We all love accessories. They are cute, trendy, and add a unique look to every outfit. Unfortunately, many are made from cheap plastic, toxic substances, and chemically-soaked materials. Luckily, there are fashionable items that can help adorn your way to a greener world. Let us look at some of these accessories with sustainable and eco-friendly options.
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Sustainable Sunglasses
Whether you are using shades to look stylish or protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays, you should know that they are often made from plastic, paint, and metal, which are hard to break down and often end up in landfills. Fortunately, you can protect your eyes while protecting the environment. Some of the best brands to help you do so include Proof and Sunski–Proof Eyewear uses wood, acetate, and aluminum from recycled skateboards, and Sunski uses plastic sourced from landfills and SuperLight recycled materials; they also use plastic-free packaging.
Sustainable Scarves
Most sustainable scarves are made from organic fabric and vegan materials. Many of these brands often donate a percentage of their profits to environmental charities or plant trees with every purchase. Some brands only produce what is needed, making limited-edition collections–so you can face the cold weather without compromising your beliefs around supporting the environment.
Eco-Friendly Handbags
A beautiful bag is more than a fashion accessory–from daily workwear to a date night, it can enliven your outfit and showcase parts of your personality. Still, finding the right handbag that meets all of your needs can be a daunting task. For some of us, the negative impacts of leather are not worth it, underscoring the need for better, eco-friendly alternatives.
Carry Courage uses some of the best renewable, non-leather, and plastic-free ingredients to make vegan, sustainable handbags and purses. For non-vegan-friendly handbags, O My Bag makes sure you are not exposed to harmful chemicals–such as chromium–through their leather tanning process. Pixie Mood also makes socially responsible and stylish handbags–this sustainable fashion brand makes functional and trendy handbags from recycled and solvent-free vegan leather.
Ethical and Sustainable Hats
Although hats are not a centerpiece in many wardrobes, it might be practical to have a few around for various occasions and seasons.
A beautiful bucket hat or Panama hat can protect you from the scorching sun during the summer; baseball caps are perfect for when you are active and exploring the outdoors. In the winter, a comfy beanie can protect your ears and head while keeping you warm when it is freezing outside. Whatever the season, adding hats is an excellent choice to elevate and stylize your outfits.
However, the production of most hats is not environmentally friendly and comes at the cost of depleting natural resources. Another unfortunate expense is the poor working conditions many factory workers have to face.
The good news is that there are Fair Trade Certified factories by transparent brands that adhere to fair labor regulations when producing headwear–these brands pay their workers fairly and have humane and decent working conditions.
Final Thoughts
Accessorizing is always fun, but finding sustainable and ethical options might be daunting. Fortunately, by understanding the realities of ethically-sourced, sustainably-produced accessories, you can make wise choices while staying fashionable.
Interested in exploring sustainable plus-size clothes? Check out this article.