Part of The Simple Life is learning to embrace the mindset of spending more money on fewer clothes instead of less money on more clothes. The clothes we purchase are high quality and they're ethically sourced and produced, so our money is helping to pay the living wages of other human beings instead of paying a company who hires children and pays women an income they can't even live off of. This mindset shift has a global impact because we are helping fight against human slavery, child laborers, and the exploitation of impoverished people across the world. We aren't giving our money to companies who are gleaning off of our first-world desire for instant gratification in the fast-fashion industry. And we're helping reduce waste. In the last 20 years, the volume of clothing Americans throw away has more than doubled. In 2018, we threw away 17 million tons of textiles in the United States alone. By purposefully purchasing, we're less likely to have buyer's remorse and less likely to purchase clothes that will ruin quickly. Clothes that are sustainably made are usually made with materials that are biodegradable or materials that have been recycled. A lot of our fabric is made with completely synthetic material or partially synthetic material and will never actually decompose. Polyester pants that get tossed will literally never go away. Which is a bummer, because I've definitely seen some articles that should never, ever make a comeback (I'm looking at you dark brown polyester gauchos). Other materials that take many years to decompose if they do at all are nylon, acrylic, and most microfiber. We really are getting what we pay for when we purchase fast-fashion items.
Below is a list of companies I've found who make their clothes ethically - meaning no children were involved in any of the clothes-making process (from picking cotton to sewing buttons, over 150 million children can be found in horrible working conditions all over the world). Ethically produced clothing also means that everyone involved in making the materials are paid fair living wages and are working in a safe environment. Clothes don't have to be made in the United States to ensure the facility they're made in is safe and ethical. Factories can receive a WRAP accreditation. "WRAP's goal is to ensure that the production facilities operate in a safe, responsible, and ethical way." What separates a WRAP accreditation from other similar accreditation agencies is that they focus on the ground level of manufacturing. They don't accredit companies, ownership groups, or brands but each individual facility. While not all of the brands I'm sharing today have a WRAP accreditation, when doing your own research for a company, this is something you can easily check for. If you look into a business on your own, know that almost all companies will be proud that their clothing is ethically made and will share about it somewhere on their website, usually under the "About" tab. If I can't find that a company has made their clothes ethically within three to five minutes, I go on to the next one.
Take a look at the list below! I've done my best to accumulate a list of companies that are reasonably priced with styles that are currently trending.
Below is a list of companies I've found who make their clothes ethically - meaning no children were involved in any of the clothes-making process (from picking cotton to sewing buttons, over 150 million children can be found in horrible working conditions all over the world). Ethically produced clothing also means that everyone involved in making the materials are paid fair living wages and are working in a safe environment. Clothes don't have to be made in the United States to ensure the facility they're made in is safe and ethical. Factories can receive a WRAP accreditation. "WRAP's goal is to ensure that the production facilities operate in a safe, responsible, and ethical way." What separates a WRAP accreditation from other similar accreditation agencies is that they focus on the ground level of manufacturing. They don't accredit companies, ownership groups, or brands but each individual facility. While not all of the brands I'm sharing today have a WRAP accreditation, when doing your own research for a company, this is something you can easily check for. If you look into a business on your own, know that almost all companies will be proud that their clothing is ethically made and will share about it somewhere on their website, usually under the "About" tab. If I can't find that a company has made their clothes ethically within three to five minutes, I go on to the next one.
Take a look at the list below! I've done my best to accumulate a list of companies that are reasonably priced with styles that are currently trending.
Madewell
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Madewell is one of my favorite brands. They feature their own clothing as well as items from other vendors and require that all follow a code of conduct that includes ensuring materials are sustainably sourced and working conditions are ethical. Madewell has some of the best prices for clothes and even offers a $20 discount on a pair of jeans when customers bring in a pair of jeans from any brand! They also have a line of maternity clothes! All of my capsule examples in my Simple Capsule Guide is from Madewell.
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Patagonia
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Not only is Patagonia sustainably made and ethically sourced, but they have an entire part of their website that consists solely of second-hand options, helping reduce waste even further. Patagonia clothing is high-quality, will last many years, and holds its resell value well, so if your style changes or you're ready to change out some clothing, it is easy to swap out your clothes without having to spend too much money!
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Pact
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Not only does Pact partner with Fair Trade Certified factories, meaning companies in developed countries pay companies in developing countries fair prices and working conditions are safe for employees, their clothes are sustainably made with organic cotton (which means they're also biodegradable). They carry everything from men's clothes to maternity clothes, kid's clothes to underwear. They also have beautiful bedding. Their "Last Call" sale is reasonably priced.
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ABLE
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ABLE is female-owned and 95% of their employees are also women. Their clothes are sustainably made, but they also work to train and educate to help break the generational cycle of poverty many women come from. In an industry where the majority of underpaid employees are women, they work against the grain to ensure women are actually making fair wages. One way they do this is by publishing their wages, but they've also started a non-profit agency that reviews other companies and rates their wages.
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Tradelands
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"It doesn't matter how beautiful a garment looks if human beings and the environment are being exploited in the process." Tradelands has worked to create high-quality classic pieces for women that aren't based on current trends. They've created clothes that reflect personal style, are comfortable to move around in, and are tailored enough that women feel confident in each article. They carry women's clothes, handbags, shoes, and accessories.
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tentree
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With an emphasis on sustainability, tentree plants ten trees for every item that is purchased. All factories are fair trade, as well. A tentree sweatshirt uses 75% less water to produce than the average sweatshirt, so they focus on sustainability in all areas, the production of their clothes as well as where the materials come from and what they do after an item is purchased. Tentree clothing is mostly soft and comfy clothes for men, women, and a few options for kids as well.
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Allbirds
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Allbirds creates sustainably made active wear shoes while also carrying a variety of clothing including underwear and socks. Most shoes are made of sustainably sourced and incredibly soft wool, making them water-proof, machine-washable, and breathable for all weather. They work hand-in-hand with factories and suppliers and ensure they undergo regular professional, independent, and third-party assessments.
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