As Labor Day rapidly approaches, the end-of-summer blues are starting to sink in. I love the heat and would prefer to wear a bathing suit and flip flops year-round. But, with the changing season inevitably upon us, it’s time to embrace new colors, textures and layers. In the past, switching out my wardrobe has been a daunting task as I don’t care to buy as many cold weather outfits, which feel dark, itchy and constraining. But, this autumn I’m inspired to shop by the activist awakening that is happening in the fashion industry.
The world is changing as record numbers of consumers, nonprofits and companies are working together to take a stand on social, environmental and political issues such as sexual harassment, gender pay equity and gun violence. As highlighted in Vogue’s fall 2018 trend report, fashion is being used as a vehicle for brands and consumers to raise public awareness for causes through fabrics, colors, designs and production choices. And, it shows on the runway.
This season, Gucci and Prada focus on inclusion, mixing men’s and women’s looks and having the two walk runways together. Givenchy’s fall 2018 collection features shaggy and still luxurious looking faux furs. Calvin Klein’s fall 2018 collection pays tribute to the wild-west landscape and explores democracy and the American dream.
While many of us can’t afford “ready to wear” pieces from designer runway collections, thredUP offers the below list of 11 sustainable brands to try. Each of these conscious companies is working to combat climate change and advocate for sustainability, human and/or animal rights.
- Alternative Apparel
- Amour Vert
- H&M
- DL 1961
- Eileen Fisher
- Everlane
- Patagonia
- PrAna
- Reformation
- Threads 4 Thought
- Tribe Alive
There have been many trends in the fashion industry, some more compelling than others. From celebrities at award shows wearing black to support the Time’s Up movement and orange to support National Gun Violence Awareness Day, to Ivanka Trump continuing the tradition of First Ladies wearing faux fur to support animal rights, sustainable fashion that makes a political statement about inclusion, immigrant rights, animal safety and recycling is a trend I can get behind.
Happy shopping!
