Retail therapy, but make it eco-friendly.
For years now there has been an emphasis on sustainability, with an almost parallel increase in fast fashion production. While there's a reason fast fashion has its place in retail, it's always good to make an effort with ethically sourced clothing and products where possible.
Luckily for Ireland, there's a ton of Irish sustainable brands that make this easier for shoppers, and this Earth Day (April 22) we want to celebrate them.
1. Fresh Cuts Clothing
This cool Dublin based shop proves how fashionable sustainable clothing can be.
Fresh Cuts Clothing provides options for adults and kids, with a range of hoodies and t-shirts. They have a shop in Castle Market and an online store.
2. Mother Reusables
Cut down on plastics with
Mother Reusables. They do a range of cool drinking bottles and reusable coffee cups that you can easily take with you on the go. Plus every bottle sold means a tree will be planted with the Eden Reforestation Project. This brand is stocked in a few Irish stores such as Avoca and Fallon & Byrne, as well as online.
3. We Make Good
As the name would suggest, this company is all about contributing to the greater good. The
We Make Good website states:
"We Make Good was born out of our desire to grow the social enterprise sector in our country, to create many more job opportunities for people from disadvantaged backgrounds, to acknowledge their determination and to embark on a journey together towards a better future."
4. Ohh By Gum
This Galway based boutique has the ethos that:
"Fashion shouldn’t just be about looking good. It should be good for the people who make it. And good for the planet too."
Ohh By Gum sells beauty, fashion, and accessories while trying to source everything ethically.
5. Grown
Grown is a small Irish business based in Dublin that makes beautiful comfy clothes such as hoodies, sweatshirts and t-shirts for men, women, and children. They are all about connecting with nature, stating that:
"When we sat down to design our new collection, we once again turned to nature. This time we didn't want to rely solely on our own personal experiences, we wanted to seek out what draws you."
This brand is all about sustainability, even helping to reforest some woodland areas in Ireland.
6. Alice Halliday
The clothing and accessories from this brand are small works of art. The designer Alice Halliday is based in Cork and according to the
website her focus is on "
sustainable couture, headpieces & accessories". Her pieces have featured in the likes of Vogue. Every fabric has a history behind it and no one piece is exactly alike. You can shop the collection on the Alice Halliday website.
7. BeMona
One of the more welcome sides of the pandemic was our transition into wearing activewear as everydaywear, and BeMona is a fantastic eco-friendly brand that makes it out of plastic waste. You can shop the brand on their
online shop.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdpqaZFsalk/
8. Organic Movement
And there's even more where that came from here, with ethical yoga brand
Organic Movement. They create the most beautiful pieces of yoga-wear that are consciously grown and ethically sewn. One of the most gorgeous Irish sustainable brands.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgMIox9LpyD/?hl=en
9. Chupi
For those looking to spend a bit on some jewellery, whether that be an engagement ring, or just something special, Irish brand
Chupi creates the most beautiful products. On-site they have this message about sustainability.
"Sustainability is not just what we make and how we make it, it’s about everything we do. We have to consider the whole picture, because we want to leave a more beautiful tomorrow."
10. The Handmade Soap Company
For all your soap needs, the
Handmade Soap Company has the goods. They use 100% natural ingredients, 100% recycled materials, and they are also vegan (as all toiletries should be). They encourage the use of refills for their products, plus, their soaps and body lotions smell amazing.
11. Kahm Sustainable Swimwear
This sustainable swimwear line is made in Donegal and is made from ECONYL® regenerated nylon. Nylon like this is made from waste, otherwise polluting the Earth, such as old carpets, fishing nets and fabric scraps.
Kahm also donates 1% of every purchase to Healthy Seas.
Which of these Irish sustainable brands are you checking out first?
Header image via Instagram/bemona.co & motherreusable
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