Wouldn't it be great if you could marry your love of fashion with your concern for the planet? Well, now you can with just a few clicks on some great new websites. Can't keep track of the many elements that go into creating a sustainable, ethical marketplace, much less spend time researching them? Issues include where the clothes are made (local vs. thousands of miles away), what they are made of (renewable fibers vs. ones that require toxic chemicals to create) and worker wages and safety. RLS has taken upon ourselves to help you navigate the sustainable marketplace by suggesting a few of our favorite fashionable shopping sites. Show us pictures of what you like on our Facebook Page, Twitter or Instagram!
Helpsy
Started by a fashion stylist, Helpsy's editors and buyers have curated an impressive number of clothing and accessory brands that allow you to shop your favorite trends AND feel good about your purchase. The clothes sold on Helpsy are not the same boho tees and hippy skirts you see sold in the aisles of Whole Foods. Instead, you'll find edgy printed bathing suits and fun multicolored sneakers. And really, how great is the name Helpsy?
Zady
Founded as an alternative to today's "fast-fashion," Zady would like you to invest in a wardrobe of more timeless but still fashionable pieces that are made well enough to last. Respect your wardrobe, yourself and the planet. Sustainable or not, how cute is this baby Princess Leia onesy?! Have a fashionable friend whom you NEVER know what to buy? Zady gift cards come in multiple denominations.
Nisolo
Nisolo, a shoe company based in Nashville, offers simple, well-made, fashionable shoes for men and women. The company explains their philosophy so well that I just had to reprint it for you.
"We wanted simpler design. No more extraneous buckles and useless stitching. We wanted quality goods that could journey through urban streets and park trails. We wanted goods that made sense to our minds and to our pockets. We wanted the same effortless style that we get when we throw on our favorite pair of jeans. We wanted the same level of transparency that we get about the food we put in our bodies for the clothes we put on our bodies. We want our purchases to matter. We design products you want to live in. We source from experts with generations of experience. We treat our producers and customers with dignity. Lifestyle Matters."
"We wanted simpler design. No more extraneous buckles and useless stitching. We wanted quality goods that could journey through urban streets and park trails. We wanted goods that made sense to our minds and to our pockets. We wanted the same effortless style that we get when we throw on our favorite pair of jeans. We wanted the same level of transparency that we get about the food we put in our bodies for the clothes we put on our bodies. We want our purchases to matter. We design products you want to live in. We source from experts with generations of experience. We treat our producers and customers with dignity. Lifestyle Matters."
Warby Parker
For those of you in the market for a new pair of glasses, whether sunglasses or prescription, Warby Parker should be your first stop. The brand was started to create a less expensive but always fashionable alternative to the current eyewear market. In addition to these benefits, the company partners with nonprofits to provide one pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair of glasses they sell. To date, they have donated over 500,000 pairs of glasses. Warby Parker describes their aesthetic as "vintage-inspired with a contemporary twist." Love it!
Spirit Beauty Lounge
The Honest Company
