Shopping Sustainably with Brooke
If you were here for my last post you know that thrift stores are one of the most sustainable options out there for buying clothing. However, thrift stores are not the move for some people. So if you're uncomfortable wearing used items or if you simply don't live by any good second- hand shops, today we are diving into certified sustainable brands you are absolutely going to love.
Quince
Specializing in the materials cashmere, silk, and linen, this brand is bringing sustainable fashion to the masses with their simple yet cute basics. According to their website, they are "committed to making exceptionally high-quality essentials at a price within reach." They see themselves as the antithesis of fast fashion, ignoring current trends for time- defying pieces with a clean aesthetic. One of their newer practices has been making the move to compostable packaging and recycled mailers. For comparison, their Mongolian cashmere sweater is only $50 as compared to similar items at J Crew ($128) and Naked Cashmere ($275). In general, their garments range from $15 to $200, with some coats hitting the $300 mark. All images are clickable links.
Sézane
Born in 2013 in Paris, France, this online retailer brings chic pieces with a conscience. Serving up cute, flirty, and girly, they are much more than just another sustainable fashion brand. In 2018 Sézane founded the program Demain, meaning tomorrow, which supports children, teens, and adults, providing them with access to fundamental rights such as health and education. Since its inception, over ten million euros have been raised to fight for underprivileged individuals around the world. They have many affordable pieces as well as some higher- priced garments that are worth the investment. The approximate range in price is from $60 to $350.
Reformation
Although already one of the most well- known sustainable brands, Reformation still deserves a spot on this list. If you want to be sustainable but still love keeping up with current fashion trends, Reformation is the perfect place. While seemingly not the most affordable, the pieces are good quality and sustainably made and will last you a lifetime. Sustainable shopping is all about buying only what you need and investing in well- made items, and Reformation is a great place to make that investment. With both online and brick- and- mortar stores, Reformation is cute, sustainable, and accessible. With some dresses pricing at almost $350, the online store does have filters that allow you to shop for lower priced items.
Other Ways to Shop Sustainably
If you're a little freaked out by the prices of sustainable ware, there is always second- hand to fall back on. Now like I said earlier, some people either don't live by thrift stores or can never find anything cute in second- hand shops, but to those people I simply say: online thrift stores. Etsy, Depop, and Poshmark are diverse and easy ways to search for items or aesthetics that you want to wear. Etsy is great for shopping homemade pieces as well as handmade jewelry and trinkets. With suggested for you and shop by style pages, Depop is best if you don't know exactly what you want, but instead want to shop a specific vibe or aesthetic. Poshmark is perfect if you know exactly what you want and want to find it at the best price possible, or if you want to find name brand and designer pieces.
Wrapping It All Up
All in all, shopping sustainably doesn't have to be for the few and far between, but rather it should be commonplace. Even a decade ago, it might have been much harder to find places that sell environmentally and socially conscious clothing, but with increased company transparency, more online vendors, and more affordability, there is no excuse for supporting fast- fashion brands. Whether you're buying from a company such as Sézane, or suporting a local artist on Etsy, shopping sustainably should not be extra work, it should be the norm. For more sustainable fashion fun, stay tuned next week as Kaileena styles sustainable pieces at a well- known fashion retailer.
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