7 Sustainable Brands for Everyday Wear

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about some of the sustainable sportswear brands you should have on your radar and the not-so-sustainable ones you should take off your wishlist. In this post, I’ll share some of my favorite brands for everyday clothing – i.e. the clothes you wear out, to work, while running errands, etc.

First things first, the most sustainable items are the ones you already own. Before you go shopping, I challenge you to pause and go through what you already own. Ask yourself some questions as you do:

Are there items in here that I haven’t worn in 1+ year? If this is the case, you’ve gone through all of the seasons and never found them useful… donate.
Marie Kondo it: Are there items that don’t spark joy? If yes, why? If they don’t fit, it’s time to donate. If it’s because the pants are too long or the shirt is discolored or stained… can you alter or upcycle it in some way?
Are there items you love and forgot about?! Make some outfits to wear in the coming weeks. By crafting these outfits ahead of time, you’re more likely to choose them during the week.
What do I actually need? Odds are, you don’t need anything. Make a list of things you might want and then choose wisely when you buy.

I like to go through my closet at least 1x per month. In this process, I’ll often end up moving 1-2 items to the donate pile. I’ll also make outfits with items in my closet. Setting aside time to do this makes weekday mornings much easier, plus I’m more likely to put on a more interest (read: not all Berlin black) outfit.

7 Sustainable Brands I Love

OK, onto the good stuff you came here for. Over the past year, I’ve been lucky enough to have a very fashionable, well-researched husband who gifts me a lot of great items from sustainable brands. Men, check out Clodama for responsible brands in the sportswear space.

1. Reformation

I wore Reformation on my wedding day. Our wedding was small and on the casual side, so I wanted something I would truly wear again and I’ve worn the dress 2x since May 2019. That’s more than most “occasion” dresses I’ve bought in the past. With my wedding dress, I also bought a t-shirt, two tank tops and a jumper. They are all very high quality and even though I wear them all the time (t-shirt and jumper are on me now), they are still in perfect condition. It gets a good rating on Good On You because of its use of leather and exotic animal hair.

2. ArmedangEls

From Armedangels, I have a t-shirt (“World” tee), the pair of pants I’m wearing on this super hot day in Kyoto, and a denim jacket. Each one is made well and fits lovely. I was super impressed with the material – especially the softness of that t-shirt. The brand gets a great score on Good On You because they create high-quality, long-lasting products using eco-friendly materials including GOTS certified cotton. They also have amazing labor policies and transparency across the website and clothing you get.

3. SKFK

Rated great by Good On You, I discovered this brand on a recent trip to Copenhagen. I realized I had seen them around Berlin in a few stores including Rotation in Mitte. On their website, they state, “We support being an active part of the change we want to see and we encourage you to consume in a conscious and responsible way.” Also, “We are not in a rush. Our fashion is slow; made with affection. We design two collections a year with exclusive garments and prints.” These are the brands to admire. I have a skirt and sweater – both made from recycled cotton.

4. Veja

If you’ve seen me around town you know that I pretty much only wear my white Veja V-12s. They might be a little discolored and they might be tearing a bit at the seam (Gorilla Glue FTW), but they still do the job they were made to do. Veja has several different styles and a select amount of shoes make from vegan leather. Their rating on Good On You is good (not great) mostly because they do use several animal materials. Check them out next time you’re shopping for stylish sneakers.

5. Sweedish Stockings

Rated great by Good On You, Swedish Stockings is the only sustainable stocking brand I’ve been able to find. They use a high proportion of eco-friendly materials including Tencel and recycled materials. They come in a variety of thicknesses, so they can be great for all seasons. Next time your stockings rip, I highly suggest these. Now enjoy this cute picture of my mom and sisters at the Christmas Market.

6. Nudie Jeans

IMO, there’s nothing like a good pair of Nudie Jeans. Nudie might have a good (not great) rating on Good On You but when you go into the store to get your pair, the team is super knowledgeable and really wants you to know why their jeans are some of the best out there. Aside from being made from high-quality, long-lasting and eco-friendly materials, Nudie Jeans offers alterations and free repairs. They preach that your jeans should build character as you wear them. They become your unique pair as the coloring fades and or when accidents (i.e. rips and tears) happen.

7. Norden Project

This jacket, oh my gosh, this jacket. Based in Canada, Norden Project creates amazingly warm jackets made almost entirely from recycled materials. Here’s the breakdown for my Inga Parka:

100% Vegan
Shell: 94% recycled polyester, 6% elastane
Lining: 100% recycled polyester
Insulation: POLARTEC® Polyfill 80% recycled polyester, 20% polyester

The only reason the brand doesn’t have a great rating on Good On You is because of it’s labor rating. Rated with ‘it's a start' because there is no evidence Norden ensures payment of a living wage in its supply chain.

Caring for your clothes

Don’t overlook this very important part of the process.

If it’s not smelly, don’t wash it.
Wash according to the instructions. There’s a reason they put those tags in there.
Steam instead of washing and ironing.
Oh, and not really related to garment care but… Use a GuppyFriend to collect any microplastics.

Coming later

I’ll add to the list as I fall in love with more and more ethical brands out there. Until then, I have just about everything I need. Tell me in the comments which sustainable, ethical, game-changing brands you love!