2020 sustainable brand guide
hello. i’m finally, finally, finally back. and not just on instagram - it’s for me to return to writing as well. i constantly struggle to make the time to sit down at my desk and write. however, i’ve had this idea stewing for about a month now so i figured that it was finally time for me to sit down and put thoughts to words.
throughout december, i mentally juggled with the idea of posting a sustainable gift guide. ‘tis the season and, if you wanted to participate in gift giving this year, it would have hopefully helped guide you in a more sustainable or minimal direction. however, after seeing all of the gift guides out there as well as thinking more about the role i want to play in encouraging consumption, i opted out of that idea. i really didn’t want to be the blogger who gave you a gift guide of things that you might buy even if you don’t need them. it somehow felt extremely irresponsible. maybe it was just the hype of the season - who knows.
wanted to start off 2020 with a slightly more mindful guide because this one can last the whole year. there’s no time limit, no pressure, and no frenzy around it. instead, this is a guide to the 10 brands that i am keeping my eye on in 2020. when you find yourself at a point when you need to replace something that’s worn out or if you’re looking to mindfully add something new to your wardrobe or life, i hope this quick guide (maybe more of a brochure?) will be there for you. it includes brands for fashion, skincare, and home goods so all parts of your life are covered.
without further ado, here is my 2020 sustainable brand guide:
for days - this brand really fascinates me because i still don’t know enough about it. this closed-loop clothing label boasts basics that you can swap again and again. they keep up with your daily life and once they’re done, you can send them back for the brand to recycle. this is perfect for the minimalist who only wants to hold on to a few tees a time. you can wear them into the ground, get new ones, and know that your old ones are being recycled. or, if you’re in an area where textile recycling is limited, this will alleviate your worries. i am thinking about trying out a tee or two in the summer, especially a white tee. they’re just destined to become dingy and this might help keep them refreshed each season.
evan kinori - not everything can be perfectly sustainable, especially in men’s fashion where i feel like the sustainable labels number far and few between. i’m trying to expand my definition of sustainability and see how different criteria might help make my practice more intersectional. in this instance, i see evan kinori as the opportunity to purchase something that will last forever - these pieces are handmade in california from sturdy fabrics and classic shapes. with a neutral color scheme that airs on the darker side (think rust, moss, soil), these beautiful menswear pieces are an investment that, while not labeled as sustainable, will never fail you. all said and done, the price point is high and i imagine it will be a while (and a lot of saving) before one of these pieces pop up on my feed.
jungmaven - hemp is the future and i mean it. spurred by my accidental discovery of jungmaven, hemp seems to be an amazing natural fiber with extreme sustainable potential. not only does it require less water than its cotton cousin but hemp also restores soil that’s been harmed by aggressive agricultural practices. the textile itself, unlike cotton, protects the wearer from uv radiation. to me, it seems like their tees, with the sun protection properties, might be a great summer investment if any in my current rotation decide to hit rock bottom.
the consistency project - while this isn’t a clothing brand in the same way the rest of the options in the list are, the consistency project is an amazing online, and now irl (the brick and mortar store launched recently), vintage shop. while i haven’t bought anything from the shop yet, there is something on their instagram that catches my eye about once a week. if you want to help close the clothing loop and honor secondhand shopping habits, the online accessibility of this brand combined with the dedication of its founder to helping people find their vintage fit make it a resource i hope to leverage if i’m ever in the need to replace something.
industry of all nations - i recently picked up an undyed alpaca cardigan from this company and i have been in love with it ever since. it’s extremely soft, warm, and practical. with a commitment to manufacturing at the source without the use of harmful dyeing processes, these garments are really good for the earth. what i’m eyeing next might be one of their panamericana chairs which, after trying in store, are extremely comfortable. i am especially drawn to the fact that their foldable and wooden - perfect for packing and biodegradable once finished further down the line (if ever…probably never).
biossance - i’ve been working diligently to cut down on my skincare routine to just 3 products, one of which i make at home (my tea tree oil & green tea facial toner). however, as the arctic winds start to rip through boston, i feel like i might need to grab something that will give my skin an extra boost of hydration. if you’re in a similar situation, biossance’s squalane would be a great serum to add into your routine, especially because it’s not derived from the usual source, shark liver. biossance harvests their squalane from sugarcane, making the product far more sustainable and environmentally friendly. if i end up taking the leap for this product, i’ll be sure to share more.
mayson clothing - if you’ve already asked yourself what a regular appearance on my blog is doing in this guide, i had the same thought. but, i can’t help but continue to sing the praises of this local brand. with a focus on high quality products, sustainable textiles, and ethical labor, mayson continues to be some of the best pieces in my closet. now, after over 6 months of wear on some pieces, i can only confirm that they hold up perfectly, especially the tees which i often wear multiple times a week. plus, the brand offers some beautiful objects for home if you’re in the market for a wood clothing rack.
floyd - after buying my bed frame, i have been dreaming of the day i’ll be able to fill my own space with floyd furniture. however, since i have multiple roommates and only bedroom to nest in, i’ll have to stick with this purchase for now. to say this bed exceeded my expectations would the an enormous understatement. from design to portability to sustainability, this company has stolen this sustainable minimalist’s heart. if you want to upgrade even just your nightstand this year, i cannot recommend looking to floyd more.
meowmeowtweet - i’ve shared quite a bit about this brand because, quite simply, i love it! i first came across it in my desperate quest to find a deodorant that didn’t come in plastic. now, i’ve expanded into their lip balm and face wash since the packaging is so sustainably minimal. there’s no doubt in my mind that the brand has the planet’s best interests at heart - they both have an option to refill bulk options by mailing it back and will terracycle any packaging that can’t be composted. especially on the deodorant front, if you’re looking to make a switch, i think meowmeowtweet will make for a great option.
holzweiler - a brand that still remains on a wishful wishlist, holzweiler boasts a wide array of sustainable pieces that are clean, cozy, and boxy aka my personal idea of heaven. they even sell a deconstructed sweater that you can knit yourself (or, if you’re not too knowledgeable on that front, you can buy it pre-knit). i’m currently in the market for a better pair of boots and i’ve been eyeing theirs for quite a while. as i go through the holzweiler website, it always becomes more apparent to me that the best sustainable menswear seems to exist outside of the usa.
as i close out this guide, i just want to remind you that you don’t have to buy something you don’t need just because it’s sustainable. however, if you do need to make a replacement purchase or are looking to mindfully expand your wardrobe, i hope this guide steers you in the direction you want to move in. have a sustainable 2020!