Spring Clean Your Wardrobe with These Better-for-the-Planet Staples
By Rio Arias
Image: Christy Dawn
With spring right around the corner, it’s time to swap out your sweaters for tops and dresses you can wear on repeat. We’ve put together some brands that curate pieces to begin your capsule wardrobe process or even replace that old t-shirt with something that gives back to the planet. Our office favorites are floor length dresses and white tops for a lightweight fit in warmer weather.
Image: Christy Dawn
CHRISTY DAWN
Plants into Prints
Among their earthy tones and bohemian style, Christy Dawn has an intricate dying and printing process. They use flora from Northern India, home to some of the most vibrant colors around the world, to create a diverse range of shades. The brand connected with a small community in Bhuj who sustained their natural dying process for seven generations, instead of using synthetics. Pairing this with made-made teak blocks, the natural dyes and prints used create timeless pieces that prevent toxic runoff to the Earth.
Sustainability Efforts:
Uses organic cotton.
Practices regenerative farming, which involves enriching soil with compost consisting of manure, farm and food waste
Uses low impact non-toxic dyes in all of its products
Pays workers a fair and competitive wage and is transparent about its pricing structure
Price: $$-$$$
Our Picks:
The Theo Dress ($208)
The Piper Dress ($218)
The Bergen Dress Extended ($328)
Image: For Days
FOR DAYS
Closing the Loop
An easy alternative to brands like Target and Old Navy, For Days takes some of the latest styles and gives them an ethical twist. They have everything from bucket hats to tees for men and women. Their best feature, however, is their Take Back Bag – for just $10 they guarantee that clothing from any brand can be recycled.
Sustainability Efforts:
Uses high quality, sustainable materials
Ensures every item it uses is 100% recyclable and minimizes waste with reusable packaging
Created a swap program that creates a closed loop system by encouraging customers to recycle any of their pieces
Price: $$
Our Picks:
Daily U ($28)
Easy Tank ($22)
Vintage Crew ($28)
Image: Whimsy + Row
WHIMSY + ROW
Locally sourced LA style
Whimsy & Row is an LA based brand that believes in locally sourced, low waste materials. With their factory just a few miles away from the office, fair wages and lasting materials are a key part of their commitment to sustainability. Check out their Lex Tee for International Women’s Day – 15% of sales go to Global Fund for Women.
Sustainability Efforts:
Uses eco-friendly and recycled materials
Manufactured in small batches in Los Angeles using locally-sourced materials
Limits the amount of chemicals, water, and wastewater used in production
Price: $$
Our Picks:
Lex Tee in Lady Print ($52)
Lena Button Down ($128)
Image: Beaumont Organic
BEAUMONT ORGANIC
Organic Cotton and Timeless Blends
Since their launch in 2008, Beaumont Organic works with Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton to ensure that their pieces are free of chemicals, pesticides and GMOs in the production process. They also use linen, lyocell, wool, and bamboo to create a wardrobe sourced from sustainable materials with minimal silhouettes.
Sustainability Efforts:
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton
Uses as much leftover fabric as possible to reduce the amount going to landfills
Factories have good working conditions and pay fair wages to all workers
Price: $$$
Our Picks:
Image: Outerknown
OUTERKNOWN
Riding the Ethical Wave
Professional Surfer Kelly Slater teamed up with John Moore in 2015 to create a clothing brand that would be good for the planet. They carry tees, basics, denim and shoes to help keep casual style clean. One favorite product is their S.E.A. jeans, guaranteed to be repaired, replaced or recycled to keep them out of landfills.
Sustainability Efforts:
Uses eco-friendly materials and non toxic dyes in products
Fair trade certified–all of its workers are paid a living wage
Designs fundraising tees to raise money for causes the company believes in, like beach and ocean cleanup, and environmental advocacy
Price: $$
Our Picks:
S.E.A. Suit Shortall ($148)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rio Arias is SISTAIN’s intern with a B.A. in economics and background in marketing. A former college newspaper editor, she loves all things writing, editing, and of course print books. She began her sustainability journey after learning about minimalism and reducing consumption. Currently, she enjoys thrifting, indoor plants and handwritten mail.
