Linen is known for being an eco-friendly fabric because it doesn’t require a lot of water to grow, does not require pesticides as it is naturally pest-repellent and creates minimal waste as every part of the flax plant from which linen is made is used for different purposes.

Linen is also very durable and gets softer over time, making it a great capsule wardrobe investment for years to come. With that in mind, here are my three of my top linen essential picks for your sustainable summer wardrobe:

See also: 3 Eco Items to Build Your Capsule Wardrobe

Son de Flor Pinafore Shirt 

I’ve already spoken about my love for crop tops in my summer capsule wardrobe article, but they really have become my no-brainer go-to for a street-style slash resort-look during weekends. I love Son de Flor’s square-neck linen crop top so much – its design makes it easy to pair with all my skirts, trousers, shorts and even jeans. Not to mention, it shows off all my hard work at the gym in a subtle, elegant way!

Son de Flor uses only natural Oeko-Tex-certified fabrics throughout their collection, with plastic-free packaging for delivery and a focus on ethical production. I wear this eye-catching fairy-tale piece with high-waisted pants for work or with relaxed trousers on my days off.

Available at Son de Flor

@White by Gosia Orlowska Sofia Pants 

I have officially replaced all my jeans with linen trousers as my summer staple! One of my favourite linen bottoms are these Sofia linen pants by Hong Kong-based designer Gosia Orlowska. They have become a great addition to my capsule wardrobe – the material is extremely soft and I like pairing them with a crop top and my favourite blazer for an easy, breezy summer outfit.

Gosia makes her collections from deadstock material in very limited quantities to minimise waste. She also allows customers to pre-order designs whenever she can.

Available at @White by Gosia Orlowska

BrunnaCo ARYA Safari Midi Dress

For a more feminine take on linen, my pick is BrunnaCo’s Arya safari linen midi dress. Wearing this lightweight dress on a hot summer day is oh-so-comfy!

BrunnaCo is a Californian environmentally and socially sustainable fashion brand founded by Bali-born Helga Ida Ayu. Each of their collections is handcrafted by select artisans, mostly women, working from the comfort of their own homes in Indonesia.

Available at BrunnaCo

Of course, investing in sustainable materials is just a tiny step in your conscious fashion journey! To further that journey, be mindful of where you spend, make sure what you buy causes no harm to the planet and its people, and invest in quality timeless pieces instead of purchasing single-use, fast fashion garments. That way, you can ensure any new clothes are long-term investments rather than just quick impulse buys.

See also: 3 Sustainable Skirts to Stay Cool In

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Read on for our diverse and sustainable picks of the coolest shorts to sport in the warm season — from the office to the beach, there’s bound to be something that tickles your fancy.

Stefania Vaidani: Ilios Recycled Shorts

Made of recycled fabrics, these adorable shorts are just what you need for the season. The brand has been certified by Oeko-Tex, which means its materials are free of harmful chemicals and safe for human use. Of course, we love the light-hearted yellow and white stripes too — the perfect summer staple for any occasion!

Available at Stefania Vaidani

Sézane: Lucky Shorts

French atelier Sézane creates most of its collections with organic cotton, certified materials and recycled polyester. These high-waisted chequered shorts, for instance, are made of 100 percent natural linen and have a flattering flared leg. Just watch as their bright colour and casual-yet-classy look carry you from the boardroom to the boat party!

Available at Sézane

House of Dagmar: Tatiana Shorts

Looking for an easy yet stylish summer staple? You’ve come to the right place. The soft twill linen shorts from Swedish sustainability-focused label House of Dagmar are among the brand’s ‘Good Choice’ items that consist of at least 50 percent sustainable materials and have the most wearable and comfy silhouette. Just peep that elastic waist — we love a stress-free look! We’d wear this to an all-white party, but the possibilities are endless.

Available at House of Dagmar

Boyish: The Leon Shorts

With a novelty belt detail and wide relaxed leg, these high-rise pleated denim shorts are the definition of versatility; dress it up or down, it’s up to you! The best part is that the Los Angeles label Boyish uses ethical and sustainable practices in its manufacturing process, and these shorts are made of organic cotton and GRS-certified recycled cotton.

Available at Boyish

Whimsy & Row: Valentina Shorts

What can we say? We’re suckers for cool abstract shapes and neutral colours. These linen Valentina shorts are bound to be a crowd-pleaser no matter where you are. Just pair them with a plain basic and go! Whimsy & Row has lowered its carbon footprint by producing locally and continually strives for zero-waste by recycling its materials and only cutting limited quantities.

Available at Whimsy and Row

The Odder Side: Rive Shorts

Still looking for a pair of work shorts? These pure cotton shorts might just be what you need — the ruched waistband, belt loops and turned-up hem give a tailored feel, while the beige colour is a safe and easy-on-the-eyes choice for any room. Not only is The Odder Side certified by Oeko-Tex, but they also made these shorts with a plastic-free dedication to the environment.

Available at The Odder Side

See also: 6 Sustainable Beach Bags For Seaside Escapes

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Pledge to live a more sustainable lifestyle by eliminating single-use plastics with your beauty choices. Here are eight versatile and sustainable lip products that nourish while offering a guilt-free experience.

Poppy & Pout: Lip Balm

Quench your lips with a choice of ten different sweet and fruity lip balms from Poppy & Pout. Each is made with beeswax, sunflower oil and organic coconut oil to achieve a luscious pout. Each balms is hand-poured into a thoughtfully-crafted recyclable cardboard tube, with the majority of its packaging able to biodegrade within three months.     

Shop on amazon.com

Ethique: So Cocoa Lip Balm

Ethique gives you the chance to achieve healthy-looking lips with a delicious chocolate aftertaste, thanks to the addition of fair trade cocoa butter. Its formula uses moringa, jojoba and castor oils to seal your lips with moisture. Not only is this product fully plastic-free and home compostable, but the brand also pledges to plant a tree with each order — making your purchase even more enjoyable.  

Shop on Live Zero

Hurraw: Coconut Lip Balm

A blend of oils extracted from safflower, olive and sunflower finished with rich, raw coconut oil brings a natural sweetness that coats your lips with vegan goodness. Made to fit in your pocket or a small purse, this lip balm comes encased in a slim slider tin for easy application.

Shop on hurrawbalm.com

WinkiZinc: Lip & Cheek Tint

With its inclusion of SPF30, this balm caters for outdoor enthusiasts at heart. The product is formulated as a lip and cheek stain to achieve an understated sun-kissed look. WinkiZinc offers three different shades, with each product using pure cold-pressed and unprocessed ingredients packaged in biodegradable tubes.   

Shop on etsy.com

Axiology: Vegan Multi-Use Balmie Set

Axiology’s lip-to-lid balm set comes fashioned as crayons for an easy, blendable application for eyes, lips and cheeks. The palette is inspired by desert spices, from cherry to golden camel, to suit your shifting moods. Each is crafted with nine natural ingredients, including hemp and plum oil, to nourish and hydrate skin.   

Shop on axilogybeauty.com

Eco Roots: Zero Waste Lip Balm

Eco Roots’ lip balm formulation is entirely plant-based, making it totally vegan. Cacao and mango butter are the hero ingredients of their recipe, making this product smoother and thicker, with an inviting tropical scent.

Shop on ecoroots.us

Rituals: Fortune Balm in Red

A certified B corporation, Rituals aims to find refillable and recyclable solutions for all their products. This 100% naturally formulated lip balm moisturises and conditions dry and damaged lips, while offering a swoosh of colour with a shade of soft red.

Shop on rituals.com

La Bouche Rouge: Matte Lipstick Refill in Pop Art Red

French brand La Bouche Rouge allows you to embody a femme fatale persona with its delectable range of creamy lipsticks made with long-lasting pigments. Redefining luxury, the brand educates its shoppers by creating a plastic-free leather case for its lipstick or balm refills; these are handcrafted in France with excess leather from a vetted tannery, for a Parisian touch.

Shop on net-a-porter.com

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Among the areas of note are on the brand’s more careful selection of recyclable and environment-friendly materials, greener manufacturing processes, increased transparency and accountability in its supply chain, and upholding human and labour rights while embracing diversity and inclusion in its workforce.

Hot off the heels of their newly released Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report in April 2022, here are eight admirable and concrete actions that Canada Goose has taken to better themselves as a company.

• 1. Canada Goose has stopped purchasing fur as of the end of 2021 and will cease manufacturing fur all together by the end of this year.
• 2. It’s earned a certification under the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), an organisation that aims to ensure that down and feathers come from animals that have not been subjected to any unnecessary harm.
• 3. They’ve transitioned over 20 percent of its materials to more sustainable alternatives – or what they refer to in the industry as ‘Preferred Fibres and Materials’ (PFMs) – such as organic cotton and recycled polyester.
• 4. By 2025, Canada Goose expects that 90 percent of their materials will be PFMs.
• 5. Almost 60 percent of its packaging is now sustainable, which include recycled content and other environmentally responsible materials and designs.
• 6. The brand will discontinue the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in its Arctic Tech fabric and will redevelop this proprietary fabric by the end of 2023.
• 7. As it works towards achieving net zero emissions by 2025, it will reduce carbon sources and embrace renewable energy.
• 8. Most recently, the company introduced Kind Fleece, an ultra-soft and breathable fabric made with 62 percent recycled wool; 18 percent wood-based TENCEL Lyocell, a biodegradable fibre made from wood; and 13 percent bio-based Sorona® Polymer, a plant-based polymer made from the sugar derived from corn.

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Want to know more about Canada Goose? Read their ESG report in full here.

Canada Goose is available in Hong Kong at ifc mall.

See also: 8 Sustainable Fashion Brands in Southeast Asia to Know

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Design isn’t everything though, so make sure you choose brands for their commitment to sustainability and fair practices – actions which range from the use of recycled metals and ethically-sourced gemstones to supporting local communities where the pieces are made; from reducing their carbon footprint and zero-waste programs to offering full transparency and tracing.

From playful metalwork to colourful cocktail rings, here are some lovely jewellery pieces to add to your collection this spring:

Finger Candy

Add a pop of colour to your outfit with a bold cocktail ring in oversized proportions. The Burning Desire Ring from UK-based Alighieri features a large cabochon-cut garnet forged into the brand’s signature 24-karat molten gold-plated recycled silver. Each piece created by the brand is completely unique, and handmade in Hatton Garden, London, through the ancient art of lost-wax casting.

Alighieri also uses recycled bronze in its talismans, bracelets and earrings, and all excess metal waste is reused. The brand is committed to materially reducing its carbon footprint through offsetting, and it sources precious metals from Cooksongold, certified members of the Responsible Jewellery Council.

Available at Alighieri

Link It Up

Chain belts that were wildly popular in the ’00s are back in style, but if you’d rather a more subtle look, go for a solid gold chain necklace instead, like Laura Lombardi’s Franca necklace, made from gold-plated brass that’s linked by hand. The New York-based designer uses recycled materials when possible and casts each piece locally in her studio.

Wear your chains layered, or opt for a chunky choker version, like Lauren Stewart’s Baroque gold vermeil pearl necklace, featuring irregularly shaped freshwater pearls. The LA-based brand’s founders, Rachel Loren, Satra Steward and Annah Stewart-Zafrani started out by upcycling vintage jewellery. The trio continue to work with local artisans for wax casting, metal casting and stone setting.

Available at Netaporter NETsustain.

Born this way

John Hardy’s Birthstone Amulet Keyring necklace is very versatile. The chain necklace, fashioned from sterling silver and 18k gold, can be split into two shorter chains that can be used as bracelets. The necklace also comes with a keyring connector chain and three amulets: your birthstone, a Padma, which symbolises enlightenment and rebirth, and a hand-hammered gold bead. John Hardy will donate up to 40% of the proceeds for the necklace to Every Mother counts, in support of mothers, families and maternity care workers worldwide.

The Bali-based brand is a certified member of the Responsible Jewellery Council, and all packaging materials are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. All jewellery is handmade locally, and the brand is active in supporting local communities and keeping waste to a minimum.

Available at John Hardy

Dainty Days

Small but stylish, these dainty stacker rings and earrings are really easy to wear and won’t break the bank. Nyrelle’s Diamond Waterfall Earring comes in 9k or 18k recycled gold, with Kimberly Process-certified conflict-free diamonds. The company only every uses recycled gold, fairtrade silver and ethically sourced gems, and each piece comes with a two-year full warranty, followed by lifetime warranty on wear and tear.

The company also practices a closed-loop process to help reduce waste– so it buys back its jewellery at 20 percent of the purchase price, to be upcycled to new pieces.

Available at Nyrelle.

Get stacking

Linjer’s stackable rings – Karoline, Ilse, Diamond Eternity and Diamond Solitaire – are all made with recycled 14k solid gold or vermeil, and labgrown diamonds. Sustainability is a core value of this design studio, focusing on the use of quality  metals so pieces last many years, recycling metals, using recycled paper and cardboard packaging, and offsetting carbon emissions by funding renewable energy projects through Carbonfund.org.

Available at Linjer.

Au Naturel

Upcycled materials originally found in nature like driftwood, abandoned shells and stone can create unique textures and memorable jewellery. Niin’s Luna Inlaid Pendant Necklace and Earrings feature whitewood, abalone shell, resin, stainless steel and gold foil.

The pieces are made from gold-plated sterling silver. Hong Kong-based Niin, and its designer, Jeanine Hsu, works with small artisanal businesses across South East Asia, supporting small communities for the production of their designs, all while focusing on repurposed materials. All niin pieces come in recycled packaging.

Available at Niin

All the Rage for Vintage

If they look like they came out of your grandma’s closet, they’re in– earrings and bracelets in hammered gold, enamel details and pearls. Check out Octavia Elizabeth’s Charmed Micro Gabby hoops come in 18-karat recycled gold hammered by hand, and feature ethically sourced emeralds weighing 0.50 carats.

Available at  Netaporter Sustain

Go Baroque

Agmes’ Baroque Bodmer Earrings, designed in collaboration with Brooklyn-based designer and sculptor Simone Bodmer-Turner, is fashioned from sterling sillver or gold vermeil, with a baroque freshwater pearl drop.

Almost all of the metals used by the brand are recycled, from the 925 sterling silver to the 14-karat gold. Games ensures that its designs are constructed to stand the test of time, made to last for generations by a small team of jewellers in New York City.

Available at Agmes

See also: Buckle Up: 5 Stylish & Sustainable Belts To Wear Now

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Perks and Mini – Upcycled Grid T-Shirt

Australian streetwear brand Perks and Mini offers t-shirts and jumpers that encapsulate the freedom and creativity of DIY. Channeling the crafty nature of Y2K aesthetics, the brand plays with patchwork using upcycled t-shirts to give these unwanted pieces a second life. Each piece is unique for you to flaunt with pride.

Shop on hbx.com

President’s – Blue Recycled Cotton Shirt

Italian menswear brand President’s offers contemporary iterations of wardrobe staples, and this double-knit recycled cotton-blend jersey shirt takes a subtle approach to playfulness. The collar is characterised by decorative lines emphasised with striped trims for contrast.

Shop on ssense.com

Our Legacy – Black Recycled Polyester Shirt

Black doesn’t have to mean boring. Case in point, Our Legacy’s recycled polyester taffeta shirt with a lovely sheen that gleams beautifully under the scorching sun and night lights. The patch pockets in the front offer seamless storage for your loose cash, sunglasses and hotel key card.

Shop on ssense.com

A.P.C. – Trek Checked Recycled Cotton-Blend Flannel Overshirt

Parisian label A.P.C. brings us a timeless flannel shirt reimagined in understated neutral tones and waify strokes. The overshirt is cut from cotton-blend flannel sourced from recycled yarns, offering a soft handle and much-needed breathability under the summer heat. Style tip: Size up to give allowance across the shoulders.

Shop on mrporter.com

Overlord – Upcycled Patchwork Cotton Jacket

French brand Overlord offers a wide range of patchwork garments and accessories with the mission to breathe new life into deadstock vintage fabrics. This relax-fit cotton shirt jacket follows the brand codes by exclusively using upcycled materials to create a unique tone-on-tone piece.

Shop on selfridges.com

L.E.J – Checked Recycled Cotton-Blend Shirt

A fresh take on the classic checked shirt offering, Luke Walker of menswear label L.E.J has created this blue and white checked twill shirt with painterly qualities. It’s made in Italy from a blend of recycled cotton to soften and age beautifully with wear.

Shop on matchesfashion.com

Marine Serre – Printed Recycled Satin Shirt

With a cult following for her crescent moon prints, Marine Serre takes us on a mystical path with her summer collection. Painting intricate illustrations resembling vintage tarot cards, the cream shirt depicts a poetic “marriage of the sun with the moon”. Cut from fluid satin and woven with GRS-certified recycled fibres, you get to feel the breeze with every move.

Shop on mrporter.com

Marine Serre – Patchwork Printed Upcycled Silk-Satin and Twill Shirt

Another one from Marine Serre, this relaxed shirt is upcycled from printed silk-satin and twill scarves, offering a new aesthetic that sits between bohemian and psychedelic. It’s left unstructured and unlined so you can move freely to the music while the night is young.

Shop on mrporter.com

See also: 8 Fun & Flirty Dresses For Spring

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Read on for our picks of five sustainable belts to hold you up:

The Whistle: The “Industrial” Belt 10mm

Handcrafted from a unique rubber that resembles the look of animal leather, this tough black vegan belt from The Whistle is decorated with metal rings and studs to give an edgy kick to any outfit. The Tel Aviv-based brand also offers everyday belts of black and brown, as well as statement transparent belts of clear and neon green.

Available at The Whistle

Black Nopal: Green & Brass 1″ Belt

We are loving the vintage vibes that this Black Nopal belt gives off with the brass details and green cactus leather. Yes, this vegan leather belt is made from cactus leaves sourced from Mexico-based company Desserto! The leather is, of course, sustainably made, organic, and requires minimal amounts of water.

Available at Black Nopal

Corkor: Cork Belt 25mm in Light Brown

With the help of local artisans based in its workshop in Portugal, Corkor is a PETA-approved vegan brand that makes its sustainably-sourced products out of cork, which is natural, water repellent, and scratch and stain resistant – not to mention unique! Corkor also makes an effort to use as little packaging as possible to lower transportation emissions.

Available at Corkor

Noani: Baby Lia Brass Gold

Yeehaw! This cute and timeless western-style belt from Noani goes perfectly with a sundress or a pair of high-waisted bell-bottom jeans. Made ethically from Appleskin leather in Italy under fair working conditions, Noani is a fully vegan brand approved by PETA. Fun fact: it got its name from the abbreviation of “no animal”!

Available at Noani

Unbelts: Classic Belt in Jet Black (Matte Black)

Coming in a rainbow of colours, Unbelts’ comfortable, stretchy, and size-inclusive belts are made from reclaimed PET beverage bottles. Featuring an elegant all-metal buckle that lays elegantly flat under tees, the machine washable belt has a velvety-soft feel, but remains durable. Psst… they also make colourful belts for kids!

Available at Unbelts

See also: 8 Fun & Flirty Dresses For Spring

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Here are eight stylish and sustainable accessories to wear this spring:

The Little Market: Rattan Bucket Bag

A rattan bag screams spring like nothing else! Handwoven in Cambodia, this quaint bucket bag from The Little Market takes two artisans approximately 20 hours to weave while the brand ensures the organic, raw materials are harvested sustainably.

Available at The Little Market

Pangaia: Nylon Padded Backpack

It’s time to find a durable and sustainable backpack for those weekends outdoors. Pangaia makes this backpack from a specially formulated nylon that breaks down in just a few years’ time when disposed in controlled landfills. We love the pretty-in-pink minimal design!

Available at PANGAIA

Brother Vellies: Marabou Lamu Sandals

Sitting on a vegetable-tanned leather sole, these super cute sandals from Brother Vellies are handcrafted in Ethiopia using environmentally conscious materials. They also come in two funky colours, lavender and indigo, to lighten up any outfit.

Available at Brother Vellies

Bird: Luna Sunglasses

Bring on the sunny days! Made from recycled aerospace alloy, these versatile and modern sunglasses from Bird are both enviro-friendly and enviro-protective of your eyes with their 100% UVA/UVB protection.

Available at Bird Eyewear

AENEIS: AE Optical Silk Scarf Tangerine

An elegant head scarf is a great way to turn heads with an effortless sense of mystery. Designed in Paris and ethically made in Italy’s “City of Silk”, Como, AENEIS’ scarves are luxurious, timeless, and eco-conscious. Don’t forget – silk is a sustainable fabric that is naturally biodegradable!

Available at AENĒIS

Tentree: Festival Hat

Another easy way to top off an outfit is to add a stylish hat to the mix. Not only does Tentree plant 10 trees for every purchase, the brand also make these casual yet chic hats out of 100% recycled wool, so you can play it up without feeling guilty.

Available at Tentree

Nisolo: Noemi Belt

Offering transparency at an unprecedented level, Nisolo scored the Noemi belt across 200 sustainability metrics to clarify its impact. Handmade from sustainably sourced smooth leather in an ethical factory in Peru, this cream white belt might just be what you need this spring.

Available at Nisolo

Studio Adorn: Circle Cut Out Hammered Disc Earrings

Last but not least, you’ll need a good pair of earrings, as it’s the season to wear your hair up. Lightweight, dainty, and unique, these sustainable and recycled sterling silver earrings from Studio Adorn will go with any outfit.

Available at Wearth London

See also: 8 Fun & Flirty Dresses For Spring

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Her eventual move into the world of fashion was triggered by coffee cup-induced epiphany, where Mineeva found herself questioning why everyday objects had to go to waste.

Mineeva thus launched BEEN in 2018 to hone the untapped potential of innovative recycled materials rescued from landfills, which has been pledged by hundreds on Kickstarter.

As part of the FUTURE20 incubator programme, BEEN has also been selected among the UK’s 20 most innovative startups working to address the most pressing global and local challenges. She speaks to 8Shades about her views on textile waste and how she’s innovating with the way we recycle fashion.

How has your previous career in political journalism and humanitarianism influenced your approach towards fashion and retail?

I guess not coming from the fashion industry has been really helpful and unhelpful in equal measures! When I first had the idea of starting BEEN London and spoke to various people in the industry, I was shocked by how things were seen as the usual common practice. No one seemed to know who really made their garments.

Everyone preferred to turn a blind eye to the terrible working conditions, modern-day slavery and even child labour. It really felt like there was a culture of choosing not to know anything about their supply chain, plus a culture of putting profits first. As a former journalist and campaigner, I wanted to try and do things differently by putting people, the planet and our positive impact as a business first.

We heard that you are using funds from a grant to create a compostable bag using patented leaf leather. What are some of the challenges in the development?

We have partnered with the team at Biophilica, true pioneers in material innovation, to work on this, and I cannot wait to share the results. Innovation is always tricky and full of trial and error, but we love a challenge. I think this material could really revolutionise the leather industry!

The brand is built around the story of waste being beautiful. What other recyclable materials intrigue you and wish to use within your collections in the future?

The thing about waste is that it’s only waste if no one uses it! It’s all of the stories behind our materials that continue to fascinate me – corporate uniforms turned into felt that we use as lining for our laptop cases, discarded fishing nets reworked into regenerated nylon, or single-use plastic bottles turned into the tape found on our zips.

My dream is to tap into bigger brands’ offcuts and deadstock to help change our really wasteful culture and the industry’s inability to acknowledge that it actually does create waste. Amazingly, over the last few months, we have been approached by various big brands to collaborate on turning their waste into brilliant products.

What is a bag trend you want to see eliminated?

Funnily enough, I wouldn’t even know! We only make timeless things meant to be worn for a long time, so trends aren’t really something I worry about. What I’d like to see eliminated in the equation is the pressure to follow trends to the extent that products get thrown away after only a few wears.

In what areas do you think governments can invest more in educating the public about climate impact?

A better understanding of carbon emissions by both the general public and politicians would be beneficial for global efforts to combat climate change. I also think sustainability education should be added to school curriculums.

How would you address sustainability in 2022?

On a personal level, my rules are always simple: buy less, buy better, reduce, reuse, recycle and try not to fly! With the business, I’m a big believer in collaboration and science-based targets. If you don’t measure your impact, you will never know how to do better!

Our latest life cycle analysis showed our CO2 emissions are 87% lower than a high street equivalent bag, which makes a big difference, but we definitely want to reach further. We’ve become geekier and more data-driven over the last couple of years, and it’s helped us to really work out where we want to.

Learn more about BEEN London on their website

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Here are eight menswear brands that work towards closing the gender gap in sustainability:

Octobre

If you are looking for timeless menswear with a Parisian flair, then Octobre is here to perfect your French dressing. From overshirts, knitwear to its curated range of business-appropriate attire, the collection is injected with understated, neutral tones that are synonymous with European fashion.

Honouring European tailoring, the brand takes pride in producing over 95% through European ateliers, using fine materials such as Italian-spun wool and traditional English tweed. It is worth noting that 71% of its core range is made in organic cotton, and 63% of its sweaters use Mulesing Free Merino wool.

Shop on octobre-editions.com

Buck Mason

Buck Mason offers wardrobe staples that follow the clean, straightforward sensibilities celebrated in American fashion. Placing functionality above all, each garment is stripped down to solid colours, focusing on quality (soft, durable long-grain cotton) rather than crazy patterns. It also favours using neutral to earth tones to make them more wearable across seasons.

Shop on buckmason.com

Kotn

Kotn was conceived from creating the perfect t-shirt without compromising on quality, price, and its community. The co-founder visited his familial home of Egypt, where he was immersed in a cotton-farming community in the Nile Delta. This certified B Corp caters to the fashion-savvy Gen Z pool who seek to invest in quality basics that speak comfort, with most pieces designed in relaxed or oversized fittings.

Shop on kotn.com

Story Mfg.

In need of a bit of eclecticism, then Story Mfg’s line of psychedelic, everyday fashion would be up your alley. While most sustainable brands put a primary focus on functionality, Story Mfg balances aesthetics and consciousness. The brand favours natural dyes, zero fabric waste and artisanal processes to appeal to the growing community of slow fashion activists.

Shop on storymfg.com

Naadam

Naadam sources the finest cashmere from Mongolia’s Gobi Desert to create an extensive range of plush sweaters, hoodies and joggers. You can also expect the same offering of Merino cashmere to their footwear, bringing luxurious softness down to your feet. The company works directly with local herders to cut out the middlemen and create a scheme that better empowers local workers.

Shop on naadam.co

Nudie Jeans

Scandinavian duo Maria Erixon and Joakim Levin founded Nudie Jeans on a simple philosophy of balance. The denim-focused label spotlights clothing made from raw and untreated fabrics with the intent to have the garments ready for reuse to minimise environmental footprints. This is the place to find high-quality jeans and workwear-inspired clothing. While you are on their site, take a minute to scroll through their Re-use selection of repurposed, one-of-a-kind jeans as part of their efforts to promote a circular economy.

Shop on nudiejeans.com

Outerknown

Like the name suggests, Outerknown defies the norm by being the first to pursue proper labour accreditation before selling a stitch of clothing. The brand is not one to shy away from vibrant colours. Sweaters inspired by the retro colours that marked the golden age of surf culture and plaid shirts experimenting with funky combos are among its bestsellers online.

Shop on outerknown.com

Harvest & Mill 

Harvest & Mill operates entirely locally, meaning that each piece is grown, milled and sewn exclusively in the US with a long-serving mission to support local cotton farmers and sewing communities. It champions the use of dye-free organic cotton, including heirloom cotton that naturally comes in soft browns, greens and reds. Heirloom cotton’s colour variety is hard to replicate in commercial cotton, making it a unique product.

Shop on harvestandmill.com

See also: Shop Local: 8 Homegrown Clean Beauty Brands in Hong Kong

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