Decreasing our environmental impact should be a priority for all of us. Though many of us know that many of our favorite brands are probably not the best for the environment and likely less-than-ethical in their manufacturing processes, buying sustainable clothing is expensive and lots of sustainable brands just provide basics like t-shirts and leggings. However, to prove to both myself and you that there are cute sustainable brands out there that won’t break the bank, I’ve scoured the internet and found (what I believe to be) great alternatives to my favorite brands.
To rate the sustainability of each brand, I’m using the site https://goodonyou.eco/ which has done research on hundreds of brands’ environmental, labor, and animal treatment standards.
Color Index: Green = Great, Yellow = Could Be Better, Red = Bad
STYLE: on-trend, classic, array of materials, unique designs
GoodOnYou Rating: 2/5
- uses some eco-friendly materials including Tencel.
- None of its supply chain is certified by labour standards which ensure worker health and safety, living wages or other labour rights. It received a score of 11-20% in the Fashion Transparency Index.
- does not publish a list of suppliers or information about forced labour, gender equality or freedom of association.
GoodOnYou Rating: 3/5
- uses some eco-friendly materials including organic cotton.
- has fast fashion traits such as on trend styles and regular new arrivals.
- has a policy approved by CanopyStyle to prevent deforestation of ancient and endangered forests in its supply chain.
- has a formal animal welfare policy aligned with Five Freedoms.
- uses leather and exotic animal hair.
- Almost none of its supply chain is certified by labour standards which ensure worker health and safety, living wages or other labour rights. It received a score of 71-80% in the Fashion Transparency Index
ALTERNATIVE:
GoodOnYou Rating: 4/5
- uses a high proportion of eco-friendly materials including recycled fabrics.
- manufactures locally to reduce its carbon footprint.
- uses packaging from recycled materials.
- use of eco-friendly materials limits the amount of chemicals, water and wastewater used in production.
- Its labour rating is ‘it’s a start’. Its final stage of production is undertaken in the USA, a medium risk country for labour rights. There is no evidence it ensures payment of a living wage in its supply chain.
- visits its suppliers regularly.
- does not use fur, down, wool, angora or exotic animal skin or hair.
STYLE: streetwear, pop-culture, trendy, west-coast feel
GoodOnYou Rating: 2/5
- environmental rating is ‘very poor’.
- animal rating is ‘it’s a start’
- labour rating is ‘not good enough’.
- has a Supplier Code of Conduct which covers most workers’ rights principles
GoodOnYou Rating: 2/5
- None of its supply chain is certified by labour standards which ensure worker health and safety, living wages or other labour rights.
- received a score of 11-20% in the Fashion Transparency Index.
- no evidence it minimises textile waste when manufacturing its products.
- uses leather, wool and exotic animal hair.
ALTERNATIVE:
GoodOnYou Rating: 5/5
- uses a high proportion of eco-friendly materials including Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton cotton.
- uses a limited production run to minimise textile waste.
- reduces its climate impact by consuming renewable energy in its direct operations.
- use of eco-friendly materials limits the amount of chemicals, water and wastewater used in production.
- Its labour rating is ‘great’. Its factories are Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton certified.
- monitors health and safety issues in its supply chain.
- ensures payment of a living wage in most of its supply chain.
- traces all of its supply chain.
- animal rating is ‘good’. It does not use any animal products but it does not state that it’s vegan.
STYLE: lingerie, undergarments, basics
GoodOnYou Rating: 2/5
- None of its supply chain is certified by labour standards which ensure worker health and safety, living wages or other labour rights.
- received a score of 11-20% in the Fashion Transparency Index.
- no evidence it minimises textile waste when manufacturing its products.
- uses leather, wool and exotic animal hair.
ALTERNATIVE:
GoodOnYou Rating: 5/5
- uses a high proportion of eco-friendly materials including organic cotton.
- uses renewable energy in its supply chain to reduce its climate impact.
- use of eco-friendly materials limits the amount of chemicals, water and wastewater used in production.
- Its labour rating is ‘good’. There is no evidence it has a Code of Conduct but it has a formal statement covering workers rights.
- traces most of its supply chain. It ensures payment of a living wage in some of its
- supply chain but does not specify what percentage. It audits or visits most of its suppliers.
- animal rating is ‘good’ — does not use fur, leather, down or exotic animal skin & uses recycled wool and exotic animal hair.
While I realize that these sustainable brands do have to make some tradeoffs in “trendiness” to maintain their high environmental and ethical standards, perhaps just reading through the GoodOnYou ratings, you can see what exactly it means for something to be environmentally bad or good and ethically sound. In addition, as I’ve come to realize, no brand is perfect. Even those classified as “great” by GoodOnYou still have ways to improve.
So maybe consider adding some sustainable brands into your online shopping regime— and if that’s not possible, still remember to buy with intention, wear the clothes in your closet, and minimize your waste whenever possible 🙂 ♡