Is Lululemon ethical or sustainable? That’s a bit of a stretch

Lululemon is a high-end activewear chain that offers yoga-inspired athletic apparel for most sweaty pursuits. While the brand claims to be dedicated to sustainable practice, does Lululemon really put its best foot forward for people, the planet, and animals? Or is it a s-t-r-e-t-c-h to call it ethical? Read on to find out what its impact is really like as we answer the question: how ethical is Lululemon?

Environmental impact

Lululemon claims sustainability as one of its core principles, but its environmental impact is “Not Good Enough”.

Lululemon only uses some eco-friendly materials, including recycled materials. While it has set a science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated from its owned operations and supply chain by 60% by 2030, it is unclear whether it is on track to meet its target. There is no evidence it has taken meaningful action to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals, nor that it has policies or initiatives on water reduction.

On the sustainability section of its website, Lululemon talks about ways to improve environmental impact. Although this is positive, it doesn’t reflect any meaningful action. For a global brand such as Lululemon, there is no excuse not to do its part for the environment.

Labour conditions

Regarding workers, Lululemon falls short again, with a “Not Good Enough” rating. It discloses some policies to protect suppliers and workers in its supply chain from the impacts of COVID-19, but the good news ends there.

Lululemon’s supply chain is not certified by labour standards that ensure worker health and safety, living wages or other labour rights. There is no evidence the brand implements practices to support diversity and inclusion in its supply chain, and it has made little to no progress toward payment of a living wage. It received a score of 41-50% in the Fashion Transparency Index, and to top it all off, it sources its final stage of production from countries with extreme risk of labour abuse. It has also been linked with sourcing cotton from the Xinjiang region in China at risk of using Uyghur forced labour and has taken insufficient steps to remediate.

Animal welfare

Lululemon’s score for animals is “It’s a Start”. While it does not use fur, angora, leather, or exotic animal skin, there is no evidence it has a policy in place to minimise the suffering of animals. It uses down feathers accredited by the Responsible Down Standard, which is a plus, but it also uses wool and exotic animal hair. It traces some animal products to the first stage of production.

Overall rating: Not Good Enough

So, how ethical is Lululemon? Based on information from our research, we’ve given Lululemon an overall rating of “Not Good Enough”. When it comes to labour, we’re glad to see some level of transparency in the supply chain, but it still falls short. If the brand’s employees aren’t being paid a living wage, it’s simply not good enough to be considered truly ethical conduct. On the environment front, we’d like to see less talk and more action.

Note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

Luckily there are numerous ethical activewear brands that have our full support, which you can see below.

Good swaps

“Good” and “Great” alternatives to Lululemon

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‘Great’ brand Etiko is at it again

From its beginnings in 2005, Australian brand Etiko has worked to tackle the injustices committed by the modern fashion industry on people, the planet, and animals. Always certified Fair Trade and partnering with charities, opting for eco-friendly fibres like GOTS certified organic cotton, and entirely vegan-friendly, Etiko is one of our go-to’s for quality basics and sneakers for the whole family.

Its latest crucial collaboration sees it pair up with the world’s largest and most trusted source of fair trade verified recycled plastic: Plastics For Change. Here’s how you and your family can get your hands on a cool shirt while empowering people living in poverty to get their hands on plastic waste to create better livelihoods and a cleaner planet.

What does the world need? Less Plastic, More Love. If you agree, this is the tee for you.

How plastic collection changes lives

If you haven’t heard of Plastics For Change, their mission is to “change lives through recycling”. Why is this kind of organisation necessary? When more than 10 million informal waste collectors across the world are marginalised and live in poverty, and 33 double-decker busloads of plastic waste are burned or dumped in developing countries every 30 seconds, something needs to change. Plastics For Change helps to provide a humanitarian solution for an environmental challenge, and their crucial work prevents plastic pollution and creates social change. Since 2011, Plastics for Change’s mission has been to bring recycling infrastructure to developing regions and create jobs for some of the most marginalised members of society, which they have successfully done ever since.

Partnering with the organisation, Etiko has created a sweet whale graphic tee in ocean blue for the whole family. The purchase of this t-shirt will pay for the collection of 10kg of plastic in India, with a portion of every shirt sale going towards efforts to minimise plastic waste. Now that’s a design with a story we can get behind.

‘Less plastic, more love’ tees for the whole family

What does the world need? Less Plastic, More Love. If you agree, this is the tee for you. Soft and comfy, thanks to being made from 100% organic cotton, this shirt makes for a great conversation starter. Find the unisex tee in sizes XS-3XL, women’s in AU sizes 8-18, and kids’ in 4-10.

Unisex | Women’s | Kids’

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Here’s where the mid-year brand ratings landed

Brand ratings are the backbone of our mission at Good On You: to help you discover the very best sustainable fashion brands from around the world. Since 2015, we have been reading between the seams for you, uncovering brands doing harm, calling out greenwashing, and highlighting the sustainable brands doing good for people, the planet, and animals. Download our app or check out the directory to easily shop your values.

This month, we’re sharing four brands doing “Good” (including high-tech resortwear, eco-friendly underwear, colourful designs from the UK, and non-seasonal knitwear made in LA), but also five brands that aren’t doing enough.

4 newly rated brands worth checking out

The post The 9 Best and Worst Newly Rated Brands of June appeared first on Good On You.

Making a mark in a changing industry

Mashu’s founder and creative director, Ioanna Topouzoglou, has felt a shift in the fashion industry in the last six months. When she first launched her sustainable handbags back in 2017, she tells us, “no one was interested in the materials we were using or the way we produced”, but that’s a far cry from the engaged and educated community surrounding the brand today. Lately, says Topouzoglou, “I have felt a rare feeling of optimism that sustainability amongst both fashion brands and consumers is slowly shifting from a nice-to-have to a must-have.” We’ve felt it too—which is why we’re so happy to share this latest collection from Mashu with you.

Whilst I’m all too aware of the amount of work left to do, I feel optimism for the future. I’ve been able to create my most sustainable collection yet for eco-conscious customers who are more informed than ever.

Here’s why the new collection marks the most sustainable yet, and our favourite pieces, just in case you’re on the market for a Mashu moment.

Kaleidoscope of nature

Inspired by summer

Kaleidoscope is bright, fun, and impactful. The colours were inspired by nature during the warmer months, referencing “yellow sunshine, blue glistening water, bright green grass, and the purple and pink hues found in a summer evening sky”. These optimistic colours also symbolise a sense of hope for a more sustainable future, which we love.

Made from grapes and apples

The best part of this latest collection is that it introduces two new innovative and fruity fabrics: grape leather, known as Vegea, and apple leather, called Frumat. These materials represent the brand’s continued efforts to optimise its responsible production. They join the brand’s existing materials which are Pinatex, BioVeg, deadstock satin, recycled polyester, and organic cotton. Coupled with its recent efforts to ditch PU plastic entirely, 100% of Mashu’s handbags are now made from more eco-friendly materials. Broken down, that looks like 70% leather alternatives made from farming industry discards, 20% recycled or deadstock materials, and 10% organic cotton.

Ensuring their responsibility for the bags comes full circle, Mashu also recently launched the Mashu Repair Portal, where customers can enjoy free repairs on their bags for life. That’s the accountability for products we need to see industry-wide as we shift towards a more circular consumer pattern.

Our 8 faves from the latest collection

Amaryllis Green

Small but mighty, Amaryllis fits more than meets the eye. Perfectly sized for your cell, wallet, and beauty essentials.

Irene Pink

Irene is a soft mini bag: Mashu’s first take on soft bags since all other bags have been structured. Made from 100% deadstock Dutches satin.

Philippa Blue and White

The classic baguette bag just got an upgrade: meet Philippa 2. An evolution of the best-selling original Philippa bag, Philippa 2 features the signature wavy flap with magnetic fastening. Made from the offcuts of past collections.

Cassiopeia Black

Beautiful in her appearance and practical in her design, the Cassiopeia bag features multiple compartments and an internal pouch to keep you organised. Made from the brand’s innovative grape leather fabric.

Calliope Banana

Calliope is a structured mini bag featuring the brand’s signature wiggle handle in plated brass.

Philippa Lilac

A lilac version of the fabled Philippa 2 baguette, made from BioVeg vegan leather and recycled polyester.

Sophia Taupe

Meet Sophia 2: an update on the best-selling Sophia mini bag, Sophia 2 features braided cord handles that have been handcrafted by talented female artisans.

Aphrodite Green

Named after Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, a name has never felt more appropriate for a bag. Made from the new apple leather made from 100% organic industrial waste.

The post Handbags Made From Grapes and Apples? Meet Mashu’s Most Sustainable Collection Yet appeared first on Good On You.

Citizen Wolf: The zero waste, made-to-order solution

The fashion industry is polluting the planet, but change is on the horizon. A few notable brands are stepping up to transform the way people wear clothes with innovative tech that feels like sci-fi and fits like a dream. Citizen Wolf is one such brand. This Australian label we first chatted to in 2021 has been making Magic Fit® custom t-shirts for six years after starting from scratch in 2016.

A certified B Corp, Citizen Wolf has successfully cut and sold over 50,000 made-to-order tees, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on their website. Using a 94% accurate system that only needs your height, weight, and age, the brand creates a mathematical model of your body used to create clothing that is perfect for you. This system means less waste, fewer returns, and higher customer loyalty and satisfaction—and it’s all done in a special-made ECA-certified factory right in Sydney.

Citizen Wolf is “the technology company on a mission to reengineer the way your clothes are made at scale, to save our planet.” With a direct-to-consumer model that has proven to work, co-founders Eric Phu, Zoltan Csaki, and Rahul Mooray are now inviting you—the consumers—to become a business partner and “help write the next chapter of sustainable fashion together”.

For as little as $250, you can get in on the ground floor and become a shareholder as the brand moves to expand its offering to “any garment, for anyone, anywhere in the world”.

We’ve built the technology, we’ve built the brand, and we’ve proven the model. Now, from as little as $250, you can become a Citizen Wolf shareholder and help us achieve our global ambitions. Join us, and help unf*ck the fashion industry.

Ready to invest? Head to Citizen Wolf’s Birchal campaign and register your interest by June 20th

 This information is intended for people entitled to invest in Australian companies. Always consider the general CSF risk warning and offer documents before investing.

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The timeless taste of men’s smart casual fashion

Many moments in life fall into that wardrobe grey area between trackies-and-a-hoodie and full-on-business-suit, known as “smart casual”. If it sounds pretty ambiguous, that’s because it is: think of smart casual as a sophisticated upgrade to casual clothing that you could technically wear day-to-day. We love it because, by nature, it rejects passing trends and embraces a timeless and elegant look for anyone who digs menswear.

If you’re one of those conscious consumers who wants to consider people, the planet, and animals in your decisions when purchasing new, take a breather. We’ve done the hard work for you and dug into our ratings to find the best ethical and sustainable menswear brands creating smart casual attire worth investing in.

Ok, technically, the most sustainable menswear—smart casual or otherwise—is what’s already hanging in your closet (or someone else’s). But when you’ve exhausted your existing options, this list is a great go-to for you or even the father figure in your life, just in time for Father’s Day.

From the classic blue Oxford shirt by CARPASUS (Switzerland) to the brown derby shoes by Will’s Vegan Store (UK) and the neutral chinos from ISTO. (Portugal), keep reading to discover our selection of high-quality core pieces to incorporate into your daily dress for years to come.

Tops

The post Men’s Smart Casual Fashion, Done Sustainably appeared first on Good On You.

Your go-to conscious marketplace

We first met sustainable marketplace Staiy back in 2020 soon after they launched, and they gave us the low-down on the necessity of accessible, curated products across fashion and beauty by brands on a mission to do good. Embracing sustainability as a crucial part of the consumer market going forward in a world rife with environmental, human, and animal injustices, Staiy’s founders provide an innovative and collaborative platform that changes the game for shoppers and businesses alike.

By carefully evaluating every brand and product before listing across pillars like water, air, materials, and working conditions, you can be sure a purchase on Staiy is a purchase for good.

Before diving into the founders’ summer picks, we quizzed them on the next steps or upcoming projects for their business, and they dished the goss. Staiy’s website recently had a makeover with strengthened branding and experience optimisation. As Ludovico said: “It should evoke and reflect our mission on making the world a better place by being the destination for a sustainable lifestyle.” Staiy will soon also offer the public the opportunity to invest in their mission and be part of the journey.

Curated sustainable summer essentials by Staiy

With summer underway in the northern hemisphere, we checked in with the four Berlin-based founders on their favourite pieces for warmer weather from “Good” and “Great” rated brands. Let’s take a look.

Chiara Latini: ‘everyday style should be comfortable’

1. gaea no.11 earrings 2. WHIRLYGIG Cupro Dress 3. BAY Organic Cotton Top 4. TEAM CLEAN Cap 5. gaea no.12 earrings 6. DANIELLE Cupro Trousers 7. Pera Microfiber Vegan Belt 8. City Sandals 9. Two Strap Sandals 10. Rio Trainers 11. NY Sneakers

Summer is the perfect time to mix it up, reaching for fun and colourful pieces you can show off in the sunshine. As temperatures climb, it’s also important to be comfortable, so we love Creative Director Latini’s selection of a more dressy outfit perfect for that summer brunch with friends, and the casual look for a day of exploring the city.

“I chose these everyday pieces that just feel right on the skin and body. I always believe our everyday style should be comfortable, so that we feel ourselves; of high quality, so that we nourish our wellness, and authentic, so that we stand out from the crowd and embrace our uniqueness.”

Adrian Leue: ‘casual with a summery vibe’

1. DINGWALLS Linen Shirt 2. Hello Sunshine Hat 3. The Boxing Bomber 4. KOMODOSCAPE Organic Cotton Tee 5. DINGWALLS Organic Cotton Shirt 6. Reclaim Vegan Low Top Sneakers 7. Chicago High Tops 8. Randy Sweater

For CEO Leue’s look, think smart casual with a sustainable twist. Dress up your look with the button-down shirts, or relax it with a tee or sweater—and don’t forget the “Hello Sunshine” bucket hat to tie it all together. Pair the pieces with black or denim pants and you’re good to go.

“Business casual with a summery vibe is the way I like to dress as they reflect my personal style.“

Ludovico Durante: ‘sporty elegance and effortlessness’

1. Reversible Fleece Jacket 2. BUCKY Corduroy Hat 3. Randy Sweater 4. JEAN Organic Cotton Overshirt 5. DELLER Organic Cotton Shirt 6. Woven Belt 7. Shorts “Too Hot” 8. Brandon Worker 9. Sandro Vegan Sneaker

If you’re in a changeable climate or plan to explore higher elevations this summer, go for mixable, adaptable pieces like the ones Durante (Public Relations Manager) has chosen. We particularly love the sneakers, which are practical enough for sports but cool enough for out-on-the-town.

“In fashion, I am always on the look out for those pieces that can be worn in totally different contexts, and convey a sporty elegance and effortlessness. This selection speaks to days out in the mountains—my summer favourite—where it is easy to meet people of all ages in town or decide spontaneously to go for a walk with friends, sometimes ending up in more sporty adventures. I chose these pieces to represent that feeling, anticipating the frizzy mountain air everyone should get this summer.”

Alessandro Nora: ‘simple yet timeless’

1. The Bomber 2. CAMO Fleece Lined Jacket 3. ROCKY Organic Cotton Cap 4. Bourne Denim Jacket 5. WHALE Organic Cotton Tee 6. Jamie Vintage Blue Jeans 7. NAE Microfiber Vegan Belt 8. Milo Chino Trousers 9. Malin Vegan Sneakers

CFO Nora’s selection might as well be a mini capsule wardrobe. You could easily switch out any of the tops or bottoms and still look bomb—yes, even the double denim. That’s the kind of versatility we love to see in a more sustainable fashion industry.

“To start the summer with the right mindset, I picked simple yet timeless outfits that work well for any occasion. I believe embracing sustainability should be easy, effortless, but at the same time make you stand out and feel special.

That’s what we’re doing at Staiy. Simplicity and commitment to bring positive change, that’s my motivation. We also want companies to become more sustainable, that’s why lately we have focused on developing software for tracking the carbon footprint of fashion items. More coming out soon!”

The post Berlin Inspired Style: The Founders of Staiy Pick Their Favourite Summer Looks appeared first on Good On You.

Embrace a sustainable summer

Gone are the days of only being able to find boxy and bland ethical summer clothes—unless that’s your style, we don’t judge. But with everything from flowy dresses by Christy Dawn (US) and Baukjen (UK) to classic denim shorts by MUD Jeans (Netherlands) to a stylish straw hat by Kampos (Switzerland) from these ethical brands below, there’s something for everyone (and every fashion sense) so you can match your outfit to your values this sunny season, and many in the future.

Tees and tops

The post Stay Cool With These 17 Sustainable Summer Essentials appeared first on Good On You.

ILYSM is taking steps in the right direction

Community-driven sneaker brand ILYSM is known for its split-toe or “Tabi” sneakers in neutral and colourful silk and vegan ranges. On its About page, ILYSM says: “We bring balance and purpose to every step you take with beautiful materials, functional integrity, innovative technology, and sustainable practices.”

It sounds promising, but let’s step behind the scenes and see if the brand practices what it preaches regarding people, planet, and animal impact. How sustainable and ethical is ILYSM?

Environmental impact

ILYSM is making a start for the environment, reaching our middling score of “It’s a Start”. It uses a medium proportion of eco-friendly materials in its products, including recycled cotton and TENCEL Lyocell. While it doesn’t appear to minimise packaging or take any specific steps to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, its use of eco-friendly materials reduces its climate impact and limits the amount of chemicals, water, and wastewater used in production.

Labour conditions

The weakest area for ILYSM is labour conditions. Rated “Not Good Enough”, the brand doesn’t appear to have a Code of Conduct, though it has a formal statement covering worker’s rights and traces and visits suppliers in the final production stage. It sources its final stage of production from countries with extreme risk of labour abuse, like China. Although it states that “the average wage at our factory is 3.44x the minimum wage in Guangzhou, China”, there is no evidence it ensures payment of a living wage across its supply chain.

Animal welfare

Coming out on top is the brand’s animal welfare rating, reaching “Good”. ILYSM doesn’t use fur, leather, down, exotic animal skin, exotic animal hair, or angora. It uses wool and silk in some products, but most of its range is marketed as vegan-friendly.

Overall rating: It’s a Start

Overall, we have awarded ILYSM a score of “It’s a Start” overall based on our own research. With “up to 135 workers touching each sneaker during the assembly process”, we’d like to see evidence the brand supports every one of them. Increasing its proportion of eco-friendly materials and removing or tracing the animal-based ones would also help its sustainability journey.

Note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

If you want to shop more in line with your values, Good On You recommends you support brands that embrace a more ethical and sustainable fashion model. We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite similar brands to ILYSM.

Good swaps

“Good” and “Great” alternatives to ILYSM

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Meet your new favourite brand

JAN ‘N JUNE is like your sustainably stylish bestie who has all the top tips to keep your fashion high and your impact low. Dreamed up in Hamburg, Germany, in 2013 over a bottle of wine, the brand exists to answer the founders’ pressing question at the time: “Why is there no stylish, sustainable, and affordable fashion label?” They couldn’t stop thinking about it, so they made it. One year later, transparent, eco-fashion label JAN ‘N JUNE was born. We’re thrilled to introduce you.

We believe that fashion and sustainability can go hand in hand. You can care about your outfit and about the environment.

Fixing fashion one garment at a time

JAN ‘N JUNE has been fixing its corner of the fashion industry since 2014 with optimism, creativity, humour, and a minimalistic style. The dedicated and talented team of 18 works every day to create beautiful and minimalistic sustainable fashion with “Tons of determination, ups and downs, and little by little building our baby to make the fashion world a tiny bit better—with some sustainable attitude and for sure with style. #byebyefastfashion #fixingthings” Here’s how they do it.

Exploiting working conditions, unfair wages, harmful materials, and untransparent supply chains couldn’t justify a fast fashion outfit no matter how beautiful it was.

Transparency is key

From the beginning, JAN ‘N JUNE knew that to reject fast fashion, it had to be upfront about how, where, and by whom its products were made. To make it simple for the customer, every product tag has a QR code leading to the “ECO-ID” that reveals the supply chain in every step from the origin of the resource to final production. You can also find this info directly on the page of each garment the brand sells.

By manufacturing locally in Europe—specifically Portugal and Poland—the team can trace garments from seed to shelf. This further reduces climate impact thanks to shorter transportation routes. “This gives us the opportunity to visit the factories regularly and keep a close contact.” You can read about the facilities JAN ‘N JUNE partners with over on the Manufacturers Map.

Designed with the planet in mind

JAN ‘N JUNE receives our highest score of “Great” for its environmental impact. Embodying a circular fashion approach, the brand considers the entire lifecycle of each garment they make: “We are constantly trying to improve our products—during the product development we already consider the end of life.”

How does this circularity look in action? The brand uses a high proportion of eco-friendly materials, from recycled cotton and organic linen to ECOVERO and TENCEL Lyocell. It also reuses fabric offcuts to create upcycled collections (like these adorable scrunchies), minimising waste. Its products are carefully designed and created for high quality, meaning they will last longer, and they arrive on your doorstep in sustainable packaging. You can read more about the brand’s myriad sustainability initiatives on the How We Do It page.

Our top 10 pieces from JAN ‘N JUNE’s collection

What we love about JAN ‘N JUNE’s clothes and accessories (aside from their stellar sustainability) is that they often mix a timeless, minimalist aesthetic with bright colours to make your wardrobe pop. The latest collection, “fifteen”, is inspired by Portugal, where the brand manufactures most of its clothing: “‘fifteen’ reminds us of that beautiful country, its sunshine and people as well as optimism, humour, and open-mindedness.”

Here are our ten current faves from the womenswear collection. But don’t fret: the menswear is just as vibey.

T-Shirt Jelle | Faded Lemon

Meet new, oversized unisex t-shirt JELLE. Made of 100% organic cotton, JELLE has a round neck and is long fitted.

Top Sanah | Wood

SANAH is incredibly soft and cosy, both a bralette and crop top while still elegant. Bonus: SANAH features a variety of different strap styles.

Dress Leiria | White

This wonderful organic cotton midi dress is called LEIRIA, named after the just as wonderful small town in Portugal.

The Vegan Coated Shorts

The vegan coated jersey fabric in these shorts (made out of 100% organic cotton) is super soft and gives them a cool, leather-like look.

Top Beja | Faded Lemon

The new knit bralette is named after a small and beautiful city in Portugal: BEJA. The bralette is made out 100% ECOVERO.

Top Leonie | Check Print

LEONIE is a flowy, super duper easy top with spaghetti straps and a ruffled top.

Biker Shorts | Green Waves

Everyone needs this staple in their wardrobe. Made from super soft organic cotton fabric, they may just be the coolest shorts you’ll ever own.

Shirt Lua | Sun Print

Light, breezy, and sunny: this is LUA. The shirt is made out of sustainable ECOVERO fabric, which gives it a smooth and light touch.

Midi Skirt Siena | Eggshell

We love the newly released high-waisted SIENA skirt. Made out of 100% recycled PET waste, this lovely fabric is innovative, vegan, and sustainable.

Midi Dress Helen | Black

Flowy and flattering for all busts, HELEN is made from TENCEL Lyocell, a sustainable material derived from wood cellulose.

What’s ahead for the brand?

Reduced prices, reduced impact, yet still utterly stylish? That’s JAN ‘N JUNE’s latest initiative: a second hand resale platform called NEW-ISH where customers can buy and sell pre-loved JAN ‘N JUNE goodies. Keep your eye on their website for the launch.

The post Eco-Label JAN ‘N JUNE on the Importance of Fixing Fashion appeared first on Good On You.

The top newly rated sustainable brands of May

Brand ratings are the backbone of our mission at Good On You: to make shopping your values simpler. Since 2015, we have been uncovering brands doing harm, and highlighting those doing good for people, the planet, and animals. You can download our app or check out the directory to discover the best brands for you. If you’re all about discovering new “Good” and “Great” brands from around the world to support, this roundup is for you.

This month, we’re looking at 5 newly rated brands, and there are some real gems—from refugee-made upcycled bags and shoes by Up-Fuse (Egypt) to waste-busting menswear made with care by Neem (UK). Here we go.

The post We’re Loving These 5 Brands Newly Rated in May appeared first on Good On You.

Vibram isn’t quite toeing the line

If you’re in the running scene, you’ve likely heard of (or even tried) the infamous “toe shoes”, designed to mimic barefoot running. Perhaps the most well-known brand offering “FiveFingers Shoes” is US-based Vibram. Toe shoes are likely poor for your health when running, not to mention aesthetically questionable—but how does Vibram specifically treat people, the planet, and animals in production? How sustainable and ethical is Vibram? Let’s jump in—in better-looking footwear, please.

Environmental impact

For a brand that has an entire section of its website dedicated to “the sustainable way to a careful footprint”, Vibram isn’t taking enough steps to tackle its environmental impact. Rated “Not Good Enough” for the planet, the only positive we can see is that Vibram uses some renewable energy in its supply chain to reduce its climate impact. But when you’re producing hundreds of styles made from unsustainable, plastic-based materials, there’s only so much renewable energy can do.

Vibram does not use eco-friendly materials, and there is no evidence it minimises textile waste. It also doesn’t appear to have a policy to protect biodiversity in its supply chain. There’s a long way to go before Vibram could be called sustainable, but we’re curious to see where its “Sustainable Way” project leads.

Labour conditions

Unfortunately, things are only looking worse when it comes to labour conditions, for which the brand gets our lowest score of “Very Poor”.

While Vibram states it has a Code of Conduct, it doesn’t publicly share it, which is a misstep in the era of transparency. There is no evidence it has worker empowerment initiatives such as collective bargaining or rights to make a complaint, nor does it appear to audit its supply chain. Worst of all, we found no sign the brand ensures payment of a living wage to its workers.

Step up for people, Vibram.

Animal welfare

Vibram is also “Not Good Enough” for animals. While the brand doesn’t use fur, down, angora, or exotic animal skin, it does use leather and wool without stating sources. We found no evidence of a policy to minimise animal suffering, nor that the brand traces animal products even to the first production stage.

Overall rating: We Avoid

So, how sustainable and ethical is Vibram? Overall, we have rated Vibram our lowest possible score of “We Avoid” to reflect its lack of concrete action across the three key areas of people, the planet, and animals. Vibram could start by being more transparent about its policies and progress, work towards paying a living wage across its supply chain, and consider animal welfare for the animal-based materials in its footwear.

See the rating.

Note that Good On You ratings consider 100s of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

Okay, we may not have a direct sustainable swap for toe shoes, but these brands create sneakers and running shoes with values and practices worth a spot on your shoe rack.

Good swaps

“Good”, “Great”, and second hand alternatives to Vibram

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O My Bag highlights fair pay progress in its latest sustainability report

Our deep dive into Amsterdam-based brand O My Bag’s behind the scenes in 2021 revealed a “Good” rated luxury handbag brand built on a foundation of uplifting work for leather artisans in India. Let’s check in with the brand again to see what they’re up to.

This is a time to highlight the challenges in the sustainable fashion industry. We are proud to share our wins and hurdles to everyone interested in our journey.

Having just released their latest sustainability report and their stunning SS22 collection featuring classic best sellers and new designs alike, we wanted to touch on the continued work O My Bag is doing across the board when creating some of our favourite handbags.

Handbags for the fashion revolution

The road to fair wages

Every year, O My Bag publishes a sustainability report based on the year prior. This year’s timely release coincided with one of sustainable fashion’s most important events—Fashion Revolution Week. The brand’s Sustainability Manager tells us why this timing is so crucial for them and the industry as a whole: “Fashion Revolution is the largest fashion activism movement worldwide and was founded after the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013. This year, the theme is ‘Money, Fashion, Power’, and this is a theme close to my heart. I believe that money and power are so fundamental to sustainability that I get annoyed when they are not taken into account.” Hear, hear.

Without fair pay to producers, fashion can never be sustainable.

O My Bag is all about transparency and is the first to admit there’s still work to do: “I’m not saying O My Bag is perfect, but at least we have built our total business around the purpose of making a positive difference. For the ones making our bags, for those of you buying our bags, and for our team.”

A big focus of the report—reflecting the brand’s work through 2021—is on ensuring payment of a living wage to those who make the bags. While O My Bag doesn’t directly own any of the factories it partners with (as is typical for smaller labels), it takes responsibility by paying an additional premium to “cover [their] share of the gap between the current wages and the mutually agreed upon target living wage.” This is a good stepping stone on the road to a new methodology that guarantees structurally higher wages that O My Bag hopes will inspire other brands to start paying their share too.

Meet photographer Shivam

In addition to supporting ethical conditions for the garment workers in its supply chain, O My Bag has partnered with local Kolkata photographer Shivam for several years to capture the behind the scenes magic in the production line. The brand also sells prints of his vibrant work, of which all the profits go directly to him and his family, who have struggled financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His work documents the realities of life in Kolkata, India, and directly supports the local economy through photo tours and workshops.

7 standouts from the Spring + Summer ’22 collection

The SS22 collection features a curation of some of the brand’s best sellers, like the timeless vegan bum bag in apple leather, along with a few new products we’re loving, like the junior backpack in O My Bag’s signature certified organic and recycled cotton lining with leather details. Here are our favourites if you’re in the market for a new day-to-day companion that makes a difference.

Beck’s Bum Bag | Black Apple Leather

Go hands-free and guilt-free with the vegan apple leather bum bag, featuring the same edgy but timeless design as the classic leather Beck, and comes with the iconic checkered webbing strap.

Taylor | Cognac Classic Leather

A bag that gives you the irreplaceable look and feel of a fun night out? Here she is. Small but mighty, Taylor has a compact and convenient design optimised to fit your essential belongings.

Laura Bag | Ruby Checkered Classic Leather

This semi-circle shaped bag comes with two adjustable add-on straps, one full leather and one with a GOTS certified checkered webbing strap. She’s as versatile as can be—Laura works with every look, for every occasion.

Sam Shopper | Cognac Classic Leather

From groceries to wine bottles, from books to a laptop, the Sam Shopper can do it all. This design has no closure but instead comes with a detachable purse, a safe space for your phone and keys.

Jean Backpack | Wild Oak Soft Grain Leather

From your busy day-to-day to an overnight stay, the Jean backpack has room for everything you need and matches just about anything you throw on.

Charlie Phone Bag | Black Classic Leather

Wanna walk around town hands-free, but a bag is too big? Charlie features the perfect compact design with a spacious main compartment that fits a cell phone of any size, as well as your cards and keys.

Billie Junior Backpack | Signature Lining + Camel Leather

Hey there, little one. Introducing the classic Billie Backpack in a mini model. Made from the brand’s signature certified organic and recycled cotton lining with classic leather accents.

The post Care About Fair Wages? Match Your Handbag to Your Ethics With O My Bag appeared first on Good On You.

The merging of worlds

With decades of combined experience in the fashion industry, one Skype call between two friends—Karen Wood in New York and Angela Postels in New Delhi—turned into a long conversation reimagining what it means to be a fashion brand in a time of global awareness and environmental consciousness. The pair felt it was time to make some changes and put their heads together to create beautiful wardrobe staples at more attainable price points sourced from a clean supply chain. And so, Neu Nomads was born.

We are entrepreneurs, fashion industry insiders, and modern nomads. We’ve been on an exciting journey collaborating across three continents to bring our vision for Neu Nomads to life.

Read on to discover how this luxurious womenswear brand bridges the gap between fashion and a more sustainable and equitable world for people, the planet, and animals.

Planet: everything considered

Neu Nomads stands out for its efforts in reducing the environmental impact of its clothing. Achieving our highest score of “Great” here, the brand’s use of a high proportion of eco-friendly materials and renewable energy in its supply chain limits the amount of chemicals, water, and wastewater used in production. This leads to a smaller climate impact, addressing one of our time’s most crucial planetary issues.

The brand focuses on biodegradable and plant-based fabrics like silky TENCEL Modal, sustainably sourced linen, and organic cotton blended with innovative SeaCell, made from seaweed and eucalyptus fibres in a closed-loop system. Its use of non-toxic and AZO-free dyes coupled with zero waste packaging further round out its efforts here. Championing its belief we should “do more with less”,  every piece in the collection is designed to be endlessly wearable, washable, and versatile, discouraging overconsumption.

People: high standards

From the beginning, Neu Nomads knew they wanted to work with artisans who are valued for their work in creating fine quality clothing for the modern minimalist and conscious consumer.

The brand also rates “Great” for workers, owing to its prioritisation of traceability, transparency, and fair work for all. It has a formal statement covering workers’ rights, ensures payment of a living wage in the final stage of production, traces most of its supply chain, and visits its suppliers regularly. “85% of our garments are produced in a family-owned factory in Delhi that maintains healthy working conditions, health care benefits, and compensation far above the living wage. The rest of our collections are made between Portugal, Lithuania, and Nepal in female-owned factories that meet the same standards.”

Animals: eco-cashmere

While most of Neu Nomad’s products are animal-free, it does incorporate its blend of soft cotton and cashmere, dubbed “eco-cashmere”, into some of the range. Produced in a co-operative in the valleys of beautiful Kathmandu, the manufacturing process uses SGS lab certified Mongolian origin yarns. “Our factory is one of the country’s most modern and invests in the children of marginalised and underprivileged employees by sponsoring their education at private schools to ensure quality education.”

Overall rating: Good

Overall, Neu Nomads is rated “Good” thanks to its work considering its impact on people, the planet, and animals. Working every day to make sure “everything is considered”, this brand challenges the overproduction and overconsumption rife in the industry by encouraging a higher quality, slowed down approach to curating our closets.

See the rating.

Shop Neu Nomads.

Our 7 favourite pieces from Neu Nomads

Neu Nomads has been growing organically since its founding in 2018, and likes to take a “step by step” approach to building a business, so nothing is rushed. This allows a slower, more considered look at the design process, and for all its pieces, fabric research comes first: “It’s been extremely challenging to build a collection using only sustainable fabrics but we set out from day one to do things differently and have never strayed.”

Discover our favourite sustainable essentials and a few standouts from the new SS22 collection below.

Easy Slip Dress

Bias Cut Slip Dress

Grace Gown

Karlie Jacket + Allie Ankle Pants

Twiggy Boyfriend Shirt

Accessories

The post Conscious and Considered Fashion by ‘Good’ Brand Neu Nomads appeared first on Good On You.

Men’s activewear with a conscience

There’s no denying that the ethical fashion world is mainly geared towards women or femme-presenting people. As society slowly but surely moves towards equality, we are seeing more compassionate men who aren’t afraid to say, “Hey, we care too.” Bust those masculinity stereotypes by wearing ethical activewear for men.

While we have rounded up activewear brands that deserve your support before, we wanted to put together a list of options for all the menswear-sporting folks who want to sweat it out in style, knowing that their trackies and trainers aren’t supporting the exploitation of people, the planet, or our animal friends.

Some of our faves from this list are tentree’s (Canada) agility shorts which—surprise—plant 10 trees with every purchase, Boody’s (Australia) comfortable and odour-preventing bamboo sports socks, and Iron Roots‘ (Netherlands) unisex hemp hoodie that looks and feels great on every body.

The post The Best Sustainable and Ethical Men’s Activewear appeared first on Good On You.

“California cool meets NY chic.” Founded in 2019 by Dacey Trotta, Rumours has seriously taken off in a heavily influencer-driven world, with stars like Jordan Sloane and Emma Lager jet-setting in this up-and-coming brand. But how does the brand impact people, the planet, and animals in production? How ethical is Rumours? Let’s take a look.

Not good enough? That’s no rumour

Let’s cut to the chase: Rumours doesn’t provide enough information about its products or practices for a comprehensive review. Transparency and traceability are essential for a brand to be on the path to more ethical and sustainable practice, and Rumours falls short on both counts.

We had to give Rumours our second-lowest score of “Not Good Enough” for this lack of information. At the end of the day, you have a right to know how the products you buy affect the issues you care about.

Note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

Good swaps

Here are some “Good” and “Great” alternatives to Rumours that prioritise workers, the environment, and animals in their production.

The post How Ethical Is Rumours? appeared first on Good On You.

Sustainable fashion with flavour

What started as an organic t-shirt brand championing artist collaborations in 2006 has grown into the effortlessly cool lifestyle brand Dedicated that makes “sustainable fashion with flavour”.

Coming out of Stockholm, Sweden, founder Johan Graffner witnessed the horrors of the modern fashion industry first-hand in his travels to the world’s textile production hubs and decided to dedicate his work to making a difference: “I was saddened to see the massive environmental destruction caused by the textile industry, as well as seeing poor workers being exploited. At this time, the responsible brands weren’t very fashionable, and the fashionable brands were not being responsible. So when I started this company in 2006, the vision was to become ‘best in class’ in terms of certifications, CO2 impact, and ethics right from the start.”

Our sustainable clothing brand is built on transparency, honesty, and sticking true to our values.

Read on to discover how Dedicated is a driving force of change in the fashion industry, proving that it is possible to design and produce inspiring, colourful, and creative clothing and, at the same time, care for people, the planet, and animals.

Planet: don’t panic, it’s organic

Rated “Good” for the environment, Dedicated is committed to leaving a light footprint by incorporating a high proportion of eco-friendly materials, like GOTS certified organic cotton, GRS certified recycled PET plastic, and TENCEL Lyocell. Fun fact: its first-ever t-shirt run back in 2006 was made in Turkey from GOTS certified organic cotton.

The carbon impact of Dedicated’s clothes is drastically reduced compared to other garments on the market thanks to its use of more conscious materials. This practice also means a limited amount of chemicals, water, and wastewater are used in production. As a bonus, the brand rejects shopping holidays like Black Friday and instead partners with One Tree Planted for “Plant Friday”. So far, it has donated over 20,000 fruit trees to local farmers in India.

People: transparent, fair treatment

Dedicated receives our highest score of “Great” for labour conditions. It has a Code of Conduct that covers all of the ILO Four Fundamental Freedoms principles, traces its supply chain, and ensures payment of a living wage in most of its supply chain.

You can rest assured knowing the farmers, ginners, spinners, dyers, printers, and sewing workers are getting a fair wage without forced or unpaid overtime and with safe working conditions: “We only work with suppliers that share the same values, and that are certified by reliable and legit social standards. Long-term partnerships that allow us to grow together and build trust. By doing this, we can sleep easy knowing that everyone involved in our brand is treated with respect.” Don’t just take their word for it—here is their impressive list of certifications.

Animals: left out, literally

The most ethical way to use animals in fashion is not to use them at all. Dedicated recognises this and leaves animals out of the equation entirely. Hide nor hair can be found in the collection, and the brand is 100% PETA certified vegan-friendly. We love to see it, which is why the brand also rates “Great” for animals.

Overall rating: Great

Overall, we’re happy to award Dedicated our highest possible score of “Great” for its efforts across the board. By using eco-friendly materials, providing fair wages, and leaving animals out entirely, this Swedish brand has cracked the code for conscious clothing that aligns with your values, all while looking fab.

Armed with an eco-conscious team, a love of contemporary clothing, and plenty of pop music to keep us going, we’ve created a brand that is thoughtful from start to finish.

See the rating.
Shop Dedicated.

Our 7 favourite designs from Dedicated

Dedicated is quite unique in the sustainable fashion space as it collaborates with so many relevant creators. And by collaborating with photographers, illustrators, and artists from all over the world, the brand is able to give you unique, fun, and diverse collections.

Kiss boring ethical fashion goodbye with our seven current faves from Dedicated, including some stylish essentials like the corduroy work pants and oversized puffer jacket, and the iconic Beatles limited collection.

Dress Bornholm | Palm Leaves Beige

Made from 100% TENCEL Lyocell, the Bornholm dress is soft and comfortable and features a relaxed, loose fit with a button-up front and tie waist.

Puffer Jacket Haparanda | Secret Garden

The ultimate puffer jacket, Haparanda, is made out of 100% GRS certified recycled polyester. It is water repellent and features a two-way zipper, four pockets, and a stunning nature-themed print.

Workwear Pants Vara Corduroy | Deep Blue

These versatile pants work hard to keep up with the demand of everyday wear while keeping you looking good. Made to last with organic cotton.

T-Shirt Stockholm | Work Hard Pizza White

The perfect crew neck t-shirt, made sustainably with care for people and the planet in collaboration with British artist and illustrator David Shrigley.

Padded Jacket Vallentuna Corduroy | Brown

This Harrington-inspired men’s jacket is made from organic cotton corduroy and features a front zipper and quilted lining with recycled polyester padding.

T-Shirt Mysen Sgt Pepper’s | Black

Dust off your old records—Dedicated just dropped a nostalgic Beatles collection. Prints and patterns inspired by iconic album covers. Don’t miss out on this limited collection made in organic and fairtrade certified cotton.

Sweatshirt Malmoe Abbey Road Embroidery | Grey Melange

If you prefer a more subtle look while repping your Beatles pride, we love this embroidered Abbey Road sweatshirt in organic cotton.

What is Dedicated up to next?

Always on the lookout for up-and-coming material innovations, Dedicated will continue to support developments in recycled fabrics and soon start using ROG cotton, which is regeneratively and organically grown, making it CO2 negative. It is also on the path to becoming a B Corp certified brand, continuing its thread of earning some of the most comprehensive fashion certifications that currently exist.

The post ‘Great’ Brand Dedicated Is Proving Fashion Can Be Both Conscious and Cool appeared first on Good On You.

From ballerinas to mules, flats are back

Picture this: it’s 2003, and you just slipped on a fresh pair of ballet flats with your favourite low-rise skinny jeans, ready to hit the town. Except—hang on, it’s 2022?!

That’s right—flats are back in all their glory. We’re talking classic comfy ballerinas, mules, and slingbacks. Bonus points if the toe is pointier than a witch’s hat.

As ever, trends fade in and out, and we discourage purchasing something just because you’ve seen it crop up on every fast fashion website. But if you need versatile, high-quality shoes you can love on for years to come (whether they’re “trending” or not), we’ve curated some of the cutest and comfiest sustainable flats on offer. Let’s put our best foot forward.

The post 12 Comfortable and Sustainable Flats You’ll Love appeared first on Good On You.

Yes Friends is at it again with your new favourite denim

We met actually affordable UK brand Yes Friends in 2021 when they were freshly created—and freshly rated “Great”, our top score—and we’ve been going steady long enough now to admit it was love at first sight. If you haven’t heard of them (where have you been?), they cracked the code for low-impact, high-quality clothes that won’t break the bank. And we’re not just saying that: their original tees are only £7.99.

Since we fell into each other’s orbit, the brand has expanded its range to include some cool colours and even released super cosy hoodies. But today, we’re excited to share their latest innovation with you: a pre-order campaign for “the most affordable sustainable and ethical denim in the world”. Is anyone else’s heart fluttering?

This month, we’ll be releasing the most affordable, sustainable, ethical denim on our planet. And together, we can transform the fashion industry. One pair of jeans at a time.

A Ferrari for the price of a Fiesta

One of our favourite things about Yes Friends is how they involve their (loyal and growing) community in every step of the production process. From lightbulb moment to mock-up to pre-order, the team runs everything by the people who will eventually wear the very clothes they’re working to create. This kind of transparency is crucial in fostering a committed, long-term relationship with our clothes.

And that’s exactly what happened with the new denim designs. Take the oversized vintage jacket, for example: after their designer dreamed up a 3D jacket, Yes Friends put it to the people. And the votes rolled in: yes, we want this denim jacket to come to life. And can it be classic washed black, pretty please? Yes, friends.

Since then, the brand has been working hard to bring a small-yet-mighty denim range to life,  featuring jackets and jeans you’ll never want to take off. Ok, maybe when you sleep.

Sounds great, you think. But what about that “affordable, sustainable, and ethical” thing you mentioned earlier? It’s as simple as 1-2-3.

One: made in the world’s top-rated Fair Wear factory

We know how crucial living wages are in a truly ethical fashion system, and you can rest assured Yes Friends is working with a cut and sew factory paying living wages, in an environment that ensures their safety and rights are upheld. Based in Vietnam, it is the only manufacturer in the world rated 100/100 by the Fair Wear Foundation for its exceptional ethics.

If these jeans took you out for dinner, they'd leave a tip.

By partnering with tip me, Yes Friends has become the first UK brand to allow you to tip your garment workers directly. Most jeans are still handmade by real people behind real sewing machines, and now you can say an extra big thank you right above the “add to cart” button. 100% of the tips will go directly to the garment workers.

Living wages + Tips = Yes Friends Denim

Two: using low-impact fabrics and washes

So far, Yes Friends has worked exclusively with Fairtrade and organic certified cotton for its tees and hoodies. In the denim collection, they are branching out to incorporate both hemp and biodegradable polyester. Hemp constitutes a highly sustainable crop that more and more conscious brands are tapping into for their designs. And their biodegradable and recycled polyester means your jeans won’t be dug up by archaeologists in the future.

What about the washing process? The brand uses eco-washing methods like lasers to make the collection. This means the denim fabric has a low-impact Environmental Impact Measurement (EIM) score, which considers the use of water, chemicals, and energy in production.

Three: actually affordable

With affordability being one of the main barriers people face when trying to switch to more ethical and sustainable fashion, Yes Friends champions a “large scale, small margins” business model to tackle it. This means these jeans are released on a pre-order basis and only start being made once target numbers are hit. The result? The final product won’t set you back nearly as much as comparable garments on the market.

So, how much will these new denim goodies cost? The jeans will be £39.99, and the denim jackets £59.99. That’s less than half the price of a new pair of Levi’s and sits closer to the price tags you’d find at fast fashion giant H&M.

Jump on the pre-order today

Ok, enough talking. Here’s where you can get your hands (and legs, and arms) on the new eco-friendly, people-friendly, wallet-friendly denim collection we’re so glad Yes Friends has whipped up. Is it too soon to propose?

Women’s Jeans Pre-Order

Men’s Jeans Pre-Order

Women’s Jacket Pre-Order

Men’s Jacket Pre-Order

The post Affordable, Organic, Living Wage Jeans? Yes Friends, It’s Possible appeared first on Good On You.

Canadian brand Kotn is an impact-driven home and clothing brand focused on building lasting communities and products. Its timeless designs honour the people who make them and the places they’re made. Read on to discover your new favourite high quality apparel and home goods improving the lives of workers and their families.

At Kotn we create for lasting ways of life: working hand-in-hand with every step of our supply chain—from farm to hanger—to develop clothing and home goods that are made better, enjoyed longer, and are designed to have a positive impact.

Created to last, for lasting change

Kotn is on a mission to change the way the things we love are created and consumed: better for the people and better for the planet. By working with and for workers and their communities to create timeless, quality goods, Kotn is tackling two of the most prominent issues in the fashion industry.

Community at the core

A Certified B Corp voted Best for the World, Kotn utilises direct trade practices and a ground-up approach to product creation. “We source our raw cotton straight from small-holder farmers in Egypt and work directly with responsibly-run facilities to ensure living wages and fair treatment throughout our supply chain, better prices for our customers, and 100% traceability from farm to hanger.”

In addition, a portion of every order is invested into the creation of jobs, infrastructure, systems, and education to alleviate poverty and create shared, sustainable growth for the communities Kotn works with. To date, Kotn has funded 15 primary schools and built 7 in rural communities in Egypt.

Timeless and responsible design

“As part of our brand ethos, we believe in buying less and enjoying longer. This is a process of sustainability that starts with us creating considered, timeless designs that are built to last, and then educating our consumers on how to best care for them.”

Focussing on the finest natural fibres which will biodegrade at the end of their lifecycle, Kotn uses an innovative approach to sourcing that sees both people and product benefit. These fibres are then thoughtfully crafted into their final forms and delivered to Kotn’s community with the highest care for the environment—from limiting waste and resources and recycling water and materials, to utilising only OEKO-TEX® non-toxic certified dyes and plastic-free packaging.

Grounded by the principles of considered design, relentless quality, and positive impact, we want to empower our community to make more responsible and conscious purchasing decisions.

Mackenzie Yeates – Co-founder and CBO

Our 8 Kotn favourites for home and hanger

At Kotn, you’ll find a selection of ethically-made quality pieces, designed to stand the test of time and trends. A curated assortment, each is a closet staple built to last. From their best-selling Anti-Fit Denim, made responsibly without the traditional chemicals or toxic disposal techniques used; to the Quilted Comforter, a luxe textured blanket.

Anti-Fit Denim | Women’s + Men’s

Denim to go against the grain. A relaxed fit that defies gender, its curves blend typical men’s and women’s styles, rather than following old formulas of how denim should fit. These jeans were built to last in a recycled cotton blend, crafted and dyed safely without the traditional chemicals or toxic disposal techniques used.

Essential Crew | Women’s + Men’s

A timeless classic and one of the brand’s best-sellers, the Essential Crew is great for everyday wear, for years to come. Crafted from buttery-soft 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton, this staple tee feels and looks elevated.

Quilted Comforter

A plush and textured blanket with a soft quilted finish inspired by the ancient-meets-modernist techniques of Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy. With a tonal blanket stitch throughout, it’s warm enough to be a comforter and sleek enough to be a throw.

Duvet Set + Sheet Sets

What Egyptian cotton was made for. Crafted from 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton, it offers a luxe softness and neutral matte finish, all in a durable 400-thread-count build.

Crew Socks

The brand’s signature socks sport the Kotn logo in both English and Arabic. Made from Egyptian cotton with a hint of stretch, they’re padded for extra comfort and warmth, yet breathable enough for year-round wear.

Tiered Babydoll Dress

Crafted from plush long-staple Egyptian cotton jersey, the best-selling Babydoll Dress was made for summer days. With a classic crew collar and skirt of flouncy tiers, simply throw it on and go.

High Neck Tank

This timeless, racer-inspired high-neck tank top is a year-round staple. Crafted from 100% Egyptian cotton with a natural stretch, you can easily dress it up with a wide leg pant or skirt, or wear it casually with your classic pair of denim.

What’s next for Kotn?

For those of you in the USA and Canada who love shopping locally, get excited. Kotn shared with us that it will be opening more stores in 2022, giving its community “more opportunities to shop locally, experience the brand IRL, and minimise our and their carbon footprints.”

“Be on the lookout for new Kotn stores opening up across the US and Canada—we may be coming to a city near you!”

The post Kotn: Made Better, Enjoyed Longer, Designed for Positive Impact appeared first on Good On You.

Peloton Apparel is not keeping pace on sustainability

You might know Peloton as the stationary exercise bike and treadmill brand that caused the shocking demise of a certain character in the “Sex And the City” reboot “And Just Like That…”, but did you know it also has its own line of active apparel?

Despite existing to improve fitness and wellbeing, Peloton’s clothing line may not be as good for our health and the planet’s health as one might think. With a range boasting technical blended fabrics with fancy names like “Cadent”, “Agility”, and “Striving”, made almost exclusively from harmful plastic-based materials like virgin polyester, nylon, elastane, and spandex, we’re not sure Peloton Apparel got the memo.

Let’s take a closer look at Peloton Apparel’s rating and answer the question: how ethical is Peloton?

Environmental impact

Unsurprisingly for a brand that pumps out polyester blends on the reg, Peloton Apparel scores rock bottom with “Very Poor” for the planet. It doesn’t use eco-friendly materials or minimise textile waste, nor does it seem to be taking any action to reduce its carbon and GHG emissions or eliminate hazardous chemicals in its supply chain. Hazardous, indeed.

Labour conditions

Peloton Apparel’s DEI and anti-racism campaign slogan insists “‘Together we go far’ means all of us can’t win if some of us are being held back”. But is the brand ensuring the workers in its supply chain can “go far” by, say, being paid a living wage?

Sadly not. There is no evidence Peloton Apparel has a Code of Conduct; worker empowerment initiatives such as collective bargaining or rights to make a complaint; or any safeguards to protect suppliers and workers in its supply chain from the impacts of COVID-19. While it does trace some of its supply chain, its lack of living wage information is a massive red flag.

While we commend its starting efforts on diversity and inclusion—a crucial step towards a more ethical workforce—we can’t help but question the brand’s integrity here. It isn’t clear in the “Peloton Pledge” whether these efforts extend throughout the supply chain, which is part of the problem. In order to comprehensively address inequality in the industry and foster resilient and adaptable supply chains, companies must work to ensure their policies extend further than mid- or high-level employees.  “Very Poor” for people, too.

Animal welfare

Peloton gets a bit of a boost for animals with a rating of “It’s a Start”, mainly owing to the lack of animal-based fabrics in its range. It still uses wool and exotic animal hair, though, and there is no evidence that it has a policy to minimise animal suffering in that particular part of its supply chain.

Overall rating: We Avoid

So, how sustainable and ethical is Peloton? Overall, we had to give Peloton our lowest score of “We Avoid” due to its lack of substantial action for people, the planet, and animals. Peloton could improve its score if it considered the health and wellbeing of the environment and the workers in its supply chain by incorporating more sustainable fabrics and ensuring payment of a living wage.

See the rating.

Note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

Disappointed by Peloton’s rating? Don’t fret: there are a whole host of more ethical and sustainable “Good” and “Great” activewear brands at comparable price points (but incomparable ratings).

Good swaps

“Good” and “Great” rated alternatives to Peloton

The post How Ethical Is Peloton Apparel? appeared first on Good On You.

Embodying a slow fashion practice

One of the key features of a slow fashion brand is to reject trends, and Slovenia-based Mila.Vert embodies that to a tee. This is one brand that considers the longevity of its designs from the cutting room to your wardrobe and beyond, tapping into a timeless aesthetic in high-quality and eco-friendly fabrics to leave a big impact on your wardrobe, but a light one on the planet.

In 2015, Tina Logar Bauchmüller became a mother and a fashion designer, and she knew from the beginning that her core value of showing respect to everyone and everything must be the foundation of her label: “For me, Mila.Vert represents the story of empowerment, of following your passion and being kind to yourself and to others. And this is how I want to make you feel.”

Every single piece of Mila.Vert clothing represents me, so I want every single piece to be kind to you. At the same time, it should also be kind to nature and the people who made it.

Tina Logar Bauchmüller – Founder

Read on to learn exactly how this conscious and chic brand is leaving a mark on the evolving sustainable fashion space by empowering its workers and customers to live life a little slower, a little kinder, and leave the earth a little better than they found it.

Planet: working with nature

Mila.Vert believes in working with nature, not against it, and this philosophy is evident in its careful selection of organic and low-impact materials. It uses a high proportion of more earth-friendly fabrics like GOTS certified organic cotton, hemp, and linen, limiting the amount of chemicals, water, and wastewater used in production.

Taking it a step further, Mila.Vert manufactures everything locally in two Slovenia-based factories for the greatest level of transparency and traceability and follows a made-to-order approach to eliminate leftover stock and avoid overproduction. We’re pleased to award Mila.Vert our highest score of “Great” for its environmental impact.

People: a responsible approach

Good On You believes in a world where everyone is empowered by their work in the fashion industry and beyond, instead of belittled by it. Mila.Vert feels the same way, and to embody this principle in their designs, they manufacture all their garments close to home in Slovenia. By visiting suppliers directly and regularly, the brand can ensure safe working conditions and fair wages.

Mila.Vert has a formal statement covering workers’ rights and traces most of its supply chain. Thanks to its GOTS certification, it also ensures payment of a living wage in most of its supply chain. Thanks to these efforts, it is rated “Good” for workers.

Animals: a cruelty-free focus

With another “Good” score here for animal welfare, Mila.Vert intentionally avoids virgin wool and other animal fibres in its products, but acknowledges the problem of textile waste and uses recycled wool along with other recycled fabrics in some winter coats. The vast majority of the range is PETA-approved vegan, however, which can be easily spotted on each product page by the handy symbol.

Overall rating: Good

Overall, we’re happy to award Mila.Vert “Good” for its efforts for people, the planet, and animals. This is one brand exemplifying a fairer fashion industry, proving it’s possible to create beautiful, long-lasting clothes that are kind to the earth and all its inhabitants.

See the rating.

Shop Mila.Vert.

Our 6 favourites from Mila.Vert’s SS22 collection

Mila.Vert’s SS22 collection combines the elegance and timelessness of minimalist design with the lighter footprint of fabrics like organic cotton, TENCEL, and recycled wool. Mix and match the neutral tones and complementary textures for a chic wardrobe this season and many to come. Mila.Vert is also beginning an exciting expansion into home decor. First up? Premium organic cotton blankets available in two sizes and three colours to fit effortlessly in any home setting.

A favourite piece of clothing fits plenty of occasions and can be worn again and again, so we design quality classics rather than respond to trends.

Oversized White Shirt

The oversized white shirt is as timeless as it gets. With an oversized fit, a classic shirt collar, and a hidden button placket, this shirt will go with any outfit and any occasion.

Knitted Strap Dress

The knitted strap dress takes inspiration from the brand’s best-selling knitted strap top. It features a relaxed fit, a deep front and back V-shaped neckline, and wide shoulder straps.

Tencel Sarong

Thisl sarong is a multipurpose tencel fabric sheet. It can be tied in different ways, either as a skirt or as a dress, while the luxuriously smooth surface adds a touch of glamour to this versatile garment.

Oversized Standing Collar Coat

Featuring a classic minimalist shape, the coat is versatile and may be worn in a relaxed, oversized fit without a belt or with a belt in the belt loops for a more structured look.

Straight Twill Trousers

With a relaxed straight fit, a high waist, and an ankle length, these trousers are designed to be as versatile as possible.

Organic Cotton Knitted Blanket

Mila.Vert’s cosy blankets showcase a unique knitting pattern with subtle square shapes on their surface. They are gentle on your (or your pet’s) skin, and warm yet breathable at the same time.

The post ‘Good’ Brand Mila.Vert Adds an Element of Sophistication to the Sustainable Fashion Space appeared first on Good On You.

The issues with Fashion Nova

With 21 million followers on Instagram, Fashion Nova has become one of the fastest-growing women’s clothing lines on the internet. But we can’t help but wonder something: how does the brand and its hyper-production speed impact the planet, people, and animals?

We previously dove into Fashion Nova’s rating in our “How Ethical Is Fashion Nova?” article, but if you want the tl;dr: it’s nothing to write home about. Surprise! But before we give you the alternatives to this ultra fast fashion brand we avoid, let’s have a quick look at exactly why we don’t recommend Fashion Nova. Like, ever.

Fashion Nova rates “Very Poor”, our lowest score, for both the planet and people. It mass produces poor-quality items from cheap materials like polyester, and it doesn’t seem to be taking any meaningful actions to address its impact. None of its supply chain is certified by labour standards that ensure worker health and safety, living wages, or other labour rights, so it’s bad news for workers, too.

It gets our second-lowest score of “Not Good Enough” for animals, but that’s just because it doesn’t use fur, angora, or exotic animal skin or hair. But with no animal welfare policies in sight and products made from leather, feathers, and wool without stating sources, there’s no way to know how its products impact our animal friends.

It should come as no surprise to learn that Fashion Nova receives our lowest score of “We Avoid” overall. It has a lot of work to do across the board and is certainly one to steer clear of for the consumer trying to improve the ethics and sustainability of their closet.

A note on affordability

Good On You wants to help you find sustainable options no matter your budget. But we recognise that many sustainable brands appear more expensive up front. That’s because more goes into a price tag than the cost of fabric. Fast fashion prices are often low because workers are not paid living wages and sustainable practices are not followed in production, as is the case with Fashion Nova.

Fast fashion has also distorted our view of clothing prices. We now spend much less and buy far more low-quality garments than we did a few decades ago. When taking into account cost-per-wear, higher-quality items you’ll wear again and again end up costing less in the long run despite the initial investment.

We aim to highlight the range of more affordable sustainable brands, but we also encourage you to seek out the most sustainable options that work for you. Sometimes this means shopping second hand, other times rediscovering and restyling what you already own.

9 ethical brands you’ll love more than Fashion Nova

These nine brands from around the world may not be as dirt cheap as Fashion Nova, but they are creating high-quality clothes in styles you’ll love. Let’s take a look at some sustainable alternatives to Fashion Nova.

The post 9 Sustainable Alternatives to Fashion Nova appeared first on Good On You.

Meaningful jewellery moments with ARTICLE22

If you haven’t heard of ARTICLE22, the luxury brand celebrates stories of positive transformation and makes a real impact through jewellery handmade in Laos. Every piece is made using recycled materials from Vietnam War bombs, plane parts, military hardware, and other aluminium scraps. The brand embodies the innovation that the fashion industry needs more of—using recycled materials to produce beautiful, globally-marketable products while equipping local artisans with new skill sets and providing them with a sustainable source of income.

By partnering with eco-conscious celebrities—like our very own ambassador Emma Watson—ARTICLE22 proves elegant and meaningful style can go hand-in-hand with more ethical and sustainable production.

Shine Your Light Collection

The latest collaboration we’re excited to share sees ARTICLE22 and sustainable celebrity stylist Laura Sophie Cox come together to create a collection of warm golden patina and signature silver-toned jewellery centred around the theme of “light”. Think sunbeam-inspired hoop earrings and lightning bolts.

The juxtaposition of precious metals and ARTICLE22’s signature aluminium jewellery upcycled from war debris and scrap metal lends itself to an impactful blend of artisan technique and modern technology. Of the collection, Cox, who styles the likes of Emma Watson and Olivia Rodrigo, says the “light” theme infused in the designs and names parallels the light her clients shine on important topics like the environment: “As my clients grace the stage and screen, what they wear is seen by millions, raising awareness about the importance of sustainable fashion and shifting attention gradually towards brands creating new norms.” She goes on to highlight how crucial collaborations like this are, calling them “essential to change” and praising ARTICLE22 for its work to clear 80 million unexploded bombs left scarring the land in Laos.

Our 7 favourite standouts from the collection

ARTICLE22’s founder Elizabeth Suda calls the collection “the most ambitious to date”, calling Cox’s embrace of asymmetry and imperfection “a perfect match for our hand poured, hand polished, and hand finished jewels.” Here are our 7 favourite pieces from Shine Your Light.

Lightening Hoops

Light Arc Hoops

Sunbeam Hoops

Ripple Hoops

Sunburst Hoops

Solar Ear Cuff

Solar Hoops | Large

The post ARTICLE22 x Laura Sophie Cox Jewellery Capsule: A New Day in Fashion appeared first on Good On You.