Reduce your carbon footprint by supporting local, sustainable fashion
Being thoughtful about the garments we purchase is more important than ever. The global rise in pollution and waste created by clothing production is a huge strain on our planet’s resources. For the past several years, many in the fashion industry have taken a more ethical approach towards the design, sourcing, and creation of their products—including initiatives like eliminating hazardous chemicals, utilizing less water, supporting fair trade and animal rights, as well as using recyclable, second-hand and organic materials.
If you are aiming to be a more conscious consumer, there are a number of eco-friendly Canadian brands that are making trendy, ethical clothing which you can incorporate into your wardrobe. And when you're done with clothing items, make sure to look up your local retail return spot, textile recycling depot, thrift shop, or even start a clothing swap with friends and family, to reduce as much waste as possible.
Here are some of our favourite eco-friendly Canadian fashion brands to check out...
1. L/L Supply
Facebook/L/L Supply Co.Based in British Columbia, L/L Supply Co. makes eco-friendly clothing and goods from sustainably sourced materials and upcycled pre-consumer waste. You’ll find a huge variety of high quality products—from hoodies to T-shirts and more—for men and women who love an adventurous lifestyle.
2. TMPL
Facebook/TMPLTMPL’s mission is to produce clean, conscious and high-performance sportswear that is better for everyone’s bodies—and for the planet as well. All the clothes are made in Toronto under fair working conditions using technical materials and non-toxic dyes which won’t harm the skin. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for specific athletic gear or comfortable loungewear.
3. Londre Bodywear
Facebook/Londre BodywearLondre’s sexy swimwear is created with a minimum of six recycled plastic bottles in each swimsuit. We love that all the water used in the process is reusable because it is 100 percent free of harmful chemicals. Not to mention, the packaging is compostable, and the Vancouver-based company also gives back to both environmental and women’s health initiatives.
4. Miik
Facebook/MiikMiik designs and produces fashionable, ethical women’s clothing in Toronto using eco-friendly materials and textiles. The company puts quality and comfort at the forefront— whether it's in the tailored blazers, perfect-for-work dresses or stylish weekend wear. Plus, its collaboration with Plan International Canada helps send young women in developing countries to school.
5. Frank and Oak
Facebook/Frank and OakFrom partnering with Canadian artisans to using recycled cardboard for packaging and locally sourced furniture in stores, Frank and Oak puts sustainability first. The brand also recently expanded its 'Let’s Give A Shirt' initiative across Canada to make sure textiles from landfills are redistributed to help communities in need.
6. Free Label
Free LabelFree Label uses durable, natural materials that are knit and dyed in Toronto, then sewn in Vancouver, to support the local economy. We love that this company makes every single detail eco-friendly, including the labels, packaging and marketing materials.
7. Kotn
KotnToronto's Kotn sources authentic Egyptian cotton (the softest and strongest of its kind in the world) by working with farming families in the Nile Delta, and employs locals to hand-sew garments at its factory outside of Alexandria. It’s not just a way to help the planet, but to ensure people from across the world are getting paid fair wages.
8. Buttercream Clothing
Buttercream ClothingWith a mandate to help support women in business, Buttercream creates super-cozy and functional clothing made by a team of local seamstresses in Calgary, Alberta. Each piece is made from scratch with ethically sourced materials and packaged using 100 percent recycled envelopes, tissue and postcards.