How to be Fashionably Sustainable: Searching for Sustainable Brands

Part three in a three-part series brought to you by us, sharing note-worthy tips and tricks on shopping smart, reducing your textile waste footprint PLUS, how to find sustainable brands!



Finding brands that are legitimately sustainable is easier than you think. Often, companies claim to have changed their business models to more sustainable, eco-friendly habits but don’t be fooled: You have to do your research! See if a particular brand follows the criteria given.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN SEARCHING FOR SUSTAINABLE BRANDS

So this is it, we’ve convinced you enough to join the green side.You’re not alone, Sustainable Fashion Matterz says that in 2017, the amount of Google searches for “Sustainable Fashion” had risen by over 250% from January 2017 to December 2018. But wait, how do you know if a company is truly sustainable? Follow these guidelines when evaluating the best brand for you.

LEGITIMACY 

Although this is rare for clothing companies, companies that do have charities and initiatives that they support often go through a process of legitimacy such as registering their charities for taxation purposes.

TRANSPARENCY

Don’t base your decision solely on the company whose commercial mentions the words: green, recycle and future in them. Base your decision on the company that includes personal stories of the workers, who share information on how the garments are made, where they come from and what materials were used.

PERSONAL AFFORDABILITY

Sustainable shopping can be pricey. That’s why if you have a budget: Stick to it! Avoid the higher-end sustainable companies if they are out of your budget. Instead, work with what you have.

HAVING TRUST ISSUES? OPT FOR SECOND-HAND

We get it, a corporation may seem like they are sustainable but, maybe they’re not. No sweat, buying second hand is the perfect alternative.

*****

Everyone has a hand in the fashion industry. If we demand more sustainable practices, change can and will happen. For now, we can start small. When shopping, remember these key pieces of advice: Set your foundation meaning, do your research, organize your space, set your budget, choose transitional pieces for multiple seasons, and finally, less is more: less emphasis on buying new items and more on repurposing, donating, exchanging, and changing your lifestyle.

Reducing your textile waste footprint is possible, though it requires you to modify your lifestyle by reducing your consumption, choosing sustainable brands, being invested in your community such as participating in a clothing swap or attending a vintage flea market, are all ways that you can make an impact.

~ hanna beauport - furniture reuse program clerk