Joanna Marie O. Santos
October 26, 2021

Did you know that the fashion industry is responsible for generating 92 million tons of waste annually, or 4% of global waste? Buying from environmentally friendly brands can help you make greener wardrobe decisions, even if it's a long path to sustainable living.   Making the switch to a more environmentally friendly way of life can be intimidating. You must simply unlearn what you previously believed to be correct and normal.   As soon as you make the decision to be more environmentally and socially responsible, it's usually time to change brands as well. This can be challenging at first, and there’s also the concern that their locations won't be convenient for customers. But you don't have to worry about it because we've already done the legwork for you! Check out these affordable sustainable clothing brands in the Philippines:   5 Sustainable Filipino Clothing Brands  

1. Candid Clothing Candid Clothing Co. creates basic, easy-to-wear clothing for women of all ages. Comfortable t-shirts, skirts, tank tops, and dresses are readily available for rotation in your workweek wardrobe!   Candid Clothing makes use of repurposed materials, typically excess fabrics from huge manufacturers that would likely be thrown away. What goes into the floor is also made into accessories or reusable cotton pads as part of the company's zero-waste initiative.   This eco-clothing brand collaborates directly with professional garment producers to develop easy-to-wear dresses, shirts, and accessories. They assist their employees by providing training and workshops, which benefit both their life and the brand. Their light fabrics and easy-to-style clothing are ideal for both informal and professional settings.   Check them out on their website or Instagram account for more details!  

Photo Courtesy: @candidclothing.ph/Instagram

Photo Courtesy: @candidclothing.ph/Instagram

  2. Craftcha Craftcha, an organic clothing brand, is a play on words brand name which sells reasonably priced handcrafted goods primarily made from katsa or flour sack cloth. Almost all of Craftcha's products are manufactured from reused materials such as katsa and scrap fabrics and denim, including bags, pants, blankets, pillowcases, skirts, shorts, and pajamas.   This brand screams "eco-friendly" since the scrap fabrics and katsa cloth prints and patterns are visible on the finished product! The best thing? They're also quite reasonably priced! Their works can be purchased for as little as ₱100 (for a tote bag). Send them a DM on Instagram or Facebook to shop.  

Photo Courtesy: @craftcha.ph/Instagram

Photo Courtesy: @craftcha.ph/Instagram

  3. Lazy Fare and Lucy in the Sky Lazy Fare and Lucy in the Sky are sister-run Filipino clothing brands, with Lazy Fare focusing on basics and Lucy in the Sky on trendier items.   Reclaimed or deadstock fabrics, which are leftover fabric rolls from garment manufacturers, are used by the two sibling brands. Materials are frequently oversupplied on purpose by manufacturers to reduce production costs, and these fabrics are either burned, destroyed, or resold at a cheaper price. To reduce waste, Lazy Fare and Lucy in the Sky create goods with a low carbon footprint and employ recovered fabrics in small numbers. Because they utilize true deadstock, their designs are usually limited in supply, so keep an eye on their social media for restocking announcements. Their creations are usually priced under ₱500.   You might wish to have a look at their website or Instagram shop if you’re into loungewear and beach dresses.  

Photo Courtesy: @lazylucyph/Instagram

Photo Courtesy: @lazylucyph/Instagram

  4. Rags2Riches Founded in 2007, Rags2Riches is a trailblazer in the truest meaning of the word, since it was one of the first firms and best sustainable clothing brands to effectively support circular fashion and ethical working methods. To make attractive, long-lasting products, this affordable ethical clothing enterprise combines repurposed, excess cloth and indigenous fabrics. The business also provides a unique method that allows community craftsmen, most of whom are mothers, to work from home.   R2R has established a comprehensive end-to-end social enterprise at a scale that few purpose-driven firms have achieved in the last 13 years. R2R focuses on sustainable market access, community sourcing, and community-based weaving. It has co-developed an artisan academy, a savings and micro-insurance program, and full-time work options in addition to providing a sustainable livelihood for partner community craftsmen.   What’s not to love? Visit their website or follow them on their Instagram!

Photo Courtesy: @rags2richesinc/Instagram

Photo Courtesy: @rags2richesinc/Instagram

  5. ANTHILL Fabric Gallery ANTHILL Fabric Gallery, also known as the Alternative Nest and Trading/Training Hub for Indigenous/Ingenious Little Livelihood, is a livelihood community and artisan clothes business.   This Filipino clothing line’s stylish pieces are made from ethnic fabrics woven by craftsmen from the Philippines' indigenous hill tribes. Their weavers are paid double the minimum wage and must contribute a percentage of their earnings to a mandatory savings program. Aside from assisting in the provision of sustainable livelihoods for their employees, the company also aspires to promote the beauty and use of indigenous materials. Anthill has a large selection of stunning woven materials that are transformed into sophisticated, fashionable pieces.   Weavers, designers, manufacturers, and wearers are all part of the brand's entire circular production chain. Their circularity programs include a weave exchange program, in which pre-loved ANTHILL clothing can be exchanged for gift cards; a zero-waste program, in which textile waste is upcycled into new weaves by Argao weavers in Cebu's Textile Innovation Center; and a re-weave program, in which pre-loved weaves can be repaired, rebuilt, and created at affordable prices.   Since its inception in 2010, the brand has grown to include more communities and brands in its mission to conserve weaving traditions. Support this one of the best sustainable clothing brands through their Instagram and website!  

Photo Courtesy: @anthillfabric/Instagram

Photo Courtesy: @anthillfabric/Instagram

Caring for our environment and supporting local businesses are unspoken responsibilities that we carry. Making the leap to sustainability doesn't have to be so difficult with these eco-friendly and sustainable brands!

Need more fun Philippine reads? Check out our Philippines’ Top Picks blogs list!   Sources: thirdworldaccess.com, loopme.ph, cnnphilippines.com, anthillmarets.com. preview.ph, 8list.ph, ecowarriorprincess.net, primer.com, causeartist.com, cosmo.ph   Image sources: Sam Lion from Pexels