7 Sustainable Alternatives to Big-Name Brands
Shopping small is the eco alternative to big brands. Here are some of our favorites.
Published
1. VETTA
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VETTA is made for the chic, professional, and stylish woman you know you are. They have 5 different capsules to choose from to best suit your personal style and you can check out how to create a customized wardrobe.
5 Items at VETTA make up a capsule wardrobe priced $479, however, they can be styled into 30 different outfits. This ends up with each outfit at $20 (oftentimes how much a T-shirt will cost at Forever 21!). VETTA’s versatile and quality-made items help offset landfill build up and greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Patagonia
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Patagonia is unreservedly more dedicated to serving the environment than Lululemon whose signature materials are rife with microplastics. Take Patagonia on your adventures instead and the Earth will reward you.
While these two brands price their activewear virtually the same, Patagonia is the one that is dedicated to returning their profits back into grassroots organizations that make positive impacts on our environment. Their transparency as a company should also serve as a role model as a way to pioneer social change and the business field.
3. Online Thrift Stores
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Choose the more sustainable option of buying clothing that has already been made without giving the funds to allow for the continuation of cultural appropriation, unethical production, and environmental pollution.
Fashion Nova takes ideas from independent fashion designers and artists for profit. They also profit off of the mistreatment of a workforce made up of predominantly women of color.
Thredup, Goodfair, Poshmark, and other online thrift stores all have vetting systems for quality items that are exactly what you are looking for. However, they come with a bonus perk: minimum greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Boody
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This brand was a hit for our Scouts who loved how soft it was and how they have a range of nudes available so everyone can feel comfortable in their apparel.
Boody uses eco-friendly materials such as repurposed bamboo that isn’t harsh on the skin or environment. They also carry loungewear for men and babies so they cater to a larger audience than Victoria's Secret making a shopping splurge family-friendly!
5. The Real Real
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Secondhand can be luxurious. The Real Real is proof of that. The Real Real is authenticated pre-loved luxury wear that is sure to last. Whether you need a dress for a wedding but don’t want to splurge or you just can’t afford to buy new designerwear, The Real Real is a cheaper more environmentally friendly option.
6. Tradlands
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Tradlands builds staples made to last, from those who are just looking to get dressed and run out the door to those who are waiting to make a statement in a new dress.
Zara used to be my go-to for structured, yet cute, professional clothing. However, knowing how they treat their workers and the pollutants they release always made me think about the negative impacts I was having instead of the positive changes I am capable of. When I discovered Tradlands, I was really excited about the same simple chic prints from a company that values the people who made my clothes just as much as I do.
7. Grounds and Hounds
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Sure, ordering your favorite cup of coffee at Starbucks is easy, but offsetting that plastic build-up is not.
It's cheaper to buy coffee grounds in bulk and make it at home. Not to mention, if you buy from Grounds and Hounds, a portion of the money you spend will go directly back to animal rescue initiatives.
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