Summer is getting closer and we’re all beginning to think about our outfits for the warmer months (at least, I am!). Whether it’s business casual for work or more casual pieces you can throw together in 5 minutes to run the kids to school, we all want to dress in a way that feels good to us. But what about dressing in a way that’s also good for the environment and the chain of workers that are involved in each step before you purchase and wear those items? Sustainable fashion brands help you feel good about your purchase and the supply chain feel good too!

As your Personal Stylist, it’s my job to help you choose items that align with who you are and recently I have had an influx of clients who really want to be wearing sustainable fashion brands. Environmental fashion is becoming huge and I am here for it. I’ve worked in fashion for 15 years and it was not so easy and accessible back in 2009 to purchase from sustainable brands. But now, it really is the easiest it’s ever been. 

I want to make it clear that this is not a trend, it’s the direction we need to move towards because there is just so much waste when it comes to fashion.

“People are buying 60% more in the past 15 years, yet the clothing worn from those purchases are only 40%”

According to Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a new textiles economy redesigning fashion’s future “People are buying 60% more in the past 15 years, yet the clothing worn from those purchases are only 40%”. And a survey done by Stitch Fixwith 2,000 women found that “80% wear the same clothes in their closet”. This is where the waste comes in and why we need to be working towards creating sustainable capsule wardrobes with key pieces we reach for again and again, for years to come!

When you go to your closet each morning, are you pulling out the same pieces or do you experiment with new ones?

I’d love to know where you fit into this percentage! So what are the best sustainable fashion brands for summer 2024 that you need to know about? And does it compromise style or quality? Let’s dive in.

Do sustainable fashion brands compromise style?

Sustainable fashion absolutely does not compromise style, contrary to popular beliefs. In fact, when you have the design, production and materials being made ethically with happier staff and better quality materials, everybody wins!

Do sustainable fashion brands compromise quality?

The types of materials used in environmental fashion are ones that have a lower impact on the environment such as cotton, hemp, bamboo and recycled fabrics. “Do recycled fabrics look cheap?” I hear a lot of clients say. My answer to this is always “it depends”. That’s why I guide my private clients through this process and it’s why I’m giving you a list of my favorite sustainable fashion companies today because if you know what to look for and you have your go-to brands I promise you that you will end up with less waste, more capsule wardrobe pieces and amazing quality too.

Let’s talk through my favorite 6 sustainable fashion brands!

Amour Vert

Amour Vert hand draw, cut, and sew all of their samples at their Atelier HQ in San Francisco, California. They collaborate with artists to create one-of-a-kind prints and with every purchase of a tee, they plant a tree in North America in partnership with American Forests®. They also sell pre-loved clothing through their resale marketplace, ReAmour which I just LOVE.

My favorite pieces:

• I love their Knit Lime Green top which is fun and easy to wear, crafted in biodegradable CiCLO® Yarn and “a business inspired french look for it’s modern style and simplicity”.

• I also think their Summer Blazer is amazing. I’ve found it so hard to find suiting that is sustainable so this is a great option. It’s a summer blazer that also has a matching pant if you want to do a full suit look and it’s 55% organic cotton and 45% linen so it's pretty light and breathable too.

Reformation

Reformation are one of my favorite brands! They began by selling vintage clothing out of a small Los Angeles storefront in 2009. They quickly expanded into making their own stuff, with a focus on sustainability. Today, their focus is on creating effortless silhouettes that celebrate the feminine figure and pioneer sustainable practices. They built their own LA-based factory so that their workers (from all over the world) have a safe, fair environment to work in.

My favorite pieces:

• Their Myra Knit Top is a great piece for date nights. It’s a deadstock fabric made from 100% Nylon which means that they utilized materials that would have otherwise gone to waste and made something beautiful out of it.

• I also love their Val 90s Mid Rise Straight Jeans in the Latte color. These are great for the ladies that have a straight figure or feel constricted in a high waist. This is a non-stretch twill fabric made of 100% Organically Grown Cotton.

Brother Vellies

Brother Vellies use vegetable-tanned leathers, soling from recycled tires, hand carved wood, floral dyed feathers along with a collection of other by-product materials sourced from farmers across the globe. They also don’t run sales because of fair labor practices, materials, and all the parts that go into creating products with care. They produce sustainable fashion across the globe in Mexico, Africa, New York, Italy and other countries for women who appreciate the art of fashion and love a good statement piece.

My favorite pieces:

• I love their Lauryn Boot in Washed Brown Suede. You can dress it up or down easily and it can be a core item in your wardrobe for years to come. 

• I also love their Picnic Shoe in Tomato. Yes, red for the everyday because why not? Spice up your wardrobe with a bright color. The heart is made of swarovski crystals of course. Every detail on her pieces count and I appreciate that.

Thought

Thought are a sustainable brand that has been family owned since 1995, using organic, recycled materials which are earth-friendly and skin friendly so it’s soft on your skin, ensuring that their whole production process is good to people and the planet. They’re more classic and casual lifestyle and less trend forward with lots of color for the creative side of you.

My favorite pieces:

• Their Organic Cotton Fluffy Cardigan in Pampas Cream is the best! It’s made of 59% organic cotton, 20% recycled nylon, 19% recycled polyester, 2% elastane.

• The Organic Cotton Jersey Tiered Midi Skirt in Forest Green which is perfect for summer and spring. It’s lightweight and just the right mix of greens.

Colorful Standard

Colorful Standard are your wardrobe staple go-to for sustainable fashion. They have all the classic staples in a variety of colors. Their pieces are made of organic cotton and recycled wool. Their stores are international including Paris and London but they do have a spot in LA too. This is definitely for the woman that needs some casual wear, even loungewear like sweatshirts, sweat pants and tees. They have the solid basics in the athleisure department.

My favorite pieces:

• The Organic Quarter Zip is great to wear at home or running errands. I’m sure we could all use an update on our loungewear and this one comes in a variety of colors. 

• The Organic Rib Tank Top is a must-have for summer to layer under button down shirts, with shorts, and jeans. For the mama on the go, add a bright color to your look for the season and you won’t feel bad when you’ve worn the heck out of it and can recycle it again!

Pact

Pact create better products for you and the planet by using organic farming which results in less toxins in your tees. Plus organic farming results in 81% less water and 62% less energy. Every purchase contributes to the community, they use fair trade practices, and they also have a give back wear forward process where you can donate up to 70lbs of old clothes to them which they send to different charities where they can resell and help others.

My favorite pieces:

• I love the color and print of their Fit & Flare Modern Halter Dress. This is a perfect piece to wear to the market or for lunch with your girlfriends. It’s made with organic cotton from a fair trade factory.

• Their Everyday High Rise Thong 6-Pack is breathable and great for your day to day wear - you can also get sustainable underwear and bralettes. I love that they have a variety of colors and that they’ve sold over 7.5 million pairs and have perfected the perfect fit. If you don’t wear thongs there are other cuts too.

Sustainable fashion companies are the future of fashion

Sustainable fashion companies are the future of fashion and I urge you to begin to collect pieces in your closet that are more eco-friendly. I also urge you to build a capsule wardrobe of all your basics before branching out further so you can shop with intent and actually wear everything in your closet.

You can watch my FREE webinar 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 here so you can create a more sustainable, reusable wardrobe.

I’m here to help you on your sustainable style journey. If you have any questions for me, you can send them to [email protected]; I’d love to hear from you. Don’t forget to listen along to the podcast or watch along on YouTube too! 

If you want some extra support with implementing your eco-friendly wardrobe, then book a FREE 20 minute personal style call. I’d love to meet you!

Build a style and wardrobe that truly reflects you.

xo,