How Fashion is Bringing Light to Change and How You Can Too
Image courtesy: Strike FSU
Wanting and advocating for change has become the statement of the year. However, some brands have made it their goal to combine social justice advocacy with style. 2020 has shed a lot of light on the toxicity and wasteful nature of the fashion industry. If you are going to online shop, these are a couple of brands that incorporate both of these things and are worth supporting.
1. Chnge
Chnge is a clothing brand with an array of simplistic t-shirts with slogans and sayings that promote peaceful politics. Some of these include, “no human is illegal on stolen land” or, “protect kids, not guns.” Not only do they spread their message physically, but they have also donated over $270,000 to various organizations that focus on women’s equality, impoverished children, civil rights, and fighting climate change. The brand donates 50% of its profits to these charities and pushes for sustainable clothing and shipping materials. Chnge’s whole vision opens up a door for sustainable shopping that spreads a message of equality.
TieDyen4Biden is an Instagram based boutique that donated $128,328 to Biden’s campaign. They charge $25 a shirt and all proceeds went to his campaign before the presidential election. You were also able to provide proof of donation of any amount of $25 and up. They typically sell out instantly and push this overall idea of clothing for a cause. Since tie-dye was a trend that blew up over quarantine, this brand was met with high demand. The shirts have the Biden/Harris campaign logo and once you place your order with your size, you receive a randomized tie-dye top. The brand has a small staff that runs nearly profit free. You also do not have to worry about the ethics behind the making of the clothing.
3. TOMS
Although TOMS is a huge throwback to 2012, the brand is still relevant in its nature of donating and giving back. The main focus of TOMS is that for every $3 they make; they donate $1 to various charities and causes. Their shoes are sustainably made, and they have made a total of $2 million in various global relief causes. TOMS is a great brand for support shoes that are long-lasting and comfortable.
4. Save Lands
Save Lands is a brand that focuses its efforts on the treachery of deforestation. For those looking to be more mindful about the planet, they plant twelve trees for every item sold. On their website, they bring awareness to the 80,000 acres of land destroyed each day and how humans have already destroyed 80% of the world’s forests. They have a partnership with Trees.org, which has allowed them to plant over 1.5 million trees. Their merchandise ranges, with a lot of it having slogans or sayings about being environmentally friendly.
5. Everlane
Everlane’s main focus is on the ethical making of their products. They use quality materials and only partner with the most ethical factories around the world. This takes a lot of the gray area out of fast fashion, for cheap clothing is usually set at low prices due to the underpaid workers hired in the process. They call their business style “radical transparency,” for they also include how much it took to make each item in comparison to how much they are charging for it. Their merchandise is on the pricier end, but it is made to last, and you know the item’s entire track record.
These are just a few of the brands to shop from if you are looking to change shopping habits that contribute to corrupt industries. The overall statement when you buy from sustainable brands is that you are contributing to a company trying to dismantle toxic ideology and practice. The fashion industry is beginning to bring light to change, and you can too by supporting them.
Strike Out,
Writer: Alyson Brinkley
Editor: Joey Flanagan
Graphics: Emily Boden
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