Was your new year’s resolution to make more environmentally-conscious fashion choices but a month into it, you discovered that most cost an obscene amount?
You’re not alone! It’s well reported environmentally-friendly options aren’t affordable for the average income earner compared to fast fashion.
In 2020 Brittany Burns, director of strategy and corporate development at the non-profit Fashion For Good, told British Vogue that high costs could become a thing of the past.
“There’s a perception that sustainable fashion is expensive – this isn’t necessarily the case,” she told the publication. “As [new] innovations become more mainstream, [this] drives the prices down. There’s a shift that has to happen.”
So, that’s where consumer power comes in. If we start making more conscious choices and investing our money into sustainable brands, we can drive prices down.
But how can you start spending money before it gets cheaper? By employing the technique of buying better clothes less often! Eventually, you will amass a wardrobe that will last you years and send a message to the manufacturing industry.
Of course, $500 for a shirt is a big ask for most people. Luckily, some Australian made brands on the market are driving their prices as low as possible to empower a larger consumer base.
These six brands below are the perfect way to kick your environmental goals – check them out.
A.BCH
This Melbourne-based circular fashion brand is made in Australia, and it manufactures renewable, organic, and recycled materials. Their sizes range from XS to XL with the option of customising your fit – an excellent service that ensures endless wearability. Sustainable fashion is unachievable for many people, as sky-high prices lock shoppers out of making a difference, but A.BCH doesn’t mark up their prices, so they are more affordable than most.
Sleeveless Skivvy Dress, $145, A.BCH.
The Common Good Company
The Common Good Company
The brand dedicates itself to achieving its dreams of creating clothes that are as sustainable as possible. They use recycled pre-costumer textile waste and recycled polyester to make their garments, eliminating unnecessary waste, water use, land use, and pollution. In addition, the Not-For-Profit enterprise keeps their prices affordable by offering their products under a Wholesale Agreement with low MOQs.
Grace Jones Black T-Shirt – People Power, $60.00, The Common Good Company.
Spell
Spell
The iconic Byron Bay brand is committed to Circular fashion. They practice what they preach by using ‘preferred fibres’, which they describe as materials that reduce their use of land, water, energy, toxicity, and carbon footprint. Spell also offers supply chain transparency, is a social advocate, and raised one million dollars for bush fire relief charities in 2020.
Poppy Strappy Mini Dress, $199.00, Spell.
Nobody Denim
Nobody Denim
Nobody places the impact of their designs on the environment at the top of their list of priorities. They are accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia and work with The Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia to ensure their workplace is ethical and provides fair wages. Their use of raw materials means their staff and customers are protected from chemicals found in clothes. Nobody manufactures their products in Melbourne, so they can reduce their carbon footprint by reducing the distance their clothes travel.
Lou Jean Strive, $239.00, Nobody Denim.
Afends
Afends
This Australian retailer is at the forefront of hemp fashion and uses renewable energy to ensure its impact on climate is a positive one. Hemp is an excellent alternative to many sustainable resources because soil replenishes its fertility, so toxic chemicals, pesticides, or insecticides don’t have to be used to treat the plant. Afends are also transparent about their supply chain, design process, and ethics as a business.
Moby Hemp Striped Mini Skirts, $70.00, Afends.
Organic Crew
Organic Crew
The Melbourne brand is committed to using 100 per cent organic cotton for their garments, and they’ve been certified with Global Organic Textile Standards and Fair Trade. In addition to their environmental standards, Organic Crew is transparent about their working conditions and cotton fields to ensure the confidence of their customers.
Boyfriend Tee Grey, $89.00, Organic Crew.
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