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Sustainable Brands to Shop for Earth Day (And Every Day)

Shop consciously with the help of these eco-aware brands.

By Madison Rexroat
summer jewelry trendspinterest
Designed by Yousra Attia

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Let’s face it: Shopping isn’t inherently sustainable. In fact, it’s the opposite. The fashion industry is notoriously one of the most toxic industries for the environment, but in recent years, initiatives, protests, and leaders have prompted brands to look inward to amend their outward footprint.

Consumers are also more mindful these days about what they buy and how their purchases affect the world around them. Despite the terrifying statistics surrounding fast fashion, there is hope for fashion’s future thanks to brands, big and small, who are taking initiatives to improve their impact on the environment. The fashion industry still has a long way to go, but with the help of the below brands—which include sustainable jewelry brands and fashion designers pushing for change—and the eco-conscious shoppers who buy them, maybe there will be a day when we can all be proud of the strides we’ve made as a community of fashion lovers.

No brand is perfectly sustainable, but as we enter a new, more dire era of helping save the planet, tangible, well-researched efforts are even more important for brands and shoppers to uphold. It’s not about planting a tree and feeling good about yourself, it’s about real results. Not just for Earth Day (which is happening on April 22nd) and not just for this month, but for every day, find below the best eco-conscious fashion brands to shop to make a small difference that just might mean the world. (And if you want to be green with your beauty routine, check out the ELLE 2023 Green Beauty Stars.)

Long-Lasting and Traceable

Advene The Age Bag

The Age Bag
Long-Lasting and Traceable

Advene The Age Bag

Now 19% Off
$520 at advenedesign.com
Credit: Courtesy

Everything about Advene is incredibly mindful in order to reduce waste from the brand and on the consumer’s end. The design, materials, and packaging are constantly optimized (and re-thought if necessary) in order to make the bags lifetime purchases so consumers don’t have to replace them. The leather and suede are 100 percent traceable and treated to be waterproof, and the founders of the brand are involved every step of the way to make sure their production collaborators share the same eco-conscious mindset. Advene is also Climate Neutral Certified, which means the brand monitors the greenhouse gas emissions produced by or associated with its existence and takes efforts to counteract or compensate for those emissions.

  • Material: 100% traceable Italian cow leather
Upcycled Vintage

The Series Betye Chore Set

Betye Chore Set
Upcycled Vintage

The Series Betye Chore Set

Now 19% Off
Credit: Courtesy

The Series makes matching sets, balaclavas, hats, scarves, and more out of upcycled materials. Each piece is handmade in New York and one of a kind. In 2016, the founder, Elle, committed to wearing and designing with only pre-existing material. The pieces are not only super cute, but they have a story behind them, too. It’s up to you to write the next chapter!

  • Material: Vintage quilt top, assorted repurposed buttons, recycled thread
Waste-Reducing

Saaksha & Kinni Sari Dress

Sari Dress
Waste-Reducing

Saaksha & Kinni Sari Dress

Credit: Courtesy

Saaksha & Kinni is a slow fashion label that uses digital printing in each collection to produce less waste and use less energy. Its patchwork designs also reduce fabric waste by using eco-friendly textiles. The brand’s goal is to have a smaller carbon footprint and maintain ethical and sustainable practices while creating timeless, classic silhouettes to be worn long-term.

  • Material: Cotton silk
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Circular Cashmere

Ralph Lauren Cashmere Crewneck Sweater

Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
Circular Cashmere

Ralph Lauren Cashmere Crewneck Sweater

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Ralph Lauren worked with the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII) to create this cashmere sweater that's verified to be responsibly made and circular. The cashmere fibers, dye, and even the organic cotton label are produced with the environment in mind, making the sweater the first-of-its-kind luxury product to be C2C Certified. Areas of assessment include: Material Health, Product Circularity, Clean Air & Climate Protection, Water & Soil Stewardship, and Social Fairness.

  • Material: Italian cashmere.
Alternative Algae

Hunter In/Out BLOOM™ Clogs

In/Out BLOOM™ Clogs
Alternative Algae

Hunter In/Out BLOOM™ Clogs

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Hunter’s BLOOM™ line is created with algae that have grown in excess in natural waterways. By sourcing the material from ecosystems that would otherwise be harmed by overgrowth, the process actually helps reverse the effects of water pollution. Not to mention, the clogs are comfy and lightweight!

  • Material: 90% EVA, 10% Algae BLOOM™
Surplus is Sexy

Fruity Booty Tangerine 2-Piece

Tangerine 2-Piece
Surplus is Sexy

Fruity Booty Tangerine 2-Piece

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All Fruity Booty products are made using only deadstock fabric and sustainably sourced materials. This set was made completely out of surplus lace, which means it’s recycled and limited edition.

  • Material: 100% surplus lace (85% Polyamide and 15% Elastane)
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Fairmined Gold

Daniella Samper 18k Rhombus Signet With Tiny Emerald

18k Rhombus Signet With Tiny Emerald
Fairmined Gold

Daniella Samper 18k Rhombus Signet With Tiny Emerald

Credit: Courtesy

Just like the fashion industry, the gold industry doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to sustainability. Daniella Samper uses only Fairmined gold, which is ethically sourced with the environment and local communities in mind. The gold is traceable and extracted from small-scale mines in Colombia and Peru, with regulated practices to minimize impact and protect workers.

  • Material: Solid 18K Fairmined gold
Sustainable Sandals

mou New Bio Sandal

New Bio Sandal
Sustainable Sandals

mou New Bio Sandal

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All mou products contain a minimum of 95% natural fiber materials and when possible, biodegradable and recycled/recyclable materials. Their goal is to reduce hazardous waste and plastic usage while raising awareness for environmental issues in the industry. Their products are also designed to last, reducing the need to buy and buy and buy.

  • Materials: EVA sole, microsuede footbed
Ethically Made

Etica Devon Wide Leg

Devon Wide Leg
Ethically Made

Etica Devon Wide Leg

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Etica prides itself on being an ethically made denim brand. The brand uses Refibra, which is an upcycled cellulose fiber made from recycled cotton. Their low-impact wash process uses 90 percent less water and 63 percent less energy than typical denim cycles, and zero harmful chemicals are used. Social responsibility is at the heart of the brand, as well, with fair labor, vertical integration, and local communities prioritized within the company’s structure.

  • Material: 77% Cotton, 23% Refibra Tencel, an upcycled cellulose fiber made from recycled cotton
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3-D On Demand

DETA Hora One Piece Tomato Mix

Hora One Piece Tomato Mix
3-D On Demand

DETA Hora One Piece Tomato Mix

Credit: Courtesy

DETA produces its products locally in Brooklyn and only on demand, which means there’s no overproduction or excess fabric waste. Each suit is 3-D printed and knitted with one piece of yarn as part of the zero-waste knitting process. Only what is needed is used!

  • Material: 80% Polyester, 20% Nylon, 3-D printed in Brooklyn
The Byproduct Bag

Moo The Moo Bag

The Moo Bag
The Byproduct Bag

Moo The Moo Bag

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Moo creates handbags out of discarded, ethically sourced cow horns in Uganda. The use of the horns not only creates beautiful, unique bags but also reduces local air pollution (as it’s common to simply burn and scatter discarded horns). The closures and lining are made with vegan leather, sourced from local Ugandan shops.

  • Material: 100% discarded Ankole cow horns

Jeanerica Rodeo Jeans

Rodeo Jeans

Jeanerica Rodeo Jeans

Credit: Courtesy

Jeanerica’s sustainability commitment stems from a zero-waste philosophy that focuses on using recycled fabrics and fibers and reducing water usage and chemical treatments. The brand’s manufacturer ISKO specializes in design research to maximize quality and minimize footprint.

  • Material: 100% cotton
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The Sustainable Sunglass

Crap Eyewear The Bikini Vision

The Bikini Vision
The Sustainable Sunglass

Crap Eyewear The Bikini Vision

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Crap Eyewear products are made with a plant-based frame material called bioacetate, which is biodegradable yet sturdy. The packaging is single-use plastic free and made with recycled materials when possible. The brand is Certified Carbon Neutral and donates one percent of sales to environmental causes.

  • Material: Handcrafted bioacetate–biodegradable & plant-based.
Organic and Low Impact

Bite Studios Board Shorts

Board Shorts
Organic and Low Impact

Bite Studios Board Shorts

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97 percent of the materials used in Bite Studios’ collections are organic, recycled, or low-impact. Based between London and Stockholm, the brand uses organic cotton, ethical and regenerative wool, organic silk, recycled cashmere, and trademarked sustainable materials.

  • Material: Organic cotton and elastane
Upcycled & Small Batch

Pipatchara Mini Amu Fringes

Mini Amu Fringes
Upcycled & Small Batch

Pipatchara Mini Amu Fringes

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Founded by sisters Pipatchara and Jittrinee Kaeojinda, Pipatchara is a Bangkok-based brand whose goal is to help rural communities in Thailand support themselves. Their crafting techniques are taught to local artisans who create the bags out of meat-byproduct Italian leather. The brand also has an upcycled collection of bags made out of recycled plastic bottle lids, food containers, and tupperware.

  • Material: 100% Calf Leather / Suede leather
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Carbon Neutral

Reformation Layton Linen Dress

Layton Linen Dress
Carbon Neutral

Reformation Layton Linen Dress

Credit: Courtesy

Fashion lovers everywhere ogle over Reformation pieces, and those who are sustainably minded can appreciate that the brand has been carbon neutral certified since 2015 and pledged to be climate positive by 2025. The label produces limited quantities of items using low impact materials, deadstock fabrics, and repurposed vintage garments in sustainable factories. Currently, Reformation recycles about 75 percent of its waste and offsets all carbon emissions. They even offset the energetic cost of you shopping on their website. Yes, seriously!

  • Material: 100% linen
Fully Recyclable

Camper Tossu Sneakers

Tossu Sneakers
Fully Recyclable

Camper Tossu Sneakers

Now 45% Off
Credit: Courtesy

These sneakers by Camper are made with Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified materials. These recycled textiles help reduce dependence on virgin plastics and decrease the waste sent to landfills. The shoes are also just cool to look at, as per usual for Camper.

  • Material: 3-D knitted water-repellent recycled PET sock interiors, TPU exteriors, and 100% recycled PU outsoles. Fully recyclable.
Made with Conscious Production

Kye Intimates Daily Triangle Bra Bone

Daily Triangle Bra Bone
Made with Conscious Production

Kye Intimates Daily Triangle Bra Bone

Credit: Courtesy

Kye Intimates products are made from deadstock and renewable materials. Their packaging is minimal with 100 percent recycled materials, and any non-compostable bra samples are donated to I Support the Girls, an organization that donates bras and menstrual products to women and refugees experiencing homelessness, natural disasters, or domestic violence.

  • Material: 93% Nylon, 7% Spandex
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Trash into Treasure

CLED Oval Frame Toggle Necklace

Oval Frame Toggle Necklace
Trash into Treasure

CLED Oval Frame Toggle Necklace

Credit: Courtesy

CLED literally turns trash into treasure with its jewelry. Glass tends to be thought of as recyclable, but it’s actually not so easy, as it’s expensive, heavy, and requires more sorting. CLED sources recycled glass from local establishments to turn into unique Eco Gems™ for their pieces.

  • Materials: Sterling silver or 24K gold vermeil, upcycled eco gem repurposed from discarded glass bottles
Old Made New

Dauphinette “Cherry on Top” Tweed Jacket

“Cherry on Top” Tweed Jacket
Old Made New

Dauphinette “Cherry on Top” Tweed Jacket

Credit: Courtesy

Dauphinette’s upcycled collections allow vintage items to be made anew. Pieces are created with the materials available that day. One-of-a-kind and eco-friendly? That’s tough to beat.

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