It’s finally starting to feel like summer in New York and every time the seasons change I feel the sudden urge to replace my entire wardrobe. I suddenly find the need to buy all the dresses?? even though I don’t wear dresses that often. I decided to put together a list of sustainable summer staples, so my sudden urge to shop has more of an effect on my wallet than it does on the environment. Enjoy!
If I had an unlimited supply of money, I would buy everything that Auguste the Label sells. They have a very Faithfull The Brand vibe with floral dresses that make you want to travel to the coast of Italy and never come back. They provide details about the factories they work with in Indonesia and China and use eco-friendly fabrics like hemp, Econyl, and rayon. In 2016, Auguste joined 1% For The Planet – a global movement of businesses committed to investing in a healthier future for our planet. Not to mention, their campaign images and insta feed are beautiful! More info about the steps they’re taking to reduce their carbon footprint can be found on their website. Prices range from AUD$29 to AUD$195.
If you’re looking for some summer essentials and perfectly fitting basics, look no further. MATE The Label has been a favorite of mine for awhile now. Mostly because I only wear t-shirts, tank tops, and sweatshirts, which is exactly what they provide. They’re tag line, Dress Clean, reflects their approach to sustainability. MATE has chosen to partner with factories within a five mile radius from their Arts District Headquarters in DTLA and each piece is produced in small batches season after season.
Boyish is one of my favorite denim brands. They were featured in Lack of Color’s most recent campaign and Lack of Color does my favorite campaigns of all time. I literally have images from their campaign hanging on the wall in my room. Anywayyy, this cropped denim jacket is beautiful. Pastel yellow is a trending color and it can be paired with a matching pair of jeans or skirt, or with a more classic pant. Also, I may or may not have seen it on their insta and been obsessed with it ever since. Designed in Los Angeles, Boyish uses ethical and sustainable practices as well as sustainable fabrics. Boyish jeans use 1/3 the amount of water of regular denim and they recycle all their water so no water is polluted in the process. You can read more about their factories, fabrics, materials, and wash process on their site.
I love me some wide leg white trousers. Everlane is one of the more well-known sustainable retailers and for good reason. Their supply chain is grounded in the concept of radical transparency. They spend months finding the best factories in the world and design timeless products with high quality materials that last. I’ve been wanting a pair of wide leg white trouser for awhile and these fit the bill. They’re perfect for a laid-back, but chic summer look.
If you’re looking for something sustainable to wear while you get your sweat on, Girlfriend may be the brand for you. I’ve been a fan for awhile now and even wrote about the brand a little while back. They just released a collection of leggings and bras in bright spring colors. In terms of sustainability, they make all of their compressive leggings out of post-consumer plastic water bottles. Their products are made in a SA8000 certified factory in Vietnam that pays living wages, provides fair working hours and safe conditions, allows unionization, and uses no forced or child labor. I recommend you read more about their sustainable practices on their website.
I just recently heard about this brand and I’m already in love. Whimsy + Row uses eco-friendly materials including recycled fabrics and manufacture locally to reduce their carbon footprint. They sell clothing, accessories, home, and body products. Their clothing is effortlessly stylish and their prints are great for the summer.
Of course I can’t make a sustainable style guide without mentioning Reformation. Keeping with the prairie girl frolicking through a field of wildflowers aesthetic that is very popular right now, the Clementine Top may be the perfect top for summer. The lightweight linen fabric uses very little water and emits ¼ the carbon as cotton per pound of fiber.
Last but not least, this bodysuit from Fauxgerty is a closet necessity, especially during the hot summer months. You can pair it with anything and look cute without even trying. Fauxgerty is a new brand on my radar that creates all of their pieces in California, Alabama and Tennessee using low impact materials. Their factories meet ethical standards and their seamstresses are paid fair wages. On average, their sewers are paid 71% over minimum wage.
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