When the sun is in full glory and the world becomes a playground of vibrant colours, you know it’s time to swap your winter clothing for a light, airy summer wardrobe. But wait! If you’re eco-conscious, there’s an added layer to this seasonal transition. How do you blend style, comfort, and sustainability in your summer fashion?
The Eco-Conscious Way
The eco-conscious philosophy is all about making mindful choices that reduce our environmental impact. In terms of fashion, it’s about giving a second life to your existing wardrobe, transforming old garments through upcycling, or hunting for hidden gems in second-hand stores.
Just imagine your beloved old attire reborn, creating an entirely new fashionable, and earth-friendly look. And when you yearn for something new, preloved outlets offer a world of sustainable, one-of-a-kind finds—for instance, shops like Thrift+, Re-Fashion and Reliked. Brands are also into reselling their preloved stock returned from their original owners. Baukjen’s preloved collection is a shining beacon in sustainable fashion, on a mission to reduce landfill waste. With their Preloved scheme, Baukjen breathes new life into old pieces and shares 50% of net proceeds with women’s charities.
A New Era: Rental Fashion
Fashion rental services are stirring up a storm in the sustainable fashion scene. They offer a platform for fashion enthusiasts who love experimenting with different looks but don’t want the commitment of ownership. Through renting, they keep their wardrobes lean, enjoy variety, and help curb fast fashion’s overproduction and waste.
The rental market has surged in popularity in recent years, with a whole crop of new sites emerging in the UK amid growing demand. Hurr Collection, Hirestreet, ByRotation, and Rotaro are redefining fashion ownership, enabling the flexibility to try out before buying and sometimes never buy at all.
Not only is it good news for the environment, your wallet will thank you, too, as you can find all your favourite brands available for a fraction of the retail price. Most sites also have a 24-hour return policy for items that don’t fit, taking all the stress out of the process.
Catch the Summer Sales
Many sustainable fashion brands have kicked off their summer sales. This is your chance to get some stunning bargains while championing eco-friendly practices. Whether you’re after a new dress, swimwear, eyewear, or footwear, prioritize pieces made from natural and recycled materials. Some of the brands and outfits I’ll mention are on sale, and you may do your wallet good by jumping and grabbing a bargain.
Planning your summer outfits for various events is a joy when sustainability is at its heart:
Sailing:Â
Knowing what to wear sailing in the summer takes a bit of thought and preparation. You can’t just grab the first few things you see and head out on your way. Plus, the type of sailing you intend to do will have an impact on your clothing choices. Ultraviolet light protection is a major factor when choosing the correct sailing clothing. Not only will you be exposed to the rays of the sun when outdoors, but those rays will also be reflected back at you off the water. You can keep yourself protected by wearing tops and shirts that have a UPF rating of 50+.
Opt for light, breathable fabrics like organic cotton or linen. Brands like Patagonia, Everlane, and Away That Day, with their Econyl swimwear made from ocean-found plastics, offer great sustainable options.
Since you will be in the sun for most of the time you spend on the water, sunscreen will be the secret weapon that will give you that extra layer of protection. This is even more important when you are wearing shorts and short-sleeved shirts.
BBQs:Â
Choose something casual and comfy, like organic denim shorts paired with a recycled tank top. Brands like Reformation, Levi’s, and Aligne, with their wide-leg linen Hainault trousers, provide fantastic sustainable choices. Everyone needs a pair of linen trousers for the summer months. Tailored with a modern fit, the Hainault trousers are finished in a beautiful green shade for a bold and bright look. Crafted from linen, they feature wide legs, an elasticated waistband, and slant pockets. Style with your favourite tee for a relaxed look, or wear it with the matching Faria shirt for head-to-toe coordination.Â
Dinner Outdoors:Â
Summer nights call for flowing maxi dresses made from sustainable fabrics like Tencel. Check out beautiful dresses from People Tree, Thought Clothing, and Baukjen’s Everly and Kirsty dresses made from low carbon footprint LENZING™ ECOVERO.
Eloise Organic Cotton Blouse
Canada Organic Cotton –Â
Outdoor Music Events:Â
Go for a loose, printed jumpsuit made from organic cotton or bamboo. Brands like Omnes with their Riviera mini dress made from recycled polyester offer delightful eco-friendly options.
Holla poet sleeve blouse
Parties:
For parties, Bodgar is a standout sustainable brand with its eco-friendly, chic, playful, and fun collections. Their mission is to infuse the world of party wear with eco-friendly practices, proving that sustainability can effortlessly blend with chic, playful, sexy, and fun styles.Â
According to Bodgar, transparency is more than just a buzzword; it is the foundation of our approach. While we do not claim to be 100% sustainable, we commit to pursuing the most eco-friendly alternatives at every turn. Over half of our collections are created using certified eco-friendly materials, and we aim to continually increase this proportion with each subsequent collection. Our label proudly carries forward our family legacy in Bulgaria.Â
Ninety Percent is another sustainable fashion brand with summer party wear. Ninety Percent, sharing 90% of its distributed profits between charitable causes and workers, also offers relaxed daywear in dreamy fabrics.
Accessories
Even when it comes to camping bags and eyewear, BearMade and Bird are leading the way with their handcrafted, sustainably produced items.
Bird: Launched by three brothers in 2017, Bird is a family-owned UK brand devoted to creating ethical and sustainable eyewear. As the first UK eyewear brand with a B Corp Certification, Bird meets rigorous environmental and social standards, ensuring public transparency. Their ongoing partnership with SolarAid, titled ‘Share Your Sun’, enables them to donate solar lighting to African families with every pair sold, reducing reliance on harmful fossil fuels. Bird uses recyclable, biodegradable packaging and their mailer bags are marine-safe and water-soluble.
Adopting an eco-conscious lifestyle does not require sacrificing fashion or your unique style. With a touch of creativity, a spirit of exploration, and the support of sustainable brands, you can relish the summer months in the most stylish and eco-friendly manner.
Fillip, a video commerce marketplace connecting sustainable fashion brands with eco-conscious consumers with the power of AI and short-form video content is passionately committed to simplifying your journey towards sustainable fashion. By understanding your style preferences, shopping history, etc., Fillip curates a tailored selection of shoppable video content that guides you toward the most sustainable fashion choices. Whether you are looking to rent, purchase preloved items, or buy new from eco-friendly brands this summer, Fillip is your ultimate guide, empowering you to make informed and sustainable fashion decisions with ease and confidence. Download the app and join a new breed of fashion consumers passionate about style, the environment, and social justice.
Let’s soak up the sun sustainably!