11 Cruelty-Free Brands You Need in Your Closet
Did you know that, worldwide, humans throw away enough clothing to fill the Empire State Building 10.5 times a week?
That hurts not only the environment but animals.
The fashion industry hasn’t always been kind to animals (Where do you think fur coats and leather boots come from?), but these ten cruelty-free brands are changing that–along with changing the way we view the world of “fast fashion.”
Want to know more? Keep reading.
Why ethical?
Clothing is made from everything from sheep’s wool to cow’s leather. It’s bad for the environment and not great for the animals either.
Peta has created a guide to helping conscious consumers source ethically-made and good-for-the-planet clothing and has placed their stamp of approval on the brands that can provide it.
It’s called “Peta Approved vegan,” a lot of the brands below are just that.
They believe in allowing sheep to keep their wool other animals to keep their fur. They believe in ethical treatment for factory workers and decent sourcing of the synthetic or plant-based materials they use.
Fast fashion brands like Gucci, H&M, Zara, Michael Kors, and even countries like Norway have banned the use of fur and leather in their production lines, but have not all taken an oath to minimize their carbon footprint.
The brands below have, and they’ve provided details on how they’re creating a difference in the lives of animals and humans together.
Earth Friendly Shoes
Earth Friendly Shoes carries shoes that are made with vegan shoe materials. They also offer free shipping, free returns, and free exchanges.
The company’s shoes are made from Biobased Polyurethane, pineapple leather, cork, recycled and natural rubber, canvas, microsuede, and Gortex.
Gunas
Originally produced in New York, the brand has settled its production in Seoul, Korea with a number of small studios.
Gunas was able to forgo rPET (a vegan leather material that contains plastic) for a material called Mulbtex. The material has a cotton base coated with mulberry leaf pulp.
HFS Collective
Otherwise known as Hipsters for Sisters, this brand makes bags from hemp, cork, Piñatex (leather made from pineapple leaves), organic cotton, and other sources of vegan leather.
They believe in pulling materials by recycling, upcycling, and buying deadstock or fabric that can no longer be used by companies for a variety of reasons – and is sold off.
Brave Gentleman
Brave Gentleman creates what is traditionally known as menswear, but the brand advertises as unisex.
Their vegan materials are pulled from a variety of places, and it’s all crafted in New York City’s historic garment district.
The buttons used aren’t even plastic. They’re made from something corozo, sourced from the tagua nut, that falls from the ivory palm.
Doshi
Vegan handbags, face masks, bathing suits, sunglasses, hats, and even belts can be found at Doshi.
They donate to Peta, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, and several others.
Their products are made from microfiber leather and microfiber suede. A transition is planned for more plant-based products as they become cheaper.
Wuxly Outerwear
Based in Canada, this outerwear brand is Peta-approved and also sustainable.
The material used for insulation is called Primagold Loft and is made from 55 percent post-consumer recycled product.
They actively promote their cruelty-free approach to outwear, and have saved more than 205 million plastic bottles from landfill since 2015.
The company was founded by James Yurichuk, a former pro soccer player and master tailor Anthony DeBartolo.
Westland Jewelry
All Westland Jewelry is cast in 100 percent recycled metal pulled from post-consumer products. According to the brand, this metal is just as high quality as newly-mined metal without the environmental harm that comes with it.
All gemstones are lab-created or fair-trade material, and are all vegan.
Aritzia
Aritzia is known for its quality and is constantly boasted about on social media.
They focus on sustainability and cruelty-free practices. They’ve implemented a reusable bag program, and have made a conscious effort to minimize their packaging to make it more eco-friendly.
The brand has even pledged to limit its shipping to Arctic regions as the environments warm due to increased greenhouse emissions resulting from global warming.
They’ve also committed to safeguarding human rights in their factories, and have decreased water usage in their production processes.
Groceries Apparel
You can shop for clothes on Groceries Apparels by ingredient (like vegetable dye, recycled plastic, hemp, and even eucalyptus) or by the article of clothing.
They make beanies, leggings, and bleach-free white clothing.
The brand supports family farms and localized factories. Their ingredients are all GMO-free, pesticide and herbicide-free, recycled and fair-trade.
They’re committed to reducing their carbon footprint and increasing efficiency.
Wama Underwear
Wama Underwear is made with hemp. Their production facilities are based and ethically overseen, in China—the world’s leading hemp textile producer.
Hemp is naturally antibacterial, breathable and contains anti-odor properties.
They’re a Green America Certified Business, and even Peta approved!
Everlane
Everlane is a brand that cares about its employees just as much as animals.
They have a Black Friday Fund they pour money into every year to help their factory workers, and spend more money on ethically-sourced, environmentally friendly materials.
They provide customers with their entire cost breakdown, and are completely okay with the transparency.
Why Cruelty-Free Brands Matter
Cruelty-free brands not only save the animals but save the planet we call home.
Doing both go hand-in-hand. Becoming a more conscious consumer can not only help the fight in this effort, but it can lead to a more fulfilling shopping experience.
Knowing you’re saving an animal and the planet in one swoop is more than a shopper could ask for.