It is known to everyone: the fashion industry is one of the biggest environmental polluters in the world. Not only big brands and stores can do something about this, but you as a consumer can adjust your behaviour to counteract this. A sustainable wardrobe is no longer optional, but a must for everyone. Do you know how polluting the fashion industry is? We have listed some (painful) facts for you. And give you 5 tips on sustainable, Dutch clothing brands to make your wardrobe more sustainable. This way you make a conscious choice from now on and clothing from these brands look much better on you and also fits a lot better!
- Did you know that about 20% of the global clean water pollution is caused by the paints and finishing agents used by the textile industry?
- And did you know that 35% of all primary microplastics that end up in the environment are due to the washing of synthetic clothing?
- It is estimated that the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of all carbon emissions in the world. That is more than the emissions of international aviation and maritime shipping combined…
Disturbing, right? All facts about the impact of textile production can be found on the website of the European Parliament.
5x sustainable Dutch clothing brands
Kings of Indigo
At Kings of Indigo sustainability is the main driver. Recycle, repair and reuse are the core values of Kings of Indigo, and everything has been and is thought of. All garments are made from sustainable, organic or recycled materials. Organic cotton is a much better choice than conventional cotton, as no harmful pesticides or fertilizers are used. Further on, Kings of Indigo is affiliated with the Fair Wear Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving working conditions in textile factories. All factory workers receive a living wage, which means that all factory workers must be able to live on their salary. They have even been voted the most sustainable denim brand in Europe by Rank a Brand.
The style of Kings of Indigo can be traced back to American denim in which you can also clearly see some Japanese influences. It’s not all about the style of their pieces, they know that it is especially important that clothes should fit well. From fine basic items to the most beautiful fashion statements, they have it all. View our women’s collection from Kings of Indigo here or check out our men’s collection.
J LABEL
J LABEL is a fair fashion brand with a bohemian chic style. Think flowy maxi dresses and skirts, colourful tops and trousers in striking prints. In July 2018, Janneke and Judith launched their fashion label with the appropriate name J LABEL. J LABEL uses environmentally friendly materials such as GOTS-certified organic cotton, FSC viscose and residual materials for their collections. Everyone involved in their production works in a safe environment and receives a living wage. We are very happy we have this sustainable Dutch clothing brand in our store!
View our J Label collection here.
Alchemist
Alchemist works as much as possible with sustainably produced materials. One of the main fabrics the brand focuses on is tencel. A fiber made from eucalyptus wood from responsibly managed forests. All factories they work with have one or more certificates and are under the annual audit of various NGOs, such as BSCI, FWF, SA8000, GOTS and Smeta. The premise of Alchemist: “You wear your clothes on your skin, so it comes very close to you. Then you don’t want it to be produced in a “wrong” way, do you?” Their mission immediately flows from this, to make fashion that is beautiful for everyone.
View our Alchemist collection here.
LaSalle
LaSalle’s mission is to design only ‘Responsible Fashion’. They do this by using environmentally friendly materials as much as possible. For example, they make substances from soybeans, or rather; the residual waste from the food production of soybeans. After processing the soybeans, the pods remain. After distillation, the proteins are extracted from these pods. This makes fibres with which the fabrics are woven. If that’s not a good story to tell about your (new) garment! And as an added benefit, the fibres make it is also very soft.
They aim for 70% of the collection to consist of these materials by 2025. Why not fully focus on 100% environmentally friendly materials? For a collection that also has a long lifespan, it is necessary to use synthetic fibres in addition to these materials.
Curious how the soybean feels in a piece of clothing? Have a look at our collection of LaSalle.
MAIUM
This Dutch brand only focuses on… raincoats! They have only been around for a few years, but already a big name on an innovative level. The idea for MAIUM raincoats stems from personal frustrations with the founders and the need for beautiful rainwear that keeps you dry while cycling. The MAIUM raincoats can be zipped open on the side, so you can turn it into a poncho when you get on your bike! Besides being handy and stylish, they are of course also very sustainable. MAIUM’s rainwear is made from recycled plastic bottles, contains no harmful substances and they are produced under safe and healthy working conditions.
Because it is a unisex model, women are advised to order one size smaller. Check out our entire MAIUM collection.
Do you know more sustainable Dutch clothing brands?
Is your favourite sustainable Dutch clothing brand not in our list? We would like to know your favourite brand, and maybe you can find it in our store! Send us an email and let’s keep in touch!
