The good news is that some real-deal eco-friendly apparel and footwear brands take planetary and human impact into account by using truly sustainable production methods\u2014from upcycled and recycled materials to organic fabrics to low-impact dyes\u2014and employ fair trade and ethical labor practices to create high-quality, sustainable clothing and shoes that do little to no damage to the earth.<\/p>\n
Look for brands that emphasize transparency in their supply chain. Be on the lookout for standardized certifications that can support sustainability claims like:<\/p>\n
- \n
- The Global Organic Textile Standard<\/a> (GOTS) to certify organic cotton<\/li>\n
- Certified B Corporations<\/a>\u202fset a very strict set of standards measuring a company’s environmental impact<\/li>\n
- Global Recycled Standard\u202f<\/a>(GRS) for recycled products<\/li>\n
- LEED certification\u202f<\/a>for reduced energy consumption in production facilities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Here are some brands that are doing it\u202fright.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
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Patagonia<\/h3>\n
Best for |<\/strong> Outdoor Clothing<\/p>\n
Price Range |<\/strong> $$ – $$$<\/p>\n
Sustainable Practices |<\/strong> Certified B Corporation, Fair Trade, Recycled Materials, 1% for the planet<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Screen-Shot-2023-08-03-at-10.25.47-AM-300x173.png\")
<\/p>\nPatagonia leads the charge in crafting durable outdoor clothing and gear that does not harm the environment. From water-repellent hiking shorts that <\/span>won\u2019t<\/span> chafe to sweat-wicking tees to their famous fleeces and insulated jackets, the brand is as known for their high-performing, high-quality products as they are for leading the charge with their sustainability efforts.\u202f<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
A whopping 98% of their clothing line is made using recycled materials\u2014and their strong commitment to sustainability can be seen in their many initiatives and the brand\u2019s\u202fenvironmental impact transparency<\/a>. Its website details its numerous sustainability efforts, which range from using organic and recycled materials and carefully tracking its supply chain.<\/p>\n
As a Certified B Corporation, Patagonia works with Fair Trade Certified production facilities\u2014this is a company that genuinely values the world we live in. Learn more about Patagonia\u2019s eco-activism efforts\u202fhere<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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Reformation<\/h3>\n
Best For |<\/strong> Denim staples and occasion dresses<\/p>\n
Price Range\u202f|<\/strong> $$\u2013$$$<\/p>\n
Sustainable Practices |<\/strong> Climate Neutral Certified, OEKO-TEX certified sustainable + regenerative fabrics, recycling + resale program<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Screen-Shot-2023-08-03-at-10.28.09-AM-226x300.png\")
<\/p>\nReformation is a woman-owned, LA-based brand that uses recycled and regenerative fabrics to create super trendy looks that have made them a big name in the sustainable fashion world. They are known for creating occasion dresses and staple denim pieces from upcycled and sustainable materials\u2014and just launched their recycled resale program,\u202fRefRecycling, where they buy back your old Reformation pieces to be rebirthed into new styles in true\u202fcradle-to-cradle\u202ffashion<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Reformation is beloved for its straightforward approach to being an eco-friendly brand, publishing all its sustainability practices and sharing environmental impact reports on its website.<\/p>\n
Check out more about\u202fReformation\u2019s sustainability here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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Eileen Fisher<\/h3>\n
Best For\u202f|<\/strong> Timeless staples and size inclusivity
\nPrice Range\u202f|<\/strong> $$$\u2013$$$$<\/p>\nSustainable Practices |<\/strong> Certified B-Corporation | Recycled Materials | Woman-owned<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Screen-Shot-2023-08-03-at-10.30.01-AM-227x300.png\")
<\/p>\nEileen Fisher, a New York City-based brand, has been creating high-quality, simple, timeless pieces for women of all ages for nearly 40 years. The socially conscious company is employee-owned and designs with a responsible circular<\/a> product lifecycle in mind, crafting their luxe wardrobe staples from eco-preferred materials like organic Pima cotton, organic linen, and responsibly sourced merino wool and then taking back its clothing through their Renew<\/a> program to be resold, donated, or recrafted into new pieces.<\/p>\n
Eileen Fisher became a Certified B Corporation<\/a> in 2016, which means they monitor their production facilities to ensure that they are fair and ethical, and that workers are safe and treated equitably. They have also implemented water and energy conservation initiatives. The brand\u2019s clothing is available at more than 50 Eileen Fisher stores in North America and 500 department and specialty stores worldwide.<\/p>\n
Find out more about Eileen Fisher\u2019s sustainability efforts here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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Cotopaxi<\/h3>\n
Best For\u202f|<\/strong> Backpacks and outerwear
\nPrice Range\u202f|<\/strong> $$\u2013$$$<\/p>\nSustainable Practices |<\/strong> B-Corp | Climate Neutral Certified | 1% for the planet<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Screen-Shot-2023-08-03-at-10.32.23-AM-288x300.png\")
<\/p>\nCotopaxi is a sustainable outdoor gear brand based out of Salt Lake City, Utah, and is named after one of the world\u2019s highest active volcanoes in Ecuador. The wildly popular brand is all about fueling adventure by producing durable products as sustainably as possible and using the revenue to support Latin American communities experiencing extreme poverty.<\/p>\n
As a Certified B Corporation, the brand puts a huge premium on only working with factories with fair and ethical working conditions. Every year, it gives at least 1% of its revenue as targeted grants to nonprofits focused on health, education, and livelihood. Their social impact efforts have reached an estimated 3.8 million people.<\/p>\n
But beyond the great mission of Gear for Good, Cotopaxi\u2019s gear is super popular because it is exceptionally well-made and eye-catching, with bright patchworks of color, ready for hiking, mountain climbing, or adventure travel.<\/p>\n
Check out its website<\/a> to learn more about Cotopaxi\u2019s efforts.<\/p>\n
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Allbirds<\/h3>\n
Best For\u202f|<\/strong> Backpacks and outerwear
\nPrice Range\u202f|<\/strong> $$\u2013$$$<\/p>\nSustainable Practices |<\/strong> Certified B-Corporation | Recycled Materials<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Screen-Shot-2023-08-03-at-10.33.47-AM-300x256.png\")
<\/p>\nSay hello to MO.ONSHOT, the world\u2019s first net-zero carbon shoe\u2014made with regeneratively produced wool, smart bioplastics, and carbon-conscious transportation featuring biofuel-powered shipping and electric trucking from port to warehouse. The landmark net 0.0 kg CO\u2082e carbon footprint\u2014versus a standard sneaker, which is about 14 kg CO2e\u2014will be achieved without relying on a single carbon offset. While you\u2019ll have to wait till Spring 2024 to get a pair of MO.ONSHOTs, you can find other ridiculously comfy, eco-friendly options on Allbird\u2019s site or at many stores worldwide.<\/p>\n
Sustainable and recycled materials are the name of the Allbird game, and the brand has been laser-focused on ways to lower its carbon footprint\u2014with the ultimate goal of becoming climate positive.<\/p>\n
You can dig into more of Allbirds\u2019 sustainability efforts\u202fhere<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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Bottomline<\/h3>\n
- Certified B Corporations<\/a>\u202fset a very strict set of standards measuring a company’s environmental impact<\/li>\n