Additionally, it incorporates eco-friendly practices across the supply chain.
The brand’s primary objective is to create durable garments that you’ll wear for years to come. Its clothing range includes items for men, women, children, and beachwear. You’re sure to discover something for every member of your family.
Boden is committed to using less polyester in all of its products by the end of 2023 and to using recycled polyester only when necessary. Additionally, the company wants to use 100 percent sustainable cotton by 2023, including a blend of BCI, recycled, and organic cotton.
Based in the United Kingdom’s capital, London. Worldwide shipping available.
5. Outerknown
Outerknown is one of the leading slow fashion businesses, specializing on timeless classics. This environmentally conscious company considers both people and the environment prior to, during, and after production. Outerknown adheres to this by partnering with worldwide companies who pay a living wage and practice sustainable manufacturing.
90% of the fibers used in the manufacture of the company’s products are organic, recycled, or regenerated. Outerknown will repair, replace, or recycle its jeans to keep them out of landfills.
Additionally, this firm is well-known for its innovative products, such as recycled plastic trunks constructed from recycled or renewable fibers.
California, United States of America International shipping available.
6. Thought
Thought is an eco-conscious brand dedicated to designing and manufacturing beautiful, timeless clothes with an emphasis on environmental stewardship. Its purpose is to support long-lasting, leisurely fashion.
Their entire collection is made entirely of natural, organic, and recycled fibers such as wool, cotton, hemp, and Tencel.
The company works exclusively with manufacturers and suppliers that ensure each team member is treated with respect, pays a living salary, and has safe working conditions. Additionally, it sends manufacturing samples each season to assist women who are reentering the industry.
Based in the United Kingdom’s capital, London. International shipping available.
7. Tentree
Tentree offers eco-friendly needs for the entire family. These products are crafted from environmentally friendly and comfortable materials. The company sells loungewear and lifestyle items such as comfy sweat sets, t-shirts, cardigans, skirts, and jackets manufactured from sustainable textiles such as Tencel, hemp, and organic cotton.
Tentree is not only committed to minimizing its influence on the environment, but also takes great delight in providing its clients with better, healthier, and more eco-friendly solutions.
Ten trees are planted for every item purchased as part of Tentree’s commitment to giving back. By 2030, the organization hopes to have planted one billion trees. Additionally, it is on a quest to phase out single-use plastics and completely phase out virgin packaging materials from its supply chain by 2023.
Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. International shipping available.
8. Warp+Weft
Warp+Weft’s clothing is sized inclusive, responsibly produced, and environmentally friendly. This brand specializes on ethical and comfortable jeans for women of all body types and sizes. Women’s jeans sizes range from 0 to 24, while men’s jeans sizes range from 28 to 40. Additionally, everything is under $100!
The company manufactures its own materials in-house, ensuring an ethical and sustainable approach. Additionally, a pair of jeans requires up to ten gallons of water to manufacture, which is significantly less than the typical consumption.
Based in New York, United States of America. Ships to the 48 contiguous United States, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
9. KOTN
Egyptian cotton is used to create Kotn’s ultra-soft fundamentals. Because this cotton is grown slowly and sustainably, it has a beneficial influence on the environment. Additionally, it produces fibers that are longer and more resilient, guaranteeing that fabrics endure longer. Clothing created from slow-grown Egyptian cotton is likewise of exceptional quality.
All of the brand’s clothing is produced in a fair and safe environment, and the brand is even assisting suppliers in making the conversion to organic fabric over the next five years.
Kotn contributes to the development of local communities involved in cotton cultivation as part of its social responsibility. It collaborates with literacy-focused organizations in the Nile Delta and sponsors local school construction in Egypt. Additionally, the organization is assisting additional farms in implementing more sustainable farming practices that benefit both workers and the environment.
Toronto, Canada is the headquarters. International shipping available.
10. Reformation
Reformation offers classic pieces that will remain fashionable long after the season has passed. The sculptures are crafted from biodegradable plant fibers. To strengthen its sustainability efforts, the company repurposes old clothing, invests in resource replacement programs, and operates green-certified retail stores and warehouses.
Additionally, each of these feminine pieces includes information about their environmental impact, demonstrating reformation’s commitment to sustainable production.
California, United States of America International shipping available.
11. ABLE
ABLE is an ethical fashion brand that sells apparel and accessories that are ethically manufactured in eco-friendly facilities worldwide. The brand guarantees that factories pay their employees a living wage. ABLE genuinely reveals their salary for the sake of transparency.
The company is committed to eradicating cyclical poverty by providing economic possibilities for people, particularly women.
When it comes to customer satisfaction, ABLE offers free returns in the event that you do not initially select the correct size or color. You may return any item purchased until you discover the ideal fit for your dream dress, pants, or boots.
Tennessee, United States of America Ships to the United States of America and Canada only.
What Does Slow Fashion Mean?
Slow fashion is a practice adopted by fashion firms that aims to manufacture high-quality fashion garments and accessories with a low environmental effect.
Slow fashion brands consider the manufacturing process and the supply chain. Slow fashion firms are committed to manufacturing high-quality clothes made of durable eco-friendly materials.
Unlike fast fashion, non-fast fashion firms prioritize quality above quantity, which is why they typically produce apparel in small amounts. As a result, rather than chasing fads, they focus on crafting timeless, flexible items that will last for years.
Slow fashion firms also pay attention to the individuals who work in their supply chains, ensuring that they are paid fairly and have a safe working environment.
How To Incorporate Slow Fashion Into Your Habits
Adopting a slow-fashion lifestyle may initially appear complex and challenging, but it does not have to be. Here are some suggestions for getting started:
Purchase less
The primary purpose of slow fashion is to purchase less in order to reduce waste. To begin, take a look at your wardrobe and begin wearing what you already own rather than purchasing new items. Attempt to resist the impulse to wear an item of clothing only once because you believe it is no longer fashionable.
Strive for excellence
When shopping for new apparel, consider pieces that are of high quality and created from sustainable materials. Bear in mind that simply because something is more expensive does not automatically imply higher quality. Therefore, rather of focusing on the price, consider the materials utilized to create the outfit.
Take good care of your garments
You want to make the most of your clothing before discarding it. Understanding how to properly care for your clothing is one of the most effective ways to extend its life. Adhere to the label’s care recommendations, wash and dry your garments at the recommended temperatures and cycles. This will help maintain your clothing in good condition.
While purchasing new clothes each season may be enjoyable, as an eco-conscious citizen, it is past time to abandon fast fashion. It’s time to start shopping from these slow fashion firms that are actively contributing to the preservation of the planet—while also looking fantastic.
