So you want to shop ethically? Here are the basics.
What's greater than shopping from the comfort of your own blanket burrito? Shopping from sites that promise sustainability and on-trend looks.
Here's a running list of websites which cater to the sustainable consumer looking for some high-quality basics. I will be grading each on the basis of:
1. Price. Sustainable options that don't break the budget are a must-have.
2. Trendiness. Are they actually clothes I want to wear?
3. Overall Sustainable Initiatives. What other incentives does the business provide that I should be swayed to purchase from them? i.e, do they promote women's wellness in the garment industry? Do they have environmental goals?
KowTow Clothing is New Zealand based clothing brand with near-to-perfect sustainability grading and fair-labour initiatives.
Price: $$$. Most garments will cost you a pretty penny. The sale section, too. However, the cost of the garment is reflective of the high-grade, approved organic cotton, with fair-trade dyes and sustainable trims. Top it off, even their packaging is sustainable!
On-Trend: 5/5. Their newest line is definitely on-trend, with boxy basic and retro looks, you'll surely be feel edgy and adorable.
Initiatives: 5/5. This line gets it right. From 'seed-to-garment', every item is handmade from organic fabrics by workers under fair contracts. Their ethical and sustainable values are all laid out here.
It's no doubt that this Australian label sells some super cute basics. Their slogan: "supporting wardrobe essentials".
Price: $$$. A simple linen dress like the one pictured below can cost you around $150. In fact, most of their items are above the $100 mark.
On-Trend: 3/5. Was I blown away? Not necessarily. But, they do have pretty basics.
Initiatives: 4/5. This brand uses all fair-trade, organic and ethically sourced fabrics and materials. Their packaging is 100% recyclable and they refuse to ship their products in plastic packaging.
This brand's products are quite literally pieces of art. The vision: multicolour, hand-woven and dyed fabrics hand-sewn into a plethora of styles. J&J's wardrobe options are limitless and stunning.
Price: $$$$. The most pricey one we've seen so far. I personally wouldn't be able to buy a $240 top, but I'm sure somewhere out there can. Go nuts.
On-Trend: 4/5. I mean, you can't really mess up a basic.
Initiatives: Every garment is handmade in their Nashville studio with hand woven, marbled and dyed fabrics. Super cool.
This brand makes basics into unique fits. I think the strongest thing about this brand is their social media presence and ability to showcase their "basics" in super unique and breathtaking ways; all while maintaining an heir of relaxed and refined looks.
Price: $$. Totally doable. A little less expensive than the brands we've explored, but still a little on the pricey side. The benefits of this however are evident in the quality. You know you're buying some top-notch cloth.
On-Trend: 4/5. Although their garments are comparable to the basics from J&J and Bon Label, their Instagram gives a better showcase of their products and ways in which they can be uniquely worn.
Initiatives: Fabrics are sourced from a family-run local mill in California and dyed and knitted in the US as well.
Where has this store been hiding? Imagine if Lululemon and Urban Outfitters had a sustainable baby. This is what it would look like. Totally affordable pieces that are unique and (probably) comfy.
Price: $. The sale section is amazing. You can buy bralettes and undies far cheaper than Pink or Victoria Secret and you don't have to feel guilty. Also, their workout gear trumps those brands as well.
On-Trend: 4.5/5. I have a sudden urge to buy sweatpants with the excuse that I'll (maybe) work out in them. Their "Movement" line is super cute, less expensive than hyper expansive sport brands and they're probably made better too.
Yes. Yes and Yes. This sweatshop and discrimination-free brand has affordable and trendy garments with the most adorable/affordable jewelry I've come across this far.
Price: $. (If there was a half a dollar sign, I would've used that). So affordable, I'm actually a little sketched out.
On-Trend: 3.5/5. Yes! Again, I think in the sustainable-fashion industry, the foundational platform is usually high-quality basics. But the kicker was the sustainable jewelry. A girl can never have too many rings... or earrings.. or necklaces...
Initiatives: 3/5. Discrimination-Free/Sweatshop-Free and uses organic/fair trade cotton. Pretty good.
The queen of all sustainable brands. A-List celebs like Emily Ratajkowski, Karlie Kloss and Jessica Alba are often seen sporting this one-of-a-kind brand. My fave part of their brand? Their denims! They have the most perfect tailored looks and each garment has a sustainability-breakdown called 'RefScale". This scale breaks down how much you are saving in carbon dioxide, water and waste by purchasing this garment as opposed to an unsustainable one.
CONCLUSION
I don't wan't people to feel like they are unable to buy sustainably due to pricing or accessibility. It's clear that there are a plethora of options available that are just a click away. Yet, it's understandable that these garments come with a pricey tag. We're so used to hyper-manufacturing and the 52-week style season that it's easy for us to pop into Forever 21 for a super cheap top, whilst forgetting that it's poor quality, made in horrible working environments, with crappy waste management. The pricey tag is a due to the foundational ethics behind the garment; it costs money to provide the fair wages, organic fabrics, and proper waste management.
So, ultimately, it's a matter of choosing to invest in clothing; have less garments of higher quality. Realistically, if I added together all of the low-quality jeans that have torn on me within a couple months, I would've been able to buy a couple "pricey" jeans that would've lasted me much longer. It's the conscious choosing of garments and deciding what you need and the things that will last which will change the way you consume and (ideally) change the planet.