I've spent the last few years making my wardrobe sustainable - here are the 5 brands I shop from most
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- I started buying clothes from brands with sustainability and ethics as a part of its mission.
- The first step is to research eco-friendly brands and start trying different clothing items to see what you like.
- My favorite brands throughout the years have been Reformation, Patagonia, and Fair Indigo.
A few years ago, I decided to dump fast fashion brands. I was tired of my clothes falling apart after a few wears and I knew it was time to move on. I didn't know that much about fashion, so I started doing some research and learned the eco-related horrors of the fashion industry.
As a college student, I was more focused on getting a good price for clothing - quantity over quality. At least that's what I thought until I chose intentionality above all. I'm not perfect and I don't always buy 100% sustainable clothing, but I do my best to seek out as much eco-friendly, ethically sourced clothing as I can.
After several years of research and trying many different brands, here are my favorite clothing companies that I can't stop shopping from.
Parade
While it's not too difficult to find eco-friendly clothing items, I struggled to find a brand that made underwear and bras I liked. I will forever be a Parade customer not just because it's a sustainable brand, but it's also the most comfortable undergarments I've ever owned.
Read our full Parade review here.
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Reformation
Reformation
My go-to for dress shopping, Reformation is the first place I turn to when I'm going to an event — or if I just want to splurge. Reformation has a factory at its headquarters in Los Angeles to lower its carbon footprint and I love the transparency and information available on the website.
Products:
Prana
Prana/Facebook
Prana has a solid variety of clothing items that are style and size-inclusive, including flannels and swimsuits. I particularly fell in love with one of its sustainability mission statements noting "progress not perfection" and I resonate with that as I continue my eco-friendly wardrobe shift.
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Fair Indigo
Fair Indigo
The softest basic tees ever, I wish every item of clothing I own was as comfortable as Fair Indigo's 100% organic Peruvian Pima cotton. If you want a durable, basic cotton tee, I recommend the Forever Organic Tee for men or women.
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Patagonia
Patagonia
Growing up ski racing, I have had my share of snowy, cold winters and my Patagonia jackets and fleeces always kept me warm and cozy. Patagonia outlines its social responsibilities on its website, including the use of 87% recycled materials and its work with the Fair Labor Association.
Read our Patagonia Fleecelab review here.
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Other ways I shop for clothing sustainably
When I'm not writing or reviewing products, you can likely find me at a thrift store or consignment shop. I love scouring Goodwills or local thrift stores in search of any and all clothes. Sometimes it's hit or miss finding items you like, but it's a great way to start shopping sustainably.
Instead of throwing my clothes away that I no longer need, I always text my friends and family first to see if they want to go through the items. Then, I look to donation centers or shelters to give clothing to. If clothing items are no longer usable, I have used a program in Seattle called Ridwell to pick up clothing scraps for recycling.
The bottom line is that shopping sustainably takes time and does not happen overnight. No one is perfect, but making the commitment to being more intentional about clothing shopping when you are able is a great starting point.