Get More Wear Out of the Clothes You Already own

When coming in contact with slow fashion for the first time, many people fall for the misconception that one must throw everything away and start building a new, sustainable wardrobe from scratch. 

On the contrary, though, slow fashion and a throw-away mindset are deeply antithetic. According to the EPA, textile waste makes up 5.83 percent of the total MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) generated yearly. So it's better for the planet and those on it if we wear our clothes for a long time. 

Regardless of the size of your wardrobe and the sustainability score of the clothes in it, finding ways to get more wear out of your pieces can be challenging. After all, we see our clothes every day, which may dull the spark. Not to mention the time constraints that may get in the way of our creativity. Yet getting creative with the clothes you already own is a fantastic, budget-friendly way of waving sustainability into your everyday life. Bonus points: it can help avoid that dreaded moment when you say "I don't have anything to wear" right in front of your closet. 

To help you out in this pursuit, we have selected some helpful tips to get more wear out of a piece. 

Keep things interesting by wearing the same piece in different ways 

So many items can be worn in many, sometimes unexpected ways. A button-up shirt can make for a simple, breezy summer jacket, and your one-piece swimsuit can also be worn as a top. 

You can wear your favorite summer tops and camisole dresses year-round if you wear them with a turtleneck underneath, and the number of ways you can tie up your scarves to wear them as tops is infinite. Taking this approach to clothing will help you think outside the box and create unique outfits and combos. 

Wearing the same piece in different ways is also a fantastic way of experimenting with the clothes you already have. It also helps you use seasonal garments for longer, and it shows you ways to give a second chance to the pieces you don't wear much but don't feel like parting from yet. 

 Play with colors to create new outfits

A fun and creative way to get the most out of your wardrobe is to use colors as inspiration to create new outfits. To do this, you check the color of the piece you want to get more wear out of and find out which other clothes you can pair it with.  

With this creative and budget-friendly method, you can sustainably get out of your comfort zone and explore your personal style. You can experiment with monochrome outfits in your favorite colors, bold and unexpected color palettes, and mixing different textures while giving all of your clothes a chance to be in the spotlight.    

Create a capsule wardrobe that includes the piece you want to get more wear out of  

Creating a capsule wardrobe is all about selecting functional attire that works for your lifestyle and makes you feel fabulous. Creating one that includes only the pieces already in your closet makes the process simpler, affordable, and sustainable.  

To spice things up, you can even choose a fun theme for your capsule wardrobe, such as "Dopamine Dressing" or "Y2K," to spice things up. You can change the theme whenever you feel inclined to keep on having fun while wearing the clothes from your capsule wardrobe. It's the perfect way to get a lot of wear out of your clothes while also having fun with fashion. 

Keep a little notebook handy for whenever inspiration strikes

Fashion inspiration can come from all sorts of sources: movies, artworks, magazines, social media, and even the fashionable people you encounter while going out and about. Looking for fashion inspiration can help you figure out your personal style and fall back in love with the clothes you already have.  

Having a place to save or write down what inspires you will make sure that you won't miss out on a chance to experiment with fashion sustainably. If you are not one for pen and paper, you can create a collection on Instagram, a Pinterest board, or a page on Notion.  

The key here is to use what you already have in your closet to recreate the look and aesthetic of what inspires you instead of buying new items. The number of clothes and accessories you already own that match the vibe of what you are getting inspiration from at the moment may positively surprise you. Pair them with the item you want to get more wear out of for a fun and sustainable look. 

It's easier to get more wear out of a piece by treating it right

Being mindful about what you choose to purchase is essential when trying to live sustainably and build a wardrobe made of only clothes you will honestly want to wear for a long time. Whether or not that was your approach when you bought that item, the way you treat it makes a tremendous difference in its longevity and long-term wearability. 

Not to mention that creating clothes takes a lot of time, labor, and skills, and taking care of them is a way of honoring all that went into making them.  

So as a general rule, try to avoid over-washing your clothes, follow the cleaning instructions you find on the tag as meticulously as possible, and repair them when needed. These may seem like simple tips, but over time they'll make a tremulous difference, keeping your clothes looking sharper for longer. The better a piece will look in the long run, the longer you will be able to wear it.  

Harness the power of accessories to make a piece you already own feel new

Let's get something straight: there is no shame in outfit repeating. Having figured out what pieces suit your lifestyle, taste and personality is a great testament to your organizational skills, so kudos to you!

But, if wearing that piece is not so exciting anymore, then playing with the accessories you already own can be a way for you to re-discover that garment instead of buying a new one to switch things up.  

Accessories can completely change the look of any garment: even something as simple as a necklace or a pair of sunglasses can freshen up a once-beloved piece that now feels a bit stale. In addition, adding accessories to your looks can elevate even your simpler pieces, making them more suited to fancier occasions and helping you get more wear out of your plainer clothes. The other way around works too, as sportier and more casual accessories can help you dress down fancier pieces. 

Try easy and creative ways to revamp that piece  

Ask yourself, "When was the last time I wore this?" If the answer to this question is some version of "quite a while ago," then challenge yourself to try new ways of revamping it and styling it. 

If it's a scarf, look for new ways to tie it up or try dyeing it up. If it's an older jacket that needs to be freshened up, add a new pin to it or change the buttons. If it's a neglected pair of trousers, mix belts and chains to give it a new life or try distressing it. 

This little game can be a helpful exercise year-round, but if you live in an area with changing seasons, and a seasonal piece is the one you are trying to get more wear out of, then try to do it mid-season to squeeze as much wear out of it as possible before the weather changes. 

Plus, find inspiration for visible mending and repair here.

Create go-to uniforms for when you're out of ideas

On some days, decision fatigue gets the best of us, and we don't feel like experimenting much with our clothes. However, fashion has the power to make us feel more like ourselves when we are feeling down. With a bit of preparation and planning, you can save yourself time and energy, feel better and get more wear out of your wardrobe all in one go. 

Having a few go-to uniforms for different occasions can help you feel good and put together even on low energy or busy days, but it's also the perfect chance to create new outfits with the pieces you already have. 

Try mixing some of your most beloved and frequently used pieces with newer and less familiar clothes to create your go-to uniforms for work, dates, and nights out. This way, you can ensure that you are getting good use out of your more newly purchased pieces and the oldest ones. 

Conclusion 

Dressing sustainability isn't just about purchasing ethically made and eco-friendly clothes. It's about changing how we see clothes and steering clear of overconsumption. 

Trying to get more wear out of your clothes is a fantastic exercise to get out of the fast fashion mindset, and it's good for the wallet too. After all, nothing is cheaper and more sustainable than using what you already have. 

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About the Author:

Roberta Fabbrocino is a journalist specialized in climate change and sustainability-related topics. Her articles have been published in several international eco-publications. Roberta also works as a content writer for sustainable companies.

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The Best Sustainable Vegan Furniture

The homes we create for ourselves are so important – a home should be a safe space, a nest, a place to hibernate and care for yourself. But the planet is our primary home, so we need to make sure that when we are furnishing our homes, we are caring for the planet, and all those living on it, too. It’s for this reason that sustainable, animal-free furnishing is growing in popularity. 

Why sustainable, vegan furniture matters

Today, we are in a climate crisis. If we don’t act now to radically reduce our emissions, we will see further climate catastrophe; even more unruly wildfires, deadly floods, hurricanes and extreme, unliveable temperatures. We are facing mass extinction events, and a biodiversity crisis too, where many animal and plant species are becoming endangered and even disappearing. 

While only system change can truly curb further crises, we all have our part to play – not only in using our voices to push and vote for said change, but to do our bit to reduce our personal impact. While we hear about sustainable and ethical fashion fairly often, sometimes we think less about furniture. 

Not only should we buy less, buy better and care for the furniture we already have, we should consider vintage, and when buying new, consider animals, people and the planet. After all, just as with fashion, furniture and homewares are made by people who deserve fair treatment, and can either cause immense cruelty to animals and environmental harm, or be kinder, with a lower impact. 

If you’re wondering ‘why vegan’, it’s important we remember that sustainability is also a form of social justice, and that all animals – humans and non-humans deserve protection. Too, animal-derived materials have disproportionately negative environmental impacts compared to many of their non-animal counterparts. So, let’s look at how to nail sustainable, vegan home furnishing…

Sofas – the centerpiece of the living room

A stylish home has a stylish couch. Sofas and lounges are one of the largest pieces of furniture anyone has, and our eyes often head straight to them in a living room. Many couches are made with either leather or wool, and some are filled with down. 

Given the massive emissions, land clearing and water use associated with leather production – even when it’s vegetable tanned – and the similar impacts caused by wool, not to mention the cruelty to animals involved in producing these materials, it’s worth finding alternatives. Too, feather down comes from either live-plucked or slaughtered birds largely raised in polluting factory-farms. We can do better than that. Whether you choose a totally different material like a sustainable cotton velvet or corduroy, linen, hemp or a plant-based leather, there are plenty of options when buying new – which, remember, isn’t your only option! Here a few top of the line examples of what you could fill your home with:

1) Sabai

This BIPOC owned brand makes a classic ‘essential sofa’ from recycled velvet, FSC wood and recycled fiber filling that doesn’t release the same supposedly toxic substances some foams can. This company also aims to ‘close the loop’ by offering to replace parts of your sofa which might wear out after about a decade, so you don’t need to buy a whole new couch. 

Sabai also offers love seats, ottomans and plenty of other gorgeous interiors – made sustainably and ethically in North Carolina. 

use code CHIC150 for $150 off orders of $595 or more (cannot be combined with other discounts) expires Aug 31, 2025

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2) Medley

Made fairly in Los Angeles, these sofas come in 75 material options, with plenty of plant-based, ethical options to choose from. Propped up on American, consciously sourced hardwood and filled with non-toxic certified foam, Medley offers mid-century and other minimalistically styled couches in a variety of sizes and shapes to suit your needs. 

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3) Ecobalanza

With plenty of material options available, Ecobalanza’s perhaps most sustainable and animal-friendly option is their organic cotton couch filled with natural kapuk fiber. The brand uses only Forest Stewardship Certified (FSC) wood as well as certified organic latex. 

Everything here is made to order, ensuring reduced waste and only loved furniture is made. In a world where so many purchases head to landfill so soon, this is important. 

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4) Gus* Modern

Ever wanted a modular couch made partly from apple skins, cores and seeds diverted from apple juice industry waste streams?

Now you can. 

Gus* Modern offers AppleSkin couches and chairs, with this material reducing agricultural waste, maintaining a smaller land and carbon footprint than leather, while being oh so comfortable to sit on.

While this material is pricier, it’s worth noting many eco-conscious homeware brands offer (water-based and solvent free) PU vegan leather which is far from perfect, but which still has a far reduced production impact, and is free from cruelty. 

Gus* couches and chairs also only use FSC wood to ensure forest protection, and instead of down-filled cushions, otherwise discarded plastic bottles are recycled into a soft, comfortable filling. 

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Rugs and blankets – the cozy elements 

The simplest way to warm up a room is to add a soft rug to it. Rugs and throws that lie under and drape over couches are very often made from wool, supporting a slaughter industry. If you’d rather choose something kinder, there are plenty of options – recycled and organic cotton, hemp, post-consumer waste fabrics, Tencel and more. 

Whether you want an earthier, more textured and sturdy rug, or something super soft and pillowy (better suited for a part of your home with less foot traffic) there are some great selections out there. Here are a few: 

1) Miss Amara

This Australian brand has a beautiful collection of rugs, and with an easy search function that allows you to select only the materials you’re looking for, choosing sustainable and vegan is easy. Offering materials like jute, cotton, recycled plastic-bottles, hemp and even bamboo silk, Miss Amara has simple, block-coloured rug offerings, as well as intricate patterned and linear detailed designs. 

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2) Bhumi

Offering the softest, classically styled cable knit blankets and throws made from certified organic and fair trade cotton, Bhumi is an ethical, animal-free label. These blankets are free from unsustainable chemical bleaches and dyes, even recommended for babies and their sensitive skin. Everything at Bhumi is made in fair trade Indian facilities. 

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3) Hook and Loom

Recycling post-consumer cotton textiles into loomed rugs that don’t require any latex backing, Hook and Loom’s eco-cotton collection is a sustainable choice.

With both neutral and bold colors, minimalist block patterns and a wide variety of sizes available, there’s plenty to explore here. 

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4) Zouzou

This label is designed in very limited runs, so you know your rug will be unique, and that there’s always something new to explore from Zouzou. Made ethically in India using bamboo silk – a kind of bamboo viscose which can be made more sustainably – Zouzou is a great choice if you’re looking for muted tones and an animal and plastic free rug. 

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5) Slow Down Studio

If you’re looking for a blanket to bring a bit of color and life to your bedroom or living area, Slow Down Studio might be your new favorite. Woven with American grown and recycled cotton, this label offers limited edition collaborations with different independent artists. 

Abstract forms and shapes, illustrations and patterns look beautiful against more minimalist furniture pieces, with these pieces spun and woven in the USA.

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Bedding that won’t keep you up at night

Who wants to rest their head on a bed that’s caused environmental destruction and cruelty, when dreamier, green and ethical options exist? When it comes to bedding, again, we need to watch out for down feathers. We also want to avoid unsustainable virgin synthetic replacements, and again, wool. Too, if you’re looking for bed sheets that keep your hair and skin extra smooth, you might want to find a silk alternative.

1) MINNA

Feature cushions can enliven a bedroom and bring some texture to a space. MINNA is a queer owned business dedicated to cultural preservation, parterning with family-run and independent co-operatives full of artisans using indigenous techniques to make throw pillows.

MINNA’s organic cotton collection made across Mexico and Peru feature neutral and pastel tones in simple and beautiful patterns.

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2) ettitude

This brand’s bedding is made from bamboo lyocell, a material that’s as soft as silk, breathable like cotton and more sustainable than both. Bamboo lyocell is made in a closed-loop system, avoiding water pollution while transforming bamboo fibers into the softest material you’ve touched. 

In beautiful dark green olive, dusty rose, pastel and neutral tones, ettitude has something for everyone. 

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3) Avocado

If you’re looking for bedding, Avocado’s got it all. FSC hardwood bed frames, pillows filled with kapok seed-hair fiber from growing trees, certified vegan, organic cotton, non-toxic mattresses, you name it. With a wealth of information on their ethical practices, responsible and fair trade sourcing, material choices and everything in between, you can be comfortable knowing that the vegan options at Avocado are as good as bedding gets. 

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4) VISO

Another label to enliven both your living and bedroom, VISO offers cotton throw cushions and blankets to snuggle up with. VISO is another label offering limited-edition designs, and supports artisan communities through their label, which uses recycled and plant-based materials. 

Featuring block colors and abstract forms, VISO’s blankets also make for beautiful wall hangings, which make a bedroom feel extra warm and homely. 

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About the Author

Emma Håkansson is the founder and director of Collective Fashion Justice which seeks to create a total ethics fashion system that prioritizes the life and wellbeing of non-human & human animals, as well as the planet, before profit & production. She has written countless articles on ethics, sustainability, and fashion, and has two books due out over the next two years.

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A Guide to Sustainable Packaging

Read on if you’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of plastic packaging you encounter in your day-to-day life - whether grocery shopping, ordering online, eating out, or just purchasing something in general.

I feel you. There’s a lot of plastic in the world. And while plastic isn’t inherently a bad material (it works wonders in the medical field where other materials simply wouldn’t be able to do what plastic does), the overproduction and overconsumption of plastics are out of hand. Plastic is a durable material that can withstand a lot of use and wear before actually breaking down, hence why it can be so helpful in certain instances. But it is NOT designed for single-use in the way our society currently abuses it. 

Thankfully, with more and more research being done and with increased consumer pressure on corporations to take responsibility for the waste they create, inventive, plastic alternatives are emerging!

The Issue With Conventional Packaging & Why Sustainable Packaging Is Important

Ok, how many times have you googled “Is X recyclable”? I bet it’s a lot. And usually, answers from your search bar aren’t very straightforward. That can be for a couple of reasons. 

First, recycling varies depending on where you live. I’ve lived in a handful of places across the U.S., and during my stint in Alabama, my city didn’t offer curbside recycling. Instead, I collected our recyclables and drove them to our town facility. And only plastics 1 and 2, cardboard, and aluminum were accepted. No glass. Now, I live in California. But even the county I grew up in (Orange County) and the county I now live in (Los Angeles County) have super different recycling rules.

Second, there’s a lot of misinformation about recycling in general. It’s hard to get to the bottom of what is and isn’t recyclable because the majority of recyclable materials aren’t getting recycled at all. Yeah, brace yourself for this stat if you don’t already know it. According to the EPA, 66% of discarded paper gets recycled, 27% of discarded glass, and only 8% of plastics. This article by Green Matters breaks it down by material, too. There are so many factors that go into the failure of the recycling system and so many people don’t even know about this issue. I highly recommend giving this article a read, which goes over causes as well as solutions.

As we continue to live during a climate crisis, there needs to be a level of awareness around alternative packaging, whether it’s non-plastic, reusable, or *actually* recyclable. Below are a few general options as well as a few brands working with packaging alternatives. 

image: Funpak

 The Best Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Packaging Alternatives

So let’s talk about plastic packaging alternatives:

Dissolvable Packing Peanuts

• The purpose of packing peanuts is to crowd around an item in a box and protect all of the nooks and crannies while not adding much weight to the overall package. Unfortunately, they used to all be made out of polystyrene, a type of plastic used in products like Styrofoam. As we all know well by now, plastics take 5ever to decompose and almost always end up polluting our environment while they do so. Especially since packing peanuts are so lightweight, they easily fly out of trashcans and into our oceans.

• That’s where these packing peanuts go from nuisance to nifty! In the 90s, after considerable negative feedback from consumers and environmental activists, companies began to turn away from plastics and toward starch. The biggest problem plastic peanuts encountered was polluting our environment and harming wildlife that mistook the pieces of foam for food. But the new and improved, plant-based peanuts are 100% biodegradable and won’t harm wildlife that happens upon a stray one every now and then (because most of them are disposed of at home!).

• So how can I tell if I have the plastic version or the biodegradable goodies? A super-easy way to tell is to put a peanut in a glass of water. If it dissolves, you’re good! If not, you have a plastic peanut on your hands. Sometimes, the biodegradable version is tinted green (versus pink or white) to help you solve the question.

• What do I do with plastic packing peanuts? These are pretty hard to recycle, and most facilities don’t recycle Styrofoam. You can try to google search to see if there is a facility near you that recycles Styrofoam, or you can get creative and reuse those peanuts. This post had some fun suggestions, like stuffing a bean bag or using them for arts and crafts!

image: Noissue

Compostable/Biodegradable Plastics

• Ok, this seems like an oxymoron. Let’s chat about it. The first big thing to know: compostable and biodegradable are *not* the same thing. It’s similar to the “All squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares” saying: “All compostable items are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable items are compostable.” Ha. Let’s dive deeper with the help of Google.

• Compostable: “(of organic matter, especially kitchen waste) able to be made into compost.”

• Biodegradable: “(of a substance or object) capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms.”

• When applied to bioplastics, the thing to know is that compostable plastic can become soil-enriching compost. Unless the item is clearly labeled “backyard compostable,” however, most compostable plastic still needs to be broken down in a special facility. Some brands that use this material have send-back programs where they properly compost their bioplastic. As for biodegradable plastic, it does not break down into beneficial compost, but it does, in fact, break down, while standard plastics take up more space and never break down.

• The world of bioplastics is a grey area. Some people in the sustainability community are all in on their support for bioplastics, while others say the material simply doesn’t cut it and actually just creates more of an issue with confusing packaging and marketing. I happen to ride that middle line because I truly believe that imperfect sustainability practiced by thousands of individuals and hundreds of companies is better than absolutely perfect sustainability practiced by the minority.

• While this article is told from a European standpoint, it is still super informative on bioplastics and all their intricacies.

Refillable/Reusable Tins

• We love a packaging option that is reusable! For one, it helps stretch out the item’s lifecycle *a ton*. Instead of getting the item and recycling it, throwing it away, or even returning it in a closed-loop program, a refillable or reusable item can be put to use in your life! This keeps it out of landfills for much longer.

• These items can also have a ton of variety. In the reusable sense, some packaging items may come in glass that you can reuse as plant propagation vessels, food storage, or candles. Some items may come in tins, which are more lightweight and can be easily tossed in a purse to organize your on-the-go vitamins, hair accessories, or makeup.

• For refillable items, whether glass, tin or even plastic, you just scored! Take your refillable items to your local refill or bulk store and load up. Shampoo, multi-purpose spray, spaghetti noodles, sunscreen, gluten-free flour - the list of what your refillable tins can be used for is basically endless!!

• If the packaging item is part of a circular system, you may be able to ship back your container once empty and receive a refill in return. This method helps to eliminate the creation of *new* items and instead places importance on the items we already have and finds a way to utilize them properly.

• Get creative with how packaging items can be given new life right in your home.

image: Noissue

Here are some companies thinking outside of the (plastic) box

Noissue

• This brand is awesome because it is available to businesses of all sizes, which encourages your local mom & pop shop to take advantage of their sustainable practices. You can also choose which type of packaging works best for your business - compostable, recycled, or reusable. They have an entire breakdown of each option on their site here but let me give you the low down. 

• Compostable - to qualify as compostable, packaging must be able to break down in a backyard compost environment within 180 days. This usually leans toward paper and cardboard packaging, since compostable plastics need extra help to break down in a facility. 

• Recycled - while the recycling infrastructure in our country is shoddy, at best, it is *still* better than choosing virgin plastics. And the more we, as consumers, seek out post-consumer recycled materials, the more effort will be put into actually recycling plastics. 

• Reusable - think “I burned my candle down and now it’s a cute succulent pot”! Having your packaging double as something useful in your life not only makes it last longer but keeps it out of the landfill and being useful for longer, too.

• You can learn more about Noissue on their site. 

ErthCycle

• To be blatantly transparent: I am currently in the process of launching this brand as the Marketing Director. But it’s seriously so cool that I couldn’t help but share it with you! ErthCycle is a brand new technology that creates fully biodegradable plastics that 1. Leave behind no microplastics, and 2. Use 20-40% less fossil fuels. Oh, and it biodegrades in a landfill environment, all on its own. I KNOW! This is possible due to the addition of two organic additives to each piece of plastic: calcium carbonate (limestone) and Eco-One™ technology. This power couple replaces the need for more plastic and then acts in tandem to degrade the packaging in a landfill environment at a super accelerated rate; where normal plastics take 500+ years, we’re looking at 3-5 years for full decomposition.

• As I mentioned above, this material resides in the gray zone. There are pros and cons, but it is SUCH a better option than the plastic packaging we currently have. What makes ErthCycle so attractive to larger corporations (think Amazon, FedEx, Costco) is that it’s almost always cost-negative or -neutral, meaning these big businesses don’t have to dole out a crazy part of their budget for eco-friendly packaging. That can be a downside to options like compostable plastics.

• You can learn more about ErthCycle on their site.

EcoEnclose

• This brand has high standards and sticks to them religiously, even if that means the loss of customers that don’t align with its sustainability framework. Their big hitters are circularity, biodegradation, life cycle entirety, and deep-rooted sustainable practices. Let’s break it down for you.

• Circularity - they’re super into post-consumer recycled content, especially domestic recycled materials. They provide packaging that is firstly reusable and secondly recyclable to help elongate the life cycle of that item.

• Biodegradation - they really preach the avoidance of all plastics, propping up all paper and cardboard products that will biodegrade on their own without damaging our soils or oceans. This is great but a little idealistic.

• Life Cycle Entirety - something that’s so important for packaging companies is to consider the item’s life cycle in its entirety, not just from creation to consumer. EcoEnclose considers their emissions the #1 thing they can curb to help climate change. They will choose packaging with lower emissions over many bioplastics, like corn-based PLA.

• Deep-Rooted Sustainable Practices - the final portion of their framework focuses on parts of the packaging process that are often overlooked. For example, stickers, ink, and labels. They are also proud to choose domestic partners that align with their sustainability beliefs.

• You can learn more about EcoEnclose on their site.

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Do you feel slightly better about tackling your plastic packaging now? I hope so.

I’ll leave you with this awesome resource: How2Recycle. This is a super user-friendly site that has boat-loads of information about recycling. Their “Check Locally” tab is an easy way to learn more about recycling in your area. Also, explore their “Store Drop Off” tab to see if you can dispose of trickier items (plastic bags, plastic film, plastic pouches) nearby. Their site also has a “Labels” tab that breaks down the different recycling labels on all different types of products.

Now that you know go forth and reduce, reuse, repair, repurpose, reimagine, and recycle :)

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About the Author:

Paige Annelayne is a freelance writer and digital media specialist currently based in Alabama, who loves to cook, learn about intersectional sustainability, and read a lot of books. Her cat, Gnocchi, her plants, and a good cup of matcha bring her joy. You can connect with Paige on Instagram @vitality.blog and at www.vtltyblog.com

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our favorite sustainable fashion influencers

When you think of an influencer, what do you think of? You may have an image in your head of someone who promotes products on Instagram, offers discounts to their followers and stays up to date on the latest trends. You may even follow some influencers already. But there is an evolution of the influencer that we’ve seen emerge over the past few years, the sustainable fashion influencer.  As more consumers learn about sustainability and the impact our clothes can have on the environment (and the people who make them), the need for ethical inspiration in our feeds is also increasing. Sustainable fashion influencers can inspire you to have an eco-friendly wardrobe and to adopt more conscious shopping habits.

What’s the difference between a fast fashion influencer and a sustainable fashion influencer?

 Fast fashion influencers build their platforms by empowering trend-led fashion and promoting the idea that you can achieve a certain ‘lifestyle’ or ‘aesthetic’ by simply buying the clothes and accessories they wear and recommend. 

In contrast, sustainable fashion influencers focus on spreading messages that encourage healthy attitudes towards fashion, like wearing what you already own, repeating outfits and opting for sustainable alternatives where possible.

While fast fashion influencers will do brand deals and take part in campaigns with most fashion brands that fit their ‘niche’ or that their followers will be interested in, sustainable fashion influencers will only work with brands that meet certain requirements. These requirements can be different depending on the individual influencer but would usually revolve around the environmental impact a brand has, and their policies around protecting garment workers and paying a living wage.

How can sustainable fashion influencers make a difference?

Influencer marketing in fashion is big business, and brands are increasingly working with more influencers to get access to their curated audience. Brands know that a recommendation from a creator that you like goes a long way. According to Shopify, 61% of consumers trust the product recommendations they get from influencers. Meanwhile, only 38% trust branded social media content.

This relationship works both ways, and the power that influencers have with brands is bigger than many people may think. As collaborators with a brand, a fashion influencer can have direct access to the people behind the scenes and can ask questions and influence change within the brand itself.

Sustainable fashion influencers can reach potentially millions of people on social media with their content and can use different tactics to get their content in front of consumers of fast fashion, helping spread the sustainable fashion message to those outside of the ‘sustainability bubble’. 

Meet our favourite sustainable fashion influencers from the US and around the world:

It’s important to note that not everyone that we’ve included in our list would consider themselves as an ‘influencer’ due to the negative connotations with the word, but rather someone who’s fighting against over-consumption and trend-led fashion.

1) Aja Barber @ajabarber (London, UK)

One name has really stood out in the sustainable fashion world over the past few years. Aja Barber is known for her insightful analyses of the fashion industry’s biggest problems and breaks things down in a way we can all understand and connect to. Her book, Consumed, explores issues of colonialism, climate change, and consumerism within fashion, and breaks down what collective change is needed in order to tackle these problems. Aja’s outfits include brilliant bursts of color, chic silhouettes and the coolest patterns, and her #GetDressedWithMe series is the uplifting content we need!

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2) Aditi Mayer @aditimayer (LA, USA)

Aditi Mayer is a sustainable fashion blogger, photojournalist, and labor rights activist, and frequently speaks on topics of social and environmental justice. Her work looks at fashion and culture through a lens of intersectionality and decolonization. Based in LA, Aditi has mastered the cool sustainable girl look, with her go-to looks including flowing dresses, natural materials, and earthy tones. 

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3) Venetia La Manna @venetialamanna (London, UK)

Venetia La Manna is a fair fashion campaigner and podcaster and Co-Founder of Remember Who Made Them. She also created the hashtag #OOOTD (old outfit of the day) to help normalise wearing the clothes we already own and create new outfits from our existing wardrobe. Venetia’s style is intrinsically London, with a mix of collared shirts, longline coats and tailored blazers. 

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4) Heidi Kaluza @the_rogue_essentials (USA)

Heidi Kaluza transitioned from a fast-fashion influencer to an ethical, sustainable-fashion influencer, and now her content educates her followers about how to make a similar shift in their lives. Her TikTok’s about fast fashion really blew up over the pandemic, with videos challenging the fast fashion influencers and holding them accountable for their role in the destructive cycle. Heidi champions re-wearing your clothes as much as possible and her gorgeous looks prove you can look just as good as any influencer and still be sustainable!

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5) Kathleen Elie @consciousnchic (USA)

Kathleen Elie is a sustainability advocate who set up consciousnchic to encourage more people to be sustainable and inclusive. Her fun videos make sustainable fashion more desirable to her followers by sharing her outfit details and the ethical brands she wears. Her looks are always so bright and well thought out, the perfect account for outfit inspiration. 

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6) Leah Musch @unmaterialgirl (Australia)

Australian-born blogger Leah Musch describes herself as a ‘former fast fashion addict turned slow fashion activist’. Her goal is to show how sustainable fashion can be attainable for everyone. Leah’s style includes some cool 70’s inspired looks, denim dungarees and plenty of Aussie beach/skater vibes thrown in. 

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7) Kara Fabella @theflippside (San Fran, USA)

Ethical fashion advocate, Kara Fabella gives us the inspiration we need to see in our feeds. She shares slow fashion styling tips and recommends ethical brands to her followers after checking them out first. Her looks are always effortlessly elegant with bursts of vibrant colours, serving major sustainable fashion.

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8) Petra Alexandra @petraalexandra (Toronto, Canada)

Canada-based Petra Alexandra has nearly 100k followers on Instagram and has built her platform by showing how you can make the most of your wardrobe without having to buy new. Her talent for creating so many different outfits from her existing clothes is great motivation for anyone who’s struggling with the idea of ‘buying less’. If you’re looking for great workwear ideas, this is the influencer for you!

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9) Sally @callmeflowerchild (LA, USA)

Sally describes herself as a ‘conscious and mindful closet advocate’ and her feed will not only brighten your day but will make you want to get out in nature asap! Her collection of houseplants and her nature-based content is the daily dose of green we all need. Sally shares her thrift store finds, ethical brand recommendations and slow fashion habits we can all adopt. 

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10) Alex @madebyalexnyc (New York, USA)

New York-based Alex shares fabulous, colorful plus-size fashion with her followers and advocates for a return to slow fashion and more mindful consumption of clothes. She Co-Founded Shiny By Nature, a size-inclusive fashion brand, as she saw there was a lack of ethically made plus-size clothing available. We love her cute white tennis skirt and gingham button-up tops for summer!

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11) Jackie @jacquitabanana (Washington DC, USA)

Jackie is a pr/comms strategist and has to be one of the funniest sustainable fashion influencers on Instagram! Her sense of humour and her ability to make sustainability information more digestible, makes her account the ideal starting place for anyone new to sustainable fashion. Jackie’s style is also effortlessly chic and so versatile, with the cutest skirts, dresses, and crop tops. 

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12) Noa Ben-Moshe @style.withasmile (Berlin, Germany)

Berlin-based Noa Ben-Moshe is a vegan fashion influencer who promotes cruelty-free fashion and innovative animal-free materials. On her blog, she states “we can still enjoy life, dress well, and have so much fun without hurting other beings or our planet”. Her classic style and eye for detail result in a vibrant feed of outfit inspiration, no wonder she was crowned Vegan Style Queen by Plant Based News!

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13) Pumulo k. Nguyen @pumuloknguyen (Omaha, USA)

Pumulo is a secondhand, sustainable fashion enthusiast living in Omaha. Her bright and sunny feed is all the motivation we need to dig through our summer clothes and put together a cheerful outfit! Pumulo shares the slow fashion brands she’s working with and tips on how to make your closet, home and life more conscious.

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14) Marielle Elizabeth @marielle.elizabeth (Canada)

Marielle is a passionate advocate for slow fashion and is fighting for more size-inclusivity within the sustainable fashion industry. After learning more about conscious consumerism, Marielle began asking designers questions about who made their clothes and under what conditions. Her outfits include gorgeous dresses, cute summer swimwear and activewear. 

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15) Dominique Drakeford @dominiquedrakeford (USA)

Dominique is a sustainable style and well-being influencer who juggles several creative leadership roles as well as being a mother! Her eclectic style includes pieces from Black-owned, sustainable brands, vintage finds and her favourite items from her own wardrobe, re-worn for many years with pride. Dominique is also the Founder of the digital platform MelaninASS (Melanin And Sustainable Style) which focuses on sustainable fashion, natural beauty, wellness and land sovereignty efforts by B/IPOC (Black/Brown Indigenous Communities of Color). 

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About the Author:

Sarah King is a freelance writer with a focus on vegan fashion, sustainability and ethically made clothes.

She campaigns for change in the fashion industry through her blog and on her Instagram page.

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image: Impossible Foods

The Best VEGAN, Alt-MeatS You Need To Try

Whether you’re vegan or are simply trying to cut back on meat for your health or the planet, don’t worry — there are a ton of plant-based meat alternative options out there that are sure to satisfy those meat cravings. 

Available in most grocery stores, there’s a vegan option for pretty much any meat out there: From the OG plant burgers and sausages, to bacon, salmon, and even caviar. To make your lives easier, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite alt-meat brands that will have even the staunchest of carnivores asking for more. Get ready to impress your friends and families at cookouts this summer — pull out your aprons and get cooking. Happy eating!

Why should you eat vegan alternative meat?

At this point, it should come as no surprise that switching to a more plant-based diet has numerous benefits, both for your health and the planet’s. Here are some of the top reasons to choose that alt-meat option the next time you’re at the grocery store:

• Plant-based meat production releases up to 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional meat production does. In fact, we can reduce our personal carbon footprints by up to 73% if we eliminate meat and dairy from our diets.

• Vegan foods also require less energy and water to produce.

• Animal agriculture is a major cause of deforestation. If everyone in the world became vegan, we could potentially save up to 75% of the world’s farmland.

• It’s a total myth that vegan diets aren’t rich in protein. Most of the alt-meat options we’ve listed below are high in both protein and fiber, and plant-based diets tend to be more balanced overall, providing us with antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, folate, and several vitamins.

• Going vegan can also help with heart health, lower your blood sugar, and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

• It tastes fantastic!

What to look for when shopping ALTERNATIVE Meat 

While alt-meats in general are better for the earth than standard meats, there are certain things to look out for when choosing a brand. Go for brands that use whole, natural ingredients — the less processed, the better it is for both you and the planet. Look for products that use minimal packaging, and of course, go plastic-free where possible. Finally, don’t skimp on taste! If you’re forcing yourself to eat something you don’t like, chances are you won’t be able to stick to your no-meat resolutions. Try out different brands (there’s no shortage of choices out there), and choose your favorites. 

OUR TOP PICKS FOR ALTERNATIVE MEAT BRANDS THAT ARE THE REAL DEAL:

1) Beyond Meat

For: Burgers, sausages, meatballs, ground “meats”

Aka the alt-meat OG. This is one we’re sure you’ve all heard of, and for a good reason. The Beyond Burger is pretty much indistinguishable from a traditional beef patty and is super juicy, meaty, and flavorful. It’s made from pea protein, coconut oil, and beetroot, amongst other plant-based ingredients. The brand also stocks ground “meats,” sausages, and meatballs. 

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2) Impossible Foods

For: Burgers, sausages, nuggets, ground “meats”

Impossible Foods is another plant-based meats OG. Its product range is similar to Beyond Meat (it stocks all the classics — burgers, sausages, ground meats, and more), but this one uses soy and potato proteins for its patties. It recently launched its Impossible Pork. In a blind taste test carried out in Hong Kong, participants actually preferred the taste of Impossible Pork over regular! Now that’s when you know it’s the real deal. 

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3) Quorn

For: Burgers, steaks, chicken strips, nuggets 

Quorn is a global alt-meat brand that stocks burgers, steaks, chicken strips, and nuggets. It has third-party certifications for its carbon footprint figures. For example, the carbon footprint of Quorn Grounds is more than 95% lower than that of beef. It’s also better for your health — Quorn’s Spaghetti Bolognese has 90% less saturated fat than a beef version! You can read more about its sustainability initiatives here. Note: All Quorn products are not vegan. Some do contain egg or dairy, but this is clearly marked. All products are vegetarian. 

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4) Hooray Foods

For: Bacon

Hooray Food’s plant-based bacon looks, cooks, and tastes like the real deal — now that’s what we call a game-changer. The vegan “bacon” is non-GMO, soy- and gluten-free. It’s made from coconut oil, rice flour, and tapioca starch, topped with a delicious umami seasoning made from shiitake mushrooms. The bacon gets its signature smoky flavor from liquid smoke. 

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5) Daring Foods

For: “Chicken”

Daring Foods is all about chicken. Choose from amongst the Original, Breaded, Cajun, and Lemon & Herb ($45 for 6 8ounce packets). The chicken is soy-based, and the protein content is comparable to that of frozen chicken. Check out their website for delicious recipes, including gochujang chicken, buffalo wings, and a coconut cashew chicken curry. 

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6) Moku Foods

For: Jerky

Moku Foods’ vegan jerky is made from mushrooms, coconut, chickpeas, and maple syrup (plus other natural flavorings). We recommend starting with the variety pack ($20.49 for a pack of 6 bags), so you can try out all the flavors, which include Original, Sweet & Spicy, and Hawaiin Teriyaki. The jerky is high in protein and fiber, has a tender and meaty texture, and hits all the key elements of a tasty piece of jerky with its smokey, maple-y, umami notes. 

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7) Avafina Organics

For: Caviar

Plant-based caviar. Now that's a new one. Avafina Organic's Chiaviar ($59.95) is a delicate blend of chia, seaweed, and lemon. The Chiaviar combines the briney and buttery flavor profile of the seaweed with the nutty texture of chia seeds and finishes it off with some freshness from the lemon. The blend of superfoods means it's an excellent source of protein, Omega-3, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and micronutrients. Disclaimer: The website notes that the product may contain traces of crustaceans and fish. 

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8) Sophie’s Kitchen

For: Seafood 

If you’re in the mood for some seafood but haven’t been able to find any plant-based options, Sophie’s Kitchen has got you covered. Its crispy breaded shrimp is sure to hit the spot — add it to homemade sushi rolls, tacos, or even a creamy curry, and you’re good to go. It also stocks crab cakes, fish fillets, smoked salmon (bagel brunch, anyone?), salmon and whitefish burgers, and tinned tuna. 

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9) Renegade Foods

For: Charcuterie 

Get ready to get fancy — up your wine and cheese game with Renegade Foods’ all-vegan selection of charcuterie that is sure to impress. You can go for their Signature Charcuterie kits ($85 for a small, $140 for a large) which include a selection of plant-based salamis, organic sourdough crackers, an assortment of nuts, and dried fruit, spreads, olives, and chocolate. You can also choose from their selection of salamis to create your own grazing platter. These include a Smoky Salami Soppressata, a Sweet Salami Toscana, and a Spicy Chorizo (all $39.75 for a 3-pack). 

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10) Field Roast

For: sausages, hot dogs, burgers, roasts, pepperoni, deli “meats”

With its selection of hot dogs, burgers, appetizers, and roasts, Field Roast has got you covered, whether you’re hosting a summer BBQ or a nice roast dinner. We’re super excited about the brand’s latest collaboration with JUST Egg and Chao Creamery — an all-vegan sausage egg and cheese breakfast sandwich!

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11) Ocean Hugger Foods

For: Tuna and eel 

Ocean Hugger Foods brings to you plant-based “raw fish” — aka, tuna made from tomatoes and eel from eggplants. The brand is all about celebrating veggies, and the ingredients lists for their products are fresh and simple. Their Ahimi Raw “Tuna” is made from tomatoes, gluten-free soy sauce, sugar, water, and sesame oil, and their Unami “Freshwater Eel” contains eggplant, gluten-free soy sauce, mirin, sugar, rice bran oil, algae oil, and konjac powder. These are available in sushi restaurants across the United States. 

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12) Good Catch

For: Seafood (fish cakes, sticks, burgers, fillets, and tinned tuna)

Good Catch stocks all your favorite feel-good seafood classics, from breaded fish sticks to fish fillets to crab cakes. Their plant-based “fish” protein is made from a blend of six plant proteins: Pea protein, soy protein, chickpea flour, faba protein, lentil protein, and navy bean powder. They also stock three plant-based tuna options (Naked, Mediterranean, or Oil & Herbs), perfect for throwing in a quick and healthy salad, in a sandwich, or even with chips as a power-packed snack. 

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13) Meatless Farm

For: Plant-based beef, chicken, and pork 

Whether you’re in the mood for beef, chick, or pork, Meatless Farm has got you covered. They make burgers, nuggets, meatballs, and ground meats and recently launched their plant-based “pork” Bratwurst sausages. Meatless Farm uses pea protein as its source of protein, as well as coconut oil for that juicy consistency, carrot fiber for binding, and beetroot, radish, and tomato extracts for color. You can find their full list of ingredients on their website. 

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About the Author

Jyotika is a writer based in New Delhi. She writes about sustainable living and eco-friendly brands, covering fashion, food, travel, and wellness. Previously, she was the fashion manager at her family's bespoke fashion business, where in addition to her other responsibilities she worked on improving textile sourcing from local artisans to encourage grassroots production, as well as conducting sustainability workshops with employees regarding the eco-friendly disposal of fashion materials.

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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

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RELATED READING YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:

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