12 Sustainable & Organic Pajamas for a Comfortable Night’s Sleep

by Editorial Team | posted in brand roundups |

Throughout our lives, we spend an average 33 years in bed, according to The Huffington Post. That’s an enormous 26 years sleeping and 7 years (seven!) trying to fall asleep. The very least we can do is to give this time the value and attention it deserves.

The internet is full of experts and gurus dispensing advice to sleep soundly, such as ditching electronics 30 minutes before bedtime or practicing breathing exercises to increase the likelihood of falling asleep faster. Although one simpler way to answer the burning question, “How can I sleep better at night naturally?” is to consider what you’re wearing — or not wearing — in bed.

Picking the right nightwear could really help improve the quality of your sleep. So what should you look for when choosing what to wear in bed?

Comfort: this often comes down to finding your correct size. If you opt for a pajama that’s too big or baggy, you may end up finding it uncomfortable to turn over in your sleep; on the other hand, overly tight clothing may even cause circulation problems.
Materials: go full-on breathability and thermoregulating fabrics. If you sleep hot, have hot flashes or have night sweats, you definitely need to choose different sleepwear than if you typically sleep cold. (Tencel or linen tends to be cooling and better for hot sleepers, or for cold sleepers try thicker cotton.)
Design: for instance, while the button-down shirt and pants sets every sleepwear brand is selling these days are admittedly cool, some may find the design and buttons uncomfortable, especially if you’re used to sleeping on your stomach.

We put together a list of the most ethical PJs and nightwear for all tastes and needs, so you can all get that Ahhh! feeling when you lay down in bed after a long day.

(please note: some affiliate links are used in this post which means we may get a small commission)

Image credit: Pact

Pact

Pact is great if you’re looking for organic cotton pajamas for the whole family. The brand makes basics and clothing for women, men, and kids in Fair Trade certified factories in India. All of Pact’s collections are crafted with GOTS certified organic cotton and its sleepwear line is soft, breathable and stretchy enough to be the perfect choice for those who toss and turn all night.

Price: USD 20-54

Size range: XS – 2XL

Values: Sustainable materials, GOTS certified, Fair Trade, factory transparency, gives back, plastic-free packaging, seasonless collections

Availability: Based in the US, ships worldwide

Image credit: Coyuchi

Coyuchi

Each Coyuchi product is planned with “a meticulous focus on comfort, quality, and natural beauty”. Inspired by the pristine shores of its birthplace in Point Reyes, California, the brand produces home textiles and loungewear in the warming shades of soil and earth, and the cooling aqua blue palettes. Coyuchi’s collection of 100% organic cotton pajamas for women and men, sleep shirts, and knit cotton nightgowns aims at making every night feel like a slumber party.

Price: USD 38-98

Size range: XS – XL

Values: Sustainable materials, GOTS certified, factory transparency, take-back recycling program, gives back, seasonless collections

Availability: Based in the US, ships worldwide

Image credit: Underprotection

Underprotection

If you’re on the hunt for a pajama set you can put a pair of heels under and wear on a night out, you’re in the right place. Underprotection is a Danish brand that makes lingerie, swimwear, and loungewear using sustainable fabrics like TENCEL™ Lyocell, organic cotton, recycled materials, and innovative fibers crafted from banana leaves and milk. The brand has recently launched a take-back program to recycle or upcycle your Underprotection pieces, worn out from being (no doubt!) your favorite items.

Price: USD 28-110

Size range: XS – XL

Values: Sustainable materials, Recycled materials, OEKO-TEX certified fabrics, take-back recycling program,

Availability: Based in Denmark, ships worldwide

Image credit: MATE

MATE the Label

Known for their great basics and loungewear, MATE the Label also has a stylish collection of pajama pants, shorts, shirts, tops, and robes made from a comfy blend of Tencel and organic cotton. They also have a recycling program where to can send back your old clothes.

They are a Californian brand though and through, both with their effortless style and being based in LA all their manufacturing happens within 15 miles of their office.

Price: USD 48-98

Size range: XS – 3X

Values: Sustainable materials, factory transparency, climate neutral, plastic-free packaging, take-back recycling program, gives back, seasonless collections

Availability: Based in the US, ships

Image credit: Printfresh

Printfresh

Printfresh is the go-to for those who love prints and colors, even in bed. This lifestyle and sleepwear brand is inspired by plants and animals, and all of their sleep sets are 100% cotton. Founder Amy believes that “there is a way to produce products with great care”, and she and her team do that by cutting down waste and emissions throughout production and shipping, by using natural fabrics like organic cotton, and by keeping an anti-fast fashion approach overall.

Price: USD 84-248

Size range: 2XS – 6XL

Values: Sustainable materials, low waste production, vegan, gives back

Availability: Based in the US, ships worldwide

Image credit: Q for Quinn

Q for Quinn

Looking for linen? Q for Quinn has a collection of natural (undyed) linen sleep and loungewear. Since Q for Quinn was born from trying to find clothes that are gentle on sensitive skin and eczema, they carefully select their fabrics. Their sleep collection contains no dyes and is also Oeko-Tex certified.

Q for Quinn is also a GOTS certified brand and ethically makes their socks, underwear, and apparel in Portugal.

Price: CAD 110-165

Size range: XS – 2X

Values: Sustainable materials, GOTS certified, OEKO-TEX certified, gives back, seasonless collections

Availability: Based in Canada, ships worldwide

Image credit: Araks

Araks

Ar a ks makes luxury pajamas, loungewear and slips in organic cotton, organic linen, and OEKO-TEX 100 certified silk you don’t want to take off in the morning. Zoom calls don’t need proper pants anyways, right? And if you’re obsessed by colors and their infinite combinations as much as this brand’s founder is, check out how and where she gets her inspiration from.

Price: USD 205-680

Size range: XXS – 2XL

Values: Sustainable materials, GOTS certified, OEKO-TEX certified, recycled/reclaimed materials, low waste production, factory transparency

Availability: Based in the US, ships worldwide

Image credit: Dilli Grey

Dilli Grey

This UK-based brand makes organic women’s pajamas and loungewear — including robes and slippers — following artisanal techniques and taking inspiration from traditional Rajhasthani block prints. Dilli Grey is working hard to keep cutting down on its carbon emissions and plastic usage, and the brand is also investing more and more energies and resources into extending the size range of its products, always making sure that the designs “fit and flatter both ends of the spectrum”.

Price: USD 20-126

Size range: S – XL

Values: Sustainable materials, reclaimed materials, GOTS certified, low waste production, body-inclusive models

Availability: Based in the UK, ships worldwide

Image credit: Yes And

Yes And

This small US-based brand makes basics and essentials including casualwear, loungewear, and sleepwear. Yes And’s sleepwear collection caters to all tastes as it includes the classic shirt and pants sets, basic tank and shorts, and also tunics and night dresses — all made using 100% organic cotton (farmed through regenerative techniques) and low-impact dyes.

Price: USD 40-75

Size range: XS – XL

Values: Sustainable materials, GOTS Certified, factory transparency

Availability: Based in the US, ships worldwide

Image credit: Tekla

Tekla

Established in Copenhagen in 2017, Tekla offers an elegant collection of sleepwear for everybody. All its pieces are developed with a timeless perspective, “made to be lived in and made to last”. At Tekla, they do not define the brand as “sustainable” — because “bringing new products into the world is fundamentally at odds with the definition of sustainability” — but they do strive to be more responsible. The brand only uses natural and renewable fibers and it’s committed to full transparency and traceability.

Price: USD 110-170

Size range: XXS – XL

Values: Sustainable materials, OEKO-TEX certified, factory transparency, gives back

Availability: Based in Denmark, ships worldwide

Image credit: Boody

Boody

Boody makes sleepwear and nighties for women, men, and kids, crafting all its products from breathable and soft bamboo fabric (read more about bamboo clothing here). The brand is not only committed to using organic materials but also to investing in “innovative ways to upcycle, recycle and reduce waste”. You’ll love Boody’s simple designs if you like to sleep well, but without too many frills.

Price: USD 27-62

Size range: XS – XL

Values: Sustainable materials, vegan, B Corp certified, OEKO-TEX certified, plastic-free packaging, take-back recycling program, gives back, factory transparency

Availability: Based in AU, ships worldwide

Image credit: General Sleep

General Sleep

“Created for nappers, loungers, dreamers and explorers”, General Sleep’s unique range of pajama sets, robes, and slippers are a true definition of relaxation and comfort. And beauty, of course. We can easily imagine ourselves sipping our morning coffee in the GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified Camilla Set while on holiday on a Greek island. Ahhh.

Price: USD 129-262

Size range: XS – XL

Values: Sustainable materials, GOTS Certified, OEKO-TEX certified, Fair Trade certified

Availability: Based in NZ, ships worldwide

Looking for organic pajamas for kids? These are our favourites.

Where to Find Sustainable Custom T Shirts for your Event, Company or Merch

by Verena Erin | posted in brand roundups |

Merch, company, and event printed tees are typically not very sustainably made, but a few companies are trying to change that. If you’re looking for more eco friendly t shirt printing or other sustainable custom clothing, check these companies out:

(please note: some affiliate links are used in this post which means we may get a small commission)

Known Supply

Through Known Supply you can get Fair Trade certified, organic cotton, custom apparel including t shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, tote bags, beanies, tanks and more. Items can be silk-screened, embroidered, or ordered as blanks for your own printing.

Image credit: Known Supply

How They’re Better

Known Supply calls themselves a human brand – “reimagining apparel production in a way that honors and celebrates the people behind the clothing we buy.” They are Fair Trade certified and each garment comes with the signature of the person who made it.

Sizing

Their tees are available in sizes XS – 4XL

Costs & Minimums

Costs vary depending on the apparel and project. Use this form to get a quote and more information about working with Known Supply.

Known Supply has no minimums, but they are selective with who they work with.

Location

Known Supply is based in the USA and ships to some international countries.

Teemill

Teemill’s print-on-demand service and dropshipping platform is primarily catered to artists, designers, influencers, musicians, and charities who want to set up their own merch store or run a fundraising campaign. However they also offer custom printing on their sustainable t shirts starting at single items.

Image credit: Teemill

How They’re Better

Teemill uses 100% organic cotton t shirts which are made using renewable energy. The whole company is carbon neutral, they use plastic-free packaging, and the tees and inks are Oeko-Tex certified.

They also have a circularity program where any of their t shirts can be sent back to be recycled into their Remill fabric – 50% recycled cotton, 50% organic cotton.

Sizing

T shirts are available in sizes XS – 4XL

Cost, Minimums & Lead Time

Their drop-shipping service is free to use. You set the price of your T shirts and the profit you wish to make, basic tees start at £15.

Their costs for orders of custom printed basic t-shirts through TeemillFactory range from about £15 (for 1) to £7 each (for 150+) and there are additional discounts for orders over 200.

They have no minimums. For larger bulk orders (200+) the lead time is 10-15 business days, but with smaller orders it’s 5-7 business days.

Location

Teemill is based in the UK and ships to most international countries.

Last Shot Apparel

Last Shot Apparel offers custom printed or embroidered t shirts, sweatshirts, toques and bags made in Canada from reclaimed and deadstock materials.

Image credit: Last Shot Apparel

How They’re Better

The company was created when founder Briggs Gibbins wanted to find a solution to the unsustainabilty of company event merchandise. So instead of adding to the excessive amount of new textiles created, Last Shot Apparel uses 100% deadstock materials (leftover and unused fabrics from textile mills or production runs).

Since they exclusively source deadstock, slight color and fabric variations within large orders should be expected but LSA tries their best to source matching fabrics.

Sizing

Their garments are available is sizes XS – XXL

Cost, Minimums & Lead Time

Adult shirts are $24 cad (t shirts) – $35 cad (sweatshirts), and a 20% discount is offered for orders over 15.

They have no minimums and lead time is 14 business days.

Location

Last Shot Apparel is located in Canada and ships international.

Print Natural

Through Print Natural you can order sustainable, organic, and fair trade clothing custom screened with eco friendly inks. Through their partner brands they offer t-shirts, tanks, sweatshirts, hoodies, tote bags, kids tees, and baby onesies which can be printed with your design.

How They’re Better

Screen printing inks are often made of plastics and can contain toxic chemicals. However Print Natural uses Oeko-Tex certified, vegan, water-based inks which also meet GOTS and Soil Association requirements.

Print Natural does not manufacture clothing themselves but instead partners with 6 brands to offer a wide selection of clothing styles and sustainable features to choose from.

Cost & Minimums

Use their Quick Quote Calculator to get as estimate of the cost for your project.

Minimum orders start at 25 units.

Ordering and Location

Print Natural is based in the USA and offers fulfillment services to individually or bulk ship orders.

The Good Tee

Focused on transparent and ethically made apparel, The Good Tee offers not just t shirts, but also tanks, sweatshirts, and other clothing made from Fair Trade and GOTS certified cotton.

How They’re Better

The Good Tee is involved in their entire supply chain from farm to finished garment ensuring ethical policies and sustainable practices are followed.

Image credit: The Good Tee

Sizing

Their tees are available in sizes XS – XXL

Cost, Minimums & Lead Time

Their classic tees and apparel can be purchased as blanks for your own customization or they also offer printing services for larger orders.

A minimum of 250 units is required for customized orders and they have a lead time of 3-5 months. Find more information about their custom and wholesale orders here or fill out this form to get a quote.

Location

The Good Tee is based in Canada and ships internationally.

Ethical Tee Company

The Ethical Tee Company offers custom printing, embroidery, as well as print-on-demand services on a variety of apparel options including t shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, tanks, bags, children’s and baby clothing.

How They’re Better

They have 3 collections depending on what features you’re looking for:

Earth Positive Collection, made from 100% organic cotton (GOTS certified)
Salvage Collection, made from 60% recycled cotton, 40% recycled polyester
Fairshare Collection, made from 100% fair trade, organic cotton (GOTS and Fair Trade certified)

Additionally all their products are PETA Vegan Certified and made in Fair Wear audited factories, and the Earth Positive and Fairshare collections are made with renewable energy.

Sizing

Varies by garment but their largest size range is XS – 5XL

Cost, Minimums, & Lead Time

Use this form to request a quote for your project.

Minimum order of 10 units for custom order, no minimum for print-on-demand service. They have a lead time of 3 -4 business days

Ordering and Location

The Ethical Tee company is based in the UK and ships internationally

Farm Fresh Clothing Co.

Through Farm Fresh Clothing Co. you can get custom t shirts, tanks, sweatshirts and bags all made in America from organic cotton. They offer both printing and embroidery services.

Embroidered shirt from Farm Fresh Clothing Co.

How They’re Better

Proudly made in America, Farm Fresh Clothing Co.’s apparel is made in a Californian factory who pays a living wage. Their garments are made from GOTS certified organic cotton and they use water-based inks.

Sizing

Women’s tees are available in XS – 2XL, and men’s in XS – 3XL.

Cost, Minimums, & Lead Time

Contact them for a quote.

They require a minimum order of 150 units for custom printed items and 36 units for embroidered items. There is a 2 week lead time for orders.

Ordering and Location

Farm Fresh Clothing Co. is based in the USA.

Is It Possible to Overconsume Sustainably Made Clothing?

by Steffi Haenicke | posted in shopping tips |

Purchasing sustainable and ethically made clothing is a great way to build a conscious closet, but is it possible to overconsume, even when the products themselves are created with ecological integrity?

Americans are buying more and more clothing each year, with Americans today buying 5 times the amount of clothing Americans bought in 1980. In 2018, popular clothing rental site Rent the Runway shared that the average American woman purchases 68 clothing items per year, with 8 out of 10 items seldom worn. Purchasing clothing in such large numbers year after year creates the problem of overconsumption.

What Is Overconsumption?

Overconsumption is defined by Oxford Languages as “the action or fact of consuming something to excess.” In the case of fashion, this means purchasing too many garments.

Overconsumption looks like:

Buying a shirt in every available color
Owning dozens of pairs of shoes
Buying into every trend and microtrend
Purchasing dozens of clothing items every month
Buying something new when what you already own can be reused or repaired

How Overconsumption Occurs

Overconsumption often occurs when we try to keep up with the latest trends. As the trend cycle accelerates, trends have a shorter shelf life and oftentimes only remain popular for a few weeks to a year. Buying into trends every month results in purchasing a lot of unnecessary clothing items that will likely go out of style within the year.

In this day and age, we are constantly exposed to advertising via social media and influencers. It is easy to feel pressured to shop in excess to stay “on trend” and dress like the celebrities and influencers plastered all over social media, or to fit in with your peers. This desire to dress relevantly leads to overconsumption of garments. To learn more about how to tune out these outside forces and build your unique personal style, read My Green Closet’s “How to Develop Your Personal Style in a World of Influencers and Microtrends” article.

In addition, overconsumption commonly occurs when we believe buying an item will make us happy, fill a void, or give us a sense of control—this is why the term “retail therapy” is so well known. Shopping with friends can be fun and shopping by yourself can be relaxing, yet these activities can also lead to mindless spending.

Fashion brands are also responsible for driving this thirst for overconsumption. Brands are profit-driven, working to sell as many garments as possible. Brands engage in excessive production of items, convincing consumers each new item is worth purchasing. Rather than producing clothing to meet consumer needs, many fashion brands push out trendy items that are only meant to be worn for a season and then replaced.

Fast Fashion vs. Sustainable Clothing Brands

Before we delve into whether it is possible to overconsume sustainably made clothing, it is important to highlight the differences between sustainable brands and fast fashion. The main differences relate to environmental impact, worker conditions and wages, and garment quality. One of the pillars of sustainable fashion is ecological integrity, meaning sustainable fashion brands work hard to reduce waste, energy use, water use and carbon emissions; use recycled and natural materials; and avoid harmful chemicals during production. Social justice and equality are also characteristics of sustainable fashion, while fast fashion does not prioritize providing workers with living wages and safe working conditions. Lastly, the quality of sustainably made garments is typically higher quality than the fast fashion alternatives that are made with cheap materials and extremely fast production times.

Is It Possible to Overconsume When Shopping Sustainably?

Now that we know sustainable garments are better for the environment, ethically made, and made to last, is it still possible to overconsume when purchasing from an eco-friendly source? The answer is yes.

Overconsumption is buying in excess, and it is possible to buy too many sustainably made items. Going on a shopping spree and buying 20 ethically made items, for instance, is still overconsuming garments.

Buying into every trend, even if you are investing in sustainably made garments, is also overconsumption. It is not sustainable to keep up with trends; purchasing an entirely new wardrobe each season involves shopping in excess.

How to Prevent Overconsumption

Acknowledging overconsumption habits is the first (and an important) step in correcting this behavior. Self-awareness leads to change. One effective way to prevent overconsumption is to create a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is a small, curated collection of clothes you mix and match to create a variety of outfits. In these wardrobes, quality trumps quantity. Explore My Green Closet’s capsule wardrobe articles to learn how to curate the perfect capsule wardrobe.

It is important to remember that throwing out your entire current wardrobe and replacing it with newly purchased, sustainably made clothing counts as overconsumption. If some items in your closet were purchased via a fast fashion retailer, there is no reason to throw these items out simply because of their tag (it is both wasteful and unnecessary). A good way to avoid purchasing in excess is to gradually add sustainable items into your wardrobe as you need them.

Other tips for preventing overconsumption:

Create a shopping list prior to going out and stick to it
Delete shopping apps off your phone
Unfollow brands on social media
Limit screen time and exposure to online advertisements
Set a goal to not buy any new clothing for a month, 3 months, etc.
Repair worn clothing and wear items as long as possible
Host clothing swaps with friends or community members to freshen up your wardrobe without buying new items

This Extension Finds Secondhand Alternatives While You Shop

by Verena Erin | posted in secondhand, shopping tips |

To be honest, it’s been a very long time since I’ve gotten this excited about new tech in the sustainable fashion space, but when I heard about Disco I had to try it and learn more!

TLDR Disco is a Chrome extension and when you’re browsing popular clothing websites it will pull secondhand options from Poshmark, Depop, and other re-sale sites. Making it super easy to find more sustainable and affordable pre-loved garments from your favorite brands. It’s new and not fully flushed out, but they’re growing and adding to it weekly. Definitely worth a try!

What I find so exciting about Disco is how it helps make it very easy to choose a more sustainable option, and this was a big driver for Disco creator Alina Liu to build the extension.

She explained to me that the spark for Disco initially began after having such positive experiences participating in Buy Nothing groups and she wanted to apply her skills to a business in the secondhand space that could help reduce waste. After a chat with a frustrated friend about how hard and time consuming it was to scour across so many secondhand sites vs the convenience of just jumping on Amazon and buying something new, the idea for Disco was formed. “His frustration inspired me to build a Chrome extension that automatically aggregates from multiple sites and meets you directly where you’re already shopping, a seemingly clear way to tackle this problem,” Alina explained.

It initially could be used for all products but then Alina decided to build it specifically for clothing; “it used to search for anything, which resulted in poor search quality, but is now completely focused on fashion. The fashion industry reaps over $1.5 trillion a year, landfills 85% of its products and stands out as one of the most influential consumer industries in the world, so I think it’s a great place to start.”

We of course couldn’t agree more!

How the Disco Extension Works

Disco has a growing list of brands it works on such as Columbia, Aritzia, Reformation, Theory, Patagonia, Dior, Canada Goose, L.L. Bean, Hermes, Girlfriend Collective, and many more. When you look at a product on their websites Disco will use the brand and product name to show similar items for sale secondhand on the side of the screen.

Screenshot of Disco extension showing secondhand alternatives to a Reformation dress — Screenshot of Disco results on the side while shopping

Disco currently finds alternatives on Poshmark and Depop, but they are planning to add eBay, TheRealReal, ThredUp, and other sites soon.

Since Disco is still very new Alina also explained that they will be refining and fine-tuning the search algorithm with feedback from more users. So expect improvements and updates as it grows – for example I was very happy to see just last week they added the option to filter results by size!

Will Disco Change How We Shop?

We know that the majority of consumers want to shop more sustainably, but it can be hard! Sustainable fashion often comes at a higher price point and it takes extra time most of us don’t have to research and find alternatives. So anything that can do the searching for you and help make choosing a sustainable option easier and more affordable is a great tool to have.

Alina says another key benefit of Disco is how it offers the same familiar shopping experience for people, “so many secondhand marketplaces have cropped up over the years and have done an incredible job pushing the world towards greener fashion, but there’s so much more we can do to bolster these businesses. I think Disco can really change the game because it meets people where they’re already shopping and does all the searching legwork for them. It makes the experience almost exactly how someone would shop online normally.”

With time she believes tools like Disco can help get people more comfortable with buying secondhand and shift how we shop for clothing, “I think Disco will help people build the habit of shopping with sustainability and re-sale in mind and hopefully it’ll become where their mind goes first.”

Future Plans for Disco

Alina has a bright vision for Disco. She acknowledges that it will likely go through many iterations to have the extension working optimally, but after tackling fashion she wants to expand it to other areas as well. “In the future we’ll be looking towards all categories like electronics, household items, furniture, appliances and more. I believe taking on a strategy like this will move us towards our mission, which is to accelerate the world’s transition to a circular economy.“

Have you tried Disco? Let us know what you think in the comments!

Subset (formerly Knickey) Review – Organic Cotton Underwear & Bras

by Verena Erin | posted in Reviews |

I got my first pair of Knickeys (now named Subset) about four years ago and since then have been slowing replacing my underwear and bras with Subset to the point where they now make up the majority of my underwear drawer. So suffice it to say I’ve had a lot of experience with their styles, fits, and fabric to do a thorough review!

(Please note: this post contains Subset affiliate links which means we get a % commission from sales. I also received some Subset products as gifts and purchased some myself. However gifted products do not affect my reviews.)

Jump to the bralette reviews.

Subset Underwear Review

Undies are up first because they are my faves. When anyone asks me what sustainable/organic underwear I recommend, I always say Subset. The organic cotton (95%) is super soft and their elastics are a nice blend of being lightweight and not digging in but also with decent stretch and recovery – very comfortable!

Underwear Styles

Subset has a great variety of underwear styles depending what your looking for. They have 3 rises; low, mid, and high. As well as some different cuts including thong, bikini, brief, hipster and retro brief depending on what type of style and coverage you’re looking for.

Subset high, mid, and low rise underwear

I personally prefer their high and mid rise styles. I have the high-rise brief in a few colours and also the high-rise thong. They have the most cuts available in the mid-rise, with the hipster and brief style being my two favorites (although I’m interested in also trying the new fuller-coverage retro brief style!).

For colour options they have the classics; black, white, and grey, as well as a few nude-ish shades, and a navy blue in their core collection. Then they regularly add fun and bright limited edition colours.

If you want to try all the styles check out their Starter Set.

Knickey high-rise thong in ‘Peachy Keen’

Sizing

Subset’s underwear come in a size range from XXS – XXXL and I find their size guide to be accurate and true to size. If you’re between sizes they recommend sizing down.

However if you’re still unsure of sizing and fit, Subset also has an amazing “First Pair Guarantee” return policy for US customers to help you find the best fit without any worries.

Many of the styles also give you the option to see it on a few models of different sizes which I love!

Quality

On average my Subset undies have lasted about a couple years with proper care (no dryer!) before the fabric and elastic are very obviously starting to get worn out. So the quality is good!

Also the idea that you need to replace your underwear every 6-12 months? That’s a total myth. Especially if you stick to natural fabrics which are more breathable, and properly wash them after every wear there is no time limit for underwear!

The only quality issue I’ve ever had with a Subset product was with my very first pair which I got right before my pregnancy (pictured below). After a while some stitching must have broke and the elastic came off in one section but this definitely could have been because I wore them for a while during pregnancy (although Subset now has maternity underwear!) which likely put extra strain on the elastic. It was a simple repair though and I’ve never had this happen with any other pairs.

Price

Their undies are all $17 USD per pair, except for the maternity underwear. Which honestly is a very good price when compared to many other organic cotton undies. Of all the brands we’ve collected in our sustainable underwear round-up Subset is top 2 for affordability and the most affordable of any organic cotton options.

Subset Bralette Review

Since I had become such a fan of their underwear I was very exicted when Subset added bralettes to their collection in their same soft, organic cotton. Bralettes are trickier with fit though so there are some ‘winners’ an some that just don’t work for me.

Bralette Styles

Subset has four bralette styles, the sportier ‘scoop’ and ‘tank’ styles, a classic triangle style, and a cute keyhole cut-out. Of the four bralettes three have adjustable straps (the Tank, the Triangle, and the Keyhole) and two have hook-and-eye closures (the Triangle and the Keyhole) while the other two are pull-over styles (the Scoop and the Tank). Overall their styles feel very intentional, each has unique attributes and no two bras serve the same purpose, so you’re likely to find at least one that works well for you.

Note that the both the Tank and Scoop have princess seams which are fairly visible under clothes if that’s something you care about.

Quality & Comfort

All the bralettes are self-lined in their soft organic cotton which adds extra support and also makes them super comfy. They are definitely good lounge bras but more supportive than many other bralettes I’ve tried – for me they strike an ideal balance between comfort and support, not tight and restrictive but also feeling secure.

The fabric, elastics, and components are all high quality and incorporate sustainable materials. I’ve had no quality issues with their bralettes.

Sizing & Fit

Subset’s bralettes use letter sizing instead of alpha-numeric and are available in a range from XXS – XXXL. Be sure to check out their Fitting Room for sizing, measuring and fit info.

Sizing for me was a little tricky because I have a larger cup to band ratio. On Subset’s size guide I fall under size M for band but size L for bust. So to test them out I ended up getting two styles in the L (Scoop and Keyhole) and two in the M (Tank and Triangle).

Subset Bralette Fit for Larger Busts & Cups

So even though letter sizing isn’t ideal for most with larger cups I was still pretty happy with how most of the styles fit. Also along with the rebrand they have now added options in a couple styles with fuller cups for larger busts!

The Keyhole is my favourite and top pick for larger cups. It has good support, winder straps at the front/top and I like the cup shape. It also has the most adjustability with both slider straps and a hook-and-eye closure.

Both the Scoop and the Tank have a similar fit although the Tank has adjustable straps. Sizing down in the Tank was a good call and I find it comfortable in the band and also not too small in the bust. Although I do prefer the larger straps on the Scoop, and I think if I had sized down it would also be a fave because my only current issue with the L is the band being a little loose.

For for about the fit, watch my try-on fit review of both the Keyhole and Scoop styles.

Finally the Triangle unfortunately did not work for me. It is my newest bralette from Subset and the one I was most unsure of because typically triangle styles don’t work well for my larger cups, which is also the case with this bralette. The style is very cute and the fit is not bad with the adjustable straps and closure however because of the shape of the cups and lower neckline I spill out a bit whenever leaning forward and then need to constantly re-adjust. If you have larger cups I’d recommend the other 3 styles over the Triangle.

Price

Their bralettes are all $48 USD.

Subset Socks Review

Subset also offers organic cotton socks, made from a blend of 76% organic cotton, 22% polyamide, and 2% elastane. They come in a crew and quarter (ankle) style in 3 classic colours; white, grey, and black.

The socks are very lightweight with a slim fit – a more “dressy” sock compared to the chunky or athletic styles I mainly see from sustainable brands. These are true wardrobe staple socks.

I’ll update this post in a few months with my thoughts on the quality and longevity of the socks after I get a check to wear and wash them many times.

Subset’s Ethics & Sustainability

All Subset undies and bralettes are made in a Fair Trade Certified factory in India so we know workers are paid a living wage and certain ethical standards are met.

They have a traceable and transparent supply chain from farm to retail. Subset uses GOTS certified organic cotton and are GOTS certified themselves meaning that all stages meet GOTS environmental and social criteria. Subset’s fabrics are also Oeko-Tex certified.

Their products are packaged and shipped plastic-free using sustainable and recycled boxes and paper products. Subset is carbon neutral and offsets the shipping of each order, the transportation from India to the US, and their manufacturing emissions.

Recycling Program

Don’t know what to do with your old or worn out underwear? Since underwear typically goes straight to the landfill, Subset also has a recycling program where they will take back both their own as well as old undies from any brands. The underwear gets shredded and turned into insulation, carpet padding, or furniture stuffing.

When you send underwear for recycling you get 15% off your next order so it’s really a win-win! Unfortunately though the recycling program is only currently available in the US.

Shipping & Ordering

Subset is based in the US and they ship domestically as well as to many international countries.

For Canadian customers if your order is less than $150 CAD you typically don’t have to pay any duty charges but likely still have to pay tax.

Have you tried Subset’s underwear, bralettes, or socks? What did you think?

10 Ways to Avoid Consuming Microplastics

by Verena Erin | posted in eating, low waste |

Did you know humans consume about a credit card or plastic bottle cap’s worth of microplastics every week?! And if you’d like some visuals, this article shows the cereal bowl of plastic we eat every 6 months and the heaped dinner plate we eat every year. Yuck.

So how can we reduce the amount of microplastics we ingest? Here’s 10 things you can do:

1. Avoid Plastic Water Bottles

In study of bottles water from 8 different countries 93% showed some sign of microplastic contamination and not only that but bottled water invariably add to the plastic pollution problem.

2. Use a Water Filter

So then you might think switching to tap water solves the problem – while tap water does have fewer microplastics than bottled water, unfortunately tap water also contains microplastics. The best way to remove the microplastics from drinking water is with a good quality water filter.

Pitcher filters can be an easy way to filter your water or for an even simpler way you can get a built-in sink or home filter system to get filtered water right from a tap. We use Aquasana’s Claryum 3-Stage max flow under-sink filter and love it!

Drink filtered water to help avoid consuming microplastics

3. Reduce Plastic Food Packaging

It can be very hard to eliminate plastic packaging when it comes to food, but try your best to switch to plastic-free options where possible. Bring your own bags for produce and your own takeout containers to restaurants. For food storage switch to reusable containers and wraps.

Any food packaging swaps you can make has the double benefit of both reducing microplastics in your food and also reducing plastic waste in general.

and NEVER microwave in plastic

Not only does heat further help break down the plastic but it can also cause chemicals like BPA and phthalates to leach into the food.

Zero waste Stasher bags — Silicone is a better alternative to plastic

4. Minimize Synthetic Textiles in your Home

Our homes are full of plastic material and in particular fuzzy textiles, like carpets, can be both sources and traps for microplastics. A study found that homes with primarily carpet had almost double the amount of plastic microfibres as homes without carpet.

We also tend to have synthetic throw blankets (those fluffy ones are especially bad), rugs, pillows, mattresses, bedding, sofas and other upholstered furniture which all release microplastics in the form of tiny fibres. Switching to natural materials where possible can help reduce this and it’s particularly important with items and areas that babies and small children interact with – you can read more about reducing microplastic exposure for babies and kids here.

5. Regularly Clean & Dust

What’s in dust? You guessed it, more microplastics that we breathe in and consume. This study collected dust samples from homes in 12 different countries and found microplastics in all of them.

In order to keep the amount of microplastics in your home to a minimum it’s helpful to regularly dust and vacuum, as well as timely change filters in any air systems.

6. Start a Low-Waste Beauty Routine

Many of our bathrooms are another source of plastic. From microplastics and microbeads added directly into products (thankfully microbeads have now been banned in some countries) to all the plastic packaging. This report found that when looking at thousands of skin/hair care and cosmetic products from the 10 most popular beauty brands 87% contained microplastics – that’s almost 9 of every 10 products!

Instead make the switch to plastic-free and zero-waste care and beauty products.

7. Use Plastic-Free Tea Bags

Cuppa tea with a side of plastic. A single plastic tea bag can release billions of microplastics into your tea and especially if you drink it daily that adds up fast. Luckily it’s fair easy to switch to 100% paper bags or loose leaf tea!

Plastic tea bags add microplastics to your drink

8. ‘Green’ Your Wardrobe

Of course your wardrobe has an impact too! Opting for natural materials is a great way to reduce microfiber pollution and for any synthetics you do have, you can wash them in a Guppyfriend Bag, use a Cora Ball or get a washing machine filter.

Plastic microfibres are released into the water during washing. Reduce this by using a filter or catching them in a bag.

9. Assess Plastic Cooking Tools & Kitchen Gadgets

Take an audit of your kitchen and how many tools and utensils are made of plastic. Start by adressing the plastic items with the highest risk of shedding microplastics into food, such as items that contain or come in contact with anything abrasive, are heated, or get the most use/wear.

Switch from plastic cooking utensils so help avoid microplastics

10. Tackle the Toys

From stuffed animals to plastic figures, there’s a lot of plastic in the toy box. Try to choose natural material toys, especially for items that get a lot of wear or for anything that will end up in a baby or toddler’s mouth! Here are some plastic-free toy brands to check out.

and especially watch out for Craft and Art Supplies

Glitter is an obvious top offender and I try to never let it in the house, but there are also many other kids craft supplies that are plastic and shed bits of plastic, such as pipe cleaners, felt, pom poms, glue, stickers, sequins, paints and even some crayons are made with plastic. And if you’ve ever done crafts with kids you know how quickly stuff gets everywhere.

Try to use natural materials where possible (or even better, upcycled materials) and clean up after any crafting.

How to Develop Your Personal Style in a World of Influencers and Microtrends

by Steffi Haenicke | posted in shopping tips, style |

In the age of microtrends, social media, and influencer marketing, we are constantly bombarded with a combination of overt and subtle advertisements. We are conditioned to believe we need to follow the latest fashion trend or buy the newest clothing item not only to be cool, but fashionable as well. All this noise makes it hard to develop your personal style.

What Are Microtrends In Fashion?

Microtrends are short lived trends that are only popular for a few weeks to a few months. In fashion, specific clothing items or entire aesthetics can be microtrends. For example, the green wool House of Sunny dress was popular for the summer months of 2020. Even Kendall Jenner hopped on this trend! By the end of the season, however, this garment was viewed as overdone and out-of-date (ironic, considering the design rose to popularity only a few months prior). Microtrends harm personal style by convincing consumers they need to constantly buy into new trends to be fashionable.

The Role of Influencers In Fashion

Over the past 5-10 years there has been a rise in popularity of influencers, or online tastemakers. The role of influencers is simple — to influence people to buy products and buy into specific trends. When we see 20+ influencers posting about the hottest new jacket, shoes, or bag, it is easy to get enticed into buying that item. A lot of the time, the constant online exposure to microtrends via influencers causes us to buy into a trend, even if we do not find it cool or attractive at first.

How To Tune Out Social Media Telling You What to Wear

Developing your personal style in a world of influencers and microtrends is difficult, and social media and the rise of fast fashion does not make it any easier. The key to enhancing your personal style is to tune out these social media messages and fast fashion advertising. Fashion is consumed differently than it was a decade or two ago. Instead of waiting for seasonal runway shows and occasionally flipping through a Vogue magazine, we now have endless fashion content at our fingertips thanks to social media. For example, there are over 1.2 billion videos with the hashtag #fashionhaul on TikTok alone!

The growing popularity of platforms like TikTok and Instagram has led to the hypervisibility of trends on social media. Fashion trends and specific clothing items are plastered all over social media, quickly becoming popular. We are conditioned to believe we are missing out if we do not hop on a trend, yet we quickly become sick of the trend after buying into it due to constantly seeing the trend online. One microtrend currently circling the internet is the Ugg Ultra Mini boots. The hashtag #uggultramini has over 60.4 million videos under it on TikTok. This hypervisibility of trends causes a quick turnover from trendy to tacky.

One way to not let social media dictate your sense of style is to avoid watching hauls, or if you do enjoy that style of content, watch thrift hauls. Thrift hauls are entertaining but do not pressure you to “click the link in the description box” and mindlessly buy into current trends. Another tip is to filter who you follow online. Only follow people who inspire you rather than influencers who dictate what you should and should not wear.

How To Tune Out Fast Fashion Brands Telling You What to Wear

Fast fashion also negatively impacts personal style. There used to be four fashion seasons, but now fast fashion brands are churning out new collections every few weeks. The popular fast fashion brand Shein adds an average of 6,000 new items to its website every day! These brands want you to constantly invest in short-lived trends rather than build a timeless wardrobe.

Shein and other fast fashion brands rely on influencer marketing for a lot of their advertising, so limiting the amount of influencer and haul content you watch online will help prevent you from being influenced to buy into every trend. There are, of course, other reasons to steer clear of fast fashion, from environmental concerns to human rights issues. Check out “Which Brands are Fast Fashion? We Break it Down” to know which brands to avoid.

More Ways to Develop Your Personal Style

Being exposed to trends is inevitable, so instead of blindly buying into a fad, find elements of trends you like and incorporate them into your wardrobe. For example, the wrap sweaters seen in balletcore outfits may perfectly align with your personal style, while ballet flats do not. Don’t just copy an outfit you see an influencer wearing; instead ask yourself “Do I like this outfit? What do I like about it? Will I like this item/style in six months? In a year? Would I wear this if it wasn’t trendy?” Taking a step back and thinking critically is a great way to weed out trends that do not align with your specific sense of style.

Another way to develop your personal style is to repurpose old clothes. You do not need to get rid of old clothes that were once trendy; you can alter them into a new garment! Reworking old clothes is sustainable and allows you to have one-of-a-kind pieces that make your style more unique.

Social media is a double-edged sword when it comes to fashion inspiration. Many people turn to apps like Pinterest for outfit images and styling content, but the astronomically large amount of content can be overwhelming. To combat this issue, find outfit inspiration through other channels. Look at what people are wearing on the street, flip through fashion magazines, and take note of what your friends and peers are wearing.

Another tip for finding your personal style is to not confine yourself to a single aesthetic. Social media and influencers often teach us that to have a strong sense of personal style, we need to fit ourselves into a box. Fashion sense is often divided into categories, such as grunge, dark academia, downtown girl, and coquette aesthetics. Real fashion sense, however, comes from being able to switch up your look and experiment. Fashion is supposed to be fun! Have fun with your outfits and do not be afraid to try out looks that cannot be categorized as a single aesthetic.

Lastly, remember that the words stylish and trendy are not synonymous. We often associate style with wearing the trendiest clothing and knowing what’s popular. Instead of associating style with trends, associate style with how clothing makes you feel. Someone with good personal style wears clothes that make them feel confident, powerful, and like their best self. Tune out the social media, microtrend, and fast fashion background noise and dress in what makes you feel like your best and most authentic self.

12 Sustainable Clothing Brands for People Who Love Color & Prints

by Editorial Team | posted in brand roundups |

Author: Denise Caggio & Editorial Team

If you love colorful clothes but are still convinced that sustainable fashion is plain with only earth tones, get ready to be proved wrong! We put together a guide with bold brands we love.

Why Do So Many Sustainable Fashion Brands Use Earth Tones?

Taking a step back to try to understand why people think sustainable fashion has a standard, boring look, it’s important to clarify that one way slow fashion brands differ from fast fashion brands is that they usually invest much more time and resources into research in order to minimize their impact on our planet and people throughout their entire production process. Color is a fundamental component of fashion production but bright, warm colors and prints can not easily be reproduced with natural dyes and as a result, “a toxic soup of chemicals is discarded from the fashion industry’s synthetic dye processes, filtering into the water systems of the planet,” according to Fashion Revolution.

That’s why a fair amount of slow fashion brands are opting for natural dyes, such as those made from vegetables, which are often restricted to a limited palette of neutral and earthy colors, according to Vogue India. Not to say there’s anything wrong with these colors — they make your clothes versatile and timeless, ensuring that they will be treasured in your wardrobe for a long time to come.

Colorful Sustainable Fashion Is Possible

Luckily, for those of us who love bright and bold colors, a bigger palette of natural dyes is becoming available thanks to the research that brands and companies are investing into. In addition, new regulations and certifications (such as OEKO-TEX) encourage brands to reduce their harmful impacts even when using synthetic dyes, and help consumers make informed decisions (and avoid “toxic soups”).

As production processes are changing, people’s tastes are changing too. While minimalistic fashion, dominated by neutral, earthy, and plain colors and shapes, will forever be considered effortlessly cool, it seems to be taking a backseat in favor of maximalism. One big historical event that has shaped and is still shaping our behaviors, even when it comes to how clothes are made and how people dress, is the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to MakersValley, “the fatigue of pandemic minimalism has turned people back toward maximalism, though the current maximalist aesthetic differs from previous iterations thanks largely to the internet offering up a plethora of new resources for inspiration.” For example, many people turn to TikTok for bold outfit inspiration.

Lovers of color and prints who are looking for ethical brands to support and perhaps also want to play with the maximalism aesthetic to add a pinch of pepper to your outfits, we’ve got you covered – head to toe.

Colorful Sustainable Clothing Brands

(please note: some affiliate links are used in this post which means we may get a small commission)

Image credit: Colorful Standard

Colorful Standard

With a mission to “color the world responsibly,” Colorful Standard makes clothing using either 100% organic cotton or 100% merino wool. Their clothing is available in a wide variety of solid colors, from neutral to bold and vibrant, and all of their 50 colors come from OEKO-TEX certified dyes. The brand is known for long lasting and ethically made fashion staples such as T-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, and socks. Colorful Standard is headquartered in Denmark and produces their clothing in Portugal with fair wages.

Size range: XS – 2XL
Values: Sustainable materials, Recycled materials, Factory transparency, Seasonless collections, Low waste production
Availability: Based in Denmark, ships worldwide

Image credit: Nube

Nube

This woman-owned, USA-based activewear/loungewear brand collaborates with artists and designers who create unique and colorful prints. Each artist receives 5% of the profits for each item sold with their design. Their fabrics are made in the USA with recycled polyester and dyes that are “non toxic, low impact and lead free.” The coloring and finishing procedures take place locally in LA, and Nube strives to reduce energy use and toxins at every point in the process.

Size range: XS – 2XL
Values: Recycled materials, Factory transparency, Seasonless collections, Low waste production, Plastic-free packaging, Made in the USA, Vegan, Gives back
Availability: Based in LA, ships to the USA with options to ship worldwide

Lucy & Yak

Since founders Lucy and Chris left their 9-5 jobs to hit the road in their van Yak, where the brand began, they’ve been continuously working to source more sustainable fabrics and create new prints, shapes, and cuts. Lucy & Yak is a GOTS certified brand that makes dungarees, jackets, dresses, trousers and more in whimsical patterns. All their suppliers are OEKO-TEX certified, meaning that items “have been tested for harmful substances and ensure the product is harmless for your health.” The brand also uses natural dyes — including charcoal, stone green, and umber.

Size range: XS – 4XL
Values: GOTS Certified, Sustainable materials, Recycled materials, Factory transparency, OEKO-TEX certified fabrics, Body-inclusive models
Availability: Based in the UK, ships worldwide

Image credit: Zuri

Zuri

In Swahili, “mzuri” — the inspiration for this brand name — means “good.” Founders Sandra and Ashleigh strive to embody this “good” ethos in everything that they do: Zuri operates fairly and ethically to support a long-term, sustainable economy in Kenya. They make simple and plain styles but play with colors a lot, inspired by African traditional prints and textiles. Many of their fabrics are hand printed or hand loomed by partnering with local craftspeople using traditional methods, like the batik process.

Size range: 2XS – 3XL
Values: Factory transparency, Body-inclusive models, Seasonless collections
Availability: Based in the USA, ships worldwide

Image credit: Thief & Bandit

Thief & Bandit

Thief & Bandit‘s whimsical and edgy statement prints are instantly recognizable. Their garments are not only sewn in-house in their Halifax studio but their sustainable fabrics are also hand-printed with custom silkscreen designs. Their inclusive collection includes clothing, swimwear, underwear, and accessories all made in their Halifax studio.

Size Range: XS – 4X
Values: Sustainable materials, Low waste production, Made in-house, Made-to-order, Made in Canada
Availability: Based in Canada, ships worldwide

Image credit: Back Beat Co.

Back Beat Co.

Back Beat Co. serves up cool, Californian style and are a great option if you’re looking for colorful cotton knitwear, comfy lounge wear, and some not-so-basic basics. Their garments are all made locally in LA.

Size Range: XS – XXL
Values: Sustainable materials, GOTS certified cotton, Factory transparency, Made in America, Plastic-free packaging
Based In: USA, ships worldwide

Image credit: Printfresh

Printfresh

Size range: 2XS – 6XL
Values: Sustainable materials, low waste production, vegan, gives back
Availability: Based in the US, ships worldwide

Colorful Sustainable Underwear

Image credit: Thunderpants

Thunderpants

“No riding, rolling, bunching, wiggling, or wedging,” that’s Thunderpants. The brand was founded in 1995 by two sisters who were frustrated by irritating undies and set out to design “the ultimate comfy undie” — and they did! They partner with a large roster of artists to design prints or hand-dye fabrics for unique underwear, bralettes, camis and swimwear you can’t find anywhere else. If you check out their limited collection of one-of-a-kind items, make sure you don’t miss the Flower Press Botanical selection: a dye process you can… DIY, too.

Price: USD 24 – 46
Size range: XS – 4XL
Values: Fair Trade certified, Body-inclusive models, GOTS certified, Sustainable materials, Made in the USA, Factory transparency
Availability: Based in the USA, ships worldwide

Colorful Footwear

Image credit: Conscious Step

Conscious Step

Want to make an impact every step of the way? Conscious Step’s got you covered with their organic cotton socks with fun colors, prints and characters. This brand gives back with every purchase, with a wide variety of causes to choose from including women empowerment, rainforest conservation, protecting LGBTQ+ lives, and many more. Their products and factory are certified by OEKO-TEX and Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS).

Price: USD 13 – 17
Size range: S – L
Values: Fair Trade, GOTS certified, OEKO-TEX certified, Sustainable materials, Factory transparency, Gives back, Vegan
Availability: Based in the USA, ships worldwide

Image credit: Cariuma

CARIUMA

CARIUMA’s sustainably-made sneakers are the touch of color that every jeans and T-shirt outfit needs. They offer many styles for men and women in a variety of eye-catching prints and colors — neutrals as well as vibrant and Pantone shades. To ensure that no hazardous chemicals would be used in their manufacturing process and to also make things as safe as possible for their workers, the brand only choses Bluesign-certified chemicals to dye their materials. Check out CARIUMA’s designs in collaboration with international artists if you’d like to reach a new level of boldness.

Price: USD 79 – 169
Size range: US 5 – 13
Values: GOTS certified, Recycled materials, Sustainable materials, Low waste production, Factory transparency, Gives back
Availability: Based in the USA, ships worldwide

Colorful, Sustainable Accessories

Image credit: Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi is a certified B Corporation that makes durable and colorful adventure gear while prioritizing sustainability and giving back to communities in South America. The brand sells a variety of bright accessories and gear such as backpacks, travel packs, fanny packs and hats. One particularly fun line is their collection of bags and backpacks that are made from fabric scraps leftover from other companies, giving them a color-blocked pattern Cotopaxi is known for.

Price: USD 40 – 295
Size range: US 2XS – 2XL
Values: GOTS certified, Recycled materials, Sustainable materials, Fair trade, B Corp, Factory transparency, Gives back
Availability: Based in the USA, ships worldwide

Image credit: BAGGU

BAGGU

Oh, how many battles we’ve fought against single-use plastic bags – and how long the road towards a future free from them is still. BAGGU produces a wide range of products from socks to slippers, hats, and many other everyday accessories but it’s most known for its eye-catching reusable bags. The brand’s mission is to reduce waste, particularly through the elimination of single-use plastic bags. They inspire more and more people to invest in funny, colorful, playful totes that can be used for a looong time and they also walk the talk! In fact, their sustainability efforts are all focused on the elimination and minimization of waste in their own operations and production processes, too.

Price: USD 12 – 78
Values: Recycled materials, Vegan, Plastic-free packaging, Low waste production
Availability: Based in the USA, ships worldwide

Did we miss any of your favorites?

What is Cost Per Wear & How It Can Help You Shop Responsibly

by Denise Caggio | posted in shopping tips |

How many times are you really going to wear that new piece of clothing you’re eyeing? When shopping with Cost Per Wear in mind, that question is front and center. Cost Per Wear is a simple equation that helps you realize that sustainable clothing may not be as expensive as you think it is, if you focus on the bigger picture. Let’s find out how to calculate it and why it could drastically change your shopping behaviors.

Cost Per Wear: The Formula

When calculating the Cost Per Wear (CPW), you are breaking down the upfront price of a clothing item by the number of times you will realistically wear it.

Cost Per Wear ($) = Upfront cost ($) / Times worn (#)

It’s clear that the Cost Per Wear is not an objective indicator and that the CPW of the very same item could differ from person to person, depending on their own style and habits.

Let’s take a $300 coat as an example: If you live in Canada, where winter hits you in the bones and lasts for months, you’re probably reaching out to your coat at least 60 days per year. Now, if we consider that a well-made coat lasts for a minimum of 5 years (and I’m being very conservative), this means you could wear your $300 coat 200 times. The Cost Per Wear of that item would be $1.50 for you.

If you live in California instead, you’d probably wear your $300 coat only a few days per year (unless you’re traveling to Canada), so the CPW of that very same item goes up for you. If you wear the coat 50 times over 5 years, the Cost Per Wear is $6! Doesn’t sound so worth it anymore…

The Cost Per Wear formula allows you to estimate what the real value of a garment is for you, before you buy it. The lower the CPW, the more it’s worth it for you to make that purchase if you really need new clothing. The higher the CPW, the less that item is valuable for you so you should really think twice before buying.

This is one of the pillars of sustainability: “Think before you buy,” and the Cost Per Wear equation is there to make us think indeed.

Is Sustainable Fashion Really More Expensive?

While there are options to buy more consciously without spending a fortune, it’s true that sustainable brands typically have a higher price point than others. There are lots of factors that go into the final price of clothing — think quality of the materials and construction, and living wages — but it’s important not to stop at the price tag.

We’ve learned that the price tag does not reflect the real value an item could have for each one of us. The CPW indicator does, and just because a fast fashion item reports a much lower price on its tag it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will cost you less over time.

In the era of Instagram and TikTok where fashion influencers are never pictured or tagged in the same dress twice, it’s no big surprise that in the UK “one in three young women, the biggest segment of consumers, consider garments worn once or twice to be old,” as reported by The Guardian.

While social media perpetuates a “FOMO” culture, ultra fast fashion brands are not simply bystanders: they play a key role, conscious that introducing users to new products every minute and motivating their desire for the trendiest clothing can lead to expensive habits.

Let us take a practical example and compare a fast fashion outfit that you only plan to wear twice (or may only be able to due to low quality) to a more sustainable outfit that you’re going to take care of and wear for years to come.

Breaking down the Cost Per Wear of both outfits (calculated based on the 30-wears rule for the more sustainable option), the verdict is that the pricey, ethically-made outfit does actually cost you less over time than the fast fashion ensemble. The case is closed.

How Can the Cost Per Wear Be Lowered?

There are a few elements that everyone should pay attention to and look for when you need new clothes and go on a mission to find some that are worth the purchase:

Quality of the materials, seams, and other components like zippers, buttons, etc; the higher the quality, the longer that item is going to last, the lower the CPW would be
Style, and especially how that item you’re considering fits with the rest of your closet: if it does not, you’re probably going to struggle styling it and end up not wearing it that much
Staples vs trends: only focus on buying clothes that you think you’re going to reach for over time as opposed to designs that are trending this season but are likely going to be not-so-cool anymore in just a few months

Needless to say, these rules also apply to second hand shopping if you’re into it. And not only that: the Cost Per Wear concept is a true master key that you can use on different occasions. In fact, you can easily swap out the “Wear” of this equation to replace it with “Use” so that the formula applies to other categories than fashion, like toys or tools.

Winter Capsule Wardrobe 2022/2023

by Verena Erin | posted in capsule wardrobes |

This season is a mix of super comfy and cozy pieces and also some festive and colorful items to have some fun styling this capsule wardrobe.

Items in my Winter Capsule

(please note: some affiliate links are used in this post which means we may get a small commission)

Tops

Mustard mock-neck – Encircled

Printed turtleneck – Thief & Bandit

White linen shirt – secondhand

Grey knit top – People Tree

Grey long hoodie – Encircled

Sweaters

Red sweater – very old

Orange cotton sweater – secondhand

Dark grey sweater – Izzy Lane

Tan sweater – handknit

White Icelandic sweater – secondhand

Green sweater – Sheep Inc. (learn more about ZQ wool and Sheep Inc. here)

Bottoms

Green Linen skirt – Son de Flor

Black knit skirt – secondhand

Winter leggings – Anne Mulaire (read my review and more about AM here) and you can also use code GREENCLOSET for a free bamboo headband with purchase!

Black pocket leggings – Encircled

Pink Fleece Joggers – Hernest Project

Fleece ‘Dressy Sweats’ – Encircled

Plaid pants – handmade

Washed black jeans – Everlane (please watch this video for my thoughts on Everlane)

Dresses

Green sweater dress – tentree

Red long-sleeve dress – Tonle

Linen wrap dress – Son de Flor

Green linen dress – Son de Flor

Layers & Outerwear

Navy cropped cardigan – tentree

Rust cardigan – Eileen Fisher

Plaid coat – Frank & Oak (read this post about the coat and Frank & Oak)

Grey coat – secondhand

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