Connect with us

Published

on

Whether you’re not a fan of the way Amazon treats workers like robots, exploits people and the planet, aggressively avoids taxes in the U.S and globally, promotes overconsumption, is increasing their emissions despite a greenwashed “Climate Pledge”, or is on a mission to dominate literally every market on the planet, you might be looking for better alternatives to Amazon. And now that Target announced its rollback of diversity initiatives, perhaps you’re also looking for alternatives to Target too.

This guide contains sustainable alternatives for a lot of what you can find on Amazon or Target.

In this guide you’ll find better businesses to support for:

  • Everyday Essentials
  • Clothing & Home Goods
  • Books
  • Audiobooks (Amazon owns Audible)
  • Book tracking (Amazon owns Goodreads)
  • Food & Grocery (Amazon owns Whole Foods, and also has Amazon Fresh stores)
  • Handmade
  • Technology
  • Beauty & Health
  • Outdoors & Sports

Note that this guide includes partners and affiliates. As always, all brands meet rigorous standards for sustainability and are brands we love — and that we think you’ll love too.

Secondhand First!

Before we get into this guide I have to put out a huge call-out for secondhand options as these are often far cheaper. (You’ll also see secondhand options sprinkled throughout this guide.)

In addition to local thrift stores, consignment shops, and estate sales, there are many online options. Here are some apps to know:

And here’s our guide to online secondhand clothing stores.

Everyday Essentials

While Amazon may sell some low waste products, there is no vetting process ensuring that what you’re purchasing was actually made in an environmentally responsible way. There’s a lot of sub-par and copy-cat products to sort through. These retailers, however, take that leg work out for you — plus they are all small businesses that are more holistically conscious of their entire supply chain (including packaging and shipping) and are all members of 1% for the Planet, donating one percent of revenue to environmental organizations.

EarthHero

Zero waste superstore EarthHero is a fantastic sustainable alternative to Amazon. Enjoy the convenience of shopping for plenty of categories of products like Amazon — from home + kitchen and audio + tech to beauty + care and baby + kids and even pets — but with the assurance that everything you see is vetted for quality and responsibility.

Check Out EarthHero

Eco-friendly everyday basics from EarthHero

EcoRoots

EcoRoots is an amazing plastic-free mecca for finding everyday eco-friendly products. Discover vegan, low-waste, and non-toxic products for the kitchen and bathroom — from cleaning products and reusable coffee filters to skincare sets and safety razors — all in one colorful, aesthetically pleasing online shop!

Check Out EcoRoots

Zero Waste Shampoo Bars from Sustainable Amazon Alternative Eco Roots

DoneGood

DoneGood is an ethical online marketplace with over 100 responsible brands in one place.

They research and vet brands by things like sustainable materials and ingredients, supporting their local communities, and paying fair wages to you can shop with confidence.

Find everything from clothing and beauty to home and travel on this one-stop shop.

Check out DoneGood

Woman wearing dusty lavendar linen pajamas from sustainable retailer DoneGood

Clothing & Home

When it comes to exploitation in the fashion industry, Amazon is among the very worst offenders. The company came under fire for offering clothes made from dozens of Bangladesh factories that other retailers said were too dangerous or that were even blacklisted for how dangerous their working conditions were. These are factories that even big fast fashion brands don’t use.

Here are conscious retailers and marketplaces that consider ethics and sustainability in the brands they choose to offer.

VivaTerra

VivaTerra is a women-led and WOC-owned retailer with a vast selection of sustainable home goods, from seasonal decor and garden accessories to furniture and home accents. Find plenty of color and nature-inspired designs made from materials like recycled glass and reclaimed wood at this green lifestyle store.

Check Out VivaTerra

Homeware sustainable alternatives from VivaTerra

AptDeco

AptDeco is an online marketplace for preloved furniture. They remove the hassle of buying and selling used furniture with their marketplace where you can can search by brand, category, style, or a whole host of other filters.

And for a fee, AptDeco takes care of the shipping to your home from the seller as well. I’ve had to rent trucks in the past to transport large secondhand furniture so this is a major convenience perk!

Check out AptDeco

ourCommonplace

ourCommonplace is a WOC-owned eco and ethical marketplace with fashion, beauty & wellness, and home products for a mindful and non-toxic lifestyle. You can see what values each product or brand has by looking for badges like BIPOC-owned, Cruelty-Free, Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free and Cruelty-Free.

Check Out ourCommonplace

Sustainable clothing alternatives from ourCommonplace

Books & Entertainment

Amazon currently has over half of the physical book market and at least 75% of eBooks. This level of control over the market has long had much of the book industry concerned.

In fact, the leading publishing industry professional organizations wrote to the US House of Representatives Antitrust Subcommittee warning of Amazon’s “extraordinary leverage over their competitors, suppliers, customers, the government, and the public”.

And, they also pointed out Amazon’s unethical practices of “systematic below-cost pricing of books to squash competition in the book selling industry as a whole.”

Some better solutions? Well, there’s always your local library where you can get books for free.

If a book isn’t at your library or if you’d like to own a particular book, though, try to support small businesses and independent bookstores!

You can do this by physically visiting your local bookstore, or, if you’d like to browse online, check out these options:

Bookshop (US, UK, Spain)

My personal favorite place to find books is Bookshop.org. You can pick an independent bookstore to support and then all of your purchases through Bookshop help raise money for that store! To pick out a store, you can find a local shop, Black-owned bookstore in your state, or other diverse-owned bookstore.

Check Out Bookshop

Sustainable book alternatives from Bookshop

Better World Books (Global)

For a better way to buy used books, check out Better World Books, a certified B Corporation that values people and planet — and not just profit. The company has a Book for Book project, which donates 1 book for every book sold, a Grant Project where they fund nonprofits and libraries, and a number of other initiatives.

Check Out Better World Books

Hive Books (UK)

UK-based Hive books has a similar model to Bookshop where they support independent bookstores with each sale. Hive sends 10-25% of physical book sales and 8% of eBook sales to bookstores. You can also find entertainment products like DVDs, CDs, and Vinyls as well as gifts like stationary and puzzles on Hive.

Check Out Hive

Sustainable book and entertainment alternatives from Hive Books

Audible Alternatives

Amazon owns an even larger share of the audiobook market than they do of physical books — they control an estimated 63% of the audiobook market as of 2022. Support independent bookstores and small businesses instead!

Libro.fm

Just like Bookshop and Hive, Libro.fm enables you to support independent bookstores with each book purchase, but in this case, it’s for audiobooks! You can either buy audiobooks à la carte or through a monthly subscription. The membership is $14.99/month for 1 audiobook per month, plus 30% off any additional books!

Check Out Libro.Fm

Sustainable audiobook alternatives from Libro.fm

Goodreads

Did you know that Amazon owns Goodreads? Ugh! Amazon makes it really difficult to avoid them completely, but there is, thankfully, a more ethical alternative to Amazon owned Goodreads.

The Storygraph

Storygraph is a Black woman-owned company with a site and app that operates similarly to Goodreads. What I love about Storygraph, though, is that their book suggestions and reading challenges are intentionally diverse, you can review books down to the quarter of a star, and readers can enter in content/trigger warnings for books.

Check Out The Storygraph

Ethical alternatives to Goodreads from The Storygraph

Food & Grocery

Between Amazon Fresh locations and buying out Whole Foods, Amazon is actively working to get a slice of the grocery pie too. But, competitors like Wal-Mart are certainly not better when it comes to worker rights or traceability of their supply chains.

Some better alternatives?

If you’d like to still shop online, here are some sustainable grocery store alternatives to Amazon and other big-box stores.

Aldi

Did you know discount chain Aldi has been ranked as one of the most sustainable grocers? While Aldi uses a lot of packaging for their produce, they use less plastic overall than all other supermarkets, according to Greenpeace. Aldi has also shifted 31,000 tons of packaging to recyclable alternatives and diverted 76% of operational waste companywide.

Personally, what I appreciate is that Aldi does not automatically give out single-use plastic or paper bags, encouraging the use of reusable bags. My local Aldi also has an impressive array of organic options, considering the size of the overall store.

Aldi takes EBT and does deliver in the US.

Thrive Market

Thrive Market is essentially an online version of Whole Foods, except more affordable. The brand has natural foods, beverages, supplements, and even cleaning supplies that are shoppable by value: organic, gluten-free, vegan, kosher, dairy-free, among many others. *At the time of publishing, Thrive does not have fresh produce or much refrigerated goods.

Check Out Thrive Market

Sustainable food and grocery amazon alternatives from Thrive Market

Imperfect Foods

To fill in the gaps that Thrive Market leaves, head over to Imperfect Foods. You can get produce, meat, plant-based alternatives, dairy, and more delivered to your door. Originally founded to prevent “ugly” looking produce from heading to the landfill, Imperfect works to reduce waste and improve the system along the way.

Check Out Imperfect Foods

Sustainable food and grocery amazon alternatives from Imperfect Foods

Handmade

Amazon Handmade is essentially their response to Etsy. While all third-party platforms offer their pros and cons for independent sellers, Amazon treats brands like commodities, making it particularly difficult for small makers to compete with large companies.

If you want to shop handmade, boutiques, maker markets, and farmers’ markets may be great places to find goods made locally.

Or for online options, a great way to support independent makers is by shopping through their sites directly! If you’d like to shop with a bit more convenience, here are some more sustainable alternatives to Amazon.

Uncommon Goods

Uncommon Goods is a fantastic place to shop for thoughtfully-made unique gifts. You can sort by gift recipient or occasion and find plenty of ideas that you won’t see anywhere else. (Literally… many of the products have an “Only on Uncommon Goods” seal!) And, below each product, you can learn more about the maker of the product.

Check Out Uncommon Goods

Ethical handmade amazon alternatives from Uncommon Goods

Local Markets

There are SO many handmade markets happening in cities around the world. Many farmers markets’ have started incorporating artisan goods.

Markets for Makers has pop-up events in many cities in the US. And if you’re also in Chicago, check out Handmade Market and the One of a Kind Show.

Not seeing your city? Search “handmade market” or “artisan market” + [your city] in your search engine to see if there’s something near you. Another hack is to follow local creators and see what markets they’re exhibiting at!

Prime Video

Ethical Consumer did a rating of many streaming services, and unsurprisingly, Amazon’s Prime Video was at the very bottom with a score of 0.

While none of the video streaming options are stand-out in terms of their responsibility, there are some better options than Amazon. For instance, though Apple is far from an ethical company, Apple TV+ makes use of the company’s data centers that are powered by 83% renewable energy. (By comparison, Amazon sources just 17% renewable energy.)

Check out Ethical Consumer’s Guide for More

Alternatively, you can check out streaming services for indie films. Some highlights are Docsville for documentaries and IndieFlix for contemporary selections.

Kanopy is a streaming service that’s free with your local public library or your university. So, it’s worth checking if you can get acess to this streaming platform!

Technology

From mining to labor issues in the supply chain, the tech industry is far from sustainable. Shopping for used tech, though, can be a bit of a gamble sometimes. These marketplaces are working to remove that barrier with certified pre-owned options.

BackMarket

On a mission to “restore trust and desire for refurbished devices”, Back Market sells like-new devices at secondhand prices. Each and every device is inspected and restored by experts, and comes with a totally transparent look into the device’s quality. Plus, Back Market has a 30-day return policy, 1 year warranty, and customer care team to address any disputes.

Check Out Back Market

Sustainable technology alternative from Back Market

Beauty & Health

Credo

Credo is a clean beauty mecca with physical brick and mortar stores and an online shop. Find a wide variety of skincare, makeup, hair, fragrance, and bath & body care products all meeting the “Credo Clean Standard“.

Check Out Credo Beauty

Ethical beauty and health alternatives from Credo

BLK+GRN

This all-natural beauty marketplace sells beauty, haircare, supplements & superfoods, menstrual care essentials, and mom + baby care products, all from Black artisans. All products are free of the “Toxic 20” and go through an in-depth review process.

Check Out BLK+GRN

Ethical beauty and health alternatives from BLK+GRN

Detox Market

Detox Market is another clean beauty marketplace with high standards and a number of “banned” ingredients. The retailer also has a Natural Wellness collection with supplements, teas, powers, and aromatherapy for the brain, belly, and body.

Check Out Detox Market

Eco-friendly beauty and health alternatives from Detox Market

Outdoors & Sports

REI

REI is a co-op marketplace for an outdoor lifestyle. With their member owned co-op structure, REI is able to “focus on shared values, not share value”. By putting purpose above profits, REI is able to invest in a variety of commitments like the circular economy, social equity, and fighting the climate crisis.

Check Out REI

Eco-friendly outdoor gear and sportswear alternatives from REI

Pets

For eco-minded pet gear, EarthHero (mentioned at the top of this guide) has a great selection of choices! Here are a couple more that are dedicated exclusively to pet supplies.

Cycle Dog

Cycle Dog makes eco-minded dog products in Portland, Oregon out of recycled materials. They sell products like no-stink collars made out of recycled inner tubes and leashes made from recycled plastic bottles. Plus, Cycle Dog will repair any hand-sewn product free of charge!

Check out Cycle Dog

Eco-friendly pet products from Cycle Dog

Noggins & Binkles

London-based Noggins & Binkles creates vegan, eco-minded accessories for cats and dogs. They have collars and leashes made from materials like cork and Piñatex and pet beds made from organic cotton and recycled polyester filling.

Check Out Noggins & Binkles

Eco-friendly pet products from Noggins & Binkles

We made it through! That was a lot — be sure to bookmark this post of sustainable alternatives for Amazon to reference in the future. 🙂

You May Also Want to Check Out:

An Ever-Growing List of Zero Waste Stores

10 Fair Trade and Sustainable Online Marketplaces

A Huge Guide to Black-Owned Conscious Brands

The post Your Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Alternatives to Amazon and Target appeared first on .

Your Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Alternatives to Amazon and Target

Continue Reading

Green Living

10 Sustainable Socks Made with Organic Fabrics

Published

on

These brands have all types of sustainable socks for just about all of your footwear or around-the-house needs, from no-shows and performance-ready ankle socks to comfy crew-length and cozy knee-high socks.

I originally wrote this guide about four years ago, and I must say that sustainable socks have upped their game since then. We’ve been able to raise the bar on what it takes to get included in this guide.

What Qualifies as (More) Sustainable Socks?

There are several criterion I’ve used to determine the brands in this guide. Some brands meet several of these criteria and some even meet all of the criteria below.

  • Use of at least 70% natural and organic materials, like organic cotton, hemp, and organic wool
  • Uses certified organic materials and sources from certified GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) factories and/or Fair Trade factories
  • Minimal to no use of synthetic fibers, preferring recycled when there are some synthetics used
  • Use of either no dyes, natural dyes or low impact dyes
  • Responsibly manufactured, ideally locally made or produced in fair trade environments

You’ll find that most of the sustainable socks in this guide do have a small percentage of synthetics for some stretch. (Though there are three brands with 100% organic cotton socks — check them out below!) I like to use a Guppyfriend Washing Bag to prevent the microplastics from synthetic textiles from being released into our waterways.

In case you have sensitive skin or want a pair of organic socks with an even lower environmental impact, there are also several brands with dye-free sock options.

As mentioned, the brands featured in this guide have all types of socks whether you’re looking for breathable moisture-wicking socks to play tennis in or comfy socks to cuddle up and say warm with. However if you’re looking for more substantial slippers, my guide to eco-friendly and ethical slippers will be a better bet.

The guide features affiliate links. As always, we only feature brands that meet high standards for sustainability that we love — and that we think you’ll love too!

Where to Find Sustainable and Organic Socks

1. Cottonique

Best for: latex-free organic cotton socks for sensitive skin

Materials: 100% GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton
Price: $18 for Kids (3 pairs) | $23-$28 for Adults (2 pairs)
Categories: Quarter, Crew, Ankle, Kids

Cottonique is the only brand I’ve found so far that sells exclusively 100% organic cotton socks. Founded by and designed for individuals with skin sensitivities, Cottonique’s socks are free of latex, spandex, or any other synthetic stretch.

The socks are also OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified and sewn in the brand’s owned GOTS- and B Corp-certified factory in the Philippines.

I tried out the brand’s crew-length socks and found them to be quite comfortable, and I appreciated the ribbed detail. Without elastic for stretch, they fit snug in order to stay in place, so it’s important to get the right size! I wear a shoe size 7.5-8 and the medium was perfect.

Latex-free 100% organic cotton socks in natural color

2. Q for Quinn

Best for: soft, dye-free organic cotton socks

Materials: 98 – 100% Organic Cotton
Price: Kids’ from $10 | Adults from $15 / Pair
Categories: Ankle, Crew, and Trouser Socks

Made from 98% GOTS-certified organic cotton (with one pair of socks made of 100% cotton), Q for Quinn’s socks are breathable and super soft. One reviewer calls them the “softest socks I’ve ever worn!” and hundreds of other customers giving five-star reviews seem to agree.

Q for Quinn also has organic dye-free adult and kids’ socks perfect for sensitive skin.

White undyed organic cotton socks

3. Maggie’s Organics

Best for: 100% merino wool socks

Materials: 73% – 99.8% Organic Cotton | 60 – 100% Organic Merino Wool
Price: From $8.50 / Pair
Categories: Footie, Ankle and Crew Socks; plus Allergy, Recovery, and Diabetic

Sourcing GOTS-certified organic fibers and knitting all of their socks in the US, Maggie’s Organics is the real deal when it comes to sustainably-made socks.

The company is also committed to “Real Fair Trade” — they invest in the wellbeing of their farmers and suppliers and are on a journey to become employee-owned.

Green organic wool sustainable socks

4. Rawganique

Best for: 100% natural fiber socks (cotton, linen, and wool)

Materials: 100% Organic Cotton, 100% Hemp, and 100% Wool Options
Price: From $12 / Pair
Categories: Anklet, Crew, Knee-High, and Dress Socks

If you’re looking for plastic-free socks, you will love Rawganique. The brand has several options of 100% natural fiber socks that are free of polyester, spandex, or nylon. Select from breathable 100% organic cotton socks, temperature-regulating 100% linen socks, or cozy 100% wool socks.

There are also several options of organic socks blended with a bit of synthetics for some stretch. These options will likely be more suitable for sport and hiking use.

Ribbed pure undyed organic crew socks

5. Organic Basics

Best for: core-color basics with recycled synthetic blends

Materials: 70 – 75% Organic Cotton
Price: From $14 for 2-Pack
Categories: No-Show, Ankle, Crew, and Knee-High Socks

Focused on only the essentials — and doing them well — Organic Basics creates a range of quality organic socks in core colors like black, gray, blue and white. While these (more) sustainable socks do contain a percentage of synthetics, the majority of the synthetic content is recycled. I also appreciate that the product pages suggest a cooler washing temperature of 30C since clothing care and cleaning can make up a significant portion of a product’s total impact.

Black sustainable organic cotton ankle socks

6. PACT

Best for: GOTS-certified organic no-show socks

Materials: 75 – 83% Organic Cotton
Price: From $14 for 2-Pack
Categories: No-Show and Crew Socks

PACT’s organic cotton no-show socks are made in a Global Organic Textile Standard certified factory. The no-show pairs come in basic black, white, and tan as well as some cute prints. They feature a new design and silicone grips to make sure they stay in place. That said, the socks unfortunately only come in one size — some of the reviewers who wear a shoe size 9 note that they are a bit too small for them.

Organic cotton no-show socks with colorful patterns

7. Harvest & Mill

Best for: Naturally-colored dye-free cotton socks

Materials: 88% Organic Cotton
Price: $10 – $12 / Pair
Categories: Ankle and Crew Socks

Sustainable basics brand Harvest & Mill uses USA-grown and spun cotton for their ankle and crew organic socks. While these socks might look dyed with their earthy colors, they are actually completely dye-free — the natural color cotton varieties Harvest & Mill uses are naturally a muted brown or green.

Natural organic cotton socks made in the USA

8. tentree

Best for: hemp-blend white socks that plant trees

Materials: 71% Hemp and TENCEL™ Lyocell
Price: $10 – $14 for 2-Pack
Categories: Ankle, Quarter, and Crew Socks

Socks are the crucial foundation of any closed-toe shoe and tentree’s basics are here to ensure you’re always putting your best foot forward. Crafted from a comfortable blend of hemp, TENCEL™ Lyocell, recycled polyester, their socks come in several lengths in basic pairs.

Plus, every pair plants 10 trees (the reason for their namesake ten-tree).

White and black sustainable ankle socks made with hemp and tencel

9. Conscious Step

Best for: giftable cause-driven organic socks

Materials: 75% Organic Cotton
Price: $15.95 / pair
Categories: Ankle and Crew Socks

Conscious Step’s socks are made with Fairtrade and GOTS-certified organic cotton and recycled polyester. The brand’s organic cotton socks are made with an exceptional quality too — with some even featuring a cushioned insole and arch support. But perhaps what this brand is really known for is that each design is associated with a different cause where a portion of your purchase goes.

Blue Fairtrade organic cotton socks that protect turtles from Conscious Step

10. Kind Socks

Best for: organic socks with fun prints

Materials: 80% Organic Cotton
Price: $12 – $14 / pair
Categories: Crew and Ankle Socks

KIND Socks is a Black-owned sustainable sock brand using GOTS-certified organic cotton for their vibrant collections. With prints like monstera leaves, watermelons, and bumblebees, KIND Socks will bring a touch of whimsy to any outfit.

Moon printed organic cotton socks

The post 10 Sustainable Socks Made with Organic Fabrics appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

10 Sustainable Socks Made with Organic Fabrics

Continue Reading

Green Living

8 Best Linen Clothing Brands With Easy Breezy, Beautiful Pieces

Published

on

When the temperatures go up, all I want to reach for is natural fibers — specifically, my linen clothing. There’s nothing quite as breathable or breezy as linen. So in this guide I break down what to know about this quintessential summer fiber, and share my top selections for linen clothing brands. They’re all small to mid-sized brands, mostly women-led!

Some Background on Linen

Where does linen come from?

Linen fiber is extracted from the stalks of flax plants. This plant is also known for providing us with nutritious flaxseeds and linseed oil — talk about an overachiever!

In fact, linen is one of the oldest fibers known to man, dating back to the prehistoric era. Archaeologists and paleobiologists have discovered flax fibers during excavations that were twisted, indicating they were used to make ropes or strings among many proposed applications that must have been a great advantage to the hunter-gatherer society. In fact, linen wrappings were even used for mummification in ancient Egypt.

Linen fabric is then created by obtaining its fibers from the inner bark (or stalks) of the flax plant.

How is the linen cloth made?

Before the fibers are spun into the breezy linen you know and love, its fibers are loosened and separated from the rest of the stalk through a process known as “retting”. At that point, the fibers are still straw-like and coarse in texture.

To soften it, the fibers are broken up into small, short bits, while the actual fiber is left unharmed, and then “scutched”, where the straw is scraped off the fiber. After which they are then pulled through “hackles”, that comb the straw out of the fiber to finally prepare flax for spinning into linen fabric.

And linen clothing is, of course, garments comprised of linen fiber in its entirety or blended with other fibers. For this guide, I tried to select brands that only used 100% linen or at the minimum blended linen with other natural fibers like cotton.

The Benefits of Linen Clothing

Why wear linen? Known for being ideal during the summers, clothing made from linen will allow heat to escape from the body while absorbing moisture and drying relatively quickly. While linen may have a notorious reputation for wrinkling rather quickly, when blended with other fibers, the creases aren’t as discernible as they would be with pure linens.

While linen may be notorious for its high energy consumption owing to its need to be ironed more, linen clothing’s pros easily outweigh its cons.

Flax plants can be grown in the harshest of climate conditions that require minimum water. What’s more impressive is the plant’s ability to absorb carbon. The European Confederation of Flax and Hemp (CELC) states that one hectare of flax absorbs 3.7 tons of CO2 every year.

Is Linen More Sustainable Than Cotton?

While there are benefits and drawbacks to every fiber when it comes to environmental sustainability, there are a few points where linen stands out when compared to cotton.

First, we know that durability is a key aspect of sustainability, because it means our clothes will last, enabling us to keep our clothes longer and buy new clothing less frequently.

So how long does linen clothing last in comparison to cotton? Linen clothing is up to 12 times stronger than cotton, helping increase its longevity and taking away the need to be replaced so often.

Another question might be about flax’s water usage. While the irrigation needs of the crop are dependent on the region’s climate (just as with cotton), 450–750 mm of water per season is sufficient for flaxseed. In fact, some studies even indicate that flax could be regarded as a drought-tolerant crop.

How to Care for Linen Clothing

When it comes to caring for linen clothing, linen can be washed on a gentle machine cycle with a mild detergent. (Check out these low waste low-impact detergent options.)

In case you’re curious whether linen stretches or shrinks, then there isn’t much to worry about. Linen is mostly pre-shrunk during the manufacturing stages but pure linens may show about 4% shrinkage.

And when it comes to stretch, linens aren’t known to stretch out over time but can show some level of elasticity when blended with other fibers.

Finally, it’s no secret that linen clothing tends to wrinkle easily! You may choose to embrace the natural characteristics of linen and wear your linen clothing as is, or if you want a crisper look, you may either want to look for a linen blended fabric, or be prepared to steam and/or iron your garments relatively frequently.

Note: This guide includes partners and/or affiliates. As always, brands must meet high standards for sustainability and ethics — and I only share brands that I believe in.

How to Find Sustainable Linen Clothing

So of course, I’m a big advocate for “secondhand first” when it comes to all fashion, including linen clothing. While your local thrift store might not be filled with 100% linen clothes, online secondhand shops can be a great resource. For luxury and premium brands, Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal. For more affordable options, my favorite pick is ThredUp because you can filter by natural fibers only. To be clear: the listings aren’t always accurate, so I still double check the descriptions of any product that shows up with that filter, but it does save some time to start there.

When looking for new linen clothing, I always prioritize small to mid-size women-led businesses. And I check the product details to see if they use 100% linen or if they’re deceptively saying “linen blend” and then it’s actually 50% polyester!

And while not perfect you can also look for certifications. These are the ones most relevant to linen clothing and linen fashion brands.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifies that the finished textile product has been tested for harmful substances (heavy metals, formaldehyde, pesticide residue). This is a chemical-safety certification, not a guarantee of fair labor or environmental practices. So it tells you the linen has been tested for potentially toxic chemicals, but it doesn’t tell you who made it or how. Note that some brands just say “OEKO-TEX certified” — that virtually always refers to OEKO-TEX Standard 100, the most common certification from OEKO-TEX.

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certifies that a textile contains a minimum percentage of certified organic fiber and meets environmental and social criteria through processing. It’s the standard for verifying a fabric is genuinely “organic,” not just marketed that way.

B Corp certifies the company as a whole against social and environmental performance standards (labor, governance, environmental impact). This is a business-level cert, not a product-level one, so it doesn’t speak to any single garment’s materials.

Fair Trade Certified verifies that the specific factory/facility producing the item meets standards for labor conditions, wages, and worker safety, and that a Community Development Premium is paid to workers. It’s a labor and production-facility certification. It doesn’t certify the fabric’s environmental footprint or chemical content (that’s what OEKO-TEX covers), so a garment can carry both certifications and they’re speaking to different things.

Where to Find Eco-Friendly Linen Clothing

I scoured through dozens of brands to find my top picks for brands with sustainably-crafted linen clothing for women (some have men’s clothing too). I’ve included their conscious qualities, what they’re best for, and any caveats so you can make the best decision for yourself. Keep in mind while shopping that 100% linen garments won’t have any stretch — so if you run between sizes, I’d default to sizing up. But of course, check the size chart and reviews for each brand!

1. Linen Handmade Studio

Best for: tailored, elevated linen clothing

A lot of linen clothing can feel quite casual. And while Linen Handmade studio does have relaxed-fit options, what differentiates the brand in my opinion is their tailored options. I often hear from conscious readers that they want to wear natural fibers to work, but they can’t find something nice enough. Enter in: Linen Handmade Studio’s tailored pieces.

The brand has linen blazers and jackets, linen vests, and linen pants elevated enough for work or an evening out. (They even have bridesmaid dresses.) I’ve been wearing their Evelyn Longline Linen Vest in red clay on repeat and gotten so many compliments on it.

Price Range: $68 – $305
Size Range: US 2-18 (runs slightly small, I’d size up!)
Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally; free U.S. shipping on orders $300+

Navy linen long tailored vest from Linen Handmade Studio

2. MATE

Best for: casual GOTS-certified organic linen clothing

Prioritizing natural non-toxic materials, MATE has a collection of effortless linen shorts, button-downs, and pants made from GOTS-certified organic linen and colored with low-impact dyes.

That means that the color options at MATE are a bit more limited than you might see at other brands. They carry white, black, and “dune” — a soft beige.

I have their organic linen button-down in white and it’s been a reliable staple for me the past two years that’s held up beautifully.

Price Range: $88 – $178
Size Range: XS – XL
Based in: U.S. | Ships: Internationally

White organic linen button-down shirt from MATE

3. Linen Fox

Best for: romantic pastoral clothing in trend-forward colors and prints

Linen Fox is a Lithuanian small independent fashion brand — their team of 16 people make all of their linen clothing — including womenswear, menswear, and kids clothes.

The brand’s garments are made from OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified linen fabric. The label follows fair trade principles to production and reduces fabric waste by selling their fabric scraps as samples, and crafting accessories like scrunchies. They also ship in 98% plastic-free packaging.

Price Range: $74 – $187
Size Range: XS – XL (several products fit oversized; check each description!)
Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally

Butter yellow linen dress from Linen Fox

4. Magic Linen

Best for: linen separates plus matching home linens

From classic linen shirts to linen aprons and linen pajamas, Magic Linen is your destination for finding summer-ready sustainable linen clothing for men or women.

The small business’ linen clothing is made with European flax linen certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100.

The Etsy shop also has plenty of linen home goods — I have linen curtains and bedsheets from Magic Linen and the quality of the fabric has been fantastic, with the sheets holding up well even after years of washing.

Price Range: $93 – $298
Size Range: XS – XXL
Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally

Blue linen button-down dress from Magic Linen

5. Beaumont Organic

Best for: European-made linen clothing with full factory transparency

Looking for breathable garments perfect for your summer getaway to the English countryside or sea? Look no further than Beaumont Organic.

Beaumont Organic is a UK slow fashion brand with garments made from natural fabrics, like flax linen clothing! The brand publishes a directory of the factories they source from — 97% of production takes place in Northern Portugal.

They also have a repair program and are launching a resale program (currently available within the UK only).

Price Range: $211 – $300
Size Range: XS – L
Based in: UK | Ships: Internationally

Dark orange linen vest and linen skirt from Beaumont Organic

6. LoveAndConfuse

Best for: feminine style linen clothing

The linen clothing from this lovely small Lithuanian brand on Etsy are truly swoon-worthy!

From wrap dresses to ruffled midi’s to high-waisted linen shorts and linen crop tops, their collection of linen fashion will have you dreaming of a slow travel escape to somewhere warm and sunny.

Price Range: $116 – $225
Size Range: XS – XL
Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally

Blue linen blouse from LoveAndConfuse

7. Neu Nomads

Best for: classic linen garments and resortwear

With a mission to create simple, sustainable luxury, Neu Nomads offers quality classics made from earth-minded materials, including 100% OEKO-TEX Standard 100-certified linen.

You’ll find linen trousers, effortless shirts, resort-ready kaftans, and tailored linen blazers in classic colors like white, black, olive, and bright coral.

Price Range: $159 – $359
Size Range: XXS – XXL
Based in: U.S. | Ships: Internationally

Black linen blazer and linen trousers from Neu Nomads

8. EILEEN FISHER

Best for: classic linen clothing with circularity programs

Slow fashion brand EILEEN FISHER has elegant, minimalistic garments made from eco-minded fabrics including organic linen. Several of the pieces are made in Fair Trade Certified factories.

This is the largest company on the list, but still considered a medium-sized enterprise — and, of course, this namesake label is woman-founded.

EILEEN FISHER’s organic linen clothing is timeless and made with quality, as part of their circularity efforts. In addition to ensuring their pieces last, the brand also has a resale program called Renew and a “third life” program that repurposes unwearable garments into unique artwork and other goods.

Price Range: $98 – $268
Size Range: XXS – XL
Based in: U.S. | Ships: Within U.S.

Blue organic linen tank from EILEEN FISHER

Your Questions, Answered:

What about Quince’s linen clothing?

While Quince offers more affordable linen clothing, in my experience their linen clothing is ok quality, but does not compare with the quality of some of the other brands on this list. Also, I personally want to prioritize women-led small businesses for my guides, not venture-backed billion-dollar companies.

Should I look for organic linen clothing?

While organic linen is wonderful, it is quite rare. Only two brands on this list use certified organic linen. Note that OEKO-TEX Standard 100 linen is not “organic” linen, but rather linen clothing that has been tested against common harmful substances. The most common certification for organic fiber clothing is Global Organic Textile Standard, or GOTS.

Is there any linen clothing that’s work-appropriate?

This one depends on your work place’s dress code, but there are a few options on this list with linen blazers, trousers, and other more tailored pieces like Linen Handmade Studio and Neu Nomads.

More Sustainable Clothing Guides:

The Best Organic Cotton Fashion Brands

What is Zero Waste Fashion?

Actually Fashionable Hemp Clothing Brands

The post 8 Best Linen Clothing Brands With Easy Breezy, Beautiful Pieces appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

9 Best Linen Clothing Brands With Easy Breezy, Beautiful Pieces

Continue Reading

Green Living

9 Best Linen Clothing Brands With Easy Breezy, Beautiful Pieces

Published

on

Breezy, light, and breathable, we take a deep dive into how one of the best summer fabrics fares when it comes to sustainability while discovering these brands that are doing right by linen.

Some Background on Linen

Where does linen come from?

Linen fiber is extracted from the stalks of flax plants. This plant is also known for providing us with nutritious flaxseeds and linseed oil — talk about an overachiever! 

In fact, linen is one of the oldest fibers known to man, dating back to the prehistoric era. Archaeologists and paleobiologists have discovered flax fibers during excavations that were twisted, indicating they were used to make ropes or strings among many proposed applications that must have been a great advantage to the hunter-gatherer society. In fact, linen wrappings were even used for mummification in ancient Egypt. 

Linen fabric is then created by obtaining its fibers from the inner bark (or stalks) of the flax plant. 

How is the linen cloth made?

Before the fibers are spun into the breezy linen you know and love, its fibers are loosened and separated from the rest of the stalk through a process known as “retting”. At that point, the fibers are still straw-like and coarse in texture. 

To soften it, the fibers are broken up into small, short bits, while the actual fiber is left unharmed, and then “scutched”,  where the straw is scraped off the fiber. After which they are then pulled through “hackles”, that comb the straw out of the fiber to finally prepare flax for spinning into linen fabric.

And linen clothing is, of course, garments comprised of linen fiber in its entirety or blended with other fibers. For this guide, I tried to select brands that only used 100% linen or at the minimum blended linen with other natural fibers like cotton.

The Benefits of Linen Clothing

Why wear linen? Known for being ideal during the summers, clothing made from linen will allow heat to escape from the body while absorbing moisture and drying relatively quickly. While linen may have a notorious reputation for wrinkling rather quickly, when blended with other fibers, the creases aren’t as discernible as they would be with pure linens.

While linen may be notorious for its high energy consumption owing to its need to be ironed more, linen clothing’s pros easily outweigh its cons.

Flax plants can be grown in the harshest of climate conditions that require minimum water. What’s more impressive is the plant’s ability to absorb carbon. The European Confederation of Flax and Hemp (CELC) states that one hectare of flax absorbs 3.7 tons of CO2 every year.

Is Linen More Sustainable Than Cotton?

While there are benefits and drawbacks to every fiber when it comes to environmental sustainability, there are a few points where linen stands out when compared to cotton.

First, we know that durability is a key aspect of sustainability, because it means our clothes will last, enabling us to keep our clothes longer and buy new clothing less frequently.

So how long does linen clothing last in comparison to cotton? Linen clothing is up to 12 times stronger than cotton, helping increase its longevity and taking away the need to be replaced so often.

Another question might be about flax’s water usage. While the irrigation needs of the crop are dependent on the region’s climate (just as with cotton), 450–750 mm of water per season is sufficient for flaxseed. In fact, some studies even indicate that flax could be regarded as a drought-tolerant crop.

How to Care for Linen Clothing

When it comes to caring for linen clothing, linen can be washed on a gentle machine cycle with a mild detergent. (Check out these low waste low-impact detergent options.)

In case you’re curious whether linen stretches or shrinks, then there isn’t much to worry about. Linen is mostly pre-shrunk during the manufacturing stages but pure linens may show about 4% shrinkage.

And when it comes to stretch, linens aren’t known to stretch out over time but can show some level of elasticity when blended with other fibers.

Finally, it’s no secret that linen clothing tends to wrinkle easily! You may choose to embrace the natural characteristics of linen and wear your linen clothing as is, or if you want a crisper look, you may either want to look for a linen blended fabric, or be prepared to steam and/or iron your garments relatively frequently.

Note: This guide includes partners and/or affiliates. As always, brands must meet high standards for sustainability and ethics — and I only share brands that I believe in.

How to Find Sustainable Linen Clothing

So of course, I’m a big advocate for “secondhand first” when it comes to all fashion, including linen clothing. While your local thrift store might not be filled with 100% linen clothes, online secondhand shops can be a great resource. For luxury and premium brands, Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal. For more affordable options, my favorite pick is ThredUp because you can filter by natural fibers only. To be clear: the listings aren’t always accurate, so I still double check the descriptions of any product that shows up with that filter, but it does save some time to start there.

When looking for new linen clothing, I always prioritize small to mid-size women-led businesses. And I check the product details to see if they use 100% linen or if they’re deceptively saying “linen blend” and then it’s actually 50% polyester!

And while not perfect you can also look for certifications. These are the ones most relevant to linen clothing and linen fashion brands.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifies that the finished textile product has been tested for harmful substances (heavy metals, formaldehyde, pesticide residue). This is a chemical-safety certification, not a guarantee of fair labor or environmental practices. So it tells you the linen has been tested for potentially toxic chemicals, but it doesn’t tell you who made it or how. Note that some brands just say “OEKO-TEX certified” — that virtually always refers to OEKO-TEX Standard 100, the most common certification from OEKO-TEX.

B Corp certifies the company as a whole against social and environmental performance standards (labor, governance, environmental impact). This is a business-level cert, not a product-level one, so it doesn’t speak to any single garment’s materials.

Fair Trade Certified verifies that the specific factory/facility producing the item meets standards for labor conditions, wages, and worker safety, and that a Community Development Premium is paid to workers. It’s a labor and production-facility certification. It doesn’t certify the fabric’s environmental footprint or chemical content (that’s what OEKO-TEX covers), so a garment can carry both certifications and they’re speaking to different things.

Where to Find Eco-Friendly Linen Clothing

I scoured through dozens of brands to find my top picks for brands with sustainably-crafted linen clothing for women (some have men’s clothing too). I’ve included their conscious qualities, what they’re best for, and any caveats so you can make the best decision for yourself. Keep in mind while shopping that 100% linen garments won’t have any stretch — so if you run between sizes, I’d default to sizing up. But of course, check the size chart and reviews for each brand!

1. Linen Handmade Studio

Best for: tailored, elevated linen clothing

A lot of linen clothing can feel quite casual. And while Linen Handmade studio does have relaxed-fit options, what differentiates the brand in my opinion is their tailored options. I often hear from conscious readers that they want to wear natural fibers to work, but they can’t find something nice enough. Enter in: Linen Handmade Studio’s tailored pieces.

The brand has linen blazers and jackets, linen vests, and linen pants elevated enough for work or an evening out. (They even have bridesmaid dresses.) I’ve been wearing their Evelyn Longline Linen Vest in red clay on repeat and gotten so many compliments on it.

Price Range: $68 – $305

Size Range: US 2-18 (runs slightly small, I’d size up!)

Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally; free U.S. shipping on orders $300+

Navy linen long tailored vest from Linen Handmade Studio

2. MATE

Best for: casual GOTS-certified organic linen clothing

Prioritizing natural non-toxic materials, MATE has a collection of effortless linen shorts, button-downs, and pants made from GOTS-certified organic linen and colored with low-impact dyes.

That means that the color options at MATE are a bit more limited than you might see at other brands. They carry white, black, and “dune” — a soft beige.

I have their organic linen button-down in white and it’s been a reliable staple for me the past two years that’s held up beautifully.

Price Range: $88 – $178
Size Range: XS – XL
Based in: U.S. | Ships: Internationally

White organic linen button-down shirt from MATE

3. Linen Fox

Best for: romantic pastoral clothing in trend-forward colors and prints

Linen Fox is a Lithuanian small independent fashion brand — their team of 16 people make all of their linen clothing — including womenswear, menswear, and kids clothes.

The brand’s garments are made from OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified linen fabric. The label follows fair trade principles to production and reduces fabric waste by selling their fabric scraps as samples, and crafting accessories like scrunchies. They also ship in 98% plastic-free packaging.

Price Range: $74 – $187

Size Range: XS – XL (several products fit oversized; check each description!)

Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally

Butter yellow linen dress from Linen Fox

4. OhSevenDays

Best for: deadstock linen with custom sizing available

OhSevenDays was founded by Megan Mummery after seeing the vast supply of surplus fabrics (i.e. deadstock) in Istanbul, Turkey.

While originally sourcing their deadstock fabric from middleman sellers, OhSevenDays now sources their surplus fabrics (including linen) directly from OEKO-TEX fabric mills for better transparency.

Price Range: $$

Size Range: XS-XL + custom sizing options

Based in: Turkey | Ships: Internationally

model wearing ruffled blue linen dress from OhSevenDays

5. Magic Linen

Best for: linen separates plus matching home linens

From classic linen shirts to linen aprons and linen pajamas, Magic Linen is your destination for finding summer-ready sustainable linen clothing for men or women.

The small business’ linen clothing is made with European flax that means the pre-certification guidelines of OEKO-TEX Standard 100.

The Etsy shop also has plenty of linen home goods — I have linen curtains and bedsheets from Magic Linen and the quality of the fabric has been fantastic, with the sheets holding up well even after years of washing.

Price Range: $-$$

Size Range: XS – XXL

Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally

Check Out Magic Linen

man wearing white linen top from linen clothing brand Magic Linen

6. Beaumont Organic

Best for: UK-made linen with full factory transparency

Looking for breathable garments perfect for your summer getaway to the English countryside or sea? Look no further than Beaumont Organic.

Beaumont Organic is a UK slow fashion brand with garments made from natural fabrics, like flax linen clothing! The brand publishes a directory of the factories they source from — 97% of production takes place in Northern Portugal.

They also have a repair program and are launching a resale program (currently available within the UK only).

Price Range: ££ – £££

Size Range: XS – L

Based in: UK | Ships: Internationally; covers EU customs & fees

Explore Beaumont Organic

orange linen top from UK linen clothing brand Beaumont Organic

7. LoveAndConfuse

Best for: ultra feminine style linen clothing

The linen clothing from this lovely small Lithuanian brand on Etsy are truly swoon-worthy!

From wrap dresses to ruffled midi’s to high-waisted linen shorts and linen crop tops, their collection of linen fashion will have you dreaming of a slow travel escape to somewhere warm and sunny.

Price Range: $ – $$

Size Range: XS – XL

Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally

Check Out LoveAndConfuse

model wearing blue linen dress from linen clothing brand Love and Confuse

8. Neu Nomads

Best for: affordable linen garments

With a mission to create simple, sustainable luxury at affordable prices, Neu Nomads offers quality classics made from earth-minded materials, including organic linen.

You’ll find linen trousers, effortless shirts, chic blouses, summer dresses, and even linen blazers in a range of colors among Neu Nomad’s consciously crafted selection.

Price Range: $ – $$

Size Range: XS – XL

Based in: U.S. | Ships: Internationally

Check Out Neu Nomads

woman wearing mustard yellow linen trousers and linen top - sustainable linen clothing brands

9. EILEEN FISHER

Best for: investment-piece linen with a circularity program

Slow fashion label EILEEN FISHER has elegant, minimalistic garments made from eco-minded fabrics including organic linen.

EILEEN FISHER’s organic linen clothing is timeless and made with quality, as part of their circularity efforts. In addition to ensuring their pieces last, the brand also has a resale program called Renew and a “third life” program called Waste No More that repurposes unwearable garments into unique items.

Price Range: $$$

Size Range: XXS – XL

Based in: U.S. | Ships: Within U.S.

Check Out Eileen Fisher

White organic linen clothing from Eileen Fisher

Your Questions, Answered:

What about Quince’s linen clothing?

While Quince offers more affordable linen clothing, in my experience their linen clothing is ok quality, but does not compare with the quality of some of the other brands on this list. Also, I personally want to prioritize women-led small businesses for my guides, not venture-backed billion-dollar companies.

Should I look for organic linen clothing?

While organic linen is wonderful, it is quite rare. Only two brands on this list use certified organic linen. Note that OEKO-TEX Standard 100 linen is not “organic” linen, but rather linen clothing that has been tested against common harmful substances. The most common certification for organic fiber clothing is Global Organic Textile Standard, or GOTS.

More Sustainable Clothing Guides:

The Best Organic Cotton Fashion Brands

What is Zero Waste Fashion?

Actually Fashionable Hemp Clothing Brands

The post 9 Best Linen Clothing Brands With Easy Breezy, Beautiful Pieces appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

9 Best Linen Clothing Brands With Easy Breezy, Beautiful Pieces

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 BreakingClimateChange.com