Spring But Make It Sustainable: Your Ultimate Earth-Friendly Shopping Guide

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(Image credit: @claire_most@nnennaechem@monikh)

I know I'm not alone when I say that I'm committed to becoming more thoughtful about what and where I shop, taking into consideration which brands I support and the impact my purchases have on the environment. More than ever, I want to feel good about my shopping choices.

Although it's not talked about as much, the reality is that the fashion industry remains one of the world's top contributors to climate change. The good news? There have never been more brands that are committed to lightening their carbon footprint and creating a circular fashion economy than there are today. Between the number of emerging labels using upcycled materials, larger brands switching to deadstock fabrics, and the rise in popularity of the made-to-order model, it seems as though zero-waste fashion is taking over the industry. And I'm so here for it.

So this Earth Day, I'm not only highlighting some of these cool sustainable brands, but I'm also showing you that staying on-trend and being a conscious consumer don't have to be mutually exclusive. Ahead, you'll find six overarching spring trends that are happening in fashion right now and plenty of Earth-friendly ways to try them out yourself. Sure, these looks are current now, but I think these silhouettes, colors, and prints should also earn a spot in your forever closet because, at the end of the day, the most sustainable item of clothing is the one you already own.

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It's no secret that we're crushing hard on all the knits right now. These matching sets strike the perfect balance between comfortable and put-together.

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(Image credit: @claire_most@nnennaechem@monikh)

There's one trend we're not waiting another minute to get on board with: vibrant colors. If ever there were a time to have a little fun, it's now. Instead of a single standout hue, though, we're seeing all manner of saturated shades—from tangerine to hot pink to electric yellow.

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Stop, rewind, play. It may be 2023, but according to the wardrobes of fashion people lately, it might as well be 2001. That's right—the late '90s/early '00s are trending hard with everything from baggy denim to printed mules to shield sunglasses, proving that what goes around always comes back around. The best way to shop this trend is through the plethora of vintage and secondhand sellers offering up genuine items from the era. If you we're wise enough to hold onto any of these silhouettes, go ahead and raid your own closet.

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"Alexa, play 'Funkytown.'" Joyous dressing is going way beyond the saturated colors we touched on above. It's time to get a little weird, and the funky prints on deck this spring are making fashion fun again. Since indie labels are the ones largely credited with sparking this trend, shopping it from an ethical and sustainable source is a no-brainer.

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That's right—skin is in. Between cutouts, lace-up ties, and G-string pieces, there's never been a better time to take a little fashion risk—exactly how much skin you choose to expose and where is entirely up to you, but based on the risqué offerings we're seeing, a little risk equals a high reward. (The reward being an A+ outfit, of course.)

Up Next: This Under-$100 Denim Brand Is Sustainable and Goes From an XS to a 3X

Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.