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Sustainability has become a trending topic for fashion brands that want to appeal to environmentally-conscious millennial shoppers. According to Business of Fashion, 66 percent of millennials are willing to spend more on brands that are sustainable, and the demand from customers that brands be held accountable for waste and their carbon footprint is projected to skyrocket. As a fashion lover and someone who Googles things like, “Great Pacific garbage patch news” (here’s where your trash ends up, btw), I’m breathing a small sigh of relief that people—and companies—are starting to care more.
Stella McCartney was a sustainability pioneer in the luxury sector (she launched her fur-free, leather-free business in 2001, despite many skeptics), and labels including Everlane and Reformation are leading the charge in creating eco-friendly, fashion-forward clothes, proving that you can look nice and be nice to the planet. But these brands are not alone in tackling the issue of sustainability in fashion. More and more companies are setting out to do the same, and we’ve rounded up 33 that we love to celebrate Earth Day. From footwear to handbag labels, these retailers are changing the planet…and the way you shop.
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Secteur 6
Secteur 6 is here to save the environment by “changing the world one look at a time”. This past February, Secteur 6 had their first show at New York Fashion Week, sending beautifully bright, relaxed silhouettes and more structured utilitarian designs down the catwalk—proving that there is chicness to be had in sustainability. Founded by two brothers from Delhi, India Secteur 6 wants to do more than jump on the bandwagon of being a sustainable fashion brand. Their mantra is for their clothing to “regenerate the environment”; meaning, the production of their collection not only will be manufactured to minimize the impact on the environment but will also to renew and restore the growth of the land.
Our pick: Long Slit Dress, $325
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Amour Vert
With a brand whose name is French for “Green Love,” you know you’re on the right track when looking for sustainable and beautiful clothing. Amour Vert takes their fabric production seriously, from beechwood blends that are sustainably harvested and biodegradable to organic cottons that are free of pesticides—and other ‘icides’ that we can’t pronounce, so obviously they shouldn’t be on our skin—to many other fabrics that are all sustainably sourced and produced. But that’s not all they do! One of Amour Vert’s biggest contributions to the environment is when you purchase an Amour Vert t-shirt they will plant a tree in North America. They have planted more than 300,000 trees since they started this initiative in 2010.
Our pick: White Havana Stripe Tee, $48
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AGMES
We love a locally made jewelry line, and extra points if its sustainable! Meet AGMES, a New York City jewelry brand who is keeping their carbon footprint small by making timeless handmade treasures out of recycled metals. (You might recognize them from the March issue of Marie Claire on our “Worth It: Pearl Earrings” page.) This brand is a no-brainer with their eye for architectural designs and no metal waste process.
Our pick: Baroque Patrice Earrings; $450
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Mandkhai
Here’s how to rework your wardrobe to be sustainable, ethical and still keep it on trend. Mandkhai is a women-owned and led cashmere brand that is fashion-forward and focused on keeping their carbon footprint low. Mandkhai makes sustainable cashmere pieces for men and women and has famous celebrity fans like Jennifer Lawrence and Sienna Miller, who have been spotted walking the city streets in their oversized jumpers.
Our pick: Hand Embroidered Jumper, $1,240
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Loup Charmant
Loup Charmant brings to mind the look of your next luxury vacation. All their designs are airy and effortless, transforming the girls who wear their pieces into modern-day Greek goddesses. And if thats not enough, most of their collection, from their dresses to their trousers to their peasant blouses, are made from organically grown cotton, crafted in New York City since 2006.
Our pick: Kitta batwing-sleeve cotton mini dress; $350
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Irwin Garden
Irwin Garden makes sustainability look sexy and simple. Manufactured in New York City, Irwin Garden sources locally and produces timeless pieces in quality biodegradable fibers. This artisanal brand reminds customers that thoughtful handmade clothing stands the test of time. It also never hurts to look absolutely stunning when saving the environment.
Our pick: Lauren Cinched Blouse; $475
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Teva
Joining the sustainability club this year is our old friend Teva! Who hasn’t owned a pair of their own at some point? Well, they are back in a big fashionable way, thanks to brands like Anna Sui including them in her spring collection and designers like Cecilie Bahnsen and Simone Rocha using their own Teva inspired versions for spring. At the beginning of this year Teva announced that 100 percent of their iconic straps will be made from recycled plastic. This has already kept millions of plastic bottles out of our oceans and landfills.
Our pick: Hurricane XLT2; $70
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Re/Done
Re/Done is as simple as that: redone. Founded in Los Angeles in 2014, denim enthusiasts, Sean Barron and Jamie Mazur wanted to bring sustainability to denim. Thus Re/Done was born, by respecting the broken-in love that an old pair of jeans retains. They carefully selected pairs of pre-worn Levi’s, took them apart at the seams and re-worked them to give them a new life. All of Re/Done’s denim is not only recycled but is manufactured in downtown Los Angeles, using water conserving practices and no harsh chemicals to keep their products environmentally friendly.
Our pick: High Rise Loose; $300
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Mother of Pearl
Mother of Pearl is a luxury sustainable womenswear brand that launched in 2002 and is led by creative director Amy Powney. The products are made from organic and natural materials with a transparent supply chain. On its website, each product has specific sustainable attributes listed so you’ll know if the item is made of natural fibers or if it didn’t pollute the water in its production. Powney’s sustainable designs have been picked up by retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Goop, and is featured in Net-a-Porter’s Net Sustain category.
Our pick: Jamie biker jacket, $995
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TOAST
TOAST not only offers long-lasting, beautiful products, but also approaches each offering with a sustainable mindset. The brand works with artisans from around the world to create original fabrics and handmade pieces. The collections, meanwhile, are created using 85 percent natural fibers and by 2022, the brand will eliminate all single-use virgin plastic from its supply chain. Now this is a brand worth investing your money in.
Our pick: Seersucker cotton wrap dress, $245
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Leismo Jewelry
Leismo Jewelry is the place to shop if you want a wider, curated selection of reputable eco-conscious jewelry designers. They currently carry ARTICLE22, Mata Traders, Melissa Joy Manning, and SOKO. Whether it be a pair of drop earrings or a gemstone ring with that special earth-friendly touch, you’ll find something cute within the curations.
Our pick: Single ring cuff, $175
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Another Tomorrow
The three pillars for recently founded fashion brand Another Tomorrow are “human, animal, and environmental welfare.” The company uses strictly organic cotton, organic linen, and organic wool versus polyester or even silk and offers a transparent look into their suppliers in Italy and Portugal too.
Our pick: Seamed slip dress, $545
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Out of the Woods
Out of the Woods creates bags from its trademark “Supernatural Paper,” which simply means the material comes from trees that are responsibly harvested and replanted. The result is a line of totes—we love the wine re-useable wine holder—that are durable and rustic-looking. A fun fact: When producing Supernatural Paper, 93 percent of the water is returned to the eco-system in its original clean and safe condition while the remaining 7 percent is lost through evaporation.
Our pick: Wine tote, $8
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Voloshin
Voloshin was founded in 2017 by husband and wife duo Amy and Leo Voloshin. Together, the two produce beautifully crafted bohemian-style womenswear, ranging from flowy dresses to breezy tops. The couple works with skilled artisans in India, with a focus on fair labor and ethics, and uses natural biodegradable fabrics for their line. In addition, they opt for organic materials and all their collections are produced in low batches to minimize waste. So if you like something, get it ASAP before it’s sold out.
Our pick: Floral wrap dress, $194
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Industry of All Nations
Industry of All Nations is a Los Angeles-based company that partners with Bolivian Alpaca farmers to make and distribute precious Alpaca knitwear and more. Each spring, farmers shear the thick winter coats of the animals so they can graze comfortably in the summer heat. Their wool is then spun into yarn and taken home by artisans who hand knit each piece. No dyes are used, so the Alpaca’s original coat color remains. After the pieces are made and quality control is ensured, the garments are then shipped to IOAN for consumers.
Our pick: Alpaca hand knit sweater, $380
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Opus Mind
Opus Mind follows the circular fashion method, which means there is zero waste coming from the brand. The company sources and repurposes leather scraps from RecycLeather to create its crossbody bags, totes, backpacks, and pouches. To take it one step further, the products are all made in Florence, Italy, by a family-owned factory that was passed down through three generations. If you’re looking for a durable, quality bag that lasts for years (and helps the environment!) your search ends here.
Our pick: Black backpack, $425
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Irina Victoria Jewelry
For everyday minimalist jewelry you can layer on without a fuss, you’ll want to check out Irina Victoria Jewelry. The designer hand crafts all her jewelry from recycled precious metals and above-ground gemstones. In addition to the simple, beautiful aesthetic, the brand also offers a charitable component: Five percent of profits from all orders go to wildlife conservation. Fans of the brand include The Bachelor contestants and Priyanka Chopra.
Our pick: 14k mini letter necklace, $264
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Hours New York
Launched in June 2019 by Naaz Gulati and Harroop Gulati Kaur, Hours New York is a new plus-size sustainable fashion label. The founders noticed a lack of inclusive sizing especially when it came to conscious shopping, so the brand offers a variety of tops, dresses, coats, and sweaters in sizes 14 to 28, with every piece made from up-cycled fabrics and in factories that do not use child labor. The prices are affordable, too, ranging from $38 to $178.
Our pick: The Willow dress, $88
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Seek Collective
Seek Collective employs sustainable practices, like using natural dyes and hand block printing. Everything is made by artisan communities in India, a place where designer Carol Miltimore has spent a lot of time (she completed an artist-in-residence program there while visiting the country’s craftspeople.) You’ll find everything you need on the website, from dresses to outerwear—all made with an eco-friendly mindset.
Our pick: Athens dress, $182
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Tentree
Tentree offers a bit of everything, including easy-to-wear dresses and sweatpants and joggers, for both the lounge lizards and outdoor enthusiasts. The brand’s latest release is the Earth Capsule in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. In addition to making sure everything is sustainable and planting 10 trees (pun intended) for every item purchased, they have introduced carbon offsetting packages that challenge customers to become Climate+. To date, Tentree has planted over 42 million trees with a goal of 1 billion by 2030.
Our pick: W t-shirt dress, $58
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Outerknown
World Surf League Champion Kelly Slater and designer John Moore founded Outerknown in 2014. It’s rooted in creating pieces with long-lasting materials while providing fair wages to factory workers. Outerknown first launched with a sustainable menswear line, but the company officially made the jump into womenswear last month. The line offers a variation of tees, tanks, dresses, and pants made from fibers that are 100 percent organic, recycled, and/or regenerated, with prices ranging from $48 to $168. The brand is completely transparent in its method of crafting these pieces, from a “meet the suppliers” section and a “code of conduct” for its customers.
Our pick: La Luna cami dress, $168
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Taylor and Thomas
Fans of Stella McCartney will want to welcome footwear label Taylor and Thomas into the fold. After noticing a gap in the sustainable luxury space, Jessica Taylor Mead and Elizabeth Thomas James launched their eponymous shoe label in 2018. The first collection, a curated mix of flats and booties, are inspired by the ’60s and ’70s. The shoes are all crafted by hand in a small, ethical family-run factory in Italy. Meanwhile, the insoles are made from castor beans and recycled rubber from a factory in Japan, while the lining is made from renewable (inedible) corn. The vegan footwear are all, not surprisingly, super comfortable and stylish.
Our pick: Patti boot, $565
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Indigo Swimwear
Philippa Brenninkmeyer founded trendy swimwear brand Indigo Swim with the mission to create swimsuits that would give back to the world—instead of polluting it. To do this, every piece from Indigo Swim is made with 100 percent regenerated nylon and ECONYL yarn (old fishing nets and ocean waste). It’s packaging, from drawstring bags to boxes, hangtags, and thank you cards, are also all eco-friendly. On top of that, the brand gives back to beach cleanups in Indonesia and California. Get ready to replace last year’s summer bikini with a trendy, earth-friendlier one from this label.
Our pick: The reversible traveler swimsuit, $149
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Amur
If you believe that great style doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment, Amur will resonate with you. The New York City–based brand uses organic and natural fibers, like hemp and linen, in their clothing; they also use recycled polyester and PET fibers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If you thought eco-friendly clothes were all neutral and boring, think again. Amur’s designs are vibrant and playful. The label is proof that trend-driven styles and sustainability can go hand-in-hand.
Our pick: Dylan dress, $419
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Mirabelle
This handmade jewelry brand has the royal stamp of approval: Kate Middleton has worn Mirabelle earrings on several different occasions! The label, founded by Veronique Henry, uses only fair trade suppliers to source its sterling silver, 22k gold-plated metals, brass, bronze, and semi precious stones. With necklaces ranging from $52 to $200 and earrings from $14 to $125, your guilt-free shopping isn’t even an indulgence.
Our pick: Crescent moon necklace, $142
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Arela
This Scandinavian brand, launched in 2006, produces sustainable cashmere knitwear and cotton basics. Designer and founder Maija Arela runs her namesake label with her two daughters, Anni and Viivi. In keeping with its environmentally-friendly approach, the brand will take back any used garment to be up-cycled to make new products. Arela also ships out online orders in reusable packaging.
Our pick: Pink cashmere sweater, $420
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Matt and Nat
Montreal handbag label Matt and Nat was founded in 1995 and from the start, was committed to not using leather or any other animal-based materials in their minimalist designs. Over the years, the brand’s experimented with various recycled materials, like cardboard and rubber, and since 2007, has used only recycled plastic bottles to line its bags.
Our pick: Bali large backpack, $190
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Allbirds
Instagram sensation Allbirds created a sneaker that’s not only aesthetically pleasing, but also environmentally friendly. They even offer flip-flops with soles made from sugar cane. The brand dubbed it SweetFoam, a material more earth-friendly than plastic foam EVA, which is often used in the production of footwear. (FYI, even Leonardo DiCaprio has invested in this brand. If that doesn’t make you want to purchase a pair of Allbirds, I don’t know what will.)
Our pick: Women’s wool runners, $95
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Everlane
By now, you’re probably familiar thoroughly-obsessed with Everlane. The millennial-driven brand has amassed a loyal group of shoppers by being transparent about how and where its clothes are produced. In fact, on the website, you can select a factory from around the world and get a glimpse of what life is like inside the space. The brand’s forthright message and minimalist fashion aesthetic makes it one of our favorite online shopping destinations.
Our pick: High-rise skinny jean, $68
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Bleusalt
If you’re looking for sustainable clothes with west coast vibes and a celebrity following, Bleusalt is your brand. The luxury athleisure apparel line is made in Los Angeles out of fabric sourced from beechwood trees in Austria. Though Bleusalt shot to prominence with its soft hoodie, it now offers everything from slip dresses to “Cindy Crawford pants:” The model reportedly requested pants that were designed for long legs and featured big pockets and a relaxed fit. (She got them.)
Our pick: The jogger pants, $126