Sustainable Fall Fashion: How to Achieve the Look With Ethical Choices
The crisp breeze, cozy sweaters and vibrant leaves make fall the perfect season to showcase your style game. Before diving into the latest trends, consider embracing sustainable fashion choices. You can rock an eco-fabulous look this season by choosing ethical attire. Here’s how to do it and make the most of your autumn wardrobe.
Ethical Fall Fashion
Keep it classic
Take a look in your closet before embarking on a shopping spree. Those timeless pieces you’ve tucked away might become the foundation of your fall ensemble. Trends often tend to make a comeback, so the pair of baggy jeans at the bottom of the shelf will likely come back in fashion. Dust off your favorite blazer, jeans and white sneakers — you’re already on your way to a stylish and sustainable look.
Here are some staples that you can mix and match over and over:
● A plain white T-shirt
● Your favorite jeans
● A neutral cardigan
● Black dress
● Boots
These basics will never go out of style, and they’re practical for many occasions. Once you have the basics, you can decide if you want to add a few additional elements to your wardrobe, like a statement jacket or fun shoes. Just avoid buying pieces that won’t fit with your lifestyle or will sit in the back of your closet waiting for the “right” occasion.
Seek sustainable brands
Turn to brands prioritizing sustainability when it’s time to update your wardrobe. Look for labels that use eco-friendly materials, ethical manufacturing processes and fair labor practices. Brands like Mate the Label, Tradlands are great optons for cozy fall fashion.
Additionally, buying clothing locally is a great idea. Shopping at local businesses directly contributes to your community’s economy. Your purchases help artisans, designers and entrepreneurs thrive, creating a positive ripple effect. Supporting small businesses reduces the need for long-distance transportation, lessening the carbon emissions associated with shipping. This small change in your shopping habits can significantly impact the environment.
Go thrifting
Thrift stores are a great place to find blazers,coats and lots more fall fashion for a percentage of the price they are actually worth. They go out of fashion so quickly that resale has gained enormous popularity in recent years. It’s estimated that the industry will be worth $6 billion by 2025.
Try Upcycling/DIY
Why not use the new season as a way to get creative? Unleash your inner DIY enthusiast and transform old pieces into trendy new items. Turn a worn-out pair of jeans into stylish denim shorts or add unique patches or badges to a plain jacket. Upcycling saves money and lets you express your creativity while reducing textile waste and helping the planet.
Here are some ideas for reinventing old pieces:
● Tie-dye old T-shirts using funky colors.
● Turn old shirts into tote bags for grocery shopping.
● Transform oversized button shirts into skirts.
● Use neckties to create a unique belt.
● Add some sparkle to your old denim by sewing on rhinestones or sequins.
● Combine different denim pieces to create patchwork jeans, shorts or jackets.
● Add embroidery or badges to worn-out jackets.
Create a Capsule Wardrobe
Consider curating a fall capsule wardrobe — a small selection of versatile items that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. Select timeless pieces in neutral colors that effortlessly complement one another, allowing you to create looks for any occasion. A well-thought-out closet simplifies your daily decisions and lets you choose essentials that reflect your aesthetic and values.
Here are some items you can use as a starting point for your capsule wardrobe:
● Neutral T-shirts
● Classic button-ups
● Crewneck sweater
● Tailored blazer
● Little black dress by
● High-quality jeans
● Casual jacket
● Sneakers
● Basic ankle boots
● Classic heels
● A-line skirt
● Neutral pants
Opt for Quality Over Quantity
Choosing quality over quantity is all about making thoughtful decisions regarding your closet. It’s about picking items that are well-made and built to last rather than getting caught up in fleeting trends. Going for quality items means investing in pieces designed to withstand the test of time. While this might be more expensive initially, it is a great investment beneficial in the long run as it decreases the need for frequent replacements.
Accessorize With Vintage Pieces
Elevate an outfit by incorporating vintage accessories. Think of a statement broach, silk scarf, leather belt or colorful bag. These pieces can be the finishing touch that elevates your look. Choosing vintage means you’re not contributing to additional resource consumption, and your accessories can be a fun conversation starter. Head down to your local vintage store or raid your grandmother’s closet. Plus, if these accessories are sentimental, they can add a touch of nostalgia to your style.
Where to Find Sustainable Fall Fashion
Reformation
Reformation is renowned for its sustainable practices and chic designs. It prioritizes eco-friendly materials, transparent supply chains and ethical manufacturing practices. The fall collection often features cozy sweaters and stylish outerwear in earthy tones and classic silhouettes that are perfect for every season.
Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective is known for its sustainable activewear, offering leggings, sports bras and athleisure pieces made from recycled materials. It uses 100% recycled packaging and manufactures clothing from bottles and fishing nets. The fall collection might include comfy leggings and layering pieces perfect for staying active in the colder months.
Patagonia
Patagonia is a pioneer in environmentally friendly outdoor wear. It is committed to environmental responsibility and creates functional yet stylish pieces. The fall lineup includes durable jackets and fleece pullovers, which are great if you’re into hiking and camping while staying true to ethical practices.
Christy Dawn
Christy Dawn, known for its sustainable and ethically crafted fashion, continues to shine. The brand has used eco-conscious practices since day one and keeps going above and beyond to protect the environment. Every aspect of the company exudes eco-friendliness, from its choice of materials to its manufacturing processes. This company’s garments are kind to the planet and luxuriously comfortable since it uses organic and responsibly sourced fabrics, like linen and cotton.
Christy Dawn’s commitment to sustainability extends to the innovative use of deadstock fabrics — surplus or leftovers from larger fashion houses — to reduce textile waste and add a unique and eclectic touch to its designs.
Whimsy+Row
Whimsy + Row is another clothing brand that values sustainability and ethical production and is vegan-friendly and animal-friendly They make their clothes locally in Los Angeles using low-impact fabrics, recycled water, and low-impact dyes. They also use recycled materials for packaging and shipping, and offset their carbon emissions with Carbonfund.org. They recycle their scraps of material and resell their clothing through their own website. They donate to various causes and support diversity and inclusion.
Nisolo
Nisolo, renowned for crafting high-quality boots, is the perfect sustainable addition to your fall wardrobe. All of its leather is a by-product from the meat industry, ensuring it goes to crafting footwear and accessories rather than ending up in landfills. Additionally, employees are paid fair wages and work in safe conditions, contributing to social sustainability. The company strives toward carbon neutrality in its operations by offsetting remaining emissions.
Sezane
Sezane, an iconic French brand, has embraced a holistic approach to sustainability. Sezane promotes longevity by designing timeless pieces that defy seasonal trends, encouraging a more mindful approach to consumption. It also uses circular fashion practices, which enable customers to return their old Sezane items for resale. The company uses sustainable packaging and responsible sourcing of materials.
MUD Jeans
MUD Jeans focuses on circular fashion for its denim items and uses natural materials, like organic cotton. It leaves no waste by recycling its old jeans into a new pair and uses 92% less water during manufacturing than other companies.
Kotn
Kotn is known for its ethical essentials made from high-quality organic cotton. A portion of each purchase goes toward cotton farmers and their families. The company features trendy tops and bottoms in earthy tones as part of its autumn collection.
Feel Good About Your Fall Fashion
With these strategies in mind, you’re ready to embark on a journey of sustainable fall fashion. From rediscovering old treasures to uncovering hidden gems in thrift stores and supporting ethical brands, your choices have the power to positively impact the fashion industry, your wallet and the planet. It’s time to ditch fast fashion and commit to reducing your carbon footprint while staying in style.
Author: Cora Gold is a sustainable living blogger and editor of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn and Pinterest. This post may also contain affiliate links for which I may receive a small commission. Consciously in style up as a free resource for everyone interested in sustainable fashion and living.