Staying sustainable

Posted On August 8, 2020

Let’s cut straight to the facts: shopping sustainably is stressful, especially when stores like Shein or Zaful offer precisely what we want for a low price. Stores like Shein, Zaful, Romwe, Topshop, (the list goes on and on) that utilize the most unsustainable methods (materials, treatment of employees) while creating clothing just so they stay on top of the latest styles. My journey with fashion and clothing hasn’t been extensive. I only started to have an eye for fashion in the summer of Sophomore year (before/during my sophomore year, I only wore leggings and a hoodie). By the end of my Junior year, I educated myself on different brands and their sustainability. I did this mostly because I work at a local boutique in my town, where I became familiar with the fashion industry and saw how much of a sustainable brand they are, which instilled that I want to shop as sustainably as possible. With my new-found realization of what fast fashion was, I only shop at stores that truly reflect pure quality and integrity. Stores that stand for quality and sustainability include Shore Brand (where I work), Djerf Avenue (based in Sweden), Jacquemus, For Love and Lemons, and House of Sunny. There are many other brands that I’ll link below, but these five are currently my favorites. Shopping sustainably is a little more expensive than shopping at H&M or Zara, per se. But, having one sustainable item that lasts for more than 5 years is healthier for the planet and your wallet. When it comes to fashion, quality trumps quantity no matter the brand or price. 

There are thousands of articles on fast fashion, which I recommend reading (four linked below).

Sustainable brands:

1. Djerf Avenue
2. Shore Brand
3. House of Sunny
4. For Love and Lemons
5. Jacquemus 
6. Outdoor Voices (athleisure)
7. NA-KD
8. Mathe Jewelry (accessories) 
9. Oresund Iris 
10. By Far (shoes, bags)

Fast fashion brands:

1. Victoria’s Secret
2. Zara
3. H&M
4. Shein
5. Zaful
6. Romwe
7. Topshop
8. Urban Outfitters/ Free People
9. ASOS
10. Mango
11. Forever 21
12. GAP
13. Uniqlo 
14. Bershka
15. Fashion Nova

For more reading:

 www.bwss.org/fastfashion/. 

www.minimalismmadesimple.com/home/-fast-fashion-brands.  

www.greenamerica.org/blog/factory-exploitation-and-fast-fashion-machine.

www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-45745242. 

Sources:

BATTERED WOMEN’S SUPPORT SERVICES. “The Problem with Fast Fashion.” BWSS, 27 Aug. 2019, www.bwss.org/fastfashion/.

Crespo, Rebecca. “A Complete List of 25 Fast Fashion Brands to Avoid (& WHY).” Minimalism Made Simple, Minimalism Made Simple, 2 Nov. 2019, www.minimalismmadesimple.com/home/-fast-fashion-brands. 

Stafford, Victoria. “How Fast Fashion Exploits Workers.” Green America, Aug. 2018, www.greenamerica.org/blog/factory-exploitation-and-fast-fashion-machine.

Image: Harrabin, Roger. “Fast Fashion Is Harming the Planet, MPs Say.” BBC News, BBC, 5 Oct. 2018, www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-45745242.