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Zara was a pioneer of fast fashion, driving the industry to new lows of overproduction and consumption. Unsurprisingly, the brand still isn’t doing enough for people, the planet, and animals, so we’re sharing some brands working more responsibly—and who don’t engage in a business model that is destroying the planet. Introducing 19 more sustainable alternatives to Zara, including the likes of Kotn, JAN ‘N JUNE, OhSevenDays, Dawn Denim, and more.
More accessible? Yes. Responsible? Not quite
Many people credit Zara with perfecting the fast fashion model. It is a pioneer of super-fast turnaround times from design, manufacture, order, and distribution. Its twice-weekly drops of new lines that quickly sell out—creating a sense of urgency to buy—got many consumers hooked on shopping for entertainment’s sake. Zara has been a key driver of the massive, wasteful, polluting, exploiting, and unsustainable fashion industry we have today: not exactly a legacy to be proud of.
Zara gets a rating of “It’s a Start” from us. It has introduced some measures to put its business on a better path, like opting to use some lower-impact materials, providing training and mechanisms for dealing with harassment to workers in its supply chain, and supporting organisations that are addressing the impacts of microplastics. On the other hand, it’s still using polyester—a key depositor of microplastics, it doesn’t state that everyone in its supply chain is paid a living wage, and it still promotes overconsumption with its fast fashion business model, which will never be sustainable.
That’s why we’re sharing a few of our favourite “Good” and “Great” brands that, between them, cover all bases in terms of wardrobe go-to items that you might find in Zara—all while respecting the planet, animals, and the people who make their clothes. Here are 19 more ethical brands you’ll love more than Zara.
