If you're looking for a completely eco-friendly fashion line, I have some unfortunate news for you: there isn't one.
The truth of the matter is that making a new product, in terms of materials and transportation methods, is always going to cause the earth some discomfort.
Brands can do some compensation by making changes to leave them as unharmful as possible.As a consumer, your best option is to buy nothing at all. However, at some point, I'm sure the need will arise for you to purchase a new piece.
In that case, your next best option is to purchase high-quality materials that have been produced ethically and locally. Lindsay of Mute Style says, "Remember that bargains have a heavier cost on the environment. Ethical clothing is more durable." While many ethical clothing lines have heftier price tags, the material is often of higher quality and will last longer than most retail material, which is designed to be purchased, worn a few times before a trend is over, then thrown away.
Just in time for the holiday shopping season, here are a few eco-friendly options hand-picked by Mute Style and yours truly:
1. Literally any thrift store.
If foregoing clothes shopping forever can't be an option, thrift shopping is second best. While I'd recommend hitting up your local shops first, don't count out sites like Ebay, Etsy, or Goodwill. These stores and sites are where you can find "some of the most unique and personal Christmas gifts," says Lindsay.
By buying thrift, you're saving clothes from a trip to the landfill, and you're also saving money as a result. Win-win!
2. Everlane
Everlane, Mute Style's personal favorite, is another clothing brand that values transparency. Not only do they enforce ethical guidelines, but they will also tell you exactly how much it costs to make each of their products. Transparency at its finest.
3. Tentree.
For each item you purchase from Tentree, this Canadian company will plant ten trees and will let you track them after they have been planted. So far, Tentree has planted over 9.5 million trees!
I have purchased a few items from Tentree myself, and I have been extremely pleased with the quality of their products. However, I did notice after the clothes arrived that they had been made in China. The tag insists that they were crafted sweatshop-free, which is a relief for me, but it still took massive amounts of fuel for those clothes to get here. In the future, I'd say the more local, the better, but I'm still more than okay with casting a vote against cruel labor practices.
4. Elroy
Elroy, another Mute Style fave, prioritizes providing income to artisans areas around the world with low income and employment, offering consumers pillows, blankets, clothing, and accessories.
5. Amour Vert
Heads up: Amour Vert is not cheap, but it does seem to be making conscious efforts to produce clothing with ethically sourced materials. Remember, we're looking for responsible, high-quality materials! The pieces on their site are gorgeous, so if you're looking to splurge, this just might be the place to visit.
6. Fair Trade Winds.
Fair Trade Winds also has items that can be on the pricier side of the spectrum. Still, I think we can appreciate their concern for treating workers ethically, using and sourcing materials responsibly, and producing items locally, and I have a feeling these products will last longer as well.
7. Brilliant Earth.
Brilliant Earth was founded in 2005 and sells responsible jewelry, including wedding and engagement rings. Rings are made of recycled metals and responsibly sourced gems, and the company claims to enforce fair labor practices. They also sell beautiful antique pieces. Even if you don't have the spare cash to buy something, it's a fun place to window shop.
8. H&M Conscious Collection
H&M is currently making efforts to become a more sustainable brand, one of them being their Conscious collection. You can also find recycling bins for old clothes in their stores, and by 2020, they aim to have all cotton used in their clothes come from sustainable sources.
What are some of your favorite sustainable brands?
