Instagram is the go-to for those in need of outfit inspiration and a place for new trends to flourish. While most style influencers are promoting fast fashion and materialism by highlighting new outfits daily, these 14 sustainable fashion influencers are doing just the opposite. Whether it’s educating their followers, shedding light on problems within the industry, or giving tutorials on how to upcycle old clothes, these 14 accounts are leading the way when it comes to using fashion as a force for good.
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Theniftythrifter
For a mix of bold colors, style ideas and activism, Becky is your girl. Her account highlights second-hand pieces, plenty of educational information, and how to approach sustainable fashion if you’re just getting started.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
“It is important to me because alongside the fact that it’s mostly ethical, I feel SUCH a freedom not having to follow trends and styles simply for fear of missing out. That pure anxiety of having to ‘keep up’ has gone away entirely!”
What is one change everyone can do to get started with building a sustainable wardrobe?
“A great place to start is to make a conscious effort to restyle the pieces you already have. Get all your clothes out, pop them on your bed and take some time matching newer and older pieces of your wardrobe together. You’ll know exactly what you have and can make a ‘wish list’ of things you neeeeed rather than want! Get creative – I promise it’s worth it.”
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Emgdwn
Emily mixes conversation around sustainable fashion with self love and body positivity. Her feed is educational, candid and incredibly relatable.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
“I want to do my best to minimize waste in my life, and fast fashion was, frankly, an easy thing to kick out. As a plus-sized woman, shopping was always rather discouraging, so thrifting became a rather exhilarating hunt! More lately, I have focused myself on purchasing less and appreciating the things I have.”
What is one change everyone can do to get started with building a sustainable wardrobe?
“I think if more folks focused on accumulating some versatile, timeless pieces in their taste rather than constantly keeping up with the latest microtrend it would be easier to make sustainable fashion choices.”
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Ohheyvanessa
Vanessa is a slow fashion advocate as well as an interior designer. Her page mixes colorful thrifted or DIY outfits, tid-bits from her home decor collection, and conversation around inclusion in the sustainable fashion space.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
“Sustainable fashion is important to me on so many levels, one being the ability to still love and appreciate fashion in a way that isn’t devastating to the planet. As this movement grows there have been so many doors opening up to give us options to shop without harming the environment. With fashion being one of the leading polluters it’s about time to move towards correcting that problem.”
What is one change everyone can do to get started with building a sustainable wardrobe?
“One change I recommend moving forward is to rewear your clothes! I know it doesn’t sound groundbreaking but we’re in the age of Instagram, where we’ve been conditioned to wear something once, post it then never wear it again. That is unsustainable, the more use you get out on your clothes the better. Find different ways to restyle your items so you don’t get bored or uninspired by them and show them the love they deserve.”
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Girlonfilm__
Charlotte’s combination of stylized film photos, candid captions, and a poem every now and again results in a highly relatable feed. To discover independent sustainable brands while receiving advice on everything from self care to going freelance, @girlonfilm__ is the place to start.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
“I shifted my focus to ethical fashion – whereby I prioritize fashion that doesn’t hurt/ cost other humans. With that in mind – I found a lot of the brands I started to shop with were sustainable. For me, stepping out of the fast fashion cycle and moving away from trend-led clothing and into investment pieces that I wear to death was something I found a lot of joy in. My grandparents were both in the garment industry and have always pushed us to reuse and repair over buying disposable clothing. So, for me, it was a great process.”
What is one change everyone can do to get started with building a sustainable wardrobe?
“Don’t buy fast fashion for a month. Literally nothing. I know so many people that found taking a step back — taking stock of what they already had was a really good experience.”
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Poorlycurated
Jamie’s colorful feed is full of thrifted fashion and self-made art. Along with showcasing her second-hand finds and videos on DIY upcycling, she sells vintage clothes online — get your wallets ready.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
“Well, ‘fashion’ is based on trends, which requires constant consumption. So I would say ‘sustainable style’ is important to me because exploiting labor and the environment isn’t worth having a new outfit.”
What is one change everyone can do to get started with building a sustainable wardrobe?
“Think more! Consider the impact of your purchases, whether you actually need to buy a garment, etc. The more you contemplate, the less you’ll probably buy.”
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Kimseidensticker
Kim is a sustainable fashion blogger who also dabbles in clean beauty and low waste living. Her timeless style is a mix of sustainable brands and vintage items that will 100% inspire your next outfit.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
“There are so many dire issues going on these days — climate change, pollution, human rights violations. I can easily start to feel overwhelmed or hopeless when I think about it all. That’s why sustainable fashion is important to me. The fashion industry is very much connected to issues surrounding the treatment of the planet and its people. Wearing sustainable clothing is something approachable that I as an individual can do to make change.”
What is one change everyone can do to get started with building a sustainable wardrobe?
“Ignore trends by avoiding places where you might see language like ‘trendy,’ ‘on-trend,’ ‘the latest trends,’ ‘trend forecasting,’ etc.”
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Slow_fashion_lottie
Lottie promotes slow fashion, vintage shopping, and small changes over complete lifestyle overhauls. If building a sustainable wardrobe seems daunting, Lottie does a great job offering educational resources and actionable items for her followers that are easy to adapt.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
“Sustainable fashion is important for me because I love to support innovators, and I also love the feeling when you find something amazing that is preloved. Once you start to get even the smallest insight into the way your clothes are made, and you see how easy some of the alternatives are, it feels like a no brainer to make changes where you can. I think there is a myth that to be sustainable you need to follow the #nonewclothes movement. Whilst that is definitely an option for some, it’s all about finding what works for you.”
What is one change everyone can do to get started with building a sustainable wardrobe?
“The most sustainable thing you can do is wear what you have until it can’t be worn anymore. Repair your clothes (or get some help from someone who can help you repair them if you don’t have the skills) and if you don’t want them anymore, pass them on. Never put clothes in the bin unless they’re complete rags (at which point you can use them as cloths for the kitchen!). Write a list of all the things you feel are missing in your wardrobe. Look for those things secondhand, borrow from friends or support a small independent business that have smaller production runs and use more sustainable fabrics. If it’s something that you feel you need but won’t always wear, why not try renting?”
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Charity.shop.cop
Follow Rach for low cost second-hand pieces and styling ideas. Sustainable fashion can get expensive, but Rach teaches her followers how and where to shop sustainably — no matter the budget.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
“I’m a very passionate environmentalist and intersectional feminist, so it felt hypocritical to be supporting a wasteful and exploitative industry like fast fashion when I have access to more ethical and sustainable alternatives. I also find second-hand shopping so much more enjoyable and rewarding! Hunting through charity shops for hidden treasures is a hobby in itself, and wearing second-hand clothing allows me to express myself more authentically and individualistically, without feeling limited by constant trends or spending loads of money.”
What is one change everyone can do to get started with building a sustainable wardrobe?
“My biggest tip for a more sustainable wardrobe is simply wearing (and repairing where necessary) items that you already own, and asking friends and relatives for hand-me-downs when they’re clearing out their own wardrobes. It’s completely free, prevents clothes from going to landfill, and you can inherit some beautiful vintage items. Some of my most worn pieces previously belonged to my Nan and the quality is so much better than the majority of clothes manufactured today!”
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Jessica.harumi
Jessica represents all things minimalism. Her feed teaches how to thrive with a capsule wardrobe along with tips on styling pieces multiple ways to refresh a look.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
“Sustainable fashion encapsulates a conscious approach to consuming while highlighting the importance of self-expression and individuality. It can be really accessible too, through thrifting and slow fashion practices. Basically it means that people and the planet don’t need to suffer for fashion. It’s a reminder to appreciate the value of what you own and the materials and labor that go into making those things.”
What is one change everyone can do to get started with building a sustainable wardrobe?
“If you’re trying to move towards a more sustainable wardrobe, start by assessing what you own and really understanding your personal style. Once you have a strong grasp on that you won’t be as easily swayed by passing trends and you can make better choices next time you shop.”
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Miraalmomani
Mira’s page is full of feminine outfits, bold colors, and unique graphic design. She highlights independent brands focused on slow fashion so her followers can discover innovative designers.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
“Sustainability is a real buzz word at the moment. It’s hard to know what to think when you’re told to be more mindful, but also that you must wear 1, or 2 or 3 new things a week if you want people to think you’re ‘cool.’ Growing up I would wear hand me downs from my two older sisters and be absolutely thrilled! It wasn’t until I got a bit older and started to use Instagram and other social media platforms that my desire to buy new clothes began to grow like a rash.”
What is one change everyone can do to get started with building a sustainable wardrobe?
“I think it’s more a question of when did sustainability stop being so important to me? When did I forget that it’s okay to rewear outfits you love — you wouldn’t catch me dead without my favorite lilac butterfly skirt as a kid. I like to think I’m getting back to that sort of appreciation for my clothes, we all need to — rewearing things is cool.”
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Femmeennoir
Alexis has a mix of outfit ideas, resources for shopping sustainably, and a refreshingly natural and self empowered feed. Her posts aim to help everyone, no matter what limitations, find a way to break into sustainable fashion.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
“Sustainable fashion is important to me because fashion itself is one of the truest ways for me to express myself and how I’m feeling at that moment. I find so much inspiration in fashion and it gives me confidence. I know how polluting the fashion industry is though, which is why I’m incredibly passionate about sustainable fashion. I believe fashion shouldn’t harm the planet or its people. And so I will continue to push for better legislation and industry standards so we can make real changes in the industry.”
What is one change everyone can do to get started with building a sustainable wardrobe?
“I have two recommendations I always give to people who want to have a more sustainable wardrobe. The first would be to cut out fast fashion. Its whole business model is built on exploitation and overconsumption, and does no good for its workers or the people buying its products (or the planet either!). I know that this is not something that is an option for everyone because location and socioeconomic factors are two reasons for why people buy fast fashion. So that leads me to my second recommendation: buy less. Overconsumption is one of the biggest problems in the fashion industry. When we become more conscious about our buying decisions, we end up buying less. Fast fashion really plays off the impulse buy, so steering away from that will help. I always suggest to people to put something in their online cart and then wait a week or two. If you still want it then, then buy it.”
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Nihaelety
Niharika’s feed is full of colorful outfits, incredible makeup looks, and activism. She uses her platform to address and discuss problems within the fashion industry.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
“I lived half my life in India and half in the US, and while living in India ‘sustainable fashion’ to me was just fashion because the production of textiles was inherently sustainable. Most consumers are aware of and participate in the process of creating their garments. India has a massive variety of regional textiles that use fibers like jute, cotton, and linen, etc. that are natural to the region as the product of regenerative agriculture. These fibers are then woven by weavers on a machine or handloom and dyed and printed/embroidered by artisans. Many consumers buy their fabrics and get them stitched by a local tailor, which supports local economies and doesn’t exploit labor. The definition of slow and transparent fashion. With the rise of colonialism and the Industrial Revolution, our relationships with labor and the planet were cut and we became dissociated. Growing up surrounded by rich South Asian textiles, fashion was a vehicle for not only self expression but a relationship with my culture as well. To me sustainable fashion is a powerful lens to explore the cracks in our system and that goes deeper than just environmental friendly fabrics and fair wages. We need to focus the conversation around its effects on black and brown bodies, who hold power, creating localized economies, thinking of fashion as a product of agriculture, focusing on regenerative agriculture, embracing colorful and cultural designs, and reviving/centering indigenous craft and knowledge as the means to move forward.”
What is one change everyone can do to get started with building a sustainable wardrobe?
“You don’t have to sacrifice your style to be sustainable. In fact it actually helps you create your own unique and authentic style. The fast fashion industry is THRIVING on trends. Back in the day the designers and retailers would launch seasonal collections and people would buy an average of 12 items a year. Now Fast fashion brands are dropping weekly collections 52 TIMES A YEAR and people are buying an average of 65 items annually. This is not possible without exploiting workers and the environment. Notions like ‘retail therapy’ and celebrity clothing trends have created a reliance on fast fashion as something you need to feel and look good. Fashion is WEARABLE ART and it’s important to think of it like that when making a purchase. CURATE your closets with art pieces that you actually love and want to wear again and again. I love having clothing pieces that have a story.”
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Elliewhothrifts
Not only does Ellie showoff her thrift store finds, but anything she no longer wears is sold on her depop. Her feed is full of prints and posts dedicated to debunking myths around sustainable fashion.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
“Sustainable fashion has always been part of my wardrobe, I grew up living in hand-me-downs, shopping in charity shops, and haggling at boot fairs. But two years ago I decided to never buy from unsustainable brands, and I’ve only bought second hand clothes since. The bottom line is fast fashion clothes are made at the expense of their garment workers, on top of that there’s the resources used and the waste it’s generating. It’s also important to me that people realize there’s no stigma to shopping second hand — I feel like I’m an expert at this point having done it all my life.”
What is one change everyone can do to get started with building a sustainable wardrobe?
“Another element of a sustainable wardrobe is making your clothes last. Treat your clothes with love, don’t over wash them, always read the care label, learn to repair them, and if they aren’t built to last, try not to over wear them!”
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Therapythrift
Follow Tam for outfit inspiration and bold statement pieces — all thrifted, of course. Her account is a breath of fresh air and shows that second-hand clothing doesn’t have to be boring.
Why is sustainable fashion important to you?
“Sustainable fashion is important to me because of the social and environmental influences on humans and our planet. As someone who loves styling clothes, feeling good in them, and being conscious about the effects of purchasing clothing, it’s important for me to care about who makes my clothes and where they go if I no longer want them. It’s also important to think about the fashion industry from a humanitarian standpoint and be educated on poor working conditions of textile workers. In my journey transitioning to sustainable fashion, I have learned so much about how I have the power to support brands that treat their employees ethically. I’m still learning and encourage others to learn and share their insights too.”
What is one change everyone can do to get started with building a sustainable wardrobe?
“A lot of people may find this transition to sustainable fashion difficult, but one easy way to start is by wearing the items you already own and keeping them in your wardrobe. Repurpose old things. Find new ways to love the things that you have. This not only helps reduce the amount of textiles going into landfills, but is also a really fun way to get your creative juice flowing and give life to the things you might’ve forgotten about.”
Want sustainable fashion inspiration in your daily feed? Follow Remake on Instagram.
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