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For the second year in a row, Massachusetts beaches have recorded more nesting Piping Plovers than anytime in the last four decades — 1,196 nesting pairs, a 1.5 percent increase over 2023 and a 500 percent jump since the program began, according to preliminary data gathered by MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program and Mass Audubon.

Mass Audubon has been leading the Coastal Waterbird Program (CWP) since 1986. The program is a collaboration between state, federal and local agencies. It engages in conservation research while monitoring and protecting vulnerable beach-nesting birds. In the mid-1980s, fewer than 200 pairs of breeding Piping Plovers existed in the state.

“Piping Plovers were on the brink of extinction in Massachusetts and now, through collaborative partnerships and strategic conservation strategies, this is a species recovering at an encouraging rate,” said Lyra Brennan, Mass Audubon’s Coastal Waterbird Program director, in a press release from Mass Audubon.

Piping Plovers on a Massachusetts beach. Pat Ulrich / Mass Audubon

The sand-colored shorebird is about the size of a sparrow and feeds along sand and gravel beaches on the North American coast.

While Piping Plovers are still listed as threatened on the state and federal endangered species lists, the last several years of data show that the elegant shorebirds are making a comeback in Massachusetts.

CWP protected 379 pairs of Piping Plovers in 2024, representing 17 percent of the Atlantic Coast population and almost a third of the state population.

In 2024, pairs of Plovers nesting at sites protected by CWP produced 1.24 fledglings per pair — nearly the same as the 1.25 chicks in 2023 — which is considered to be a sustainable reproductive rate.

“Long-term investments in coastal communities and implementing a combination of wildlife management, science-based conservation, policy development, and education is paying off,” Brennan said in the press release.

In a first, Plovers also successfully fledged chicks at Eastham’s Dyer Prince Beach, while Sagamore’s Scusset Beach saw its first Plover pairing in over a decade. Additional hotspots included an 83 percent leap in productivity in fledged chicks on Lobsterville Beach in Aquinnah, a 56 percent jump in Plover pairs at Barnstable’s Long Beach and twice as many pairs on Chatham’s Tern Island.

Other vulnerable seabirds have also had success, including Least Terns, who experienced a 37 percent population increase in 2024 to 4,901 pairs, following a drop in numbers the previous year. Mass Audubon’s 42 protected nesting sites for the birds maintained steady reproductive success with rates ranging from zero to 1.35 fledglings per pair, making them the most successful sites for Least Terns in Massachusetts.

As was true a year earlier, predators were the most significant factor determining nesting success for terns in 2024. Major overwash and predation events impacted several of the main sites, including South Beach, which saw no Least Tern fledges last year, despite having a colony of more than 100 pairs.

American Oystercatchers also experienced their second record year in a row with 250 nesting pairs detected — a year-over-year increase of five percent.

Brennan said Oystercatchers in Massachusetts were the most productive of any state reporting the same metrics.

“Mass Audubon monitors 30 percent of the state population and despite the fledgling rate dropping from 1.23 chicks per pair to .99 in 2024, this is still well above the .35 fledged chicks per pair rate estimated to maintain a stable oystercatcher population,” Mass Audubon said.

The post In Conservation Success Story, Massachusetts Piping Plovers Have Their Second Record Nesting Year in a Row appeared first on EcoWatch.

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Scientists Develop a Feeding Tool for Coral Reef Restoration

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Scientists at The Ohio State University have developed a new device known as Underwater Zooplankton Enhancement Light Array (UZELA), which will help promote more feeding sources for coral restoration.

UZELA is a submersible, programmable light that can be deployed at a site for up to six months on one battery. If the devices need any maintenance, trained divers can easily handle this. UZELA turns on for about one hour per night, and the emitted light helps increase concentrations of zooplankton while minimizing artificial light disruption to other marine species. This allows corals more feeding opportunities, according to the scientists.

The team tested the device near two native corals in Hawaii, Montipora capitata and Porites compressa. After running the UZELA, the amount of locally concentrated zooplankton increased seven-fold, while the coral feeding rates increased between 10- and 50-fold. The scientists published their findings in the journal Limnology and Oceanography: Methods.

“Coral reefs house one-third of all marine species, yet occupy less than 1% of the ocean,” Andréa Grottoli, lead author of the study and earth sciences professor at The Ohio State University, said in a statement. “They are disproportionately responsible for ocean health and we’re at risk of losing them.”

Coral reefs are threatened by extreme heat stress. Last year, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned that the world was experiencing its fourth mass coral bleaching event, which is when the corals lose symbiotic algae that provide nutrients to the corals because of extreme heat. From February 2023 to April 2024, NOAA found that about 60.5% of global corals had experienced bleaching.

Bleaching can make coral more vulnerable to disease and die-off, and water temperature and conditions must return to normal for algae to return to coral. However, by concentrating zooplankton near coral, they can feed and obtain nutrients to help their road to recovery.

With such great threats facing coral reefs, the study authors noted that UZELA is only one temporary solution to the plight of reef systems. For now, it could work in some of the most vulnerable and important reef systems to boost restoration efforts until more substantial actions are taken to minimize stressors that trigger bleaching.

Labeled (a) top view of lens cap (7cm diameter) and (b) and (c) side view (20cm tall) photographs of UZELA (Underwater Zooplankton Enhancement Light Array) (Grottoli, Jackson, and Steck 2023, PCT/US2023/078357). Photos by AM Hulver

“Think of it as a band-aid for about a couple decades,” Grottoli said. “It can protect some corals in some places, sometimes.”

Currently the UZELA devices are made by hand, but the scientists are collaborating with a local engineering company to redesign UZELA for scalability. The updated device could be ready within one to three years, according to Grottoli.

“We are not mitigating climate change fast enough to save coral, and UZELA is not going to instantly save coral reefs,” Grottoli said. “But it is an exciting solution that will buy us time as we work toward a more sustainable environment.”

First paper ever alert! We found that locally increasing zooplankton using the Underwater Zooplankton Enhancement Light Array (UZELA) can increase feeding in two Hawaiian coral species up to tenfold. aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/…

[image or embed]

— Shannon Dixon (@shannon-dixon.bsky.social) February 6, 2025 at 3:15 PM

The post Scientists Develop a Feeding Tool for Coral Reef Restoration appeared first on EcoWatch.

https://www.ecowatch.com/coral-reef-restoration-device-science.html

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9 Gorgeous Sustainable Tables to Gather Around (2025)

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Whether the family is sitting down for dinner in the kitchen or you and your roommates are marathoning Netflix in the living room, the sustainable tables from these brands will be your new gathering places for enjoying meals, drinks, and conversations together.

The sustainable table brands featured in this guide have furniture for any of your living and dining places:

  • Dining tables,
  • Side tables,
  • Coffee tables, and
  • Bar tables.

But first, you might be wondering: what is a sustainable table anyway?

What to Look for in a Sustainable Table

The word “sustainable” is used frequently and in so many different contexts that it can be difficult to pinpoint what exactly sustainable means.

That said, here are some key elements to consider when looking for your next coffee table, dining table, or desk.

Eco-Friendly Materials

When it comes to eco-friendly tables, wood is the most common material used because it’s a natural, renewable, and durable material that works with nearly any room or interior design style.

Note: If you find a brand that uses engineered wood or pressed wood, make sure to look on their website or ask about what adhesives are used. These products are often made from wood pieces that are bond together with glue that contains formaldehyde, which the EPA classifies as a “probable human carcinogen”.

Here’s what to look for to ensure sustainably-sourced wood:

  • Reclaimed Wood. Using existing resources reduces waste and the need to cut down additional trees. Plus, reclaimed wood — especialcan add authentic character to your table!
  • FSC-certified. The Forest Stewardship Council’s certification is the most widely used verification for responsible forestry practices. Just like any other large certification, the FSC seal is not perfect but can be an additional seal of approval to look for.
  • Traceability. Look to see if the brand can tell you where the wood was sourced from. Usually, smaller furniture brands will be able to have more transparency and traceability of their supply chain!
  • Local sourcing. Locally-sourced wood (from native or climate-appropriate trees) is preferable because sourcing locally reduces emissions from transportation.

Zero-VOC or Low-VOC Finishes

Similar to paints, finishes can contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Not only do VOCs create environmental hazards like air pollution and smog but they also pollute your indoor air too.

According to the EPA, health impacts of VOCs include:

  • Eye, nose, and throat irritations
  • Headaches and nausea
  • Damage to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system
  • Some VOCs are also known or suspected carcinogens

All too often we think of environmental sustainability as something separate from ourselves — something “out there in nature”.

But as with so many aspects of sustainability, what’s healthy for the environment is also often healthy for us as well — humans are, in fact, part of the environment. That’s why this sustainable table guide only includes non-toxic tables, too.

Other Sustainability Initiatives

Some other initiatives to look for from sustainable table brands include:

  • Use of renewable energy to power their operations or the purchase of renewable energy credits to offset fossil fuel energy use.
  • Take-back and/or repair programs to extend the life of their tables.
  • Quality manufacturing that ensures durable products built to last.
  • Trustworthy tree planting projects, especially if the company uses wood for their products.

Where to Find Sustainable Tables

Just as with fashion, looking secondhand first is a great way to find eco-friendly furniture at a more affordable price. Check out your local flea markets, secondhand stores, and keep an eye out for estate sales.

For online secondhand options, check out:

If you’re looking for a new eco-friendly table made from responsibly-sourced or reclaimed materials, take a look at the brands below!

Disclaimer: This guide includes affiliate links and partners, but as always all brands are vetted rigorously for sustainability and are brands we love, that we think you’ll love too

Best for Dining Tables: Medley

walnut wood sustainable dining table with 4 chairs

Medley uses only FSC-certified walnut or maple hardwood for their solid wood eco-friendly dining tables and accent tables. Each table is finished with an all-natural furniture polish that consists of just beeswax, carnauba wax, and olive oil. And every table, just like the rest of Medley’s furnishings, is made in their own workshop in Los Angeles.

Conscious Qualities: FSC-Certified Wood, Transparent Local Production, Non-Toxic Finishes, Plants Trees

Price Range: Side tables start at $745 | Dining tables start at $2995

Check Out Medley

Best for Side Tables: Avocado

Sustainable wood tables from Avocado

Founded as a non-toxic mattress brand, Avocado has now expanded into a variety of sustainable and non-toxic furniture like beds, dressers, and of course tables.

Their collection of eco-friendly tables includes accent tables, side tables, benches & stools, and a beautiful zero waste coffee table. Every table is made to order in the company’s Los Angeles woodshop from either reclaimed wood, FSC-Certified solid wood, or even 100% upcycled wood (which is not particleboard or fiberboard).

The Sustainable Furnishings Council member also uses non-toxic finishes and glues, like zero-VOC stain and safe odorless glues. And, Avocado offsets more than 100% of their emissions and has several product- factory- and company-level certifications of note.

Conscious Qualities: Made-To-Order In Avocado’s Own LA Woodshop; Uses Reclaimed and Sustainably-Sourced Materials; Non-Toxic Finishes; Renewable Energy-Powered Operations

Price Range: Side tables start at $329

Check Out Avocado

Best Sustainable Coffee Table: Sylvan Craft

sustainable wooden coffee table from Sylvan Craft

Perhaps you’ve heard of slow fashion or slow food — well Sylvan Craft is the epitome of slow furniture with their “Forest to Table” approach.

Sylvan Craft’s heirloom-quality tables (and other furniture) are all crafted with care from solid wood by their Amish business partner. And it’s not just any wood — this is wood that was sourced from Sylvan Craft’s own sustainably managed forest. Since their entire process from harvest to finished furniture takes place within a 5 mile radius, this “hyper-local” business also boasts a small carbon footprint and impressive average 8-10 week lead times on delivery. Blanket-wrapped shipping also minimizes packaging waste.

On a mission to preserve and restore forests through sustainable forestry and land management, Sylvan Craft has a meticulous forest management plan that centers on forest health. They employ selective harvesting (i.e. prioritizing damaged or dead trees for their wood), plant a variety of tree species to promote forest biodiversity, and use low-impact timber removal practices instead of heavy machinery.

Sylvan Craft’s selection of sustainably-crafted tables includes end tables, sofa tables, coffee tables, dining tables, and benches.

Conscious Qualities: Sustainable Forestry Management, Hyper-Local, Traceable Supply Chain, Heirloom Quality, VOC-Free Finish Option

Price Range: Side tables start at $525

Check Out Sylvan Craft

Best for Durability: Emeco

Eco-friendly tables made from recycled materials by Emeco

Handcrafted in their own factory near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Emeco’s minimalist sustainable tables are made to pass commercial-grade standards, ensuring they’ll be pieces for decades (if not generations!) to come.

The brand uses sustainably-harvested ash or reclaimed accoya wood and recycled aluminum to create their industrial-chic pieces. Many of their pieces are Cradle to Cradle Gold Certified, and are free of toxic chemicals like VOCs and formaldehyde.

One major bonus of Emeco’s sturdy eco-friendly tables? Most of them are suitable for outdoor use too. (Check out more sustainable outdoor furniture in this guide.)

Conscious Qualities: Sustainably-Sourced and Recycled Materials, Crafted in the Pennsylvania, Contract Grade Quality

Price Range: Tables start at $1740

Check Out Emeco

Best For Extendable Sustainable Tables: Copeland

walnut extendable sustainable dining table

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly dining table with a bit more flexibility, Copeland is going to be your best bet. The sustainable furniture company has solid wood tables in walnut, oak, and cherry wood available with leafs. Some table styles even have a double leaf extension for accommodating extra large dinner parties.

Copeland’s furniture is made-to-order in Bradford, Vermont and the company sources most of their wood within 500 miles of the factory. Speaking of Copeland’s factory, the brand doesn’t stop at sourcing sustainable materials but also has a solar array installed on the factory’s property and uses wood waste to heat the building. And the tables are low-toxic with a GREENGUARD certified finish.

Conscious Qualities: Domestically Sourced Hardwood, Made in the US, Made-to-Order, Durable, GREENGUARD Certified Finishes

Price Range: Side tables start at $508 | Dining tables start at $850

Check out Copeland @ Urban Natural

Best Artisan-Made Accent Tables: The Citizenry

natural rattan coffee table and solid wood nightstand from The Citizenry

The Citizenry has the most beautiful artisan tables ideal for completing your natural cozy minimalist aesthetic or adding an earthy touch to your bold boho living room. The brand has sustainable coffee tables made from natural rattan and eco friendly side tables and nightstands made from hinoki or mindi wood.

Every single product sold on The Citizenry is handcrafted in a fair trade environment, and their natural non-toxic tables are no exception. Most of this retailer’s sustainable side tables and coffee tables selection was made in Indonesia by artisans using traditional crafts.

Conscious Qualities: Artisan-Made, Fair Trade, Cultural Preservation, Natural Materials

Price Range: Starts at $349

Check Out The Citizenry

Best Non-Toxic Coffee Table: Savvy Rest

walnut eco-friendly coffee table made with non-toxic finishes

Non-toxic furniture brand Savvy Rest has a simple timeless coffee table made in Central Virginia from solid wood. Each table is made with responsibly-sourced maple — a durable yet lightweight hardwood — and is available unfinished or in a variety of zero-VOC finishes: linseed oil, walnut, cedar, or mahogany.

Conscious Qualities: Zero-VOC Finishes, Local Production, Sustainably-Sourced Wood

Price Range: $779+ for coffee table

Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off all products on Savvy Rest!

Check Out Savvy Rest

What About More Affordable Sustainable Tables?

When looking for affordable sustainable furniture, we always recommend checking secondhand first! Try estate sales, garage sales, local resale shops, or online platforms like FB Marketplace and OfferUp.

If you’d like to find a new table or just can’t seem to find what you’re looking for used, here are a couple options to check out.

Affordable Dining Table: Adyn

Black and wood sustainable affordable table

Adyn is a family-owned business founded by a Portland-based Architect and her son. Their signature furniture piece — the Center Table — is entirely made in Oregon. These tables, which are offered in three sizes, are versatile pieces that can function as dining room tables, desks, vanity tables, or minimalist console tables. They are designed to be long-term pieces, and the company shares that they can be assembled and reassembled in just minutes.

Committed to responsible sourcing, 100% of the wood Adyn uses is from a single wood mill in Oregon. All of the tabletop sizes are offered in three finishes: you can select from natural/white maple, which is finished with an FSC-certified White Maple veneer, or laminate, which is made with partially post-consumer recycled materials. The laminates Adyn uses are made in the US and have sustainability certifications like GREENGUARD Gold, NSF, and SCS.

*Note: While we typically recommend solid wood furniture, Adyn reports that their plywood is free of UF (urea-formaldehyde) adhesives.

Conscious Qualities: Responsibly-Sourced Materials, Made in Oregon, FSC-Certified Wood

Price Range: $1000 – $1800

Check Out Adyn

Affordable Coffee Table: Sabai

eco-friendly coffee table made from recycled steel and wood - Sabai

Sabai is a leader in sustainable furniture with their use of eco-conscious materials, ethical production practices, and low-waste shipping. Not to mention they’re committed to circularity with both a repair program and a resale program, called Sabai Revive.

Their City Table is so exception. This eco-friendly coffee table is made using recycled steel, wood sourced from urban fallen trees in Baltimore and a non-toxic, zero VOC water-based finish. Did we mention the brand is also a certified B-Corporation?

Conscious Qualities: Recycled & Natural Materials, Zero VOC Finish, Circularity Program

Price Range: $595

Check Out Sabai

We hope you enjoyed this guide to sustainable tables! Looking for more furniture & home furnishings?

Check Out These Sustainable Home Guides:

15 Ethical Home Decor Brands for Your Conscious Space

The Best Places to Find Eco-Friendly Furniture

Sustainable Non-Toxic Sofas for Truly Restful Relaxation

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20 Best (Stylish!) Slow Fashion Brands That’ll Help You Leave Fast Fashion in the Dust

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It’s time to leave fast fashion in the dust — with one-of-a-kind designs, quality fabrics, and the assurance your dollars are supporting a more responsible fashion industry, these slow fashion brands are sure to win you over.

Before we go any further, though, I think we need to clarify what exactly slow fashion is…

What Do We Mean By “Slow Fashion?”

Slow fashion is about being more mindful and thoughtful about how clothing (and other fashion items) are being produced, how they’re being purchased, and how they’re being used/worn.

Instead of mass-producing garments cheaply and quickly, slow fashion production is about creating a piece to last by using high-quality materials, transitional designs (i.e. not super “trendy”), and durable construction.

For individuals, slow fashion purchasing habits means buying less, but better. A slow fashion mindset is all about choosing well — it’s about picking well-made items that are built to last and also selecting pieces that fit your lifestyle and body well, to ensure they’ll not only be durable but will actually be useful for years to come.

Adopting slow fashion in your life, though, doesn’t necessarily have to mean spending money — this concept is also about slowing down to appreciate your clothes and closet. Slow fashion can mean wearing what you have as much as possible, mending and repairing worn clothing, or upcycling and DIY-ing.

Slow Fashion vs. Eco-Fashion vs. Ethical Fashion

While slow fashion is a term that’s often used quite generally, it’s important to note that some larger ‘green’ fashion brands use mass-production models to create their organic or recycled clothing to increase output and reduce costs.

Slow fashion companies to me — and the criteria used to select brands for this guide — are brands that produce in smaller batches, make most of their pieces by hand, craft each piece with attention to detail and quality, and ideally, partner with skilled artisans, sewers, and craftspeople (who are of course fairly paid).

Now without further ado, here are our picks for…

The Best Slow Fashion Brands

To be clear: you do not need to purchase from slow fashion brands to participate in slow fashion. However, when the time comes that you want to add a new piece to your wardrobe, you probably want your dollars to go towards supporting responsible brands that are doing things better; that are producing with quality and intention.

You want to invest in pieces for the long-haul — and pieces that have a positive impact. And these slow fashion brands will help you do just that.

Note that this article features affiliates and partners. As always, we only feature brands that meet high standards for sustainability that we love — and that we think you’ll love too!

1. Christy Dawn

Feminine and vintage-inspired, Christy Dawn’s dresses are a true dream. And so are their sweaters, jumpsuits, bottoms and every other garment they sell.

Each garment is ethically sewn in Los Angeles or India by makers earning living wages, and is made with regenerative cotton grown by their partners Oshadi Collective in India, organic cotton, or deadstock fabrics.

Conscious Qualities: Eco & Regenerative Fabrics, Ethical Production

Size Range: XS – 3XL + petite sizes

Price Range: $$$

model wearing a blue slow fashion dress from Christy Dawn

2. Asket

Asket is upping the ante for slow clothing by offering a responsibly made timeless permanent collection that transcends trends.

The brand also details their ecological footprint in their Impact Reports, has 93% product traceability down to the raw material level, and shows the exact cost breakdown of each product.

This slow fashion label also has a care program, repair program, and revival program

Size Range: XXS – XXL

Price Range: $$

model wearing a white button-up and sweater as a scarf from the slow fashion brand Asket

3. Kotn

Kotn creates timeless, high-quality essentials with a focus on traceability and social impact. The brand works directly with family-run farms in Egypt to source its premium, long-staple cotton, ensuring fair wages and ethical production. Beyond apparel, Kotn reinvests in the communities it works with, funding education initiatives and infrastructure projects.

Conscious Qualities: Ethically-Sourced Cotton, Direct Trade Partnerships, Fair Wages, Community Investment, B-Corp certified

Size Range: XS–XL

Price Range: $$

Model wearing black sweater from slow fashion brand Kotn

4. Solios Watches

Ask any watch owner and they’ll know just how much upkeep goes into maintaining a timepiece, especially when it comes to battery replacements. Fortunately, Solios’ watches will help wearers save on the waste of over 20 quartz batteries within the lifetime of the watch.

If most movements were powered by solar energy like Solios’ watches, 1 billion watch batteries would be saved each year.

Using materials like recycled stainless steel, eco vegan cork leather, and plastic-free packaging, these watches are both as elegant and sustainably-minded as they come.

Conscious Qualities: Powered by Renewable Energy, Sustainable Materials, Plastic-Free Packaging

Price Range: $$$

model wearing silver watch from Solios

5. Oneoff

Affordability is one of the most commonly cited barriers to slow fashion. Oneoff is helping bridge this gap, while reducing pre-consumer fashion waste. As an off-price retailer, Oneoff sources excess inventory from slow fashion brands and sells them for up to 60% off. This helps brands reduce wastage and gives consumers access to responsibly-made garments at more accessible price points.

Conscious Qualities: Sources From Conscious Labels, Helps Reduce Clothing Waste

Size Range: XS – XXL

Price Range: $

models wearing white and black two-piece slow fashion clothing sets

6. Banai

If you’re in the market for a unique look that’ll help you stand out while supporting a heritage Indian craft, then you’ve come to the right place. Banai offers an array of timeless pieces that are treated with natural dyes and feature distinctive embroidered patches that have been crafted by artisans from Kutch, Gujarat.

Craftsmanship is at the center of everything that Banai does, so the expectation of receiving a well-made, high-quality item that’s sure to become a wardrobe mainstay isn’t too far-fetched!

Conscious Qualities: Handcrafted, Natural Dyes, Zero Waste, Small Batch production, Pays Fair Wages

Price: $$-$$$

model wearing orange jacket from slow fashion label Banai

7. Brook There

Founded with ethics and sustainability at the heart of their business, Brook There creates comfy organic cotton undergarments with care.

They keep their production close to home — their undergarments are cut and sewn in a small mill town in Massachusetts and their GOTS-certified organic cotton yarn is even milled and dyed in California.

Size Range: XS – XXL

Price Range: $

Conscious Qualities: GOTS-Certified Organic Fabrics, Domestic Production

organic cotton undergarments from Brook There

8. GRAMMAR NYC

Your classic white shirt just got a major upgrade. GRAMMAR NYC crafts garments inspired by the classic wardrobe staple that are anything but basic.

Conscious Qualities: Uses Organic Cotton, Ethical and Small-Batch Production

Size Range: 0 – 12

Price Range: $$$

white button-up dress from sustainable slow fashion brand GRAMMAR NYC

9. Valani

Plant-based clothing brand Valani creates feminine slow clothing for lighter living. Valani’s dreamy garments are made from low-impact fibers like hemp, Tencel, and banana viscose. Additionally, the brand uses strategic cutting techniques and reuses fabric scraps to minimize waste.

Conscious Qualities: Eco Fabrics, WOC-Owned, Sustainable Packaging, Gives Back

Size Range: 0 – 12

Price Range: $$$

hemp top and pants from slow fashion label Valani

10. ABLE

Ethical fashion brand ABLE has slow clothing and fair trade accessories made ethically by makers around the world.

ABLE is leading the way for transparency in the fashion industry by publishing their wages.

They have their ABLE Signatures, which are foundational wardrobe pieces like white t-shirts, alongside their pretty blouses, cozy knitwear, and detailed dresses.

Conscious Qualities: Transparent and Ethical Production

Size Range: XS – XL

Price Range: $ – $$

denim jean jacket from ethical slow fashion brand ABLE

11. Eileen Fisher

Sustainable designer Eileen Fisher has long been ahead of the curve when it comes to earth-minded practices.

Their team produces minimalist slow clothing crafted with care from better fabrics like organic linen, hemp, and regenerative wool.

Conscious Qualities: Eco Fabrics, Circular Model (has take-back program)

Size Range: XS – 3XL + petite sizes

Price Range: $$$

brown cord set from slow fashion company Eileen Fisher

12. Saya Designs

Level up your updo with a bit of help from the wooden hair accessories from Saya Designs. Handmade in Indonesia from waste root wood offcuts left over from plantations, you’ll find a range of hair forks, sticks, slides, and combs for all hair types and textures.

Made from the roots of rosewood, tamarind, and teak, these accessories are designed in natural shapes that are inspired by the flora and fauna in Indonesia and are sure to shower you with compliments every time you wear them.

Conscious Qualities: Natural Materials, Plastic-Free, Recyclable Packaging, Gives Back

Price: $$

Wooden hair accessories from slow fashion brand Saya Designs

13. Tradlands

Rather than following the trends of the moment, Tradlands designs classic, functional pieces that will become wardrobe staples. Many of Tradlands pieces are made with ecologically-minded fabrics like linen and Tencel, too.

Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Many Eco Fabrics

Size Range: XXS – 3XL

Price Range: $$

Slow minimalist fashion brand Tradlands

14. Covry

If you’re in the market for a new pair of sunglasses or looking to update your outdated prescription frames, then Covry has you covered! Using sustainable materials like plant-based acetate that come from cotton and wood pulp, their diverse range of eyewear is a far cry from any of the flimsy plastic or metal frames you’re bound to find in the market.

When it comes to eyewear, one size doesn’t fit all, which is why Covry eyewear boasts of an Elevated Fit® that has been designed to rest easy on all face shapes and sizes. No more headaches from tight frames.

Conscious Qualities: WOC-Founded, Natural Materials, Plastic-Free, Size Inclusive

Price: $$$

Sunglasses from slow fashion brand Covry

15. OhSevenDays

OhSevenDays is a sustainable slow fashion brand that creates gorgeous pieces out of would-be waste. While the label used to source from middlemen deadstock fabrics, the brand now sources certified organic and recycled fabrics directly from mills, which enables better transparency.

Their zero waste misfits collection features imperfect pieces for lower price points.

Conscious Qualities: Sustainable Fabric Sourcing, Intentional Production

Size Range: XS – XL

Price Range: $$

Red ruffle off the shoulder dress from slow fashion brand OhSevenDays

16. Kayu

Beach-ready accessories you just might want to wear all year long, Kayu creates straw bags and hats that’ll mentally transport you to a tropical destination, even if travel is not on your cards.

Using natural straw and raffia, Kayu’s bags and hats are handcrafted using time-honored techniques by artisans in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Ecuador, who earn a living wage. Their bags come in a covetable range of shapes and sizes to suit all your needs.

Our suggestion? Don’t just restrict these beauties to the beach, make like a chic Parisian and use them to store a baguette or bouquet of flowers next time you’re taking a stroll down the farmers market.

Conscious Qualities: Natural Materials, Fair Labor, Zero Waste

Price: $$-$$$

Straw bag from slow fashion brand: Kayu

17. Santos by Monica

If you’re the kind of person who needs to carry your essentials at all times, then look no further. Santos by Monica’s handbags come in various deceptively spacious shapes and sizes, ranging from mini shoulder bags to XL totes.

Available in sculptural shapes and bold colors, even the tiniest bag seems roomy enough to hold at least four to five of your essentials.

Their vegan leather handbags are made using a cactus-based biomaterial and are lined with organic cotton.

Conscious Qualities: Biomaterials, Zero Waste, Small-Batch Production

Price: $$$

Green bag from slow fashion brand: Santos by Monica

18. Not Perfect Linen

As the name implies, this conscious fashion brand produces garments made from linen! Linen is a favorite fabric in the slow fashion community because of its lower environmental impact, versatility (thermo-regulating so it works in cold and hot), and natural beauty.

Conscious Qualities: Eco Fabrics, Made-to-Order

Size Range: XS – XL + custom sizes

Price Range: $$

Sustainable and slow fashion from Not Perfect Linen

19. Brother Vellies

Shoes made with a soul, Brother Vellies is keeping traditional African crafts alive through their range of luxurious yet timeless footwear. Handcrafted using vegetable-tanned leathers, recycled tire soles, and hand-carved wood, their styles will take you from corporate hour to cocktail hour seamlessly.

If you’re looking for something to compliment their covetable range of shoes, Brother Vellies also offers a collection of small handbags and belts that are sure to transform even the most basic look.

Conscious Qualities: Fair Labor, Better Materials

Price: $$$

Black and white high heels from slow fashion brand Brother Vellies

20. Apse

An appealing brand for sartorial minimalists, Apse creates unisex jewelry that doesn’t disappoint. From delicate rice pearl bracelets to subtle pendants that were made for not taking off, Apse creates its gorgeous pieces using recycled metals and responsibly sourced stones.

All of their jewelry is handcrafted on a made-to-order basis to eliminate excess inventory and waste, so expect to be patient with your orders when you shop with them.

Conscious Qualities: Slow Fashion, Recycled Materials

Price: $$-$$$

Unisex golden jewelry from slow fashion brand Apse

You May Also Want to Check Out:

Conscious Brands with Easy Breezy Linen Clothing

Organic Cotton Fashion Brands You’ll Feel Good in and Good About

What is Plant-Based Fashion? Plus, 3 Eco Vegan Fabrics to Know

The post 20 Best (Stylish!) Slow Fashion Brands That’ll Help You Leave Fast Fashion in the Dust appeared first on .

20 Best (Stylish!) Slow Fashion Brands That’ll Help You Leave Fast Fashion in the Dust

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