Sustainability has been the buzzword for fashion brands over the past few years. Due to the highly visible spotlight of global warming, brands and consumers are a buzz to embrace more sustainable habits and processes. But it still leaves a lot of us thinking, what exactly makes a brand sustainable? According to the Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, a sustainable brand features “local sourcing and production, transparency across the supply chain, traceability of work processes and raw materials, environmentally friendly raw materials, safe working conditions, and fair wages.”
As you can see, the inefficiencies in the industry not only impact the environment around us, it also influences the culture it employs; with an estimated labor force of 3.3 million people, the impact is substantial.
The fashion industry has many complicated issues that will only balloon in the coming years. With that though, comes a plethora of ways for us to course-correct if we’re willing. A few sustainable buying habits include embracing the rental market with programs like Rent the Runway or Vivrelle or purchasing secondhand clothing over new ones. But as consumers, one of the most impactful steps we can take is ‘conscious fashion.’ It’s the most popular example of sustainability that puts the onus on the consumer to not only avoid fast fashion but to also use sustainable efforts in caring for their garments.
We can all do our part to help the environment. Below are several sustainable brands that are stylish, ethical, and worth it.
1.Local European, a womenswear label based in Los Angeles with a focus on timeless silhouettes with modern touches.
Where to Shop:: https://localeuropean.com/
2.Reformation, a womenswear label with the mission to bring sustainable fashion to everyone.
Where to Shop:: https://www.thereformation.com/
3.Madewell, a denim-focused brand that recently branched out to men’s apparel as well.
Where to Shop:: https://www.madewell.com/
4.Everlane, a brand that sources the finest materials and factories for timeless products.
Where to Shop:: https://www.everlane.com/
5.Girlfriend Collective, an athleisure brand using recycled, biodegradable fibers.
Where to Shop:: https://girlfriend.com/collections/all
6.Megan Renee, a Los Angeles-based unapologetically feminine and bold women's brand.
Where to Shop:: https://shopmeganrenee.com/
7.Quince, high-quality products at radically low prices.
Where to Shop:: https://www.onequince.com/
8.ABLE, an ethical fashion brand that employs and empowers women as a solution to end poverty.
Where to Shop:: https://www.livefashionable.com/
9.Aday, a minimalist capsule brand for maximizing life.
Where to Shop:: https://www.thisisaday.com/
10.Aritzia, a design house with an innovative global platform.
Where to Shop:: https://www.aritzia.com/us/en/home
11.Eileen Fisher, a womenswear brand that effortlessly combines timeless and elegant lines.
Where to Shop:: https://www.eileenfisher.com/
12.Cuyana, a label with timeless collections for the modern woman through carefully selected fabrics, precise silhouettes, and attention to detail.
Where to Shop:: https://www.cuyana.com/shop
13.Amour Vest, womenswear specializing in luxuriously soft-tailored styles.
Where to Shop:: https://amourvert.com/
Featured image by Getty Images
- 5 Wardrobe Staples To Buy In Your 30s - xoNecole: Women's ... ›
- The Ultimate Guide To Shopping Black-Owned Clothing Brands ›
RELATED
“Your circle is everything,” Reginae shares with a smile, and she’s not wrong. She’s all about creating spaces where we can come together, let our hair down, and vibe with like-minded women. “We deserve spaces to meet, uplift, and vibe with each other. BLK is making that happen,” she adds.
A New Era for Friendships—Social Mode Is Here!
Gen Z is all about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with a date or a new brunch buddy. That’s why Social Mode is such a big deal. Research shows that 65% of Gen Z values friendships just as much as romantic relationships. With BLK’s new feature, users can easily toggle between “Dating” and “Social,” opening up a world of platonic connections—no swiping right required.
Bahja Rodriguez, Reginae Carter, Breaunna Womack, Lourdes Rodriguez and Zonnique Pullins attend OMG Girlz "Make A Scene" Single Release & Video Viewing Party at Trap City Cafe on March 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage
Reginae Carter Hosts the Ultimate Girls’ Night In—Powered by BLK Social Mode
What better way to show Social Mode in action than with an exclusive Girls’ Night In, hosted by Reginae? The event brought together top influencers, tastemakers, and press for a night of luxury, self-care, and real talk about love, sex, and relationships. From tarot readings to perfume-making and signature cocktails, the evening embodied the “soft life” vibe that many Black women are embracing in 2025—peaceful, intentional, and full of joy.
Guests mingled, laughed, and bonded over the importance of finding a tribe that supports you. It wasn’t just about fun (although there was plenty of that!)—it was about creating a circle of inspiring, strong women. “We need to stick together. We need to be each other’s village,” Reginae says, emphasizing the power of community over competition.
Sisterhood: The Real MVP
For Reginae, it’s all about friendship—and not just the surface-level kind. “We need friends who keep it real with us. The ones who can tell us when we’re right, when we’re wrong, and when we need to calm down,” she says. As someone who navigates the spotlight, she’s got the best of both worlds: friends who understand the grind and those who can give her an honest, grounded perspective.
Her advice for building strong, intentional friendships? “Be confident in yourself and know your worth,” she explains. “Also, hurt people hurt people, so make sure you’re coming from a good place when you’re building relationships. It’s not always about being nice—sometimes it’s about being real.”
Reginae couldn’t have summed it up better: “When you have the right circle, the right tribe, everything just feels easier. And that’s exactly what BLK is giving us—space to connect, laugh, and grow with each other.”
To learn more about BLK’s Social Mode, download or update the BLK app in the App Store or Google Play Store today. Who knows? You might just find your new bestie or your next brunch crew.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Prince Williams/WireImage