Before we hop right into the list, I know that’s what you’re here for. Let’s just make sure we’re all up to speed on what I mean by “Sustainable” Fashion Brands.
Sustainability in Fashion is a tricky topic, almost every brand claims to be “sustainable” now. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but most are not actually sustainable, let alone practicing responsible business practices.
While there are no hard and fast rules for what makes a sustainable fashion brand, I consider it to be brands that put people and the planet at the same level as profit.
Luckily for us, Good On You makes it super easy to understand if a brand is sustainable. They have a great little ranking system from 1 (we avoid) to 5 (Great), and break it down by Planet, People, and Animals. That way you can choose brands that align with your values.
Ok great now that we’re all up to speed, let's dive in:
1. Birdsong
Out of London, Birdsong creates clothing for women who dress in protest — against the fast nature of the fashion industry, the obsessive pursuit of trends, and the systematic abuse of women in the production line.
They believe in craftsmanship and pay their local artisans a London living wage.
Good On You rankings:
Planet: 4 out of 5
People: 5 out of 5
Animals: 4 out of 5
Shop: birdsong.london
2. OhSevenDays
Based in Istanbul, OhSevenDays makes its womenswear collections from deadstock fabrics. While they are starting to work on their people pillar of sustainable practices, their planet approach is great. They are essentially taking fast fashion’s leftovers (waste) and creating slow fashion staples that can be worn Monday-Sunday.
Good On You rankings:
Planet: 5 out of 5
People: 2 out of 5
Animals: 4 out of 5
Shop: ohsevendays.com
3. TAMGA
TAMGA is a vibrant brand that is inspired by the expression of a colorful life. TAMGA was founded in 2014 while the founders were living in Dhaka, Bangladesh, working for the UN. They arrived shortly after a garment factory collapsed. They started asking questions, learning about the industry, and visiting factories. They followed paths that simultaneously broke our hearts and inspired us to take action, and through this TAMGA was born.
Good On You rankings:
Planet: 5 out of 5
People: 5 out of 5
Animals: 4 out of 5
Shop: tamgadesigns.com
4. Christy Dawn
A brand that looks not only to sustain but to heal. Christy Dawn designs dresses and accessories inspired by vintage clothing, using only deadstock fabric, and regeneratively grown raw materials. Making their clothes farm to closet.
Good On You rankings:
Planet: 5 out of 5
People: 5 out of 5
Animals: 4 out of 5
Shop: christydawn.com
5. Grammar NYC
A modern minimalist brand out of NYC, Grammar holds it’s design practices to the highest standards. The brand uses local artisans, craftspeople,women-and minority-owned businesses in New York City.
Good On You rankings:
Planet: 5 out of 5
People: 5 out of 5
Animals: 4 out of 5
Shop: grammarnyc.com
6. Study New York
An ethical contemporary womenswear brand based in New York City. Study prides itself on making fashion, without making waste. They keep a transparent supply chain, and hope by educating consumers about the craft of making clothing that they will begin to understand what is required of producing a well-made garment that will withstand the test of time.
Good On You rankings:
Planet: 5 out of 5
People: 4 out of 5
Animals: 2 out of 5
Shop: study-ny.com
7. Cossac
This sassy British brand is making contemporary ethical garments with an edge. They pride themselves on being European made, working with small family-run factories that they have been able to build sustainable relationships with.
Good On You rankings:
Planet: 5 out of 5
People: 4 out of 5
Animals: 4 out of 5
Shop: cossac.co
Ending Notes
While shopping for ethical brands might seem expensive at first, I can promise that over time it is actually much more cost-effective. Firstly, the garments are quality made, meaning they will last you much longer than a cheaply made fast fashion article. Secondly, when you need to think twice or even save up for a garment, you cherish it more. You keep it longer, take care of it, and aren’t shy to wear it time and time again.
On top of that, it’s the BEST thing you can do for our planet, I mean besides going naked. We each have the opportunity to make a change just by being mindful of how and who we spend our money with.
