Nothing is more stylish right now than sporting fashionable finds from sustainable brands. More and more consumers are putting sustainability at the heart of their shopping choices because it feels just as good as it looks to know your latest threads were made by an ethical brand. What exactly do we mean by “sustainable fashion?”

What is Sustainable Fashion? 

"More sustainable fashion can be defined as clothing, shoes and accessories that are manufactured, marketed and used in the most sustainable manner possible, taking into account both environmental and socio-economic aspects," says Green Strategy, a sustainable fashion consultation firm. "In practice, this implies continuous work to improve all stages of the product's life cycle, from design, raw material production, manufacturing, transport, storage, marketing and final sale, to use, reuse, repair, remake and recycling of the product and its components."

Sustainable fashion aims to reduce environmental impact by prioritizing the efficient use of natural resources, utilizing renewable energy sources, and recycling materials used to make and package the product (or make the product/packaging recyclable). 

Furthermore, sustainable fashion isn't just eco-friendly–it is socially conscious, as well. 

Sustainable fashion brands seek to provide a space in which workers can thrive and provide them with a fair, livable wage for their time and efforts. Many of these companies also give back to the world by donating to charitable organizations 

5 Sustainable Fashion Brands to Check Out in 2020

1. Wholesome Culture

Wholesome Culture is a delightful, original, online retailer for plant and animal lovers alike. Not only are all of the clothes manufactured in Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) certified factories, but the clothes are made with a blend of 60 percent organic cotton and 40 percent recycled plastic bottles, according to their FAQ. 

Wholesome Culture also prints all of their designs with water-based ink and regularly donates proceeds from their products. 

2. Sandy Ripple

Sandy Ripple is another online retailer making waves by helping spread awareness about protecting sea turtles. The brand also donates ten percent of the proceeds from their adorable accessories and t-shirts to the non-profit organization Sea Turtle Recovery. 

Whether you wear their t-shirts on the boardwalk or rock their bracelets on the beach, their products are a fun way to add more diverse looks to your wardrobe. 

3. Alternative Apparel

Looking for cool, casual apparel that makes sustainability a breeze? Look no further. Alternative Apparel has all of your basic wardrobe essentials and creates all of their products with eco-friendly materials like recycled and organic cotton, hemp, and even wood. By 2021, the brand pledges to only use recycled polyester. 

4. H&M Conscious 

The Conscious line by H&M uses organic, sustainable resources to deliver the hottest fashion trends in the most ethical style possible. H&M Conscious covers everything from the latest looks to wardrobe essentials, ranging from tees to jeans, to underwear and shoes. 

What's more? H&M has stores all around the globe, so you have the chance to try-before-you-buy at one of your local stores, or you can shop online. 

5. Athleta

You may know Athleta for their wonderful workout apparel or their affiliation with GAP, Old Navy, and Banana Republic, but did you know that Athleta prioritizes sustainability? That's right – according to their website, the brand creates 60 percent of their products from sustainable fibers, 70 percent of their packaging has been diverted from polluting the environment in a landfill, 4 percent of their products are created with water-saving techniques, and the brand has empowered over 3,000 women through P.A.C.E. and Fair Trade. 

And it doesn't just stop there. This year, Athleta is looking give sustainability their all by using even more sustainable materials and production techniques. 

YOUR NEXT STEP:

Fashionable apparel doesn't have to come at the cost of the planet. With big names like H&M and Athleta setting the standard for the industry, more brands will begin implementing sustainable practices which will only make it easier to find clothes that are produced sustainably. 

For now, focus on supporting these brands and finding more that promote and operate sustainably. You can also re-use old and unwanted clothing by donating it to secondhand store like Goodwill or recycling it if it’s broken beyond use.