25 Hip Sustainable Brands and Retailers
As a personal stylist for women, I’m focused on ensuring that every woman’s clothing communicates her authentic personal style. That style is also reflective of her values. For some, those values mean supporting local designers. For others, that means putting more towards sending her kids to college and less on clothing. I find that most of my clients fall somewhere in between. They would love to purchase pieces from brands and makers that are paying attention to sustainability and fair wages, but they also need to stay budget conscious. Others are watching large and small retailers go out of business and are really just in search of somewhere new and interesting to find those treasured items. With so many questions on this topic, I decided to put together a blog post filled with new places to explore to find makers and retailers that align with your values. So, start thinking about your own priorities and take a look at the list. As always, please let me know what you think. Happy holidays!
25 Brands and Retailers for Sustainable Shopping
2nd HAND
What could be better for the environment than purchasing clothing that has already been purchased? Second hand garments are a favorite for a growing number of my clients. Here are a few places to get you started.
The Real Real (hello, 2nd hand designer items!)
Poshmark (I’ve had lots of luck for clients at this online 2nd hand shop.)
ThredUP I’ve had even more luck for clients on this online 2nd hand shop.)
Buffalo Exchange (shop in person at your local Buffalo Exchange and sell clothing there, too!)
Vintage and pre-loved finds from Citizen Rosebud. (While there is no physical store to visit, the Citizen posts on Etsy and ebay). I’ve known her for a long time and have a number of pieces from her.
BRANDS THAT ARE GENERALLY GOOD FOR THE WORLD
To be clear, these brands, makers and retailers aren’t perfect. But, they are making an effort. Dig into each of their policies and see what aligns with your values and your style.
Able Clothing (SO cool! They publish the wages of all the people who make their clothing)
Remake Giant list of awesome sustainable brands
Dagg and Stacey (recycled and vintage fabrics).
AG Jeans. Also can be found at Anthropologie and Nordstrom.
SkunkFunk* (Fair Trade. Read more about their sustainability practices.)
Nordstrom (Fun Fact: search "Made in America" or “Sustainable Style” and filter for petites)
J Crew Outlet and J Crew. Including responsible sourcing.
Madewell is a J Crew company. Therefore it has the same policy on responsible sourcing.
Banana Republic not made in America, but they do have a line made from organic materials.
Topshop is making some gains. Here’s info on sustainability and the Modern Slavery Act
Have a great time digging in. Have a happy holiday season. I’ll be off with the family for the next couple of weeks so communication will be slow. But don’t let that stop YOU. There’s lots to see on the the site like Style Essentials and Shopping by Body Type and Shopping by Personal Style. Give the ones you love a big hug and take it easy.