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If you’re returning to the office after years away recent years, it’s definitely time to update your professional attire. If wearing the best sets you up for success, you need a polished outfit to compliment you while you take on the day.
If you’re working in an office all day, that means you’re spending all day in your work clothes. Even high-end, name-brand fashion can come with a plethora of endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic chemicals including PFAS, phthalates, and azobenzene disperse dyes, among many others. While it’s seemingly easier to avoid these chemicals by opting out of synthetic fabrics, natural fabrics can still be dyed and finished the same way.
That’s why it’s important to know what you’re wearing. Whether you’re looking sharp in the office or preparing to present at a conference, we have great non-toxic, sustainable, and professional brands for you. Before you buy, take a look at our recommended criteria:
Natural materials: Your clothing needs to be breathable and comfortable so you don’t feel trapped and distracted when you’re trying to focus. Be kind to your skin by wearing clothing made of natural materials. Look for organic cotton, linen, merino wool, or silk — bonus if they are recycled. Not only will these be less itchy, but they won’t become smelly nearly as quickly as synthetics and don’t need to be dyed using the toxic colorfast dyes that synthetics require.
Traceable supply chain: Typical fashion brands are completely unaware of the practices in their supply chains. This allows the worker exploitation and severe pollution that’s so pervasive in the industry to continue uninterrupted. Look for brands that are transparent and involved in every tier of their supply chains, from material sourcing to manufacturing. It’s also good to look for brands that source materials near their manufacturing facilities, so there aren’t as many emissions from long, complex supply chains.
Plastic-free packaging: Plastic polybag mailers can’t be recycled. You can avoid throwing away a ton of plastic by shopping from brands that use recycled or biodegradable packaging. Also look for cardboard mailers and paper wrapping.
Third-party certifications: Certifications from outside of the brand can help you determine just how ethical, non-toxic, and sustainable it is. Look for labels from bluesign, B Corp, and Fair Trade Organizations.
No dry cleaning required: Not everyone has the time (or energy) to get their professional clothing dry cleaned on the weekends –– not to mention that can add toxic chemicals to your clothing! Instead, look for pieces that can be hand-washed or delicately machine-washed in cold water.
Women-led: We’re over every womenswear brand being run by a board of white male directors. It’s a bonus if the brand is founded by women who understand what we need to feel confident in the workspace!
Despite the fashion industry’s many consistent shortcomings, more and more brands are stepping up to offer truly natural, non-toxic options for every occasion, work presentations included. Here are our favorite brands that are leading the change in style:
This New York City-based brand specializes in timeless wardrobe staples made by local artisans and women and minority-owned businesses. Its GOTS-certified organic cotton comes from an ethical producer in India. It offers a collection of neutral-colored button-ups in a variety of styles and cuts. They’re easy to layer to suit every professional occasion. If you’re looking to build a long-lasting and minimalist work wardrobe, this brand is for you.
This award-winning brand makes sustainable essentials including cardigans, button-ups, and turtlenecks to complete your work outfit. Kotn buys its materials directly from small farms throughout the Nile Delta and Fiayum regions of Egypt and ensures the workers are always paid a fair wage. Its production takes place in Egypt and Portugal. It uses biodegradable natural fibers including Egyptian cotton, linen, Lyocell, merino wool, and a recycled material blend. Its packaging includes recycled polyester care labels, reusable tote bags, and recyclable mailers.
Certified B-Corp brand Eileen Fisher offers timeless styles in a variety of natural, non-toxic fabrics from regenerative organic cotton to RWS-certified wool. Its partnership with bluesign allows the brand to prevent hazardous materials from entering its supply chain. The brand offers a variety of office staples, flattering professional styles, and sensitive-skin-friendly options in silk.
This woman-led brand works with skilled artisans in India, Peru, and locally in Los Angeles. It seeks to create feminine styles with ethical natural fibers and traditional craft techniques. Its professional tops feature unique necklines that include layered v-necks, ruffles, lace-trimmed edges, and classic collars. Its materials (including organic cotton, linen, alpaca, and Tencel) are sourced close to its manufacturers to minimize transportation emissions and maintain a transparent supply chain.
Nisolo is a climate-neutral certified B-corp brand that offers a collection of stylish flats and heels comfortable enough to walk the tradeshow floor all day. They’re padded with a water-resistant leather upper portion and are easy to match with any professional outfit. The brand ensures living wages for every worker in its 1st Tier facilitates and seeks to do the same for Tiers 2-4. It only works with factories that successfully complete regular 3rd party audits. Each piece of clothing comes with a sustainability facts label that details the conditions in which it was made.
Founded in 1993, Filippa K creates classic and minimalist clothing that’s meant to last. Its naturally dyed (with birchwood and Aronia berries) Swedish wool is completely traceable. Its class 1 and 2 materials, including organic and recycled cotton and organic linen, are fully recyclable. Flippa K’s facilities in China, Italy, Lithuania, Morocco, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey, Vietnam, and the Ukraine are annually audited by a third party to ensure fair labor standards are continually met.
This collection of eye-catching blouses is perfect for those who like to incorporate statement pieces into their work attire. Each hand-washable piece is created to be as long-lasting and versatile as possible. Hope for Flowers only uses organic cotton, organic linen, Tencel, and Cupro in its garments. Its overall goal is to work with textiles that cause minimal harm to the planet and the workers who make them. It seeks to improve its sustainability by shortening its supply chain and switching to biodegradable packaging.
Stella McCartney offers classic workwear with a modern flair. Its collection of blouses is made of recycled polyester, organic cotton, and silk. This brand works closely with its suppliers and visits each one before signing to make sure they meet its standards. All four tiers of its supply chain are made up of small workshops in Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Spain, India, Romania, Bulgaria, and China. The brand only uses FSC-certified or recycled paper packaging.
Baukjen is a London-based brand that uses a mix of natural, bio-based, and recycled materials to create its extensive collection of women’s fashion. The Certified B Corp has its own pre-loved platform and rental program for multiple ways to shop. Each product features a list of sustainable attributes such as ethically made and natural materials. Its tier one suppliers are held to its code of conduct through regular third-party audits, and its packaging is recyclable and biodegradable.
Aday is a woman-and POC-led brand that designs versatile, comfortable, and long-lasting clothing. Its blouses are machine washable and wrinkle-free, which makes them perfect when packing for a conference. While most of its breathable cuts come in cool neutrals, they also offer bright yellow and coral for those who like to bring a pop of color to the office. The brand uses recycled fabrics, merino wool, and Tencel-based Biofleece. Aday requires all of its mills and manufacturing facilities (which reside in China, Taiwan, India, Portugal, Turkey, and the US) to sign fair labor and environmental welfare commitments.
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