Good On You's top ethical U.S.-based brands
What makes a brand ethical? Why choose “local“? I place local in quotes because local can mean the local boutique down the street or maker in the next town over or it could mean sourcing from within the U.S. so it’s really all relative.
Good On You is a platform that ranks brands’ ethical standing, such as it’s impact on the planet, people (employees) and animals along with a description of their rating. It also takes note of the price point and the location of the brand. Good On You takes many practices into account such as a brand’s treatment of workers across all elements of their supply chain and includes policies on child and forced labor, worker safety, union rights and living wages. When rating a brand’s impact on the planet, Good On You looks at its carbon emission, impact on waterways and usage of chemicals in a safe manner. They also look at a brand’s use of animal products and aim for brands to be 100% vegan - they also recommend putting in the work to look at brands on our own as well!
I’ve had a lot of fun with the app looking up brands I have in my closet and discovering their ethical rating! While Good On You is based in Australia, they also rounded up their top 26 ethical brands based in the U.S. and Canada. Check out the entire list here. I picked out five of the U.S.-based brands that spoke to me, see them below!
Alright, this brand is now on my radar and when my budget allows, I want to try some of their sustainable comfy wear! I love brands that promote slow fashion and living sustainably. If you want to some sustainability quotes, check them out here.
Based in Los Angeles this brand works exclusively with non-toxic, natural and organic materials. They also are transparent about their continuing education which I know is tough, but I find so admirable!
“ARIELLE is a sustainable apparel label committed to organic, recycled and zero-waste fabrics, local manufacturing, fair-trade supply chain and plastic-free packaging & production. We make covetable clothes with no compromise to people or planet. Clothes for the person who has places to be, and yet takes no shortcuts on the path of integrity. Legacy craftsmanship and sustainability are at the center. Softly confident, fiercely humble. Our clothes are a canvas for you to be you.”
“We founded Threads 4 Thought in 2006, with the understanding that every time you buy a product or support a brand, you’re casting a vote with your wallet. These choices (or votes) determine the spread and success of each brand’s ethical and moral standards.”
Tonle
“We're a zero waste, ethical fashion brand on a big mission, to reduce waste generated by larger factories and change the way business is done in the fashion industry. … At tonlé, when we say every thread matters, we mean it. From the people who work on your clothing to using every single scrap of fabric that comes through our workshop, we care about every step in the process of getting a piece of clothing to your hands, and each person who touches it along the way.”
“Conscious Step was created to bring more awareness to the problems faced by the world today and the organizations fighting these problems. … When we all make conscious decisions about our products and their impact on our planet, we can collectively move towards a brighter, poverty-free world.”
Photos belong to each brand listed.
“Don’t look at your feet to see if you are doing it right. Just dance.”