With rent, groceries, gas, and living getting more and more expensive, it’s a great dopamine hit to score a whole new wardrobe for under $100. (Look cute, feel cute, right?) But it demonstrates an incredible amount of privilege that we can enjoy these prices while ignoring the nasty (a.k.a. sweatshop) elephant in the room.

Most people don’t actively research why these brands are bad—what they’re doing and how that’s actually affecting consumers as a whole. And I feel you, it’s a lot to wade through. So I’ve made it easy-peasy for y’all by summarizing some of the more questionable practices of, and which top fast-fashion brands to avoid, along with a few resources on finding sustainable swaps.

The top fast fashion brands to avoid during your sustainability journey

Shein

I know people love this brand. But y’all… It’s. So. BAD. Shein is notorious for stealing the work of small creators, and is currently involved in a RICO investigation because of these infringements. They’ve also been accused of unethical labor practices which makes sense, as that’s often what allows fast fashion brands to offer consumers dirt-cheap prices.

For some, brands like Shein may seem like the only affordable way to get new clothes. But there are clothing-swap and free exchange FB groups full of other women who are in the same predicament that probably have the same style as you. And if that doesn’t pan out, thrifting is always an option for those with the patience.

Urban Outfitters

Besides having a string of ill-advised fashion choices (i.e. the infamous “Kent State” sweater), URBN (who owns Anthropologie and Free People) has had a long and reoccurring history of labor exploitation. They’ve been caught using subcontractors who employed children, sweatshops that severely underpaid workers in Bangladesh, and even been accused of violating labor laws in Pennsylvania. Plus, over the years, they have also come under fire for stealing indie designers’ work. But if you love the UO vibe, and Anthro to,fear not—we have guides to ethical alternatives for them both here and here.

Boohoo

This is for my Gen Z girlies. I know that Boohoo has all the cute, trendy, and affordable pieces for a hot girl closet, but their sustainability pledge (if you can call it that) is basically nonexistent. While they do have a tab on their website addressing sustainability, it has very vague promises, no solid numbers or statistics, and honestly kind of feels like it was written by a high schooler.

It also feels a little gas-lighty that they talk more about how you, the consumer, can be more sustainable, while barely addressing how they themselves are working towards the same goal. Lastly, like everyone else mentioned here, they’ve come under fire for unfair labor practices.

Zara 

Out of all these brands, Zara is arguably one of the more sustainable companies. They use recycled packaging and have made lofty goals like phasing out single use plastics in 2023, but there’s still a lack of transparency when it comes to their supply chain and working conditions for their manufacturers. Any and all documentation their parent company, Inditex, has on sustainability focuses more or their projected goals without offering any real numbers to show they’re actually reaching them. Can you say greenwashing?

I’d say anyone who enjoys Zara would also love Wolf & Badger. This global community of independent brands is B-Corp certified, and offers sustainably and ethically sourced clothing that leans more towards a refined, luxurious palate. While each brand has its own values when it comes to sustainability—see what we mean here—you won’t find any major fast fashion brands to avoid on their vendor list.

H&M

I feel like we’ve all been led to believe H&M is an okay-ish company because they have a clothing recycling program and talk about sustainability. But it’s giving major green-washing energy; they came under fire in 2018 for allegedly burning unsold clothing instead of recycling them.

All in all, at the end of the day, it may feel inconsequential for one person choose a few fast fashion brands to avoid. But in reality, it’s the collective efforts of each individual that’s slowly shifting the market away from textile waste. We are the ones that have the influence to force companies to become more sustainable. And it’s through small changes like shopping local or recycling our wardrobes that we really start to make a difference in what’s “desirable” tomorrow.

Looking for ethical alternatives to the brands featured above? Comb through a few of these sustainable fashion guides for ideas:

• 25 Incredible Slow Fashion Brands You’ve Never Heard Of
• 17 Bold Sustainable Jumpsuits for Fall
• Your Guide to Vegan Leather… That’s Actually Sustainable
• 12 Sustainable Activewear Companies for a Guilt Free Fit
• 11 Most Affordable Ethical Clothing Brands

The post 5 Fast Fashion Brands To Avoid — And Why To Make The Switch appeared first on Eco Club.

Below, Terrai shows us how it’s done.

what is lotus silk?

The clip below from Business Insider shows us how this fiber is made, and what makes it so expensive. In traditional silk, insects are doing most of the work. But with lotus silk, each strand must be extracted from the plant by hand. It is truly a delicate process.

Lotus silk is a rare fabric considered to be the most sustainable fabric in the world as its production requires no electricity, petrol or chemicals to produce. Natural textiles are a lost practice within Cambodia, and Terrai is proud to bring them at the forefront thanks to this collection. The full range of Terrai scrunchies use fabrics from lotus, banana microfiber and kapok blends, and are handcrafted, no-dye and 100% biodegradable.

 

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We take the discarded stems and extract the thin fibers from them, which are then rolled together to form the thread. The thread then needs to be processed while they are still wet otherwise they will break, it’s an incredibly delicate process! Once dry, the threads are hand-spooled and put into the loom for weaving. The preparation of a loom takes approximately one week. When the room is ready, the threads are processed into fabric. Then we turn them into our beautiful vegan silk scrunchies!

Thanks to Angelica + the Terrai team for sharing the magic of lotus silk!

The post What is Lotus Silk? Spotlight on a Rare Natural Silk appeared first on Eco Club.

Truth is that innovators in the industry have been working hard to come up with a handful of alternative sources for leather, and they’re a lot better than they used to be! While PVC and PU leather used to be popular choices, sustainability demands have driven interest and research into vegan leather made from plants and vegetative life forms, not plastic. So here’s a fascinating list of all the crazy, delightful, and beautiful ways industry disruptors have been changing the leather game:

Sustainable leather alternatives that aren’t made made from plastic

Piñatex Pineapple Leather Alternatives

Created and distributed by Ananas Anam, Piñatex is the brainchild of Dr. Carmen Hijosa.

This vegan leather solves a huge problem with agricultural waste in the Philippines; it takes the leaves left over from pineapple harvesting and repurposes them into a leather-like material that can be used in fashion, accessories, and upholstery. According to their website, Ananas Anam use GOTS certified pigments to color their materials (yay!) but also uses a PU transfer coating to create one of their offshoot materials, Piñatex Performance (boo).

This sustainable leather alternative has been used by big names like Hugo Boss, H&M and Hilton, and the company that produces Piñatex, Ananas Anam, is actually a Certified B Corporation now!

Banbū Bamboo

Produced by Von Holzhausen for their own bags and shoes, Banbū can also be bought by other companies looking to branch into a sustainable leather goods centered business.

Bamboo is one of the most regenerative plants on Earth; that’s why we keep seeing more and more goods made from it. According to Von Holzhausen, Banbū is biodegradable, recyclable, and uses 33% less carbon than normal leather.

Mylo Fungi Leather

Made from mycelium (a.k.a. mushrooms) Mylo was engineered by Bolt Threads, and is described as “Magical thinking meets radical intention.”

Mylo is described as bio-based, and verified vegan during its growth process. The mycelium used to make Mylo grows in just two weeks in a base of sawdust and organic materials. All by-products of the process are composted, and Mylo is made into leather with what Bolt Threads refers to as “Green Chemistry principles.”

Because Mylo is so new, the company expects to have real values and numbers on its environmental impact in 2022, but lacks proof of its sustainability just yet. Regardless, the fungi-based leather alterative has already been used by companies like Adidas, Lululemon, and Stella McCartney in a range of consumer goods. It’s definitely one to watch!

SCOBY Kombucha Leather

Okay, I’m going to be honest. I discovered Scoby leather on Tiktok. It was being made and used by a small creator who had a whole process for making accessories for personal use.

As far as I can tell this is more of a small-time, underground, leather alternative; while you can buy Scoby goods online, they’re all from small business owners. That’s probably because there’s some kinks in its viability—Scoby leather is not waterproof so it needs a sealing process which can bring down its sustainability and durability.

Research is on track to explore if this vegan leather can be mass-produced, but for now if you want a choker made from Scoby you’ll have to buy from a small business (oh no ).

Desserto® Cactus Leather

One of the materials I’ve seen blow up the most in recent times, Desserto®’s cactus leather has been making waves in the leather goods industry.

Created by Mexican entrepreneurs, Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez, Desserto® is made from nopal (a cactus) and first showcased in 2019 in Milan. The pair chose cactus because of its role as a natural carbon sink and soil regenerator. Desserto® is USDA Organic certified and 50% of their processed harvest is repurposed into feed stock to repurpose and reduce their by-products.

Desserto® is currently only used by larger companies like Fossil and Mercedez-Benz because of  its minimum order requirements, but hopefully that changes as cactus leather becomes more accessible for everyday consumers.

Have you heard of these vegan leather alternatives? Let us know any other innovations you’d add to this list.

The post Your Guide To Vegan Leather… That’s Actually Sustainable appeared first on Eco Club.

If you’re privy to the dangers of fast fashion, or simply a supporter of indie labels, you’ve probably heard one of the many instances of Shein stealing designs from such brands. Shein is far from the only clothing giant to come under fire, but they are particularly noteworthy because of their dirt-cheap prices (often ripping off $100+ pieces and selling them for under $10), not to mention their habit of blatantly copying not just the designs, but but styling & creative production that independent labels put into their work.

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In 2021 crochet artist and handmade clothing designer Bailey Prado called our Shein for stealing and recreating at least 20 different designs. What’s even more alarming (and has happened in many of the cases below too) is how Shein ripped their product styling, creative direction, and entire visual feel of the line!

 

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Similarly, Shein copied the Baiia sustainable swimwear, an Australian label, and reproduced a very obviously inferior version of it for their customers. I’ve been wanting to try Baiia for so long because their swimwear is so versatile—it’s reversible, interchangeable, and built for all bodies. It’s clear that Baiia along with all of the designers in this post are so intentional about their work, so seeing it ripped off is shocking and appalling.

 

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Crochet and knit slow fashion brand Elexiay has also spotted their designs at Shein. If you have ever knitted or crocheted by hand, you know just how long it takes to takes and just how much intentionality and talent goes into getting it exactly right. Further, Elexiay is a brand that highlights Nigeria’s rich history of sustainable craftsmanship. Not only is Shein stealing designs, but reducing art and history to a throwaway impulse buy.

 

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Another upsetting example is Shein’s copy of size inclusive ethical fashion brand Loud Bodies. They sold it for $20, which doesn’t even come close to the cost of labor to make such a dress, let alone the supplies and other costs. Inclusive brands like Loud Bodies work hard to offer clothing that supports bodies of all sizes, with fast fashion giants coming in and convincing the consumer that they’re just as thoughtful with lines like SheinCurve.

Im SO over these major brands stealing from black designers. @SHEIN_official STOLE my @sincerelyriaxo designs to a T. They couldn’t even change ONE thing and it’s now one of their highest selling items. They even stole the brands aesthetic. Like Come on pic.twitter.com/ose8DiM9hK

— Mariama Diallo (@MariamaDiallo__) June 11, 2021

Sincerely Ria is a brand inspired by Guinea’s Fulani culture, and owner Mariama Diallo shared that Shein took one of their designs and copied it as well as the visual aesthetic behind the brand as well.

Digging deeper into some of these examples, you’ll see that Shein will sometimes address the designer directly, apologize for the “accident” and remove whichever product has been called out the most. Because that’s how fast fashion works. If they’re called out for this, all they have to do is recreate another design, and so on.

Since the brands above are focused on high quality, small production and generally sustainable/ethical practices (I haven’t heavily researched every practice or fabric offered of course), they all come with much higher price tags than the Shein copies. That said, I know that not everyone turns to fast fashion for the purpose of overflowing closets—there is a need for affordable clothing that many small brands cannot currently offer. I try to use these tricks for building a sustainable fashion budget and remember that quality outlasts quantity every time.

The post 5 Times Shein has Copied Designs from Independent Fashion Brands appeared first on Eco Club.

While those are the most obvious offenders, with greenwashing on the rise, it can be hard to distinguish what’s actually an eco-friendly purchase from one that’s framed that way to profit a company. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of parameters to look out for when trying to shop more sustainably!

photo by Trình Minh Thư

Get familiar with fabrics

We’re past our polyester days, babes. Cheaper materials like polyester and rayon are cost effective for companies, but non-renewable, and involve the usage of countless harmful chemicals like phthalates which can be absorbed through skin contact (yikes).

Instead, look for eco-friendly fibers like certified organic cotton, TENCELL lyocell, or recycled/ repurposed materials (think deadstock fabric or vintage items). These materials use less water to produce, and work towards creating a circular lifespan for your clothes instead of condemning them to a landfill for all eternity.

Shop small

One of the reasons environmentally detrimental fashion slips through the cracks is because of how obscure the supply chain is. Companies count on you not digging deep into their manufacturing process, and inquiring about their practices, to downplay how large their carbon footprint really is.

Now, not all big companies are bad; obviously some have founded their brand on sustainability and transparency. But if you want to reduce your own footprint, consider shopping small. When you shop small, chances are the creator not only sources locally, but they view their process and suppliers as a point of pride. They’re also more open to answering questions about their sustainability status and can be more easily swayed by consumer demand for eco-friendly practices.

Look for transparency

The tricky thing about greenwashing is that a company will use all the bells and whistles and trigger words to make you *think* you’re making a sustainable purchase. But a truly sustainable company will be upfront about their process; look for sustainability reports, statistics, and information on their factories and worker conditions.

This does involve some discernment on your part, but trust your gut! If a company seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Keep an eye out for certifications

When you do shop at larger retailers, keep an eye out for their involvement in big sustainability initiatives. If Linda on Instagram is hand-making your top, with clear documentation of the process, it’s probably safe to say she’s not exploiting sweatshop workers or using toxic chemicals.

But for larger corporations, looking for certifications like Fair Trade Certified or Oeko-Tex compliant adds a layer of assurance to their proclaimed eco-friendly practices and sustainability. Their marketing language may be difficult to discern the truth from, but these certifications at the very least express that a company is willing to jump through a few hoops to ensure a quality product.

Recycle!

This is kind of a three-tiered system:

1. First, choose a recycled wardrobe by shopping at secondhand stores or vintage shops. Giving used goods a new home is a great way to keep them out of landfills, and since fashion trends always inevitably repeat themselves (hi Y2K) it can also be great for scoring some unique finds.
2. When you’re done with a piece, some sustainable companies will actually take your well-loved articles of clothing and recycle them for use in their own manufacturing. Companies like Knickey will even go as far as rewarding you with store credit or free clothes for your worn out goods (in Knickey’s case, a pair of free organic cotton undies). And of course, there’s plenty of local areas who would appreciate a secondhand donation.
3. For clothes that are super worn (can’t be used again), you can locate the nearest textile recycling center near you. Most counties have a list of how to dispose of “hard to recycle” items like textiles, plastic bags, batteries and lightbulbs, etc. on their websites. It just takes a few minutes to Google and diverts serious amounts of waste from the landfill!

Lastly, be kind

A key takeaway I’d like to share from all of this is to be kind to yourself. Developing a more sustainable lifestyle takes time and practice. You won’t get it right every time, but as long as you’re making an effort, there’s no shame in trying to be better.

How will you shop more sustainably this year? Follow us on Instagram for more tips!

The post A Beginner’s Guide To Shopping More Sustainably appeared first on Eco Club.

Four years ago, if someone had told me that I’d be starting my own fashion brand I would’ve laughed in disbelief. I always dreamed of having my own business but never in a million years did I think it would be fashion related. My background is in a completely different field and given my socioeconomic status starting any type of business at that time was a far-fetched dream. That is, until I started listening to a podcast called The Passionate Few. Interview after interview I kept hearing the same thing “find a need and fill it”. One day I ended up signing for an online webinar on how to start a fashion brand and now we are here.

#1 Lack of Plus Size Clothing Options

The first reason or need I identified in my life was lack of clothing options. You’re probably thinking that all women have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear, but this isn’t the case for everyone. The options for plus size women are few and non-existent in many retail stores. It’s almost as if we don’t have careers to dress up for or special moments in life that we want to look nice for. Fashion is not only a way to express oneself, it’s also a necessity.

#2 Need For More Sustainable Fashion Brands

Once I started learning about the process that goes into making a garment, sustainability came into the equation. Not only was the final product important but also the process; the more I learned about the making of a garment the more obvious it became that sustainability was a must. Now, let’s not forget that I am also a consumer, so when shopping for myself the lack of sustainably made garments was very apparent. I’d like to remind everyone that just like any other consumer plus size women care about the environment too. We want options, we want colors, and we also want to know that the planet and its people were treated with dignity and respect throughout the process.

#3 Pursue a Lifelong Dream

The third reason why I decided to start my own sustainable fashion brand was to pursue a childhood dream. As mentioned previously, I always dreamed of having my own business. As an immigrant, it’s almost an obligation that we put on ourselves to be successful in whatever we pursue. Not only for ourselves but for our families, we feel pressure to make our parents’ sacrifice worth it.

#4 Empower & Educate Women

Lastly, another important reason why this journey began was to empower women. I was born in a town where a woman’s future was and still is for many, getting married and having kids.  Now, there’s nothing wrong with this, but many would like to pursue other paths and that means facing financial obstacles and experiencing a lack of opportunities. My long-term goal is to empower women by providing access to education and entrepreneurship. At the moment, we try to empower women by sharing encouraging content on our social platforms. We also set aside a part of our budget to donate to a nonprofit that aims to end human trafficking. Human tracking victims are predominantly women and girls, so this is our small way of contributing.

It’s amazing what can happen in four years but looking back at it, it makes perfect sense. As someone once said, “necessity is the mother of invention”: we either settle or take action. If you’re a small business owner I want to encourage you to look beyond the product. See how you can contribute to a better tomorrow because a small business CAN have a big impact.

Thanks to Judith of South Elevation for sharing! Follow along at @south_elevation for more on the brand and their upcoming launch. 

The post South Elevation: Why I Started My Own Sustainable Fashion Brand appeared first on Eco Club.

What is Regenerative Silk? 1 People uses a bluesign® certified luxurious mulberry silk fabric produced from regenerative farming methods, that achieve comprehensive and sustainable conservation of the atmosphere, water and soil. bluesign® certification means that a product has been manufactured with responsible use of resources, lowest impact on people & planet, and safety for the consumer. I’ve recently learned that the natural fiber silk, like cotton, can either be incredibly sustainable or super damaging. It all depends how it is produced, so I’m happy to learn about regenerative silk!

So let’s start with the classic… tying a silk scarf around your neck. Totally dreamy for a pop of color.

The Icon Collection is an ode to women trailblazers throughout history, with each scarf designed in honor of a specific woman. The two scarves we styled were inspired by Maya Angelou (above) and Rachel Carson. Each scarf also comes with a detachable recycled brass pendant to elevate it further.

Each is digitally printed, resulting in a beautiful wearable painting. The Icon Collection also celebrates Jane Goodall, RA Kartini, Wangari Maathai, and other change-makers past and present.

A favorite when it comes to hair scarves is tying it around a soft pony, long and loose. Love the pops of yellow and orange with Jenn’s sagey green sweater.

They have two sizes, but we went with the square version. It’s so versatile, though the Twilly size would look super cute as a neckerchief or purse tie.

Side pony is another fun 90s inspired look, and was also a great reminder that I’m terrible at tying the most basic of knots…

Other silk scarf styling tips we love:

Tie it around a bag, purse, or luggage handle for a pop of color!
Wear as a bandana tied under chin (you’ll need your big sunnies and convertible, obvs)
Tie around your topknot for an easy statement bun!

Use code ANGELA (that’s me!) for 10% off your 1 People purchase

Do you wear silk scarves? What’s your favorite way to style them?

Photos by Charity Hestead Kubena.

The post How To Style A Silk Scarf appeared first on Eco Club.

We all know that planning a wedding is one of the most stressful things to do in life. As beautiful as this occasion is, it can also be expensive, time consuming and wasteful. When we add eco-friendly to the mix, you might think it’s going to cost more, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are some sustainable wedding planning tips to lighten the stress on the planet and your wallet:

Weddings are all about the outdoors this year. Backyard weddings are trending hard for a few reasons:

It’s best to be outdoors for the ventilation and ability to spread guests 6 feet apart.
Venues are high in demand and limited in slots this year due to the pandemic.
It’s one of the most affordable and easily available options.
Also consider parks or community centers if your backyard is limited in space.

Go with digital invitations. Save paper and skip the printed save the date cards, change the date cards, and RSVP cards. The cost of printing each card and postage adds up fast. No need to obsess over designing an elaborate hard copy invitation when most guests will throw it away after they save the info in their calendars.

Setup a wedding website. There are so many free options. Here’s where you can share your amazing love story, important details and FAQs. Guests can RSVP and let you know of any special diet requests.  You can easily keep track of who has or hasn’t RSVP yet. So easy!

Skip the single use cards. This includes programs and menu cards. Honestly, these are just left on the table or chair for you to collect later. It’s quite wasteful! Try reusable signage like chalkboards on an easel or include this info on the wedding website.

Get creative with place cards. Be creative and use natural, biodegradable options. Paint or write names on leaves or rocks. Or use recycled paper to print ONE large sign—it’s cheaper than several small ones. Check out Pinterest for inspiration—the possibilities are endless.

Ditch the balloons. These single use decorations are horrible for the environment and wildlife. While some balloons can be 100% latex and be biodegradable, if released to into the air, it can create problems for wildlife and the environment (digestion, entanglement and pollution). Unfortunately, most balloons end up in the landfill or waterways. For pops of color, try using colored tissue paper to make puffs or flowers. It’s biodegradable, inexpensive and recycled tissue paper options are easily available.

Rent or buy used wedding décor. Plates, tableware, linens, chair covers and napkins can all be rented. Some florists, caterers, event planners offer this. You might even be able to save a bit if it’s a package deal. Wedding items lose their value quickly—don’t just assume you can buy something new and easily sell it after the big day!

Upcycled Décor. Upcycled wine bottles, glass jars, tin cans to create centerpieces. These may sound too simple, but let your creativity run wild and you might be surprised. A little bit of paint, fabric and twine can easily dress up these common items into beautiful, unique décor. Look into Pinterest for inspiration.

Use plant-based candles for ambiance. Set the mood for romance with candles—they also look great on camera. Plant based candles are biodegradable, burn clean and soot free. Most importantly, it’s better for you and the environment as it doesn’t release toxic carcinogens into the air.

Use live, potted plants instead of cut flowers for centerpieces and decorations. At the end of the day, these live plants will be repurposed at home or gifted to guests. I love potted plants—it’s symbolic like watching your love grow.

DIY Flowers. If you’re on a budget or want to keep your wedding as eco-friendly as possible, skip the florist and keep things simple. Grab a few bunches of blooms from your local market. Ask a creative friend to help. This post on sustainable DIY flowers has a few tips!

Confetti. Avoid plastic or foil confetti as it’s not biodegradable, not to mention what a nightmare it is to clean up. Natural elements like dried flowers, real flowers from your garden, and leaves work beautifully!

Ditch the floral foam. It’s the green squishy sponge commonly used inside of floral arrangements. It’s made of microplastics, toxic chemicals and does not biodegrade. 1 block of foam is equal to 10 plastic shopping bags. Instead, try using pebbles, sand, gravel, clay, or marbles inside of vases or bottles.

Smaller guest list. Thanks to the pandemic, it’s not easier than ever to keep a guest list intimate. Don’t invite people because you feel obligated. Ask yourself, will I be in contact with this person in 1 or 2 years?
This means less resources used, less money spent, and it’s less risky with the unpredictable COVID regulations.

Green your party favors. Avoid printing or engraving the specifics of your wedding onto the gift. No one really wants a cup with your wedding details on it. Favors can be a thoughtful ‘thank you’ to guests, but if it’s not something they actually want, it ends up in the trash or collecting dust. Some ideas:

Packets of flower or vegetables seeds
Packets of bird seeds or bird seed feeders
Mini potted plants—succulents are easy to take care of!
A tree sapling to plant
Palm-oil free soaps wrapped in paper or twine, instead of plastic
Edible treats—make sure the packaging is biodegradable or low waste!

Let your bridal party choose their dresses! Pick a color and length or color palette. That way, she can use one she already has, rent one or even purchase a sustainable bridesmaid dress for the occasion (and beyond). She’ll actually wear these more than once and alterations may not be needed! Same goes for shoes and accessories.

Sokha Banana Midi Dress by Valani.

wedding photos by lucas mendes

The post How To Make Your Wedding More Sustainable appeared first on Eco Club.

Ethical fashion brands are the perfect ones to provide more options too, because many of them are made-to-order or produced in very small batches. It helps everyone shop more sustainably as we don’t have to buy things pretty much assuming they won’t fit right in some way or another, and will either need to be exchanged/returned or at least altered (or worse, sit in our closets unworn).

Here are 15 eco club approved size inclusive ethical fashion brands to put on your radar, if not already! We’ve linked to a few size charts below and general sizing information about each brand, but keep in mind they are not all US based (many are in Canada) and sizing differs so, so greatly across the industry… even one determined to do better! So don’t forget to check out each individual site and please let us know if have others to add to this list!

How we adore the patterns and prints over at Big Bud Press. This butterfly jumpsuit is shown on models sized S, M, and 3XL (unisex sizing).

Smart Glamour, handmade in NYC, is committed to designing clothing for every body type, which is represented in their models (thanks to their inclusive model casting process!). Their line is super extensive too, with so many styles and colors to make the perfect custom piece.

Tuesday of California is such a fun brand, offering colorful fashion in XXS-6X from sustainable fabrics like hemp and linen.

Revelle offers not only inclusive sizing (you submit your measurements before ordering—YES!) but a variety of fabrics and colors within each piece as well. They’re also super transparent about what goes into making each piece!

Vestige is a slow fashion brand that offers organic pieces Made in Canada, in sizes XS – 4XL.

San Francisco’s Nettle Studios designs small batch, handmade clothing with flattering fits and dreamy colorways. (This spring’s made to order lilac linen is so pretty!) See size chart here.

Decade offers 100% cotton denim designed for all different body shapes, in sizes up to 38.

Eco Club member Oge Ajibe offers handcrafted, made-to-order clothing XS-XL.

Vancouver based Nettle’s Tale offers inclusive swimwear and clothing.

Alice Alexander is sustainable, ethical and size-inclusive, relaunching in spring 2021 with new styles.

Free Label’s ethical fashion is XS-4X. They also have a marketplace highlighting BIPOC brands!

Loud Bodies is your go-to for accessible plus size fashion ranging from XXS to 10XL (see size chart here). Tons of gorgeous prints here!

Sotela is known for their gorgeous size-inclusive jumpsuits that also come in petite, regular, and tall lengths. They offer lots of beautiful shades and can even accommodate half sizes. Shop all to find pants, dresses, and tops as well.

WRAY NYC has the coolest colorful and print happy fair trade fashion from XS to 5XL, and some pant styles up to 24.

Tamara Malas has everything from shiny jackets to printed undies to wide leg pants in sizes 10-32.

Where do you shop for sustainable and ethical size inclusive and plus sized fashion?

The post 15 Eco Club Approved Size Inclusive Ethical Fashion Brands appeared first on Eco Club.

There is still a lot we can control. By shopping mindfully—that is, staying present and conscious of our purchases’ consequences—we can make online shopping a bit more sustainable.

7 Ways To Shop More Sustainably Online

support small

Shopping small isn’t just for your local brick and mortar (although now more than ever, they need our help!). Always check to see if those same shops are online as well, as this may be the only way they can keep running during the pandemic. I also love finding small shops on Instagram by using maker hashtags, like #heytheremaker, #makersandthinkers, #sustainablebrands, and #brandswithpurpose.

search for values, sourcing, or sustainability commitment pages

No, this doesn’t guarantee it won’t be greenwashing, but it still cuts out tons of companies and as you learn more about sustainable shopping you’ll become more aware of the language used by brands who can only talk the talk. You can also make the most of a site’s search bar by searching for words you *don’t* want to see! For example, when I shop for skincare or chocolate, sometimes I search “palm oil” since that’s an ingredient I want to avoid. I always breathe a big sigh of relief when it doesn’t come up!

shipping minimums

Make peace with the fact that online shopping = paying for shipping. The brands themselves have worked the costs of shipping into their business model, whether they’re adding it to your purchase, or pricing their items a little higher so they can advertise the attractive “free shipping” promo. (Why do you think Etsy now prioritizes brands in search if they offer free shipping?) Bottom line, you’re probably paying for it one way or another, so just adding items to your cart to reach minimums is only encouraging you to spend more money on things you don’t need!

request customer service

One of the benefits of shopping small is that when you need help you generally get to speak to a real person! Take advantage of this by asking questions and making requests when you have them. If you’re uncertain about anything regarding materials, size, quantity, quality etc., go ahead and ask before making the purchase. Do the research so you’re less likely to make a return.

offer feedback

Leave reviews and offer feedback whenever you can! Feedback is so important to small businesses, especially ethical/sustainable shops that are competing with cheap, mass-produced goods. The idea of purchasing from an unfamiliar brand, paying more, or having a tougher time returning an item can all be turn-offs to the consumer. Leaving a review might help a customer take the risk and choose the sustainable option!

As far as constructive criticism, it can help small businesses for you to send them a message with suggestions. I work exclusively with small businesses and know how many hats they wear. The feedback can be super helpful for their growth and success, as long as it’s done respectfully!

read the full item description

From a design standpoint, most people don’t want to see a ton of text on a single webpage. For this reason many shops ‘hide’ their full item descriptions, including materials or ingredients in dropdown that you can expand. Make sure you always get the full story behind an item, once again, so you know it’s something you want (and that aligns with your values and doesn’t include materials or ingredients you don’t support) and not something that you’ll return, or worse, will go to waste.

let it sit in your cart

If you’re not 100% sure you need your item, like, yesterday, sit on it. That’s the beauty of online shopping! It sounds simple, but taking the time to fully consider and reflect on what you want is an act of mindfulness. It has saved me from many an impulse buy!

What do you think of these tips? Next time you’re making an online purchase, observe the steps you normally take and consider how you might shop more sustainably. I’d love to hear how it goes!  

PHOTO: @charityvictoria

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