The fashion industry has more than a few dirty secrets.
According to a UN report, producing a single pair of jeans requires 2,000 gallons of water, and a garbage-truck-sized pile of textile waste is hitting landfills every second. Fast fashion—trendy clothing produced cheaply—is a major culprit, often contributing not only to environmental damage but also to terrible labor practices.
With consumers waking up to these sobering stats, many are now demanding brands do better—and they’re making those demands with their dollars. Consumers now seek out brands with clear sustainability missions and make purchase decisions accordingly. For clothing brands, sustainable practices are no longer a nice-to-have.
Ahead, meet 26 sustainable clothing brands taking responsibility through fair labor practices, using sustainable materials, and minimizing impact to meet customer expectations.