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Sustainability is in, apathy is out. Many of the top fashion brands emerging in the 21st century are creating hot trends that aren’t guilty of heating up the planet. From using organic fabrics to offsetting their carbon footprint to finding innovative ways to recycle and reuse, these companies are leading the sustainable fashion charge.

We’ve all heard the horror stories of luxury designer companies — Burberry, Louis Vuitton, and Michael Kors (yes, we’re calling them out) — burning products. They don’t want last season’s trendiest bag donated to those in need or ending up at a steep discount in a thrift store. It’s all about keeping their luxury status intact and keeping their profits high.

But not all brands are so negligent. Below are some of our favorite companies changing how the fashion world works so our beautiful planet can survive

Keep the Good Going With Patagonia’s Recycled Clothing

Patagonia has always cared about the planet, and its line of recycled gear proves it. For this line, 68% of the fabrics are made with recycled materials. Some clothes have linings made from recycled fishing nets; others utilize 100% Responsible Down Standard material that benefits animal welfare. 

Most of the products were made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory, so Patagonia is prioritizing people, animals, and the planet over profits. But they don’t sacrifice an ounce of style or comfort in the process.

Step Into Allbirds Sustainable Wool Runners

Allbirds aims to revolutionize the shoe and fashion industry by innovative designs that work with nature, not against it. Each shoe specifies its carbon footprint on their website. 

For instance, the Women’s Tree Dasher 2 sneaker has a carbon footprint of 5.48 kg of carbon dioxide. This carbon footprint labeling holds the brand accountable for energy used and the waste created. Allbirds is not only conscious about its sustainability but encourages customers to be just as conscious.

Reformation’s Fresh Way of Making Fashion

Reformation directly builds sustainability into its clothes. Most companies release quarterly profit reports, but Reformation also shares quarterly sustainability reports to showcase how its business impacts the world. 

The company’s sustainability focuses on people, the products, the planet, and progress within the industry. From social responsibility to clean chemistry to innovative packaging, Reformation aims to improve every aspect of its business. All while giving you stunning clothes that set the trends.  

Check Out Everlane’s Full Transparency

Everlane pledges to practice radical transparency so they share everything with its customers, down to its carbon footprint. Like Everland, this brand also releases a regular report detailing how they’re working toward a more sustainable way of doing business. 

Even Everlane product descriptions reveal how much the company cares — like cardigans made with RWS-certified merino wool that comes from sheep raised humanely.

Plant a Forest With Tentree

Tentree’s mission is super straight-foward — they plant at least one tree (but usually more) for each item sold. They also boast several Earth-friendly certifications. 

According to the Tentree site, they prevent substantial waste and save a massive amount of water by using eco-friendly processes. One such process creates TENCEL™ Lyocell, which is produced through a closed-loop process using wood pulp from sustainably managed forests.

Help Pact Help the Planet

Pact’s website states that it believes the planet and the people on it always come first. The company partners with Fair Trade USA, Global Organic Textile Standard, and SimpliZero, ensuring its products and processes are thoughtful and sustainable. 

All fabrics are sourced from organic farming, and the brand carefully measures the environmental impact of each product, achieving zero net carbon and eliminating its contribution to pollution. Organic practices mean the clothes are healthier for you as there are no harmful microplastics or toxic chemicals and dyes. 

VEJA Sneakers Rule

When you examine VEJA’s product specs, their kicks scream sustainability. Although their sneakers are made with recycled materials and textiles, bio-sourced materials they’re super rugged and durable.

The brand uses organic cotton from Brazil and Peru for canvas and laces, rubber outsoles are made from Amazonian rubber, and many materials come from recycled plastic bottles or recycled polyester.

Girlfriend Collective Loves You and the Earth

Girlfriend Collective tackles sustainability by using recycled materials, such as water bottles, in their products and donating 1% of every payment to a nonprofit chosen by the customer. Plus, you get to choose the non-profit you want! And that 1% comes out of their pocket, not yours. 

The checkout process uses EcoCart, which allows you to donate additional money — generally a few dollars — to offset the carbon footprint of the order. It’s a simple — and terrific — way to be accountable for your carbon footprint. 

Alo Yoga’s Eco-Friendly Ethos

As one of the fastest-growing athleticwear brands, Alo’s giving Lululemon a run for its money. But, unlike Lululemon, the company aims to be kind to the planet and its people. Alo is Fair Trade™ certified, never uses sweatshops, runs stores and its headquarters with solar power, uses vegan, cruelty-free, and organic materials, and colors clothing with low-impact dyes. 

The company might not be as environmentally friendly as other companies on this list, but compared to the major players in the yoga clothing industry, Alo is making major strides to keep its products sustainable. 

Get to Know Outerknown

Outerknown is a true outlier here because it has a whole section on its website dedicated to selling — and collecting — pre-owned Outerknown clothes. The platform is called Outerworn and has prevented close to 2,000 clothing items from going to landfills. This supports a cyclical future, where clothes can find second — or even third and fourth lives — life rather than being discarded simply because someone doesn’t want them anymore. 

Beyond this unique initiative, the company is also Fair Trade™ certified, uses sustainable materials, partners with organic farmers, and so much more. 

Shopping Sustainably

These sustainable fashion brands prove that eco-friendly shopping can be both stylish and guilt-free. Ultimately, it’s up to us to make choices that support a greener future while looking faaaabulous.

When you next need a new pair of leggings, or running shoes, or hi-tech hiking gear, buy from these terrific brands. The next time you go to toss a so-yesterday T-shirt in the trash, take it to a thrift store, so it can be someone else’s T-shirt today. 

We can look chic and show love to the planet at the same time!