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18 Sustainable Fanny Packs from Athletic to Chic

published on March 4, 2022 by Angela Hamilton
updated on May 12, 2023

Let’s talk sustainable fanny packs. Or belt bags, or hip packs, or bum bags, or whatever you want to call this delightful 90s revival. I have a few myself, some of which get daily use, like my “Sustainable S*** Only” pack from Grant Blvd (mentioned here and here). Some, admittedly, not so much, like a beautiful leather fanny pack I purchased from a talented Etsy seller, that just happened to look comically enormous on me. I still wear it when I have a lot to carry, though! Most recently, our new member MAIKA sent me their recycled canvas fanny pack (featured in the line up below) to try. It’s the perfect size, super functional, and a pretty pop of color–but more details to come when I officially include it in the rotation.

All that to say, as someone who walks a lot, takes public transpo, and hates carrying more than I need to, fanny packs are a must for my wardrobe. I also like how many ways you can wear them, across the chest or back, or 90s style around the waist. It all depends on the look you’re trying to achieve.

Above, we’ve rounded up alllll of the best sustainable fanny packs we could find, from the athletic (hello Seattle hikers!) to quirky and fun to chic and minimal. They’re all so functional, which is the fanny pack’s MO, right? I especially like that Girlfriend fanny packs are water resistant and I’m so looking forward to paddle boarding and kayaking (very near the shore, but regardless) this summer. And not to promote impulse buys of any kind, but I totally just purchased that upcycled floral tapestry bag from Etsy as I wrote this up. I just know it’ll soon be a staple.

All of the bags made with leather have been noted in the titles above, for those of you who prefer not to use this material. I’ve only included leather fanny packs from brands that value craftsmanship and sustainability in their business practices as a whole, utilizing leather as a by-product of the meat industry. Like many of you, I’ve found that searching for vegan bags often equates to incredible greenwashing and use of non-renewable materials. But please do let us know if you come across anything unsavory that I’ve missed above!

Which fanny packs do you own?

6 Sustainable Apps to Help You Become a More Conscious Consumer

published on March 2, 2022 by Mindy Chung

In the age of smartphones and social media, it’s easy to jump on the hype train when it comes to new trends and apps geared towards making more eco-friendly choices. But it can be hard to make the right decision—for every 1 good app, there’s 5+ copycats trying to trick users into downloading their less-than-helpful platform instead. With new ones popping up every day, how are you supposed to know which sustainable apps actually make a difference and which ones are only greenwashing their brand messaging?

While everyone’s approach to reducing their carbon footprint may be different—buying used goods, recycling, buying bulk—we’ve compiled a list of apps you can check out to today to help you transition to more eco-conscious shopping in 2022.

6 sustainable apps for conscious consumers

Good On You

We’re past the age of being blindsided by the news that our favorite brands still operate sweatshops and pollute with toxic runoff. Good On You is a free app (and website) that compiles information on over 3,000 fashion brands and how their practices affect their workers, the planet, and animal welfare. With a scale that goes from “We Avoid” to “Great,” the team at Good On You has done the heavy lifting of sorting through company reports and certifications so that you don’t have to. @goodonyou_app

GoodHuman

If you want to shop sustainably but don’t want to waste time sifting through manifestos or researching brands, GoodHuman is an app that curates ethical and sustainable good for you. GH bases its list of brands on a 5-point criteria system that includes community approval and transparency reports. Every brand or product featured on the app is vetted, and continually audited if need be. While incredibly helpful at cutting down the work of shopping sustainably, GoodHuman is less wallet-friendly than buying second-hand or from your local market. @get_goodhuman

Depop

An app that’s exploded in popularity as Gen Z gets more and more obsessed with vintage and upcycled fashion, Depop is one of the largest reselling platforms out there. Capitalizing on its promise of unique pre-loved finds, Depop is a great option for anyone who wants to stick to a consumer-to-consumer shopping model.

Essentially the virtual version of thrifting in a Goodwill, those who love sniffing out a good deal and hunting for a specific item will love scrolling through this social marketplace app. @depop

Grailed

Most, if not all, fashion apps cater primarily to women. It can be hard to shop as a man or non-binary individual, and even harder to try and do so sustainably. Grailed is a platform dedicated to affordable luxury and streetwear fashion for men, built on peer-to-peer community shopping. Like Depop, it lets users cut their carbon footprint while ensuring their second-hand goods go to a new owner who appreciates their value. @grailed

Think Dirty

Looking to go green with your skincare and makeup this year? Think Dirty works as a database of beauty products geared towards helping you avoid harmful ingredients and make smarter purchases. You can search for specific items or scan their barcode to see if the app has flagged any additives used as toxic for you or the earth, and even submit products that aren’t currently listed to help grow the platform. @thinkdirty

If one of your holy grail items comes up red, the app even suggests replacements so that you can transition to alternative products with ease.

Too Good To Go

Tiktok has shown me many great things, one of which was the existence of the Too Good To Go app. Created with the mission to reduce food waste, TGTG partners with local restaurants, grocery stores, and eateries to sell any food they would have thrown away to consumers at a discounted price. The choice and variety differs by area, but you can expect to purchase anywhere from $10-$20 worth of food for around $5 a pop.

You have to be nimble though—the window to purchase is usually small, and competition to buy one of the limited number of bags can be fierce if it’s a popular spot. @toogoodtogo.usa

Have you downloaded any sustainable apps on your journey to shopping consciously?

Sustainable Dresses for the Conscious Maximalist

published on February 10, 2022 by Angela Hamilton

IS IT SPRING YET? Goodness gracious, February can be a hard month to get through. I hope you’re all finding ways to soak up whatever sun you can find this time of year. One perk of working from home is that I can sit by the window and wait for any break in the rain so I can run outside and make the most of two or five or ten minutes when it’s dry or sunny. I’ll take what I can get! So you won’t be surprised to know I’ve been virtual window-shopping for all of the pretty spring dresses, and as a conscious maximalist I want them to be bold colors, floral prints, and fun patterns. Find my latest favorite maximalist dresses of the ethical and sustainable variety below!

Poet Dress in Meadow by Variety Hour (xs-2x)

Note: This dress and the style below has since sold out. Click here to shop all available Variety Hour dresses!

Vinnie Smock Dress in Melon Stripes by Variety Hour (xs-2x)

Leola Dress and Sojourner Pinafore from Loud Bodies (xxs-10x)

Emery Maximalist Dress by Bel Kazan (xs-xl)

This dress is sold out, but right now I’m loving their Janie dress with its abstract pattern.

Ruby Maxi Dress by Mixed (xs-xxl)

I also love the Pink ‘Nana Party Dress by Mixed shown above!

The Clementine Dress in Renaissance Floral by Dynasty George (xs-2x)

Osei Duro’s Letsa Wrap Dress (xs-3xl) is also no longer available, but they have lots of other dreamy maximalist dresses to choose from.

Eva Dress from abacaxi (xs-3x)

Lost in Reverie Dress by Khara Kapas from Ikkivi (xxs-5x + custom)

Sustainable Maxi Dress in Hot Pink by Khara Kapas from Ikkivi (xxs-5x + custom)

Penelope colorblock dress by Tamara Malas is a full button down with pleats.

Little Things Studio offers this beautiful scalloped dress in an orange and peach colorblock. Custom sizing available!

Do you own any maximalist dresses? Find more susty favorites in this post!

A Beginner’s Guide To Shopping More Sustainably

published on February 7, 2022 by Mindy Chung
updated on January 23, 2022

I know how alluring sites like SheIn and BooHoo can be, especially when you see influencers doing huge clothing hauls with each item priced at a fraction of what they would be in most stores. But while you may save a few bucks up front, these companies cost you more in the long run with their cheap fabrics and shoddy craftsmanship. They also cost the environment via the carbon footprint of such unsustainable fast fashion practices.

While those are the most obvious offenders, with greenwashing on the rise, it can be hard to distinguish what’s actually an eco-friendly purchase from one that’s framed that way to profit a company. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of parameters to look out for when trying to shop more sustainably!

photo by Trình Minh Thư

Get familiar with fabrics

We’re past our polyester days, babes. Cheaper materials like polyester and rayon are cost effective for companies, but non-renewable, and involve the usage of countless harmful chemicals like phthalates which can be absorbed through skin contact (yikes).

Instead, look for eco-friendly fibers like certified organic cotton, TENCELL lyocell, or recycled/ repurposed materials (think deadstock fabric or vintage items). These materials use less water to produce, and work towards creating a circular lifespan for your clothes instead of condemning them to a landfill for all eternity.

Shop small

One of the reasons environmentally detrimental fashion slips through the cracks is because of how obscure the supply chain is. Companies count on you not digging deep into their manufacturing process, and inquiring about their practices, to downplay how large their carbon footprint really is.

Now, not all big companies are bad; obviously some have founded their brand on sustainability and transparency. But if you want to reduce your own footprint, consider shopping small. When you shop small, chances are the creator not only sources locally, but they view their process and suppliers as a point of pride. They’re also more open to answering questions about their sustainability status and can be more easily swayed by consumer demand for eco-friendly practices.

Look for transparency

The tricky thing about greenwashing is that a company will use all the bells and whistles and trigger words to make you *think* you’re making a sustainable purchase. But a truly sustainable company will be upfront about their process; look for sustainability reports, statistics, and information on their factories and worker conditions.

This does involve some discernment on your part, but trust your gut! If a company seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Keep an eye out for certifications

When you do shop at larger retailers, keep an eye out for their involvement in big sustainability initiatives. If Linda on Instagram is hand-making your top, with clear documentation of the process, it’s probably safe to say she’s not exploiting sweatshop workers or using toxic chemicals.

But for larger corporations, looking for certifications like Fair Trade Certified or Oeko-Tex compliant adds a layer of assurance to their proclaimed eco-friendly practices and sustainability. Their marketing language may be difficult to discern the truth from, but these certifications at the very least express that a company is willing to jump through a few hoops to ensure a quality product.

Recycle!

This is kind of a three-tiered system:

First, choose a recycled wardrobe by shopping at secondhand stores or vintage shops. Giving used goods a new home is a great way to keep them out of landfills, and since fashion trends always inevitably repeat themselves (hi Y2K) it can also be great for scoring some unique finds.
When you’re done with a piece, some sustainable companies will actually take your well-loved articles of clothing and recycle them for use in their own manufacturing. Companies like Knickey will even go as far as rewarding you with store credit or free clothes for your worn out goods (in Knickey’s case, a pair of free organic cotton undies). And of course, there’s plenty of local areas who would appreciate a secondhand donation.
For clothes that are super worn (can’t be used again), you can locate the nearest textile recycling center near you. Most counties have a list of how to dispose of “hard to recycle” items like textiles, plastic bags, batteries and lightbulbs, etc. on their websites. It just takes a few minutes to Google and diverts serious amounts of waste from the landfill!

Lastly, be kind

A key takeaway I’d like to share from all of this is to be kind to yourself. Developing a more sustainable lifestyle takes time and practice. You won’t get it right every time, but as long as you’re making an effort, there’s no shame in trying to be better.

How will you shop more sustainably this year? Follow us on Instagram for more tips!

Finally Getting Bored of Joggers? Here’s Where To Buy Sustainable Jeans

published on January 24, 2022 by Mindy Chung

If ever there was one piece of clothing that defined an era, it has to be the denim jean. They’ve gone through so many iterations; with one look at the cut of either the waist or leg, you can usually pinpoint the the decade with ease. And while the period of ultra-skinny and distressed jeans defined my teen years make me cringe, jeans are an undeniable staple in anyone’s wardrobe.

You can dress them up, down, or even alter them to better reflect your personality. And while most people see jeans as a low-effort article of clothing, they don’t seem to know how toxic the process of making them can actually be. Chemical dyes, sweatshop labor—in a world obsessed with the consumer economy, it can be hard to find jeans that defy the fast fashion model. Denim has a reputation as one of the environmentally dirtiest materials to produce, so combatting the unsustainable industry standards means tackling multiple points of interest in its manufacturing.

To help you shop more sustainably, here’s a list of 9 companies changing the narrative around denim and its impact on the planet.

where to buy sustainable jeans

ÉTICA

Denim and apparel brand ÉTICA is super transparent about their values as a company. Each of their products includes sustainability notes, such as water usage, which fabrics are recycled, and their low impact wash process.

Boyish

LA-based Boyish has the sustainability game down on lock. They source their materials from recycled and deadstock fabric as well as certified organic cotton. They also utilize plant-based dyes and ethical washing practices—cold water, ozone washing—to close the loop on their manufacturing process.

Baukjen

Based in London, Baukjen boasts an impressive and prolific approach to sustainability. The company uses a range of Tencel and viscose blended eco-friendly fabrics, as well as materials sourced through recycling and upcycling. For anyone interested, their Sustainability Index on their site includes video walkthroughs of their approach to global warming, water usage, and more.

Universal Standard

Size inclusive brand Universal Standard offers denim in an impressive range of sizes, inseams, and styles. There you’ll find a lot more options than with most of the other brands listed. That said, their jeans do contain polyester, so it’s not the most sustainable from a textile perspective.

Outerknown

Outerknown ensures the sustainability of its jeans with a lifetime guarantee meant to keep older jeans out of landfills. The company offers to repair, replace, or recycle their S.E.A. jeans, and has a portion of their site dedicated to a seller’s market where anyone can list their pre-loved clothing to give them a new home as well.

Lucy & Yak

For anyone who wants jeans with pizzaz, Lucy & Yak has cornered the market in fun overalls and bottoms made from certified organic cotton and recycled or closed loop fabrics. Their fun colors and patterns come from certified non-toxic dyed that adhere to Oeko-Tex and GOTS standards.

E.L.V. Denim

High end denim brand E.L.V. sources all of its denim from unwanted post-consumer waste fabric, and brands itself a zero-waste company that has the lowest carbon footprint possible. They only use 7 liters of water throughout their whole manufacturing process, and repurpose any leftover denim into art used in their stores and pop-up locations.

ABLE

Nashville-based ABLE sources all of their denim from the western hemisphere to reduce the carbon footprint of shipping materials. Their manufacturing process recycles 100% of the water used, and denim scraps are given to the government for housing insulation.

Nudie Jeans

Nudie’s 100% organic cotton jeans, available for both men and women, come with a guarantee of free repairs for however long you own them. There are repair centers in a handful of countries (US included), or you can order kits online. Each listing also features transparency notes, so you can dig deeper into their manufacturing process. They’re based in Sweden but available worldwide.

Where to Buy Sustainable Winter Coats

published on January 10, 2022 by Angela Hamilton
updated on January 11, 2022

What are winters like where you live? These past few Seattle winters I’ve missed California more than ever, but I’m trying to get outside as much as possible (although I reeeeally don’t want to sometimes), for my mental health and overall wellbeing. It’s a lot easier when you have the right gear. If you’re struggling with the cold weather like me, one of these sustainable winter coats may be just what you need to get through the rest of the season. Take a look!

WRAY’s Roberta puffer jacket in Parakeet which has a tie belt and quilted texture.

Grön Kulle’s Noor coat, along with all slow fashion offerings, are designed, cut, and sewn in California using deadstock fabrics. The yin-yang design also comes in teddy, sherpa, and neutral styles!

Our directory prAna offers lots of eco friendly activewear, including the Hellebore Jacket in Baked Blush, which is such an on point color block.

MAIUM’s Original Coat in Reed Green is designed in Amsterdam (by people who really know the pain of a constant drizzle) and made of recycled plastic.

Universal Standard’s 4-in-1 Hybrid Puffer comes in electric blue or black. The removable hood and skirt allows it to be a standard puffer jacket, long coat, and hooded or not.

I can’t get over how cozy Cuyana’s wrap puffer, made of recycled polyester, is! Pictured here in Sand, it also comes in black.

Three words: floral. bomber. jacket. HERA studio makes small batch statement pieces with natural, upcycled, and vintage fabrics. Also love their velvet jackets…

… Not to mention the cherry crop jacket with wavy checks. This would be the perfect “winter” jacket if I still lived in Los Angeles.

Lastly, backbeatco’s organic cotton puffer jacket is cozy and not too heavy, but warm enough for winter walks.

Which design is on your wishlist? If none of these sustainable coats are up your alley, don’t forget to search Etsy or even on Instagram hashtags like #sustainableclothing or #handmadeclothing to find the perfect cold weather staple sustainably!

PS: We wrote about sustainable coats a couple years back, too. Check there to see if any of the brands featured have updated their inventory!