15 Most Sustainable Slow Fashion Brands: The Conscious Consumer’s Guide

15 Most Sustainable Slow Fashion Brands: The Conscious Consumer’s Guide

By
Quynh Nguyen

Read Time:41 Minutes

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Stay impactful,

Amid growing concerns about the textile industry’s environmental impact, there is pressure to find greener clothes for your wardrobe. One option growing more popular is to revert the broken system of fast fashion to making and using our clothing more slowly. So, we had to ask: Which are the most sustainable slow fashion brands?

The most sustainable slow fashion brands are MATE the Label, United by Blue, and Rifò, which design timeless, versatile pieces with low-impact materials and strive for circularity. In addition, Christy Dawn and Baukjen reduce the climate impact and textile waste. 

Whether you are searching for an everyday T-shirt or a summer dress made slowly to add to your wardrobe without negatively impacting the soil, the water, the animals, and other people, there is a brand for you. So, let’s keep reading to learn more about the most sustainable slow fashion brands and how they ensure sustainable, ethical practices. 

Here’s How We Selected the 15 Most Sustainable Slow Fashion Brands

The fast fashion industry has pushed for us to buy trend-dependent, easily replaceable clothing items. Yet, overbuying and landfilling clothes can have a significant impact, especially if they are made with synthetic fabrics. Slow fashion, then, is a model that many clothing brands are adopting in order to reduce their impact. 

Sustainable: The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level | Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance”

Oxford Dictionary

The brands on this list were chosen based on their commitment and actions to promote sustainable practices while reducing the environmental impacts of the textile industry. 

They are transparent about their materials, processes, and workforce management within their supply chain. 

Some brands focus their efforts on reducing waste and optimizing natural resources while others strive to reduce the carbon footprint of their clothes. 

All of these brands share the commitment to reshape the textile industry toward a more sustainable and Earth-friendly sector. 

These Are the 15 Most Sustainable Slow Fashion Brands

Overall, these slow fashion brands are sustainable. Yet, they take various approaches to reduce environmental impacts and uphold ethical standards. Let’s dive into each brand and find out more. 

1

MATE the Label: Clean From Seed to Skin

Logo for MATE the Label
Screenshot of the MATE the label front page

To provide people everywhere with essentials that are clean from seed to skin.

MATE the Label

🌎

How do they ensure their sustainability?

MATE the Label ensures sustainability by sourcing low-impact natural materials, reducing carbon footprints, and recycling. 

🌐

How do they ensure their ethics?

MATE the Label has a Code of Conduct covering four of the ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

🤝

Are they part of any giving-back programs?

In 2021, MATE the Label donated 1% of sales to nonprofit partners that are committed to saving the planet. On Giving Tuesday in 2021, they upped the donation from 1% of every purchase to 5%. Since their partnership with BEAM Impact, MATE the Label’s customers have been able to choose which organization the donations of their order should go to. 

🛍️

What is their product range?

  • Best for: minimalistic, versatile clothes for women
  • Product range: sweaters, dresses, pants, hoodies, maternity wear, blouses, T-shirts, jumpsuits, underwear
  • Price range: $$
  • Size range: XS–XL
2

United by Blue: A Fashion Brand That Designs Out Waste at Both Ends of the Life-Cycle 

Logo for United by Blue
Screensot of the United by Blue front page

Our hope is that through engaging cleanups, better business practices, and trash-cleaning products we can clean up the planet and the fashion industry one sustainable choice at a time.

United by Blue

🌎

How do they ensure their sustainability?

United by Blue ensures sustainability by designing out waste. In particular, they make durable products from sustainably sourced, low-impact materials. They also make them in factories with some of the highest social and environmental health certifications on a slow fashion timeline.

🌐

How do they ensure their ethics?

United by Blue binds all their suppliers with a Code of Conduct covering all of ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

🤝

Are they part of any giving-back programs?

United by Blue removes one pound of trash from oceans and waterways for every product purchased. They achieve this by organizing communitycorporateDIYhigh-yield, and international cleanups. 

🛍️

What is their product range?

  • Best for: menswear, womenswear 
  • Product range: bags, wallets, blazers, beanies, scarves 
  • Price range: $$$ 
  • Size range: S–XXL
3

Rifò: High-Quality Garments Made Slowly With Recycled and Recyclable Materials 

Logo for Rifò
Screenshot of the Rifo front page

“Our planet is no longer capable of sustaining the rhythms of Fast Fashion: it is necessary to create sustainable alternatives for a better future.”

Rifò 

🌎

How do they ensure their sustainability?

Rifò approaches sustainability by committing to using recycled and recyclable fibers

🌐

How do they ensure their ethics?

Rifò binds their suppliers with a Code of Conduct covering four of the ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Works. They also trace most of their supply chain.

🤝

Are they part of any giving-back programs?

Rifò donates €2 ($3) from each purchase on their online store to Nei Nostri Panni, a social impact project to train textile-recycling artisans and spinners who are in vulnerable situations. Additionally, Rifò has supported Fashion Revolution by donating part of the sale from their regenerative cashmere sweater, in an effort to spread awareness for “Green Friday”, an alternative to the hyperconsumerism-supporting Black Friday. 

🛍️

What is their product range?

  • Best for: womenswear, menswear, kidswear
  • Product range: sweaters, denim, polos, tops, blouses, T-shirts, shorts, plus-size 
  • Price range: $$
  • Size range: XS–XL
4

Christy Dawn: Vintage-Inspired Dresses Made With Deadstock and Organic Fabrics

Logo for Christy Dawn
Screenshot of the Christy Dawn front page

We forge mutually beneficial relationships with all of the people and ecosystems we work with, from the farm and weavers in India to dressmakers and photographers in Los Angeles.

Christy Dawn

🌎

How do they ensure their sustainability?

Christy Dawn ensures sustainability by sourcing eco-friendly materials, making long-lasting products, and offsetting their carbon emissions. 

🌐

How do they ensure their ethics?

Christy Dawn traces their supply chain and ensures that some of their suppliers pay living wages

🤝

Are they part of any giving-back programs?

Christy Dawn is not known to be part of any giving-back programs.

🛍️

What is their product range?

  • Best for: womenswear
  • Product range: dresses, knitwear, outerwear, jackets, tops, blouses, bottoms, loungewear, jumpsuits, overalls, shoes, plus-size accessories
  • Price range: $$$
  • Size range: XS–3XL
5

Baukjen: Womenswear Designed for Circularity and Made Sustainably 

Logo for Baukjen
Screenshot of the Baukjen front page

“Our collections are designed for the modern woman struggling with a busy lifestyle. Effortless style is our design signature, premium quality is our standard so our clothes can be worn year after year.”

Baukjen 

🌎

How do they ensure their sustainability?

Baukjen ensures sustainability by swapping planet-unfriendly materials for more responsible ones, cutting down environmental impacts throughout their supply chain, and moving toward a circular model. 

🌐

How do they ensure their ethics?

Baukjen ensures their ethics by maintaining a high level of transparency regarding their factories and the impacts of their garments. 

🤝

Are they part of any giving-back programs?

Baukjen gives at least 10% of their annual profits to charities, including NHS Charities Together, GOSH, Oxfam, Strut Safe, World Land Trust, Prince’s Trust, and Birth Companions. Their team is offered two days per year to volunteer at charities of their choice. For three years running, they have swapped deals for good deeds over the Black Friday Weekend, opting instead to donate profits or clothing over the four-day shopping bonanza to a range of deserving charities, such as the UK women’s charity Smart Works

🛍️

What is their product range?

  • Best for: womenswear
  • Product range: shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, cardigans, dresses, tops, jackets, blazers, outerwear, T-shirts, vests, jeans, pants, skirts, knitwear, jumpsuits, joggers, pajamas, underwear, tights, maternity wear
  • Price range: $$
  • Size range: XS–XXL
6

Nisolo: Carbon-Neutral Garments and Accessories From an Accountable and Transparent Brand

Logo for Nisolo
Screenshot of the Nisolo Front Page

“As a brand focused on sustainability, we’re far from perfect. To hold ourselves more accountable in hopes the industry will begin to do the same, we’re raising the bar for transparency to an unprecedented level. ”

Nisolo 

🌎

How do they ensure their sustainability?

Nisolo ensures their sustainability by reducing their impacts while working toward fixing the fashion industry. They focus on five critical areas: a living wage for all workers, net zero carbon emissions, transparency, accountability, and collaboration. Specifically, they pursue the balance between their carbon emissions and offsets. 

🌐

How do they ensure their ethics?

Nisolo ensures their ethics by upholding all their 1st tier factories to their Supplier Code of Conduct, which covers all of the ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

🤝

Are they part of any giving-back programs?

Nisolo founded The Lowest Wage Challenge in collaboration with another fashion label, ABLE, to challenge brands to share their lowest wages and strive toward paying their workers a living wage throughout their supply chains. 

🛍️

What is their product range?

  • Best for: menswear, womenswear
  • Product range: shoes, bags, wallets, belts, socks, accessories
  • Price range: $$$
  • Size range: S–L
7

SANTICLER: Slow-Fashion Brand Committing to Circular Design Principles 

Logo for SANTICLER
Screenshot of the Santicler front page

Santicler is a future-forward brand that pushes boundaries, challenges long-established industry rules, and ultimately evolves how ready-to-wear clothes are designed, manufactured, consumed and recycled.”

SANTICLER

🌎

How do they ensure their sustainability?

SANTICLER promotes sustainability by sourcing eco-friendly materials and taking action to reduce waste. 

🌐

How do they ensure their ethics?

SANTICLER traces most of their supply chain and audits some of their suppliers. 

  • They are transparent about the suppliers of their main fabrics and the certifications the suppliers have. Further down the life-cycle in the manufacturing stage, SANTICLER partners with a family-owned factory in Romania and is committed to ethical working conditions, including payment, health insurance, regulated working hours, and a ban on child labour. 
  • Regarding animal welfare, they source their wool fabrics from farms with Responsible Wool Standard certification to ensure that sheep and goats are treated responsibly

🤝

Are they part of any giving-back programs?

SANTICLER donates monthly to support Sea Legacy’s conservation and rehabilitation projects around the world

🛍️

What is their product range?

  • Best for: menswear, womenswear, kidswear
  • Product range: sweaters, bodysuits, tops, dresses, bottoms, accessories
  • Price range: $$$
  • Size range: XS–L
8

E.L.V. DENIM: Timeless Denim Apparel Made With 100% Upcycled Materials 

Logo for E.L.V. DENIM
Screenshot of the E.L.V. DENIM front page

“With considered upcycling and fabric-first curated sourcing, we can meet the global demand for design-led luxury fashion and be kinder to the environment.”

E.L.V. DENIM 

🌎

How do they ensure their sustainability?

E.L.V. DENIM‘s commitment to sustainability lies in their zero-waste ethos.

🌐

How do they ensure their ethics?

E.L.V. DENIM ensures their ethics by keeping their production in the UK with partners who have high social and quality standards. The artisans who work on their denim clothes are paid fairly for their work. As well, E.L.V. DENIM traces most of their supply chain and visits their suppliers regularly. 

🤝

Are they part of any giving-back programs?

E.L.V. DENIM works with local schools and universities, providing fabric for textile classes. 

🛍️

What is their product range?

  • Best for: womenswear, menswear
  • Product range: denim, shirts, pants, shorts, jackets, blazers, jumpsuits, playsuits
  • Price range: $$$$
  • Size range: XS–L
9

Neu Nomads: An Ethic-First Brand With a Commitment to Sustainability and Traceability 

Logo for Neu Nomads
Screenshot of the Neu Nomads front page

We always consider how to create something beautiful with the lowest possible impact on the world.”

Karen Wood, founder of Neu Nomads

🌎

How do they ensure their sustainability?

Neu Nomads prioritizes sustainability by opting for eco-friendly materials, using renewable energy in their supply chain, and reducing waste with a platform to resell and reuse pre-loved clothes

🌐

How do they ensure their ethics?

Neu Nomads ensures their ethics through fair labor practices and transparent supply chains. They also make regular inspection visits to their suppliers. On top of that, 85% of their garments are produced in a family-owned factory in Delhi that maintains healthy working conditionshealthcare benefits, and compensation far above the living wage.

🤝

Are they part of any giving-back programs?

Neu Nomads is not known to be part of any giving-back programs.

🛍️

What is their product range?

  • Best for: luxurious essential clothing items for female modern travelers 
  • Product range: shirts, scarves, dresses, pants, jackets, blazers, knitwear, tops, blouses, T-shirts, lingerie
  • Price range: $$$
  • Size range: XXS–XXL
10

MUD Jeans: Quality Jeans Made Ethically With Organic and Denim

Logo for MUD Jeans
Screenshot of the Mud jeans front page

With our circular philosophy, we want to design our products in a way that they can be reused, recycled and upcycled easily.

MUD Jeans

🌎

How do they ensure their sustainability?

MUD Jeans prioritizes sustainability by committing to circular principles in every step of the life cycle of their denim products, including design, materials, production techniques, and end-of-life. 

🌐

How do they ensure their ethics?

MUD Jeans is fully transparent about their manufacturing processes, maintaining fair conditions for workers. 

🤝

Are they part of any giving-back programs?

MUD Jeans partners with Justdiggit to regenerate trees and revive deforested areas. For every pair of jeans sent back to them, they donate that pair to Justdiggit to restore one tree. The nonprofit organization uses a special pruning technique to regenerate forgotten tree stumps in previously deforested areas in Sub-Saharan Africa, bringing back trees, increasing carbon sequestration, cooling down the site, increasing water retention, and promoting biodiversity.

🛍️

What is their product range?

  • Best for: womenswear, menswear
  • Product range: jeans, jackets, shirts, shorts, skirts, accessories
  • Price range: $$
  • Size range: XS–XL

Taylor Stitch: Responsibly Built Men’s Clothing 

Logo for Taylor Stitch
Screenshot of the Taylor Stitch front page

From fiber to fabric to factory to end functionality, Taylor Stitch has grown from a need for products without limitations that could handle chopping wood, surf sessions, snagging trout, or simply heading to the office. On top of making the world’s best apparel, we’re asking questions about how we can protect wild, forever.

Taylor Stitch

🌎

How do they ensure their sustainability?

Taylor Stitch promotes sustainability by sourcing a high proportion of lower-impact materials, reducing climate impact, and closing the loop toward being circular. 

🌐

How do they ensure their ethics?

Taylor Stitch traces part of their supply chain. They publicly share their factory partners, which are located in China, Mexico, and the US. Regarding animal welfare, they opt for ethical practices when developing animal-based products, such as byproduct-sourced leather, non-mulesed wool, and recycled down.

🤝

Are they part of any giving-back programs?

Taylor Stitch donates to local and national organizations, including Frontline FoodsWorld Central KitchenACLUCampaign ZeroThe Hidden Genius ProjectsNSW Rural Fire Service, and the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife

🛍️

What is their product range?

  • Best for: menswear
  • Product range: shirts, T-shirts, bottoms, outerwear, boots, accessories 
  • Price range: $$
  • Size range: XS–XXL
12

Harvest & Mill: Carbon-Neutral Apparel Made in Organic and Traceable US-Based Supply Chain 

Logo for Harvest & Mill
Screenshot of the Harvest & Mill front page

We use zero fabric wholesalers or brokers and we use only 100% USA grown organic cotton yarns – because that is the only way to have true transparency in fashion and fabric chemical content.

Harvest & Mill

🌎

How do they ensure their sustainability?

Harvest & Mill’s sustainability efforts focus on using low-impact materials, minimizing textile waste, and achieving carbon neutrality. 

🌐

How do they ensure their ethics?

Harvest & Mill traces their whole supply chain and visits their suppliers regularly. They state that from the farm workers to the factory workers, everyone who works on Harvest & Mill clothing receives a fair wage, safe working conditions, the legally protected right to organize, and protection from discrimination.

🤝

Are they part of any giving-back programs?

Harvest & Mill is a member of Fibershed, a nonprofit that develops regional fiber systems that build soil and protect the health of Earth’s biosystems. 

🛍️

What is their product range?

  • Best for: womenswear, menswear
  • Product range: shirts, T-shirts, pants, shorts, socks
  • Price range: $$$ 
  • Size range: S–XL
13

The Level Collective: Organic Cotton Apparel and Accessories That Are Designed for Work and Play in the Wild

Logo for The level collective
Screenshot of The Level Collective front page

“We lead by example, putting people and planet before profit, and craft purposeful product as an expression of these values. Timeless supplies inspired by adventures in the seasons found outside, not those dictated by fashion.”

The Level Collective 

🌎

How do they ensure their sustainability?

The Level Collective ensures sustainability by opting for low-impact varieties of natural fabrics for their backpacks. 

🌐

How do they ensure their ethics?

The Level Collective upholds their suppliers to a Supplier Code of Conduct, which covers four of the ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

  • They also trace most of their supply chain. 
  • Furthermore, most of their products—backpacks included—are manufactured in Britain and Europe under stringent labor laws. 
  • In addition, they source blank, off-the-shelf T-shirts and sweaters ethically made from GOTS-certified organic cotton in Bangladesh in Fair Wear Foundation-certified factories.

🤝

Are they part of any giving-back programs?

The Level Collective pledges 3% for People & Planet, donating 3% of their annual profits to charity partners who support vulnerable communities and protect our planet. Additionally, they opt for Mail Out, a social enterprise that specifically trains and employs adults with learning difficulties to pick, pack, and post their orders

🛍️

What is their product range?

  • Best for: womenswear, menswear
  • Product range: backpacks, wool knitwear, shirts, jackets, T-shirts, sweaters, hats, socks, accessories, trainers, boots
  • Price range: $$$
  • Size range: XS–XL
14

KOHR: Timeless Staples for the Conscious Minimalist

Logo for Kohr
Screenshot of the KOHR front page

 “We design and manufacture in house using macro trends (trends that last up to 10 years) to create the perfect basics to elevate your wardrobe and stand against time.”

KOHR

🌎

How do they ensure their sustainability?

KOHR ensures their sustainability by sourcing eco-friendly materials, minimizing textile waste, and reducing climate impact. 

🌐

How do they ensure their ethics?

KOHR traces most of their supply chain. The final production stage is done in-house by a small team

🤝

Are they part of any giving-back programs?

KOHR partners with One Tree Planted to have one tree planted for every order of their garments. 

🛍️

What is their product range?

  • Best for: womenswear, menswear
  • Product range: tops, shirts, pants, shorts, loungewear, dresses, accessories 
  • Price range: $$
  • Size range: S–XL
15

Unrecorded: Unisex Clothing Made Sustainably With Consideration to Quality and Elegance 

Logo for Unrecorded
Screenshot of the Unrecorded front page

“In our determined pursuit of refinement, we embrace the charm of natural fibers, carefully chosen for their exceptional durability and resilience. ”

Unrecorded 

🌎

How do they ensure their sustainability?

Unrecorded ensures sustainability by using a high proportion of low-impact natural fabrics, lowering carbon emissions, and minimizing textile waste

🌐

How do they ensure their ethics?

Unrecorded sets up their final stage of production in the European Union, a low/medium risk region for labor abuse. They also trace most of their supply chain and visit their suppliers regularly. Regarding animal rights, they follow the Responsible Wool Standard, appropriately addressing sheep’s welfare and the land they graze on. 

🤝

Are they part of any giving-back programs?

Unrecorded is not known to be part of any giving-back programs.

🛍️

What is their product range?

  • Best for: unisex apparel
  • Product range: knitwear, sweaters, hoodies, pants, shirts, T-shirts, polo shirts, outerwear, socks, scarves, hats, accessories 
  • Price range: $$
  • Size range: XS–XXL

Why Is It Important to Buy Products Made of More Sustainable Fabrics

It is important to buy products made of more sustainable fabrics because a sustainable textile industry has a lower carbon footprint, helps save natural resources, and is better for forests, animals, and humans. 

Buying Sustainable Fabrics Reduces Your Carbon Footprint 

The production of clothing and footwear is estimated to contribute 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions—more than all international flights and shipping combined. If the fashion industry were a country, it would be the fourth largest emitter of carbon dioxide

One way to reduce the carbon footprint of the clothes you buy is to opt for sustainable fabrics. Sustainable fabrics, which are often made with natural or recycled fibers, have relatively low carbon footprints compared to petroleum-based fabrics. For example, organic cotton made in the US has a carbon footprint of 2.35 kg CO2 (per ton of spun fiber)—a quarter of polyester’s carbon footprint.

Buying Sustainable Fabrics Reduces the Demand for Natural Resources and Waste Management

The textile industry uses water and land to grow cotton and other fibers. It is estimated that 79 billion cubic meters of water were used for the sector worldwide in 2015. For example, producing a single cotton T-shirt requires as much water as one person drinks for 2.5 years (2,700 liters of fresh water).

Worse yet, the textile economy is vastly more linear than circular: the largest amount of resources used in clothes ended up in landfills (instead of being recycled to remake clothes). According to a report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation,

  • Less than 3% of materials used in the textile economy in 2015 came from recycled sources.
  • In other words, more than 97% of resources used in making clothes are newly extracted. 

When clothing items are disposed of within a short period of time—under a year in the case of half of the fast fashion clothes—the natural systems that provide raw materials for fabrics don’t have enough time to recover and regenerate, which could lead to ecological breakdown. 

Sustainable fabrics are made with less water and emissions while lasting longer:

  • Because they are durable, you don’t need to buy new clothes too often. 
  • Thus, you help reduce the pressure to extract more resources for making new items. 

Similarly, making and consuming sustainable fabrics made with recycled materials reduces the demand for virgin materials while helping tackle waste management. 

Buying Sustainable Fabrics Encourages Sustainable Management of Forests

Sustainable natural fiber fabrics are made with raw materials from forests and plantations that are sustainably managed, such as complying with FSC standards

When you buy sustainable natural fiber fabrics, you discourage unsustainable forestry practices like illegal logging. You can help reduce deforestation, biodiversity loss, and the effects of climate change. 

Buying Sustainable Fabrics Encourages Fairer Treatment of Animals 

The fashion industry is rife with animal mistreatment when it comes to making animal-based fabrics like wool or silk. Every year, billions of animals suffer and die for clothing and accessories.

Buying sustainable vegan alternatives can help to reduce the pressure on raising more and more animals to meet the demand for animal-based fabrics while sacrificing their well-being and lives. 

Suppose you have to buy fabrics made with, for example, wool or silk; make sure you only choose brands committed to cruelty-free products. In that case, you help advocate better treatments for animals raised within the textile industry. 

Using Sustainable Fabrics Encourages Fairer Treatment of Textile Workers 

Recent statistics from UNICEF estimated as many as 170 million child laborers worldwide, many of whom were engaged in some form of work in the textile industry. They don’t get paid minimum wages and often work long hours. 

When you buy sustainable fabrics from brands transparent about the working conditions at their factories, you discourage the use of child labor and help promote better working conditions for textile workers.

How Can You Generally Buy More Sustainable Fabrics

The key to sustainably buying fabrics is to check on relevant environmental and original certifications. 

For natural fabrics

  • Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): A globally recognized certification system that ensures a certain threshold of organic content has been met. It covers manufacturing, packaging, labeling, transportation, and distribution (but not what happens in the fields where crops are grown). 
  • USDA Certified Biobased Product: The USDA BioPreferred® Certification is a voluntary certification offered by the United States Department of Agriculture. The certification identifies products made from plants or other renewable materials.
  • Ecolabel: Ecolabel is the official European Union voluntary label recognized worldwide for certified products with a guaranteed, independently verified low environmental impact. The label requires high environmental standards throughout the entire life-cycle: from raw material extraction through production and distribution to disposal. It also encourages companies to develop innovative, durable, easy-to-repair, and recyclable products. 

For natural fiber semi-natural/semi-synthetic fabrics:

  • Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification: PEFC’s approaches to sustainable forest management are in line with protecting the forests globally and locally and making the certificate work for everyone. Getting a PEFC certification is strict enough to ensure the sustainable management of a forest is socially just, ecologically sound, and economically viable but attainable not only by big but small forest owners.

For recycled fabrics:

  • Recycled Claim Standard (RCS): The Textile Exchange RCS was originally developed as an international, voluntary standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of Recycled input and chain of custody. 
  • The Global Recycled Standard (GRS): The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international, voluntary, full product standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of Recycled Content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. It can be used for any product with more than 20% recycled material.

For all types of fabrics:

  • STeP by OEKO-TEX®: STeP by OEKO-TEX® is an independent certification system for brands, retailers, and manufacturers from the textile and leather industry. It communicates organizational environmental measures, including reducing carbon footprint and water usage.
  • OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100: OEKO-TEX® labels aim to ensure that products pose no risk to human health (i.e., containing banned chemicals). 

Some certifications that are signaling brands’ efforts toward lowered environmental impacts and a circular economy are: 

  • B Corp Certification: The label B Corp is a certification reserved for for-profit companies. Certified holders are assessed on their social and environmental impacts. 
  • Cradle2Cradle certification: Cradle2Cradle provides a standardized approach to material circularity. It assesses whether products have been suitably designed and made with the circular economy in mind covering five critical categories: material health, material reuse, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness.

Final Thoughts

The fast fashion industry has pushed for clothes to be trend-dependent and easily replaceable. Yet, overbuying and landfilling clothes can have a significant impact, especially if they are made with synthetic fabrics. 

By purchasing clothes from slow fashion brands that commit to sustainability, you support their mission to produce slower, fairer, and better for all lives on Earth. 

Here is the list (again) of the most sustainable slow fashion brands:

  • MATE the Label
  • United by Blue
  • Rifò
  • Christy Dawn
  • Baukjen
  • Nisolo
  • SANTICLER
  • E.L.V. DENIM
  • Neu Nomads
  • MUD Jeans
  • Taylor Stitch
  • Harvest & Mill
  • The Level Collective
  • KOHR
  • Unrecorded

To make your use of clothing items from these slow fashion brands even more sustainable, follow these steps:

  1. Buy second-hand, recycled, or upcycled clothes made with low-impact materials. 
  2. Keep your clothes for as long as possible.
  3. At the end-of-life of your clothes, upcycle the materials to extend their usage and arrange for them to be recycled or properly disposed of.

Stay impactful,



Sources

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