Hey all my fellow ethical fashion folk! I posted this in another related sub, I hope that's okay? Here follows a list of small sustainable fashion brands I've found in my research.
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At the beginning of last year, in an effort to slowly refresh my wardrobe with well made, slow fashion pieces... I delved into a rabbithole of research about fabrics, dyes, manufacturing etc that ultimately ended in me finding lots of great shops on etsy.
I notice that a lot of people mention difficulty finding ethical clothes on etsy...their search function is just not set up in a way that makes it easy to find ethical/natural brands and it does seem to take a lot of searching...so I wanted to come here to share my favorite ethical and small shops on etsy (found through lots of trial and error) as well as a few tips for finding shops that sell unique clothing in your style. I'd love if this post turned into a place where others share the great etsy, insta, (or other) shops they've found that way we can all have a base of small ethical clothing creators to start with when we're looking for truly thoughtful, ethical garments. I think it would be really cool if we added to the ethical brands list that's pinned, as I feel there are just so many options that aren't represented there.
So, without further ado...
Tips for searching etsy:
-keywords...this is hard with etsy...I usually try things like "vegetable dye ______" "________ hand dyed" "custom dyed" "hand made" "hemp blend" "raw cotton" "raw linen" "handwoven" "made to order" "custom made"...it is truly a game of luck and how long you are willing to look to find the best shops or the perfect piece. I am always finding new brands and would also recommend instagram for natural small brands, they often have releases several times a year vs doing custom orders.
-be willing to pay more (sourcing fabrics, dyestuffs, creating patterns, cutting, dyeing, sewing, tweaking patterns to your specifications..all these things are hard, time consuming work, and the expertise it takes to combine all of these elements into a one of a kind garment that is going to fit you perfectly and suit your needs exactly for many yearss to come is worth it). There are always exceptions to make when trying to balance your needs and your budget, just do the best you can and remember that 1 piece that you wear over and over and really love is ultimately more valuable to you than 10 thrifted or fast fashion pieces that get little wear, or 20 starbucks coffees...but (obviously) not more valuable than a roof over your head or food on the table. I'm not suggesting everyone can afford the best quality clothes, but if you can, then I suggest that you don't waste your time with these giant eco fashion brands because sometimes you can find a garment made to your size for much the same price (and at times only about 20-30% more)
-be willing to wait longer (see something in your closet wearing out? start searching for the replacement. many of these garments are made to your measurements and color preferences and that takes time and loving care).
-ask questions... Do it! Most sellers will be happy to answer your questions in detail. I usually ask about where their fabric comes from, as well as what types of dyes they use and how they dispose of their wastes, who is sewing the clothes etc
-make exceptions..I am always willing to make exceptions for clothing that is hand made, super unique, exceptionally beautiful...because I believe in supporting these artists even if they aren't 'perfect'...as that's a pretty impossible standard!
Ethical Shops I'd recommend- (I will put the links at the very bottom for tidiness sake, please add any you'd like in the comments!)
:::Etsy:::
Anuttara Crafts- Seriously, check out this shop! (very unique vegdye hemp/cotton, silk, raw cotton, and wool creations that are stamped/embroidered with patterns she drew herself). I have an AMAZING warm hemp/cotton terry skirt and a pair of wool pants, both are winter staples for me this year and hopefully for many years to come. Especially with the hemp terry, the more I wear the skirt the more luscious the heavy fabric feels. Note that with this shop you can make some things to your measurements, and it takes at least 2 months to get to you...as the dyeing is done in bulk for a few pieces at a time, and the printing depends on humidity so it is not always suitable weather to make your piece).
Xusah- (handmade to your exact measurements and hand dyed to your preference, hemp/org cotton blends as well as a hemp/cotton fleece that is keeping me so warm right now). Xusah also often posts pre-made items at a slight discount and her practices are intentionally low waste. She lives in a yurt on the east coast and creates and dyes everything with her own two hands. You can even request lighter or darker shades of the many colors she offers and she sometimes offers the service of dyeing other natural garments whatever hue you prefer which is really great if you are creating a coordinate wardrobe where the colors are all complimentary. She is truly amazing to deal with and every piece I have from her is wearing in so well.
WildHarvest Studio- (handmade hemp/cotton blends, some fleece, some heritage color grown cotton, thermal cotton. Veg dyed) Jessica does not do made to order items at this time but she does seem to do a shop release every month or so! I have several of her pieces that are everyday staples, and her beautiful fern prints and mixed dye magick are amazing!
++Not as ethical (my opinion) but still hand dyed and hand made by one person operations:
Phases Of Bloom- (less eco friendly fabric (bamboo) but hers is apparently local? amazing hand plant dyed garments decorated with sacred plant stamps that she makes herself. I especially love that she grows some of her own dye plants or collects onion skins etc. from farmers market so there is very low waste). I am 100% in support of small makers of this sort and I have several pairs of underwear she made, as well as some super fleecy comfy/warm/cute tops, one of which I wear every day as a sort of bra or underlayer of my winter clothes. Zoe sometimes takes customs, and I think might currently be making Datura flower stamped panties for all you witchy/plant people out there. she sometimes shares on instagram when her customs are open @ phases.of.bloom
WoolenMoss- Wool garments in several colors and weights, made to your size (might be perfectly ethical, but I have not asked her about where her wool comes from and how it is dyed). I have leg warmers from this maker that I wear on a daily basis in the winter and I can tell that they will last for many many years to come
Kate Crochet Couture- Beautiful handmade one of a kind crochet clothing (I have not vetted the materials here but I like that they are made by one person!)
Yesterday People- Groooovy, made on demand (less waste), sustainability page looks pretty good
Purusha People- Tencel, yoga style clothes, bells, bra tops, tanks, hand screenprinted, eco conscious dyes, mostly made to order with some releases as well, most of the pieces are made by the two of them, some are made in LA by folks they hired and pay a fair wage)
++One person/small ethical seeming Instagram clothing brands I am aware of, but have not personally vetted! Feel free to add any info you might have on these brands in the comments <3
@ Zhinh -makes beautiful clothes, there are some fibres that are not ideal and I haven't asked about where it comes from, or the dyeing practices but again I'm on board to support small woman owned businesses
@ sister.nettle hand stamped, lovely clothes in several basic styles, eco fabrics
@ loverly_goods
@ serpentandbow amazing hand sewed and hand stamped garments created in a ritualistic manner
@ panty.witch makes all her pieces from scrap fabrics
@ l.v.d.f. one of a kind pieces
@ jenny_.k._ one woman operation, hand dyed natural fibres
@ brass_arrow
++Links:
Phases of Bloom https://www.etsy.com/shop/phasesofbloom
WoolenMoss https://www.etsy.com/shop/woolenmoss
WildHarvest Studio https://www.wildharveststudio.com/ready-to-ship
Xusah https://www.etsy.com/shop/xusah
Anuttara Crafts https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnuttaraCrafts?sort_order=date_desc
Purusha People https://purushapeople.com/
Zinh https://www.etsy.com/shop/Zhinh?ref=yr_purchases
Yesterday People https://www.yesterdaypeople.com/
Kate Crochet Couture https://www.etsy.com/shop/katecrochetcouture
Okay, if you made it this far, thanks for reading, and feel free to come back to comment on this post anytime you find a small ethical brand you want everyone to know about <3
Submitted February 02, 2021 at 12:01AM by aspiringethical https://ift.tt/3pAairf
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