Think ethical fashion is too expensive? Think again. Yes, as LIM College states, sustainable fashion can be pricey due to Ethical Labor Practices, Sustainable Production Processes, Eco-Friendly Materials, and Certifications and Standards. However, I have found three brands that aim to offer stylish, non-toxic, and ethical clothes at a low-mid price range. Check out one of my core blog posts detailing What sustainable fashion is here.
Criteria: Sourcing and Materials used (vegan and nontoxic materials are ideal), Production, Packaging, and CSR efforts. Certifications are a big plus!
GOTS(Global Organic Textiles Standard)Certified.Organic farming results in cleaner air, better soil, safer farming, and fewer toxins in your clothes. Plus, it uses 81% less water and 62% less energy to be produced.
Since all of their clothes are Cotton, they are Vegan (no animals were used or harmed)!
Production
Fair Trade Certified: Provides safe working conditions, community support, and additional development funds to those working on-site.
Zero Net Carbon:PACT has collaborated with SimpliZero to measure the impact of every single product and offset it through reforestation, renewable energy, and community projects that sequester carbon from the atmosphere.
Overall, PACT is a highly sustainable fashion brand that ensures ethical sourcing and production, utilizes innovative plastic-free packaging, and continuously improves its business practices through responsible compensation and corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts.
What they sell | Men’s and Women’s Tops, Bottoms, Basics, Outerwear, and Activewear.
Price range | $-$$ ($35-$220)
Size range | Women’s 0-18 & Men 30-38 (S-L)
Best for | Lifestyle and outdoor clothing
Mission | Their mission is reflected in their dedication to creating eco-friendly clothing and promoting slow fashion as the future.
Why it’s ethical:
Sourcing/Materials used
Vegan/plant-based fibers: The majority of Toad&Co’s clothing is vegan and avoids materials like silk, fur, feathers, angora, and down. Instead, they make vegan-friendly clothes out of plant-based and man-made fibers.
Certifications: OEKO-TEX Standard 100®, Global Recycled Standard (GRS), bluesign®, Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)
Toad&Co teamed up withLimeLoop to offer a solution to single-use packaging – the reusable shipper. Simply choose the “Reusable Shipper” option at checkout, and Toad&Co will send your clothes in a durable mailer with a prepaid return label.
Additional CSR Activity
Resale clothing: Their ToadAgain resale and circularity clothing platform allows customers to shop and sell pre-loved Toad&Co favorites. It’s a genius way of offering fans of the brand a way to recycle and profit!
Toad&Co is a sustainable fashion brand that prioritizes ethical sourcing, responsible production, and circular fashion. With vegan materials, fair labor practices, reusable packaging, and a resale platform, it minimizes waste and promotes a more eco-friendly industry.
While the brand does not have any Certifications, it holds very strict Ethical Labor Standards and Workplace Compliance Rules that can be found here.
Melie Bianco prides itself in using an all-natural vegan alternative to Leather, which is Polyurethane (PU). This material is free of Lead, Carcinogenic Dyes, AZO Dyes, and other heavy metals. Their hardware is non-toxic and their lining is made of eco materials.
Production
They state that their products are made in China but that they operate under the Profit Sharing Model. “We believe in investing in our suppliers, our factories, and the people who help us produce our products.”.
Melie Bianco is one of the most sustainable fashion accessory brands on the market and a leader in using nontoxic, vegan leather. They excel at offering trendy, high-quality designer dupes at an affordable price.
These three fashion brands are some of my favorite sustainable fashion companies as they not only hold themselves to ethical standards, but offer cute styles and accessible prices.
