We’re not going to lie to you and tell you sustainable style is cheap. If it was cheap, everyone would be doing it. Sustainable brands work hard to not only bring you beautiful pieces that you’ll wear forever, but ones that are also eco-friendly, sustainably sourced and packaged, and socially responsible. It’s a tall order. But you pay for what you get. Rather than spending all of your money on the latest trends, we suggest saving up and purchasing timeless wardrobe staples that will never go out of style. You’ll wear these perfect sustainably made staples over and over again, so they’ll pay for themselves a few times over. We rounded up some of our favorite timeless staples that are sustainably made and for a variety of budgets.
A perfect summer staple made from organic linen and available in a huge variety of colors.
A breezy, boxy organic linen blouse done in an airy weave is a fresh way to approach a hot day.
A classic trench coat is a timeless wardrobe staple. This trench comes in three colors and is ISO 14001- and SA800-certified, ensuring responsible social and environmental practices. Additionally, it is SMETA-certified, which monitors responsible practices in labor, health and safety, environment and business ethics.
This graphic tee is made by MATE, which creates clean essentials made sustainably and ethically in Los Angeles. The company is committed to using non-toxic, natural and GOTS-certified organic materials that are easy on your skin and the environment. MATE proudly partners with factories within a 10-mile radius of its Arts District studio in LA.
RE/DONE denim is on the pricier side, but no one does sustainable denim like this brand. The company pieces together vintage Levi’s and gives new life to the pieces. It manufactures its jeans in Downtown Los Angeles, using water-conserving methods and no harsh chemicals. Quantities will always be limited since each pair is handpicked, hand cut and distinctly one of a kind.
Ninety Percent makes beautiful sustainable staples, and we especially love this funnel-neck sweatshirt. The brand’s focus areas include: Respectful working environments, sustainable materials, garment longevity, transparency and traceability, animal welfare, water stewardship, emissions and CO2, circularity.
Whether you wear them as pants or use them to work out, every woman needs a quality pair of leggings in their arsenal. Girlfriend Collective makes its products out of recycled water bottles for ultimate conservation efforts.
French fashion brand Veja just might make the world’s most sustainable sneaker (so far). The brand makes sneakers with raw materials sourced from organic farming and ecological agriculture that the founders say avoids chemicals and polluting processes.
If you’re looking for sustainable dresses, you can’t go wrong with a wrap dress. It’s a classic silhouette that always looks put together and polished. Linen is an organic material that’s highly popular with sustainable brands for its durability and versatility.
It’s hard to find the perfect pair of white pants, but these might just be the ticket. They’re made with a slightly textured organic-cotton poplin woven with a touch of stretch.
Patagonia has made a name for itself with its sustainability endeavors. With a timeless jumpsuit, you’ll not only feel comfortable, but also happy with the company’s ethos. Patagonia belongs to both the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and 1% For The Planet. It rejects fast fashion by creating high-quality, long-lasting products, and offers a repair and reuse program. It even goes so far as to discourage customers from purchasing too many of its products.
Wrap skirts are one of those versatile pieces that can be worn to a picnic or to an important meeting at the office. This skirt is made from Cupro Tencel, which is Oeko-Tex-certified, ensuring that no hazardous substances are present in the material. Cupro Tencel is a natural and regenerative fiber made from a byproduct of the cotton production process that would otherwise go to waste.
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