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If you live in Europe, you might be wondering which fashion brands are doing better for people, the planet, and animals. We compiled this ultimate list of more sustainable clothing brands from Europe, all rated “Good” or “Great” using our first-class methodology.
Reduce Your Impact by Supporting Local Brands
There’s no denying it: sustainability is becoming increasingly important. More and more people are trying to reduce their impact on the planet, and as a result, a growing number of ethical and sustainable fashion brands are emerging to meet this demand and help change the fashion industry for the better. But which brands are truly worth supporting? First, let’s explore what makes a brand more ethical and sustainable in the first place.
What Makes a Better Brand?
Simply put, a responsible brand ensures it positively impacts people, the planet, and animals. This involves several key factors:
Fair Treatment of Workers: A responsible brand guarantees that its workers are treated fairly throughout the supply chain. This includes strict policies against child labor and forced labor, ensuring worker safety, and respecting the right to join a union. Additionally, brands should commit to the payment of a living wage, allowing workers to support themselves and their families.
Resource and Energy Management: A better brand is conscious of its resource use and energy consumption. This includes actively reducing carbon emissions, minimizing its impact on waterways, and safely managing the use and disposal of chemicals.
Animal Welfare: Ethical brands strive to use no or very few animal products. This includes avoiding materials like wool, leather, fur, angora, down feathers, shearling, and exotic animal skins. For beauty brands, this extends to avoiding ingredients like beeswax, shellac, lanolin, and squalene. Ideally, these brands are 100% vegan.
Now that you know what makes a responsible brand, you might decide to shop from companies located in your country or region. Whether it’s to support your local community or reduce your carbon footprint when shopping online, shopping locally can have positive benefits.
So if you live in Europe, you might be wondering which brands to support. We understand your concerns, which is why we’ve compiled this list of more sustainable clothing and beauty brands from Europe. These brands have all been rated “Good” or “Great” using our first-class methodology and are among our favorites.
Our Favourite More Sustainable and Ethical Brands from Europe
Here’s a curated selection of brands that are not only stylish but also committed to ethical practices:
- Patagonia: Known for its environmental activism, Patagonia prioritizes sustainable materials and fair labor practices.
- People Tree: A pioneer in sustainable fashion, People Tree offers a range of organic cotton clothing made under fair trade conditions.
- Reformation: This brand focuses on eco-friendly materials and practices, making stylish clothing with a lower environmental impact.
- Veja: A footwear brand that uses organic cotton and wild rubber, Veja is committed to transparency and fair trade.
- Thought: Specializing in natural and sustainable fabrics, Thought creates timeless pieces that are kind to the planet.
These brands exemplify what it means to be sustainable and ethical in the fashion industry. By choosing to support them, you’re not just making a purchase; you’re contributing to a movement towards a more responsible and sustainable future.
