Sustainable fashion is one of the most talked about areas of the fashion industry at the moment. Sustainability is super important for a lot of people at the moment, and many of us are choosing where we spend our money wisely, picking sustainable fashion brands that have a focus on green, eco-friendly practices.
To help you make the best decisions when it comes to sustainable fashion choices, this blog will highlight some of the best brands out there making positive changes in the world of fashion. Let’s dive in!Â
1. Zara
Zara’s sustainability initiatives haven’t always been obvious – they’ve not always shouted about the eco-friendly things they’re up to. However, they’re making massive progress in their sustainability goals through their Join Life initiative, something which they started almost 20 years ago.Â
The retailer has tightened up its social and environmental objectives over the years as they aim to become more transparent about their manufacturing and distribution processes, and they’re constantly evaluating the materials it uses, its production methods and how it manages its employees, so they’re definitely one to watch in the new year.
2. Patagonia
Patagonia are an American clothing company known for their sustainability initiatives, and this year they’re taking things to another level. In recent clothing lines, they’ve used almost 90% recycled materials, and all of their cotton is grown organically. They’re also champions of fair trade, and over 50,000 of their own workers are part of its Fair Trade program, giving back to more than 75,000 workers in 10 countries around the globe.
3. H&M
The German brand H&M is a bit of a wildcard as not many would expect them to be on this list. They’ve been known for their fast fashion for a long time, which is damaging to people and the planet, but it’s taking significant steps to change that by 2030. Its Conscious collection is made of organic materials, like cotton and recycled polyester. In addition to this, they’re working on overhauling their production methods to make sure that their environmental footprint is lowered. To try and make the whole thing circular, H&M are also helping customers recycle old clothing in store for a discount.
4. Tentree
Tentree is a really interesting one, because the company plants ten trees for every order. What’s even more interesting is you’ll get a code so you can track the growth of your tree! They aim to plant one billion trees by 2030, which will help to improve the environment. What’s more, Tentree’s clothing lines are made from ethically sourced materials like cork, coconut and recycled polyester. They also produce their garments in ethical manufacturing facilities.Â
5. Stella McCartney
It might cost a pretty penny, by Stella McCartney’s products are pioneering in the world of sustainable fashion. Her father and mother, Paul McCartney of The Beatles and Linda McCartney, are famous activists and advocates for a number of good causes, and Stella McCartney has been following in her parents’ footsteps ever since. Since they were founded, she has prioritised eco-friendly, regenerative materials and sustainable manufacturing processes, which is quite rare in high-end fashion companies.Â
6. Veja
Veja has become wildly popular in recent years for its iconic trainers. It’s no surprise that Sébastien Kopp, the co-founder of Veja, said that the key to sustainability is to go out and learn about the environment. He said that sustainability is not just about numbers on a spreadsheet, its about the ground beneath your feet. “To meet the people that are doing your clothes or shoes, to visit the factories, to go to the organic cotton fields – those are the most inspiring moment for us. It keeps you in reality, and we think that is what our world needs: less talk, fewer words, and more reality. We don’t tell others to change but put all our energy towards changing ourselves.”
7. Levi’s
Levi’s is another high-street brand that prioritises sustainability practices. Denim is quite damaging to the environment as it uses a lot of water to produce, so since 2021, Levi’s has reused over 9 billion liters of water, through its Water<Less® technology, helping it reduce waste water when it produces its jeans and other clothing. While they still have a way to go in their sustainability journey, this iconic brand is showing massive improvements, so smaller brands are sure to follow.
