Sustainable skirts for days

Skirts are a staple piece for all ages and walks of life. Whether you’re someone who loves to show a lot of leg, a little leg, or somewhere in between, finding something that gives you that sparkle can sometimes be harder than you think. Throw in your concern for the planet and the hands that make your garments, and you’ve got yourself a perfect storm.

To help you avoid all that trouble, below you can find a special list of 20 of our favourite skirts made by brands from all over the world. In the mini category, we’re loving Aestethic London (UK) serving feminine and chic preppy a-lines in neutral colours. Also a must-see is the swathe of midi-length skirts that come in all sorts of styles, including a two-in-one sarong wrap by Mila.Vert (Slovenia). Finally, before wrapping up (pun intended), check out a few maxi beauties, including a Canadian sweetheart by TAMGA Designs (Canada).

So, without further ado, we’re pleased to introduce 20 of our favourite conscious skirts from around the globe divided by mini, midi, and full-lengths.

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Denim woes

Take it or leave it, mainstream denim is harmful to people, the planet, and animals. The cotton-based fabric is one of the most used materials in the world but is a particularly thirsty crop. On top of extensive water use, the cotton industry tends to favour pesticides and synthetic chemical dyes that can lead to extensive pollution for humans and local ecosystems.

While some brands (like the ones below) are making strides to change this about denim production, others like Levi’s are doing far too little. According to our most recent rating, its labour score is “Not Good Enough.” Almost none of its supply chain is certified by labour standards which ensure worker health and safety, living wages, or other labour rights. In fact, it received a score of 41-50% in the 2021 Fashion Transparency Index, and there is still no evidence it ensures payment of a living wage in its supply chain.

So, to help you avoid the pitfalls of falling for the classic 501 style, we’ve created a special list of our ten favourite swaps. First up, we’ve got MUD Jeans (Netherlands), serving subtly feminine and chic classic jeans in a cool stone colour. Also a must-see is Boyish’s (US) take on the 501 style. Finally, before logging off, check out Nobody Denim’s (AU) gorgeous swap that will be a timeless closet staple.

With that, happy browsing.

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Sustainable bikinis for all body types

I’m not sure why, but when it comes to swimsuits—particularly bikinis—I tend to pick favourites. This bottom always gets loose in the water, that one doesn’t cover me up enough, this other one squeezes me in all the wrong places… as you can imagine, the list can get quite extensive, and is something most people go through on their quest to find their Goldilocks set. Like lingerie, a bikini doesn’t need to be perfect, but it should make you feel good. From taking a dip in the pool to snorkelling to simply lounging around, a bikini can fulfill many purposes. But along with style and practicality, it is equally important to consider the ethical impacts of our swimwear, which is why we’ve tracked down the best sustainable bikinis for you.

Common sustainability problems in swimwear

For those of us who live in the sun year-round, perhaps we can get carried away (myself included), filling our drawers with the newest statement trend or print. Aside from succumbing to a fast fashion cycle, swimwear also presents another problem when it comes to sustainability: plastic. Synthetic fabrics—like nylon, polyester, and spandex—are perfectly suited for swimwear because they wick moisture and stretch across the body, reducing friction in the water. They are also versatile and inexpensive to make, so the fashion industry relies on them heavily: not just for swimwear, but also activewear, outerwear, and other cheap fast fashion garments. This is a major problem because plastic is not biodegradable, meaning it never decomposes, which is an issue from the production phase to the release of microfibres when washing, all the way to disposal of the garment at the end of its life. Luckily the best way to look after your swimwear—gentle hand washing—is the best way to reduce microfibre releases, too. It also makes the most sense, since swimwear is most often worn for a very short period of time and should rarely require a machine wash.

Eco-friendly bikini materials

Thankfully, there are alternatives to these polluting plastics most swimwear is made from. More eco-friendly materials such as ECONYL, created by Italian firm Aquafil, use synthetic waste like industrial plastic, waste fabric, and fishing nets from oceans, then recycle and regenerate them into a new nylon yarn that is exactly the same quality as virgin nylon. Even better, other swimwear brands are meeting this need, innovating in their own capacity, and creating their own luxe materials from recycled nylon fibres or other natural alternatives. Quick caveat, however, is to be wary of greenwashing when it comes to this kind of stuff. It’s important to remember that it’s not just materials that matter, but also labour and animal scoring.

So, without further ado, read up on this ultimate guide for the brands that are making the biggest splash in sustainable bikinis.

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Millions of pounds are owed to workers

In recent news, UK-based Frasers Group has reportedly acquired digital fashion retailer Missguided for $25.1 million USD, according to The Guardian. The deal includes certain intellectual property of both the Missguided and Mennace brands.

Missguided fell into administration on May 30, 2022, after being issued a winding-up petition by clothing suppliers. The fast fashion company first fell into financial difficulties in fall 2021 but was saved when private equity firm Alteri stepped in to buy a controlling stake.

Recently, on 10 June, 2022, Labour Behind the Label organised a protest in London—calling on the brand to pay workers first. Millions of pounds are still owed to suppliers around the world, the organisation says.

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Californians know good fashion

As many Americans can attest, California has always been at the forefront of the environmental movement, breaking ground when it came to fuel-efficiency standards, supply chain regulations, and all things environmental policy. This may not be surprising to some, considering the state has been feeling the effects of climate change for quite some time now, often experiencing extreme drought, water shortages, and fires.

Yet, for Californians, the ubiquitousness of the natural world seems to be coupled with what some would call an “appreciation for nature”, with many locals hiking, biking, and being more “outdoorsy” than many Americans. Cue the pinnacle of Californian consciousness and ecologically-minded fashion: Patagonia. And while we love Patagonia here at Good On You, we would also like to highlight other labels in the state that are working to positively impact garment workers, the planet, and non-human animals.

So, without further ado, we’re pleased to introduce 33 of our favourite conscious brands from California, divided up by region.

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A brief history of digital fashion

Last month, the fashion world witnessed the first-ever Metaverse Fashion Week. Once again, the conversation around “web3” and “metaverse fashion” has been thrust into the spotlight. But, of course, digital fashion is nothing new, as our Sims days can attest.

If you’re not the gaming type, maybe it was that ephemeral moment when Alicia Silverstone in Clueless dressed her digital self and then magically appeared in that infamous yellow, two-piece plaid set that every college girl recreates on Halloween. Whatever your first introduction, digital fashion has been around since the beginning of the internet, but until recently, wasn’t as widely publicised.

In the past few years, augmented and virtual reality opened up new conversations around digital fashion. COVID-19 pushed it further into mainstream lexicon.

When the pandemic hit and fashion was forced to take a step back, virtual fashion proponents emphasised that there is more to the technology than flashy marketing ploys and CGI fashion shows. In an almost “sustainable” dreamworld, it seemed to offer clothes without production, pollution, waste, and fashion shows without international flights. Soon, it was all over the media with luxury houses like Dolce & Gabbana unveiling digital collections attached to NFTs (one-of-a-kind digital files), and brands like Adidas announcing that they will enter the metaverse by selling NFTs.

So, what does it all mean? Is the metaverse and digital fashion better for people, the planet, and animals? Is this the solution we’ve all been waiting for?

Let’s dig into digital fashion and see what’s real.

What is the metaverse?

First things first. The term “metaverse” refers to a virtual space created within the internet using 3D technologies. In the metaverse, the user is immersed in a virtual space where they can do everything they do in real life, such as visiting exciting locations, meeting people, buying works of art, or selling real estate.

This concept is directly related to such technologies as blockchain, augmented and mixed reality, “non-fungible” tokens (NFTs), and many other tech advances of recent years. While NFTs can seem confusing, they’re really just a way to own digital assets, like a MetaBirkin, in a decentralised, non-fungible way.

In simple terms, the metaverse provides an ecosystem or platform for creating, owning, and monetising digital assets. It’s all built on blockchain technology. The metaverse relies on it not only as a ledger for digital goods, but also to be maintained and creatively expanded without a central organisation controlling everything.

How does it relate to fashion?

As fashion immerses itself in the metaverse, it takes two primary forms: the first is a combination of physical and digital, where clothing can be worn using augmented or virtual realities. The second is fully digital, where items are sold directly to an avatar or as NFTs.

Fashion brands clearly see the metaverse as a new way to engage tech-savvy and young consumers. For example, in 2021, the Gucci Garden premeried as a pop-up on the online game platform Roblox to sell the brand’s designs, featuring handbags and accessories that could be valued in real currency. Similarly, Balenciaga went fully digital when it launched its collection of clothes in Fortnite as “skins”, or outfits for game characters. You could purchase them using V-Bucks, the Fortnite world currency, which is purchased with real money. Then, late last year, Nike made waves by launching Nikeland—its own metaverse store that allows users to try on virtual products, in addition to playing to the strengths of Roblox as a platform with games such as dodgeball.

Wanting to be a digital leader, Nike has been among the first big brands to push the idea of virtual goods having value on parity with their real-world counterparts, in line with Burberry and some luxury manufacturers. In their eyes, it adds some utility to the brand extension rather than just being a collectible for the sake of it, which is necessary to prevent NFTs simply becoming a fad.

The metaverse and sustainability

The fashion industry is hugely wasteful. In 2020, management consulting company McKinsey predicted that, if nothing changes, by 2030 fashion would be responsible for 2.7 billion metric tons of carbon emissions a year. It is of paramount importance that the industry cuts down how much it produces and pollutes.

How does the metaverse fit in? Proponents of digital fashion would have you believe it could mitigate some of the industry’s impacts. Theoretically, if the metaverse caught on in the mainstream, designers would be able to significantly cut back on production, reproduction, and the waste created in the process by having fully virtual showrooms, launches, and events. While cutting back on resources, you might also hear metaverse boosters talk about the infinite creativity and exploration that the metaverse allows.

While digital designs are not yet big earners compared to physical clothing, and may never be, they have potential to change the fashion industry’s footprint on the planet. For example, physical garments can be authenticated as NFTs and have a digital twin. This means that new fashion creators have the same chance of building a metaverse-native brand as a heritage label, without ever needing to have a physical presence. To create digital fashion, the only tools required are a computer and the right form of design software like Clo3D or MarvelousDesigner.

To put it another way, people could enjoy a virtual fashion week or a version of the garment that they would like to buy to post on social media, without the waste associated with it. It’s an interesting vision for clothes as entertainment—one fraught with opportunities, but also chances to hijack the system.

While many have highlighted these opportunities, few have addressed the physical production processes. Instead, they’ve discussed the metaverse purely from a marketing and product perspective—wanting to capitalise on the value proposition without taking the time to address current overconsumption, unethical marketing practices like greenwashing, and other ethical concerns.

For example, earlier this year, Nike reported that its revenues for the third quarter ending on February 28 totaled $10.9 billion, up 5% on a year-over-year basis. Nike’s digital sales in the latest quarter rose 19% from the prior year, fueled by 33% growth in North America. CEO John Donahoe told analysts on the earnings call that Nike will continue to grow its presence in the metaverse, through its tie-up with Roblox as well as its acquisition of the virtual sneaker marker RTFKT.

The ethical conundrums metaverse fashion raises

All of this raises some ethical concerns. As many “foes” can attest, physical clothing will always be relevant as long as we walk this Earth. So, until our physical consumption and obsession with trend wanes, the metaverse will be just as “unsustainable” as other marketing or social channels for Nike or Adidas to promote their newest products.

In line with this thinking, Eco-Age, a consulting and creative agency specialising in fashion sustainability, has recently launched the Eco-Verse Division. This new division exists to advise clients on how to enter the NFT and metaverse world “ethically,” ensuring they respect both environmental and social standards in the process.

While this is a step in the right direction, unfortunately blockchain technology is extraordinarily energy intensive. NFTs are often recorded on Ethereum, a blockchain-based platform with its own cryptocurrency that uses a mechanism called Proof-of-Work to document transactions. Unlike Bitcoin, which is another cryptocurrency, Ethereum uses a ledger technology that companies can use to build new programs, making Ethereum far more robust. If Bitcoin was version 1.0, Ethereum is 2.0, allowing for the building of decentralised applications to be built on top of it.

As the media has noted, crypto has been under fire recently for its energy consumption. According to the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF), Bitcoin currently consumes around 110 Terawatt Hours per year—0.55% of global electricity production, or roughly equivalent to the annual energy draw of small countries like Malaysia or Sweden.

While it is widely accepted that it is an energy intensive process, the relative carbon emissions associated with this energy production are still not entirely understood. There is still much debate about the actual energy mix and the mining process, leading to often inaccurate portraits.

Looking to the future

Where does this leave us—is the metaverse friend or foe to people, the planet, and animals? So far, it’s something in between.

As Auret Van Heerden from Eco-Age says: “The metaverse is already being built, by us, the users of digital media. It is our data and behaviour that enables the metaverse. In order for it to be beneficial, we urgently need to engage in order to set ethical standards, protect human rights and environmental standards, and restore agency to the users.”

This means having not only a right to know how it’s being built, but being involved in the process so that it can be environmentally and socially responsible from the beginning. This includes having a democratic ecosystem and ownership, acknowledgment of current unsustainable production in the real world, and marketing standards for brands and digital creators.

Without a solid foundation and standard setting, the metaverse will just be another channel for overconsumption and buying frenzy with the only true winners being those at the top.

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What the ‘feminisation of labour’ means

The wellbeing of garment workers has never been a priority in the broader fashion industry’s supply chains. New research highlights just how harmful the industry is to underpaid and exploited garment workers, the majority of whom are women of colour.

In the fashion lexicon, “offshoring” is understood as the transfer of garment manufacturing from wealthier Western nations to low- and lower-middle income countries (LMIC) for the sake of profit. This practice began decades ago, with the fall of powerful labour unions in places like the US and the rise of globalisation. Consequently, women workers have entered the industrial workforces of production countries at ever higher rates.

Several studies have documented this phenomenon, termed the “feminisation of labour.” This term is not only used to define the sharp increase in women’s labour force participation in industrial sectors but also to underscore the deteriorating nature of such employment. For these women, work is increasingly precarious and unpredictable. This makes the links clear between the wellbeing of women and the impacts of globalisation, and underscores why we can’t address these problems only as structural or economic problems. Justice for garment workers means grappling with the patriarchy and post-colonial systems of power.

The 'feminisation of labour' defines the sharp increase in women’s labour force participation in industrial sectors and underscores the nature of employment as increasingly precarious and unpredictable.

In theory, this new manufacturing strategy promised opportunities for women in recently industrialised nations, including better wages, independence, and development. But power imbalances remained, and cheap labour became the name of the game, with wages and conditions continuously diminishing to meet demand in wealthy Western countries. It’s a system that repeats the same patterns of colonialism, with colonial powers in countries like Europe, America, and Australia profiting off the exploitation of colonised countries.

The reality is appalling. A Stitch in Time Saves None by the Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA) explained earlier this year that while the global garment industry has promised to reduce poverty and uplift the status of women, in reality, it has delivered rock-bottom wages, extreme hours, and unsafe, often violent conditions to meet these pressures felt throughout the supply chain.

To make matters worse, at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, global apparel brands cancelled billions of dollars worth of placed orders, refused to pay for completed goods, delayed payments for months, demanded deep discounts, and refused to contribute to outstanding wages and legally mandated compensation owed to workers. (Good On You updated our brand rating methodology in 2020 to incorporate wellbeing of workers and fair payment throughout the pandemic as components of our “people” score.)

How COVID-19 exacerbated current imbalances

Unsurprisingly, when COVID-19 hit, asymmetrical power relations between brands and suppliers enabled many brands to shirk accountability to workers in their supply chains. This led to widespread wage theft, informalisation, job insecurity, and work intensification, which became particularly pronounced during the pandemic-induced recession. This has had devastating impacts on women garment workers and their families.

The alarming report by AFWA directly links the rise in gender-based violence and harassment during the pandemic to the purchasing practices of international fashion brands.

The report by AFWA, which makes for alarming reading, directly links the rise in gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) during the pandemic to the purchasing practices of international fashion brands, including American Eagle, Bestseller, C&A, Inditex, Kohl’s, Levi’s, Marks & Spencer, Next, Nike, Target, Vans/VF Corporation, and Walmart. As a result, AFWA now terms the harm inflicted on garment workers the “garment industrial trauma complex.”

What is the garment industrial trauma complex?

According to AFWA, the garment industrial trauma complex is a type of economic harm that is fuelled by corporate greed and the feminisation of labour, which directly contributes to a complex web of trauma from verbal, physical, and sexual abuse. This intersects with heightened health-related anguish, and extreme economic-based anxiety that leads to embodied trauma.

AFWA highlights the significance of acknowledging women’s lived bodies as navigating power and systems of gender domination and bringing attention to violence against women.

Mental health and its relationship to working conditions has gained increased attention in recent years, such as the harmful impacts of demanding job requirements and low control over the work process, work intensification, heightened performance pressures, bullying and harassment, and the use of fragmented tasks and extractive work targets.

Taking inspiration from feminist literature, the sociological term stresses the importance of acknowledging the lived experiences of women facing violence as “embodied,” highlighting the significance of women’s material, lived bodies as navigating power and systems of gender domination and bringing attention to violence against women.

Getting involved and staying informed

Talking about gender-based violence can be triggering and heavy, but it must be brought to light. It’s an overwhelming and complex web of issues. If you’re wondering where you can get involved, we encourage you to start within your own communities and with your own skills. For example, if you’re interested in signing a petition, this #PayYourWorkers one helps support garment workers. If you’re more of a visual learner, check out this guide on 11 essential documentaries about the textile industry. And most importantly, we encourage you to feel empowered to reach out to your local legislators: call, email, and petition them to support fair wages and blocklist countries that don’t comply with basic labour standards.

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Meet Orsola de Castro, Co-Founder of Fashion Revolution

Each April, Fashion Revolution Week brings together activists, organisers, citizens, and policy makers around the world for urgent conversations on transforming the industry from the bottom up. But the theme for 2022 seemed a particularly significant reflection on the state of fashion.

This year, the movement went back to its roots with the theme “Money, Fashion, Power”. It’s the same theme as Fashion Revolution’s first zine, which it published nearly a decade ago. It’s a telling sign of how little has changed and how urgent these issues are for our collective future.

We recently sat down with Orsola de Castro, co-founder and creative director of Fashion Revolution, to reflect on where the organisation has been and where we need to go from here.

De Castro is an internationally recognised leader in this space. Her career started as a designer with the pioneering upcycling label From Somewhere, which she launched in 1997 and ran until 2014. In 2013, she and Carry Somers founded Fashion Revolution with the vision of shaping a global fashion industry that conserves and restores the environment and values people over growth and profit. Today, Fashion Revolution is a decentralised network of over 90 chapters, which organise and mobilise around key fashion issues at the local level.

Throughout our conversation, de Castro brings to light the sweeping changes needed to move fashion forward; the institutions of power monopolising wealth in the hands of a few billionaires; and how there currently is no such thing as “sustainable fashion”. This may sound overwhelming, which it is—but de Castro offers us some tangible ways to reshape how we view our own position within this exploitative system.

8 Q&As on Fashion Revolution Week 2022 and beyond

Q: What was the significance of Fashion Revolution choosing this theme for 2022?

A: We started Fashion Revolution Week because we realised the importance of a living, dignified pay for the entirety of our network and the fact that the whole of our network responds and identifies with this topic.

The theme this year is significant because “Money, Fashion, Power” was actually the title of our first zine, which we published in 2016. We think it’s important for people to understand that this topic is really our foundation.

In a way, we want to show our network how advanced we were then and continue to be. Since the beginning, we’ve been tackling these conversations before they were discussed openly by the media.

Since the beginning, we’ve been tackling these conversations before they were discussed openly by the media.

Q: Can you discuss how Fashion Revolution makes sense of the institutions that perpetuate the power and wealth imbalances within the fashion industry? Why they are so difficult to dismantle?

A: We have several approaches to the industry in the sense that we say we challenge the mainstream, but we champion the radicals. There are many young brands that we have supported, for example, with our Fashion Open Studio, which is now going to become a fully open source for the benefit of the global network.

However, when it comes to the mainstream industry, obviously our main instrument of change is via the Fashion Transparency Index, which we utilise as a tool to scrutinise brands and what they are and are not disclosing.

As Fashion Revolution, we have always been very forthright in championing transparency and acknowledging that it is not the end, but the beginning; it is not an end solution, but the very start of a new culture of scrutiny and accountability in the fashion industry.

For us, the real strength of the organisation is that we are not a centralised team. In fact, we are a global team of 90+ local chapters that are looking at fashion from their respective countries. That’s what makes us different. The power of Fashion Revolution is that we listen to not only the requirements of individuals, but also the industry on a global scale.

Ultimately, there’s no presumption that we know what needs to be done, but instead an assumption that we need to listen to the experts in those fields that know what they need in order to thrive.

Q: Sometimes it feels like things are only getting worse in the industry. Are there any examples of success you can point to with your work as a sign of progress? 

A: Absolutely. Our team in India, for example, was instrumental recently in a battle for artisans to be paid, unfortunately in this case, only a minimum wage. Despite this, it was a huge increase on what garment workers there were previously making.

On a more macro-scale, some of our teams are very effective when it comes to education and others at political communication.

As I mentioned before, there really is no centralised character in Fashion Revolution, but now an overarching identity of the country coordinators that create little wins for our combined big wins.

There is too much to tackle as individuals. We can only do this collectively.

Q: As you know, Good On You is in the business of accountability, access to information, and consumer empowerment. Are there certain actors or institutions that have been enabling the fashion industry in its opaqueness? Who else needs to be brought into the conversation and held accountable?

A: It’s a really difficult question to answer because really everything needs to change and no one is really doing enough, including us and every other activist on the planet. There is too much to tackle as individuals. We can only do this collectively.

It’s only the power of this collective that’s going to change things because the entirety of this culture is built on the opposite of the collective—the power and wealth of a few individuals at the top. It is the entire system that is based on principles that are wrong: we do not treat each other as equals in society.

The actors that are missing from this conversation are those that were never respected in the first place: folks working on the ground, the supply chain workers, and the individuals being affected socially and environmentally by the impact of this industry. In the end, the industry and mainstream has spoken way too much and delivered far too little. We need transparency to be mandatory and for the fashion industry to be 100% regulated.

Q: What does Fashion Revolution think about “sustainable fashion?” What are some ways consumers can be part of the solution rather than the problem? 

A: Really there is no “sustainable fashion.” It is either unsustainable fashion or fashion. We need to stop talking about “sustainable fashion” and start inverting the concept because a large percentage of what we buy is unsustainable. Period.

The industry and mainstream has spoken way too much and delivered far too little. We need transparency to be mandatory and for the fashion industry to be 100% regulated.

Q: Recently, there have been important conversations centred around “degrowth.” What is it, why is it important, and what are some tangible steps that move us in this direction?

A: Degrowth really talks about balance and common sense. We’ve made too much and we frankly don’t need it so let’s stop producing so much—that’s degrowth. Obviously, in practice, it’s far more complicated, but really that’s the essence of it.

In the realm of the fashion industry, it’s about producing less because the majority of what we produce is unnecessary. Speed has killed skills, so we need to bring back those skills in order to create balance.

Ultimately, no one should or can sustainably produce with the kind of pressure we are currently placing on supply chain workers and the planet. It is unsustainable. We need to redistribute prosperity throughout the supply chain rather than growing at the top.

Fashion is not frivolous. It’s a multibillion dollar industry that employs millions and destroys resources.

Q: Many people often feel disempowered to participate in these conversations because they don’t think they can make a difference, especially when power is concentrated in the hands of a few. How can people get involved and feel empowered?

A: The easiest thing in the world is to start with your wardrobe. Fashion is not frivolous, but a multibillion dollar industry that employs millions and destroys resources. So, it has a massive impact on Earth, people, and livelihoods.

Everything that anyone can do is about agency as fashion is profoundly individual. So, while something works for me, it may not work for you, but everyone can start with caring for their wardrobe. We need to start thinking about the clothes that we own in a different way.

For more specific examples, I’d recommend starting with my book, Loved Clothes Last, as it has plenty of ideas on how to do this for all kinds of people. You may not be interested in fashion, but ultimately you have to get dressed, right? Those clothes can be the beginning of your change in an informed way.

It’s not about going on a sort of “crash diet”, but making lasting, behavioural changes that can be carried on throughout your entire life.

Q: How can we begin to move beyond the overconsuming, throw-away culture that fast fashion has normalised?

A: I’d say remain a clothes keeper. Truly, the only antidote to a throw-away society is to keep. The only way we can respect the people who have made our clothes is to honour the clothes they’ve made, even if it is fast fashion.

In other words, your SHEIN top still warrants repair even if it is SHEIN. Repair everything because repairs are the first step towards reparations and healing our society.

The only way we can respect the people who have made our clothes is to honour the clothes they’ve made, even if it is fast fashion.

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TikTok is a boon for ultra fast fashion

With over 1 billion users, catchy visuals and sounds, and a viral platform where virtually anyone can get famous (@ Charlie D’Amelio), TikTok has revolutionised the way we consume media and fashion. As fun as the platform can be for its many memes, the track records for the brands we see aren’t always so cute.

In this fast-paced digital age, it seems as though the “old-school fast fashion” brands like H&M and Zara are Y2K relics of the past, heavily surpassed in both production and follower count by global monsters like SHEIN and Boohoo. These ultra fast fashion labels have cunningly mastered the art of digital consumption, luring in young consumers with #hauls and #giveaways by utilising data in revolutionary ways.

But as ubiquitous as these brands are on TikTok, it can be hard to find out their true impacts. Well, we’re here to help you peel back the industry’s lack of transparency and see what’s really happening with the brands populating your feed. Here’s what we found: many of these fast fashion brands are exacerbating inequality, exploiting workers, and producing plastic garments that will ultimately end up in landfills.

You ask: “How do the top TikTok brands rate?” Scroll on for answers.

The post How Ethical Are the Most Popular TikTok Clothing Brands? We Rated 26 to Find Out appeared first on Good On You.

Feminism and sustainable fashion

As many of us can attest, fast fashion is inherently anti-feminist, a constant violator of human rights, and terrible for the planet. Since the 1990’s and the dawn of globalisation, most of our garments have been grown, sewn, and crafted outside of our home countries where a majority of the garment workforce are women, too often exploited and underpaid. Along with severe underpayment, many of these women also face harassment, insults, and pressure to continue working in less than adequate conditions—all for the sake of a $10 SHEIN top that will tear as soon as you wash it.

If you’ve seen “The True Cost”, or any other film documenting fast fashion’s horrors, you know that the buck doesn’t stop here—that fast fashion also disempowers women by promoting unrealistic beauty standards, lining the pockets of majority male C-Suites, encouraging excessive spending, and causing other environmental injustices. Luckily, we’re here to report that in this story, there is definitely no “knight in shining armour,” but instead an empowered entrepreneurial community of women committed to changing the fashion industry in their own unique, innovative ways.

Before diving in, if you’re interested in understanding the intersectionality between environmentalism and feminism a bit more, the resources below will help you get started:

• How Fast Fashion Factories Trap Women and Girls in Poverty (And How We Can Help)
• Why Fast Fashion Is a Feminist Issue
• Intersectional Ecofeminist Communication: A New Paradigm for Environmental Communication
• Intersectional Environmentalist

Now, without further ado, we’re pleased to introduce to you 28 of our favourite female sustainability superheroes.

North America

The post Meet the 29 Women-Owned Brands Making Waves in Ethical Fashion appeared first on Good On You.

Online demand surges after each episode airs

Since the airing of season two, searches for “Euphoria” inspired fashion like “green slip dresses” and “black cut-out dresses” have skyrocketed. In fact, it’s become the most inspirational series for fashion searches across the internet and e-commerce sites.

The first season of the HBO series aired in 2019, but it’s the second season that’s really caused a stir among the style conscious. In the 48 hours following each episode airing, UK-based Love the Sales, a fashion sale aggregator, found demand surged for items featured.

Here are a few examples of the rise in demand after the following characters wore these show-stopping looks:

• After Maddy wore the trend-sparking black cut out dress, there was an +890% increase in demand for “black cut-out dresses”.
• Lexi, a character who is driving a little trend in twee, inspired a +395% in fashion demand for “plaid dresses”.
• Cassie’s stunning pink outfit drove a +247% increase in fashion demand for “pink one pieces”. The actual swimsuit from the retailer Frankies Bikinis sold out “almost instantly” and quickly amassed a wait list into the hundreds, according to Cosmopolitan.

This hype has prompted many viewers to seek out the ultra fast fashion versions of these styles. And retailers have taken note, quickly turning around looks to meet demand. But, dropping cash on cheap fakes won’t satisfy what you’re looking for.

A less obvious lesson in “Euphoria”: defy the trends

If you’ve been paying attention to the fashion choices of this season, you’ll find that Heidi Bivens, the costume designer for the breakout series, has a keen eye for using styles to bring out certain emotions that don’t necessarily need to be said. An example of this is the hilarious and horrifying scene where Cassie literally embodies Oklahoma with her baby-blue chequered knot blouse, floral mini, and pouffed-up hair. Another is Maddy rummaging through a stranger’s closet while she’s babysitting.

In scenes like these, the series gets at something really important. In addition to touching upon hard-hitting issues like drug addiction and sexual abuse, “Euphoria” also subversively shows us how fashion plays into what we’re feeling and want to tell the world about ourselves.

Just like a certain look works for Jules and not for Rue, that can also be true for us.

In the same way that each character has their own sense of individual style that communicates something about their persona, our fashion choices do the same for us. We can use this philosophy to inform how we think about the way we dress.

As cliché as it sounds, that means finding your own style that isn’t ruled by trends. Just like a certain look works for Maddy and not for Rue, that can also be true for us. When we know our personal style, we can start to deeply reject trends because at the heart of it, trends are about what other people or the zeitgeist finds cool or interesting—and not you. Ultimately, we can begin to feel as badass as our “Euphoria” friends when we take the time to define our style for ourselves.

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Staple eco-friendly vests for layering

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, we’re living in The Renaissance of the Vest. A relic of the ‘90s, the vest has truly come back in all forms. While they continue to be worn as practical base-layers, enveloping our torsos in some much-needed warmth during the colder months, they have also been making an appearance as fresh streetwear—coming in all shapes and styles, including puffer, knitted, and even (vegan) leather.

As always, we don’t recommend shopping based on fleeting trends. But if you’re looking to invest in a chic, new practical staple for your curated wardrobe, look no further.

To help you do just that, below you can find a special list of 20 of our favourite vests with brands divided between performance and style. First up in the style category, we’ve got Mother of Pearl (UK) serving subtly feminine and chic classic vests in neutral colours. Also a must-see is the swathe of utilitarian style vests including one by Dedicated (Sweden). Finally, before wrapping up, check out a few puffy performance vests including a shining gold one by one of our faves, Girlfriend Collective (US).

With that, happy browsing.

Stylish vests

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The most daring ethical kicks on the market

Sneakers have always maintained their status as a staple piece. Rain, snow, or shine, a versatile pair of sneakers is a season-less closet favourite, giving a simple, everyday look a little more sass. Unlike our functional running or gym shoes, which stay on our shelves for a few years, “trend” sneakers are replaced more often. A product of the fast fashion industry, consumers are trained to run out to buy a new pair of sneakers as soon as the previous trend has lost its momentum. But investing in a pair of ethical, good quality shoes and learning how to take care of them is ultimately more sustainable, both for the planet and for your bank account.

Here’s the lowdown on the sustainable sneaker trail-blazers that are prioritising people, the planet, and animals. First up, we’ve got a modern take on ‘wearing your values’ with sneakers from Womsh (Italy). Not to worry, if being too literal isn’t your style, classic Veja’s (France) might be a better fit for you. And last, but certainly not least, if you’re looking for a more retro look, Flamingos’ Life (Spain) has got you covered with shoes rockin’ from the ’70s and ’80s.

Lastly, we understand that even sneakers made to last have a lifespan⁠—so when your shoes cannot handle another mile, consider donating them to Soles4Souls or Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe Program, which eliminates waste and gives new life to an “old” product. With that, happy browsing.

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Shop locally for sustainable denim in the US

What’s in store for 2022? With the new year settling in, hope seems to be in the air, along with the opportunity to change a little something about the way we live or shop. Maybe it’s buying less and mending a bit more—or even committing to purchasing sustainable denim, since we know conventionally made jeans have serious implications for our lovely planet and its people.

Whatever your sustainable resolutions are this year, as always at Good On You, we encourage folks to shop local, ethical brands when they can. With this in mind, for our American readers, below you can find a list of 21 of our favourite sustainable denim brands made in the US. First up, we’ve got Boyish bringing an array of styles and washes for all your denim needs, followed by Sami Miro Vintage’s take on upcycled denim. Last, but certainly not least, we have LA-based Reformation (as always) killing the game on chic, everyday pieces with everything from flare to straight-leg denim. With that, happy browsing.

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Shop locally for sustainable denim in the UK

2022: The year to try sustainable denim. With the new year settling in, hope seems to be in the wind with the opportunity to change a little something about the way we live or shop. Maybe it’s buying less and mending a bit more—or even committing to purchasing sustainable denim, since we know conventionally made jeans have serious implications for our lovely planet and its people.

Whatever your sustainable resolutions are this year, as always at Good On You, we encourage folks to shop locally. With this in mind, for our British readers, below you can find a list of 17 of our favourite sustainable denim brands made in the UK. First up, we’ve got E.L.V. Denim covering an array of styles for all your denim needs, followed by Dai’s innovative performance jeans that are made to fit all your curves. Last, but certainly not least, we have People Tree killing the game on chic, everyday pieces priced affordably for men and women. With that, happy browsing.

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You know when you literally can’t feel your hands and the air feels like it’s biting your lungs? Ah, yes. The thrills of winter. While we all love the spice and cheer of the holiday season, staying warm can be quite a challenge, especially if you’re a vegan shopper that prefers to avoid wool or cashmere. No matter where you fall, we’re here to make sure your bottom layers or “thermals” are as ethically-minded and sustainably created as they can be.

In line with this ethos, below you can find a lovely list of 16 of our favourite sustainable thermals for this winter, with brands divided between performance and casual wear. First up, we’ve got Patagonia (US) bringing the heat in thermal performance wear. Don’t miss the organic cotton everyday thermals by Beaumont Organic (UK) further down, either. Finally, before wrapping up, check out Organic Basic’s (Denmark) innovative TENCEL-based long johns, which are sure to keep your legs insulated all day long. With that, happy browsing—and stay toasty.

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Below you can find a collection of brands that are tackling the new work-life balance, including classic knitted dresses by Mila.Vert (Slovenia), ridiculously sleek unisex blazers by Opera Campi (Italy), and innovative vegan laptop cases by BEEN London (UK). Phew, maybe finding that perfect in-between balance won’t be too hard after all. With that, happy browsing.

Clothing

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We’re happy to report that vegan leather options abound! In line with this ethos, below you can find a plethora of vegan or vintage options, including elegant black flats by NOAH (Germany), lovely vegan loafers by Good Guys (UK), and for a more casual option, The Nude Label (Spain) has got you covered with contemporary, chunky vegan leather and wood sandals. And for those who prefer animal leather, there are some chrome-free and deadstock leather options, too, like Christy Dawn’s (US) Chelsea boots. With that, happy browsing!

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Now that’s out of the way, the Good On You team is happy to report that you can have The Trifecta: sustainable, tasteful, and affordable. In line with this ethos, below you can find a treasure trove of brands that are tackling the trifecta, including ’80s retro sneakers by Flamingos’ Life (Spain) and ridiculously cool up-cycled handbags by Frankie (Canada). There are also some tips and tricks for making your money stretch further at the end. Phew, maybe building a college student-friendly sustainable wardrobe won’t be that hard, after all. With that, happy browsing.

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As always, to promote a lower carbon footprint, we recommend a local shopping experience, which is why if you live in Switzerland (or are just a fan of this lovely country), today is your lucky day!

So, we’ve compiled a list of the 9 most ethical and sustainable clothing brands from Switzerland that will hopefully encourage more Swiss brands to follow suit. Below you can find an excellent range of classic menswear by CARPASUS, a vegan wrap skirt by SANIKAI, and if you’re looking for something for your next athletic adventure, Oy has got you covered with all kinds of fun leggings and bras. With that, please enjoy!

Not from Switzerland? Check out our favourite brands from Germany, LA, Europe, Italy, the UK, London, the USA and Canada, France, the Netherlands, or Australia and New Zealand.

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Regardless of where you fall, it looks like the style is here to stay, so we’ve compiled a list of 18 cute and conscious sustainable crop tops that will hopefully satisfy all of your cropped needs for this season and many to come. Below you can find ’70s resort-style crops by NICO (AU), absurdly cool upcycled Nike crops by Frankie (CA), or if you’re looking for something second hand, Reformation @ Vestiaire Collective (US) has you covered with all kinds of linen blouses. With that, please enjoy.

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Whether you’re petite or tall, prefer menswear, womenswear, or unisex clothes, finding good ‘bottoms’ can be especially tricky. Aside from coming in pretty much any material under the sun, some brands also don’t account for most body types, making the shopping experience particularly tiresome. Fortunately, we’re here to help!

To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of sustainable pants from ‘Good’ and ‘Great’ brands that will help you dress for anything that might come your way. Below you can find effortlessly cool unisex trousers by A.BCH (AU), silky couch-perfect lounge pants by TAMGA Designs (CA), sexy, Spanish-style linen pants by Whimsy and Row (US), and a whole lot more.

With that, Good On You hopes to help you meet your needs—both old and new—all while keeping you and our planet healthy and happy. Let’s get to the bottom of this!

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While these kinds of celebrations can lead to wasteful buys, we’ve compiled a list of our top 17 ‘Good’ and ‘Great’ brands that will help you dress to the nines in sustainable wedding guest attire. Below you can find classic and minimal wedding guest styles by Whimsy + Row (US), timeless men’s dress shirts by CARPASUS (Switzerland), and if you’re looking for something second hand, Reformation’s (US) pre-owned dresses will have you dropping jaws and dancing the night away. With that, happy browsing!

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Aside from its refreshing romanticism, cottagecore also took hold during a moment of pause when we questioned our relationship to geopolitics, capitalism, and the environment, critiquing the wasteful, trend-oriented consumer culture we all grew desensitised to before the pandemic. While some may argue that this moment has come and gone, others, including the Good On You team, feel that this is just the first step in “slowing down,” bringing us back to our roots as a human species and essentialising our needs. The DIY elements of cottagecore are also a plus, with people engaging with aspects of a sustainable lifestyle, including gardening, mending, and home cooking.

In line with this ethos, we’ve compiled a list of 20 ‘Good’ and ‘Great’ brands that will help you dress effortlessly in sustainable cottagecore style. Below you can find minimal and organic cottagecore styles by Altar (US), timeless modern heirlooms including peplum tops and puffy-sleeved dresses by Kalaurie (AU), and if you’re looking for something second hand, One Vintage (UK) has you covered with everything from prairie sets to ethereal crepe blouses. With that, find your favourite nook and enjoy!

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Aside from fulfilling our scholarly or office needs, backpacks also make great companions for hiking, as well as other outdoor activities, carrying snacks, water, and other gear. Now more than ever, this once solely practical accessory has proven its versatility in the midst of the pandemic, accompanying folks as they (safely) venture outdoors. But finding the perfect bag that meets all of our needs can be a challenge. For some, the costs of leather are not worth it, demonstrating the need for better, more sustainable alternatives. Regardless of how you see it, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite sustainable backpacks that are kind to people and the planet, with plenty of vegan options too!

Below you can see these eco-friendly finds separated into technical and casual wear. Happily browse between minimal and PETA-approved vegan backpacks by Ucon Acrobatics (Germany), cool and innovative everyday cactus leather daypacks by A_C (Australia), and if you’re looking for something futuristic, RÆBURN’s (UK) rucksack is effortless, cool, and made from recovered nylon parachute canopies. With that, we hope you enjoy!

Technical ware

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