Walking down the street, you might think your slim-cut jeans and graphic tee are no more than an effortlessly stylish ensemble. But slip inside the realm of sustainable fashion, and it’s a whole new ball game. More and more, shoppers in North America are trading in their fast-fashion favorites for sustainable streetwear that strikes the perfect balance between sustainability and style. Read on to discover eco-friendly options at the forefront of sustainable streetwear.
1. A Look at Sustainable Streetwear: Eco-Friendly Alternatives
In recent years, sustainable streetwear has been gaining traction and becoming a popular option for consumers who are looking for stylish fashion that is also environmentally conscious. Sustainable streetwear can come in the form of organic cottons, durable recycled materials, and even environmentally friendly materials created without the use of plastics. Here’s a look at some of the eco-friendly alternatives to traditional streetwear.
Recycled Cotton: Recycled cotton has been one of the most popular choices for eco-friendly streetwear. It is made from broken down fabric scraps and other recycled materials that are then broken down and spun into yarn and hand-knitted into garments. This process helps keep the textile industry from using up more resources than necessary.
Organic Cotton:Organic cotton is a great option for eco-friendly streetwear. This type of cotton has been produced without the use of hazardous pesticides, fertilizers, and insecticides and is certified organic. Not only is it good for the Earth, but organic cotton is also much softer and more comfortable than traditional cotton.
Hemp: Hemp is a durable, sustainable fabric that is made from the stalk of the hemp plant. It requires less water to grow than other textiles, so it’s much better for the environment. It also offers a great mix of comfort and durability, making it perfect for streetwear.
Bamboo: Bamboo is another great choice for eco-friendly streetwear. It is very light and breathable, and it is naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial. It also takes very little energy and water to produce, making it an excellent eco-friendly choice.
Recycled Plastic: Recycled plastic is a great option for streetwear as it helps to keep plastic out of landfills and oceans. There are several brands that use recycled plastic in their clothing, such as Patagonia, which uses up to eight recycled plastic bottles for each garment.
Conclusion: There are lots of eco-friendly alternatives for streetwear that can be stylish and comfortable while also reducing the environmental impact. These sustainable materials offer a great mix of fashion and sustainability that will help you look good while doing your part to help preserve our planet.
2. A Guide to North America’s Sustainable Streetwear Scene
North America’s sustainable streetwear scene is becoming increasingly popular with fashion enthusiasts around the world, due to its genuinely eco-friendly approach to style. If you’re looking to update your wardrobe with clothing that does good for our planet, here’s a guide to some of the leading sustainable streetwear labels across the continent.
Kotn
Kotn is a Canadian label that specializes in luxury basics designed to help you achieve a timeless, effortless look you can wear for years to come. All of their pieces are made from organic cotton and their factories are held to the highest standards. The company partner with local farmers to promote sustainable farming practices and strive to reduce thier environmental impact with each collection they launch.
Everlane
Everlane is an American clothing label committed to creating modern, versatile wardrobe staples with integrity. Their pieces are crafted with digitally knit and washed fabrics to cut back on water waste, and their factories prioritize transparency and humane labor practices. From organic cotton tees and jeans, to sustainable wool sweaters and cashmere accessories, Everlane has something to offer everyone.
Thrift Lifting
Making shopping more sustainable doesn’t always involve buying new clothes. Thrift Lifting is paving the way for a greener fashion future by transforming vintage garments into unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. Each item is ethically made using designs handpicked from salvaged fabrics and materials found locally in various US cities. Not only do you get a unique design, but you’re also supporting a company that upcycles materials and generates zero waste.
Rael Brook
Rael Brook is a British company that has been making top-level menswear since 1921. All of their natural-fiber pieces are ethically and sustainably produced and certified organic cotton. Best known for their expertly crafted tailored shirts, Rael Brook also produces knitwear, coats and trousers that will keep you looking sharp, while staying true to their dedication to the environment.
Amour Vert
Amour Vert is an American fashion label focused on reducing textile waste. Made to order, every piece from Amour Vert is made to your specific size and shipped for free in the US. In addition to fashionable and timeless designs, they focus on maximizing resources and use sustainable fabrics wherever possible. Amour Vert also offsets their carbon by planting a tree for every item purchased.
Sustainable fashion is leading the way towards a more eco-friendly future. As shopping becomes more conscious, it’s becoming easier to acquire ethically made and sustainable clothing that does good for our planet. With North America’s sustainable streetwearscene, you can look good and feel good about your fashion choices.
3. Lacing Up: The Benefits of Sustainable Streetwear
How Eco-Friendly Streetwear is Changing the Fashion Scene
Having an environmental conscience is no longer a luxury; rather it’s an integral part of being a part of life on this planet. As the world’s population booms and resources become scarcer, being conscious of one’s carbon footprint is becoming a priority even in the most casual of industries. The rise of sustainable streetwear shows the world we can consume responsibly while still keeping up with fashion trends.
- Express Individuality & Creativity
- Support Local Communities
- Eliminate Synthetic Burden
- Give Consumers a Voice
With eco-friendly textiles that incorporate natural materials such as hemp, organic cotton, lyocell, and linen, sustainable streetwear is perfect for people that want to express their individual style while leaving a smaller footprint. This is especially significant in today’s world where trends change frequently and fast fashion dominates the market. By supporting sustainable streetwear brands, we can encourage businesses to make more eco-friendly products.
Sustainable streetwear often uses materials sourced from local communities, which gives back to these same communities in a meaningful way. When small business owners have increased resources, they’re able to invest more into their community, fostering an environment of growth, support, and opportunity.
Synthetic materials are not only hazardous to the environment, but they don’t often look or feel as good as natural materials. By wearing sustainable streetwear brands, you can avoid the harsh toxins produced by synthetic materials, while still having clothing that stands up to the rigors of your life.
Finally, by choosing sustainable streetwear, consumers can send a clear message to businesses that sustainability is something that matters. Sustainable fashion is no longer just a niche market; it’s becoming the norm. By opting for sustainable streetwear, we send the message that we want more companies to produce clothing that is not only fashionable but also has an environmental conscience.
The rise of sustainable streetwear has opened up a new world of fashion expression. Not only does it help us live more conscious of the environment, but sustainable streetwear can also shower support on our local communities. By wearing eco-friendly fashion, we can eliminate the synthetic burden and give consumers a voice to advocate for greener businesses.
4. The Movement for Change: What Eco-Friendly Streetwear Brands are Doing
As the world seeks to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry, eco-friendly streetwear brands are playing a crucial role. They’ve begun introducing innovative ways to make their products greener and their production processes more sustainable.
- Recycled Materials: Eco-friendly streetwear brands are turning to recycled fabrics to make their products. Many use existing materials, such as polyester and nylon, and transform them into new fabrics to make clothes. This way, they cut down on energy and resources while still producing items that last.
- Organic Materials: Some brands are relying on organic materials, such as cotton, linen, and hemp to make their products. This type of fabric is often better for the environment because it is often grown without the use of pesticides or other chemicals.
- Sustainable Manufacturing: Eco-friendly streetwear brands are also making a change in their manufacturing processes. They are looking for ways to cut down on waste, reduce their use of energy, and use materials that are less damaging to the environment.
Many of these brands are also making use of digital platforms to reduce waste in the production process. By ordering only the materials that they need, and having it shipped directly to their factories instead of going through middlemen, they are able to reduce their carbon footprint significantly.
In addition, some brands are using their platforms to advocate for a greener future. From raising awareness about the current state of the fashion industry to campaigning for legislation that supports sustainability, these brands are pushing for change.
Eco-friendly streetwear brands are leading the movement for more sustainable fashion. By using recycled and organic materials, implementing sustainable production processes, and advocating for a greener future, these brands are helping to bring about a much-needed change.
We can make a difference for the environment one streetwear piece at a time. Now more than ever, we need to hold ourselves accountable for finding sustainable streetwear choices from eco-friendly brands in North America. Let’s continue to revolutionize fashion for the better one green choice at a time!