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5 Times Shein has Copied Designs from Independent Fashion Brands

updated on May 24, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

It’s wild to think of Shein’s journey toward global fast fashion empire over the years. Last year, it was the #1 shopping app in the US (ugh). I was in college during the golden age of lifestyle blogs, ie over ten years ago, and the brand was one of the first I remember sending products to influencers (AKA fashion bloggers, not necessarily those on Instagram) for placement in their style posts. Even before I really educated myself on fast fashion’s impact, I felt pretty icky about it. It didn’t make a lot of sense to me that something could be the same price new as the clothing in the thrift stores I frequented. Anyway, safe to say I was not their target blogger!

If you’re privy to the dangers of fast fashion, or simply a supporter of indie labels, you’ve probably heard one of the many instances of Shein stealing designs from such brands. Shein is far from the only clothing giant to come under fire, but they are particularly noteworthy because of their dirt-cheap prices (often ripping off $100+ pieces and selling them for under $10), not to mention their habit of blatantly copying not just the designs, but but styling & creative production that independent labels put into their work.

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In 2021 crochet artist and handmade clothing designer Bailey Prado called our Shein for stealing and recreating at least 20 different designs. What’s even more alarming (and has happened in many of the cases below too) is how Shein ripped their product styling, creative direction, and entire visual feel of the line!

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Similarly, Shein copied the Baiia sustainable swimwear, an Australian label, and reproduced a very obviously inferior version of it for their customers. I’ve been wanting to try Baiia for so long because their swimwear is so versatile—it’s reversible, interchangeable, and built for all bodies. It’s clear that Baiia along with all of the designers in this post are so intentional about their work, so seeing it ripped off is shocking and appalling.

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Crochet and knit slow fashion brand Elexiay has also spotted their designs at Shein. If you have ever knitted or crocheted by hand, you know just how long it takes to takes and just how much intentionality and talent goes into getting it exactly right. Further, Elexiay is a brand that highlights Nigeria’s rich history of sustainable craftsmanship. Not only is Shein stealing designs, but reducing art and history to a throwaway impulse buy.

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Another upsetting example is Shein’s copy of size inclusive ethical fashion brand Loud Bodies. They sold it for $20, which doesn’t even come close to the cost of labor to make such a dress, let alone the supplies and other costs. Inclusive brands like Loud Bodies work hard to offer clothing that supports bodies of all sizes, with fast fashion giants coming in and convincing the consumer that they’re just as thoughtful with lines like SheinCurve.

Im SO over these major brands stealing from black designers. @SHEIN_official STOLE my @sincerelyriaxo designs to a T. They couldn’t even change ONE thing and it’s now one of their highest selling items. They even stole the brands aesthetic. Like Come on pic.twitter.com/ose8DiM9hK

— Mariama Diallo ✨ (@MariamaDiallo__) June 11, 2021

Sincerely Ria is a brand inspired by Guinea’s Fulani culture, and owner Mariama Diallo shared that Shein took one of their designs and copied it as well as the visual aesthetic behind the brand as well.

Digging deeper into some of these examples, you’ll see that Shein will sometimes address the designer directly, apologize for the “accident” and remove whichever product has been called out the most. Because that’s how fast fashion works. If they’re called out for this, all they have to do is recreate another design, and so on.

Since the brands above are focused on high quality, small production and generally sustainable/ethical practices (I haven’t heavily researched every practice or fabric offered of course), they all come with much higher price tags than the Shein copies. That said, I know that not everyone turns to fast fashion for the purpose of overflowing closets—there is a need for affordable clothing that many small brands cannot currently offer. I try to use these tricks for building a sustainable fashion budget and remember that quality outlasts quantity every time.

10 Innovative Zero Waste Beauty Brands

updated on May 24, 2023 by Mindy Chung

Is there a true balance between beauty and sustainability? I know that we’ve all grown to look for that leaping bunny that means no animals were harmed testing the product, but what about the plastic seals, bubble wrap, and boxes and bags that just seem to pile up in our trash? How can we do more to be mindful consumers in a world obsessed with instant gratification and pretty packaging?

While the pursuit of sustainability may never end, the beauty of the increase in eco-conscientious consumerism in the last decade is that companies are starting to realize the marketability of sustainable packaging. We want post-consumer and recycled bottles and boxes; we care if the plastic seal on our eye cream is going to end up in a landfill.

So if you’ve been meaning to transition your skincare and beauty routine to support more eco-friendly companies, here are 10 innovative zero waste beauty brands you can check out today.

10 zero & low-waste makeup & skincare companies

Axiology

As much as we joke about men’s infamous 3-1 soap, Axiology has made multipurpose sexy with their Zero Waste Balmies. Perfect for eyes, lips, and cheeks, Axiology uses recycled paper that can be recycled or composted in their packaging. (Their lipstick tubes do use recycled plastic that keeps plastic out of landfills, but require finding a company like Credo that is willing to recycle your empties once you’re done.)

DEW MIGHTY

One of the coolest concepts I’ve seen brought to life, DEW MIGHTY has created a serum that’s in bar form. They also emphasis a zero-waste approach to sustainability and offer packaging that is metal (i.e. reusable) or recyclable/ compostable via their “exclusive natural based veggie coated paper […] printed with plant based inks that was created specifically for DEW MIGHTY.”

River Organics

Founded with a purely paper-based packaging strategy, River Organics uses recycled envelopes that are plastic free and compostable. While they do carry some items in glass bottles and metal tins, this vegan and palm-oil free company emphasizes building a zero-waste and ingredient transparent brand.

Blue Heron Botanicals

Dedicated to a holistic approach to healing and beauty, Blue Heron Botanicals uses eco-tubes for their lip therapy sticks, balms, and salves. Their packaging is 100% compostable, recyclable or reusable, and on the rare occasion they launch a limited-edition product in tins or glass jars, they encourage reusing the containers over recycling as a more sustainable practice.

Josie Maran

One of the more recognizable brands on this list, Josie Maran fully converted to 100% post-consumer recycled materials last year. They also partner with TerraCycle to offer a free and easy way to recycle their packaging, and the bulk of their items come in reusable glass containers.

Activist

Like the name suggests, Activist focuses on building opportunities for social activism by “prioritize women and people of color when selecting our partners and vendors” while building an environmentally friendly skincare brand. They use a refill pouch system to cut down on unnecessary waste. While pouches are not compostable, they are recyclable through TerraCycle, and they cut down on carbon emissions versus shipping heavy containers.

Fat and the Moon

Ferociously eco-conscious, Fat and the Moon has built a business around closing the loop. They source all their ingredients from local and transparently identified farmers, and “see packaging as an ingredient.” They have an adorable Regeneration Guide on their site to direct consumers on how to reuse, recycle or compost their various packaging materials, and ship all orders plastic-free in recyclable or biodegradable boxes paper and tape.

Ethique

Proudly 100% plastic-free, Ethique sells all their products as either bars or sticks in compostable tubes. They ship all orders in “a cardboard box, with paper ‘bubble wrap’, all sealed with paper tape.” They also plant a tree in partnership with Ecologi for every order made!

Osea

Based in California, Osea packages most of their goods in glass (though their body scrubs are packaged in PP plastic for safety reasons.) In an effort to promote recycling, they also offer the chance for locals to bring empty OSEA products to their Venice Studio, with a $40 credit incentive for every every 6 full size or 1oz travel size products returned. For non-locals, they recommend TerraCycle. Lastly, they are Climate Neutral Certified.

Meow Meow Tweet

With one of the best company names I’ve ever come across, Meow Meow Tweet packages all their products in glass, metal, or compostable paper. They boast a bulk program that’s a closed loop refill system and 100% zero waste, and offer vegan and palm-oil free beauty products aimed at inclusivity.

To see more beauty brands making waves in the low-waste community, check out our sustainable directory.

Brands Like Big Bud Press

updated on May 30, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

We’ve become big fans of Big Bud Press over the years (not spon). Their colorful jumpsuits, unisex styles, and inclusive sizing has landed them many an unsolicited shoutout here on the blog (BBP, if you’re reading, hiii!). Now that #dopaminedressing is the new trend in town (and if done sustainably, a playful take on conscious maximalism), more readers are asking us what other brands like Big Bud Press offer bold, colorful, slow fashion? Here are ten of our favorites, below…

if you love big bud press, you’ll love

Nooworks is California made all the way, offering everything from jumpsuits to accessories to kids clothes and even jewelry. Their sizing generally ranges from XS-5X. They have the funkiest prints, but their lime green suit gives me all the BBP vibes!

Yet another CA brand, Tuesday of California produces dresses, skirts, tees, accessories and more in small batches. They have an incredible size range, from about XXS-7X (or 2-32).

Sustainable, size-inclusive brand Loud Bodies (based in Romania) offers everything from basics to dungarees to occasion dresses and more in 15+ sizes. Their 70s aesthetic collection is especially noteworthy for those of you loving retro vibes! Each piece is made to order!

LoveFool, who we’ve mentioned as a great alternative to Urban Outfitters, is a small sustainable clothing brand that makes cozy, vintage inspired clothing in sizes S-4X. They color block just as brilliantly as BBP! Like Big Bud, they make brilliant use of color-blocking and have a lovely selection of wrap tees.

Wasi Clothing is known for amazing printed jumpsuits, painter pants, and graphic tees. Like BBP, they offer some killer printed jumpsuits and painter pants.

Lucy & Yak makes our list for their organic cotton overalls, colorful basic tees and knitwear in playful stripes and tones! Along the same lines of Big Bud Press, they have a fun contrast between solids and bold prints!

Phoenix based slow fashion brand KS Garner makes clothing in sizes XXS-4XX. Their handmade designs are vibrant and empowering, featuring everything from checks and tie-dye to their iconic velvet sets.

Ersa Fibers, a one woman studio in Portland, Oregon, offers funky prints and bold color block designs in sizes S-5X, all of which are made to order. So cute!

Based in Melbourne with shipping to the US, Colour Coded Clothing’s ethically made womenswear gives BBP vibes with their colorful patterns and fun prints! Their two-toned boiler suits first caught my eye, but I love their rainbow stripes, too!

I know we’ve mentioned so many California clothing brands, but Back Beat Co is one last favorite I wanted to share on this list. Their style is a little more laidback and easy, but they always come up with the trendiest colorways and sprinkle in funky statement pieces like the organic cotton check pants above! Plus, with fabrics like recycled cotton, hemp, tencel and linen, their sustainability is unmatched.

PS: If you’re looking for unisex, gender inclusive clothing, I also suggest checking out Tonle and Object Apparel. Not quite the same aesthetic, but great brands nonetheless.

Have you been looking for more brands like Big Bud Press? Find even more funky fun brands in our post on utility jumpsuits!

Oaxaca Travel Guide & Rug Making Process with Matiz

updated on May 30, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Did you see our reel posted in collaboration with Jezarely Miguel, Founder and Designer of sustainable home décor brand Matiz? If you missed it, no worries! Jezarely was kind enough to share the deets in a detailed Oaxaca travel guide for all of you interested. We’ll also learn more about Matiz, the rug making process, and the team behind the brand. And, don’t forget to watch the videos at the end of this post for a closer look! Thanks to Jezarely for sharing the info below…

Matiz (mah.teez), meaning hue in the Spanish language, designs artisanal work that respects and preserves the indigenous traditions of handmade textiles. I began Matiz in the midst of the global pandemic in 2021, but most importantly in the spirit of my love and admiration for my roots. My designs are a reflection of the beautiful southern state of Oaxaca, Mexico, where my family’s story was founded. In an effort to support artisan makers, I have blended my past expertise in the commercial interior design industry and appreciation for sustainability, by developing artisanal rugs to bring more awareness to cultural heritage craft processes and sustainable practices.

Working directly with our artisans, we bring high-quality, small-batch rugs, committed to using locally sourced materials from Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca. We encourage our team to set their own wages and support them by allowing them to create and continue their craft for generations.

oaxaca travel guide

Located in southern Mexico, the state of Oaxaca is known for its rich culture, diverse landscape, colorful architecture, and delicious food. If you’re looking for an all-in-one experience, begin your adventure in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca’s capital and largest city in the state. Its central location allows this city to be full of diverse experiences and learning opportunities from dialects, food, and artisanal goods.

Here are some prime locations to visit during your stay in Oaxaca City.

Templo de Santo Domingo: One of the largest cathedrals in the city that continues to hold history, exemplify baroque style architecture, and a strong religious significance. This is the perfect spot in the city to grab lunch or dinner at a nearby rooftop restaurant for extraordinary views of the church and the surrounding landscape. A few of our favorite spots are Gozobi, Tierra del Sol, and Casa Oaxaca.

Jardin Etnobotanico: Located on the same block as Templo de Santo Domingo, Jardin Etnobotanico is a botanical garden that showcases a wide range of Oaxaca’s native plant species. One-hour guided tours are available in spanish, english, and french, however due to its popularity and limited capacity, it’s recommended you arrive 30 minutes prior on weekdays and an hour before on weekends.
El Zocalo: El Zocalo is Oaxaca’s busiest public square with a kiosk right in the center. During the day, you can find vendors on the sidelines selling anything from painted alebrijes, embroidered clothing, elaborate beaded jewelry, to many other crafts.
Mercado Benito Juárez: Walk a block south from El Zocalo to Mercado Benito Juárez, a covered market that showcases everything from artisanal goods to fresh produce. If you are on the hunt for more handmade goods, walk down two more blocks to El Mercado de Artesanias.
Mercado 20 de Noviembre: The best time to hit Mercado 20 de Noviembre is either in the morning for breakfast or throughout the afternoon for lunch. There is an abundant amount of food stalls, all offering similar menus, so don’t be afraid to sit at any of them, you won’t be disappointed. We recommend you order a tlayuda, which is a large tortilla that is typically topped with, lard, beans, veggies, oaxacan cheese, salsa, and your choice of meat. To top it off, order an agua fresca (fresh juice), to complete your oaxacan meal.
Hierve el Agua: If your time in Oaxaca allows for day trips to neighboring towns, we highly recommend you visit Hierve el Agua in the town of Roaguía. Due to its location and road conditions, it is best to travel with a local or an agency. Our time with Coyote Aventuras via Airbnb allowed us to visit multiple locations – Roaguía, Tlacolula, and a mezcaleria near Teotitlan del Valle.

wool rug making process

Matiz is a strong believer of sustainability and all it entails. Therefore, we believe in preserving our artisans craftsmanship which includes the practice of gathering local wool and producing natural dyes with ingredients from Teotitlan del Valle. Below is a brief summary of the wool rug making process our artisans have implemented for the past four generations.

Washing: After gathering the necessary quantity of wool for a rug, our artisans harvest a local ingredient called raiz de amole, found in Oaxaca’s luscious forests. Due to its cleaning properties, raiz de amole is used to wash the wool because it naturally produces foam.
Brushing: Once the wool has been washed and laid out to dry, the wool is continuously brushed until the brushing strokes are smooth and all the knots have been removed. The brushed wool is then spun on a spinning wheel to prepare a full skein.
Ingredients Selections and Dyeing: A few ingredients have to be selected in order to proceed to the dyeing process. This is one of the most exciting moments of the process as the color options are unlimited. Noted are some of the ingredients we use to create our standard yarn colors: cochinilla (cacti parasite), añil (indigo), musgo (moss), cáscara de nuez (walnut shells), cáscara de granada (pomegranate skin), flor de cempazuchitl (marigold flowers), and huizache (sweet acacia). Once the ingredients have been selected, they are placed in a large pot to boil until its color has been released, this is then a sign to submerge the skein until it has soaked it’s necessary color.
Loom Prep: Before stepping foot on the loom pedals to weave, the loom is prepped to the width the rug will be. This is an intensive process that requires a lot of concentration and uninterrupted time. If a strand of yarn is accidentally missed, our artisans need to traceback their work and begin once again.
Weaving: However, once the loom has been completely prepared, our artisans gather all the required colored spindles and weave away. This portion of the process is a lot of back and forth to step on one pedal to the next, physical strength to tighten each weave, and hours of standing. Our artisans’ hard work is never unseen and always appreciated.

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Thanks again to Jezarely and Matiz for sharing this Oaxaca travel guide and insight into their artisan process! Check them out, as well as other ethical home décor brands, in our sustainable directory, and follow them on Instagram @matizco_.

18 Sustainable Fanny Packs from Athletic to Chic

updated on September 25, 2024 by Angela Hamilton

Let’s talk sustainable fanny packs. Or belt bags, or hip packs, or bum bags, or whatever you want to call this delightful 90s revival. I have a few myself, some of which get daily use, like my “Sustainable S*** Only” pack from Grant Blvd (mentioned here and here). Some, admittedly, not so much, like a beautiful leather fanny pack I purchased from a talented Etsy seller, that just happened to look comically enormous on me. I still wear it when I have a lot to carry, though! Most recently, our new member MAIKA sent me their recycled canvas fanny pack (featured in the line up below) to try. It’s the perfect size, super functional, and a pretty pop of color–but more details to come when I officially include it in the rotation.

All that to say, as someone who walks a lot, takes public transpo, and hates carrying more than I need to, fanny packs are a must for my wardrobe. I also like how many ways you can wear them, across the chest or back, or 90s style around the waist. It all depends on the look you’re trying to achieve.

From left to right, top to bottom: Cotopaxi Kapai Hip Bag | MAIKA Recycled Canvas Fanny Pack | Maria Maleta Leather Bum Bag Mint Blue (no longer available) | Grant Blvd Sustainable Shit Only Fanny Pack (Sold Out) | Maria Maleta Recycled Mini Bucket Bag (Sold Out) | ABLE Nara Leather Belt Bag | MAIKA Echo Tangerine Recycled Canvas Fanny Pack | Baggu Recycled Nylon Ditsy Floral Fanny Pack | Girlfriend Recycled, Recyclable Water Resistant Fanny Pack | ABLE Delilah Leather Belt Bag | Mustard Bum Bag from Recycled Water Bottles | Raffia Belt Bag | Green Leather Fanny Pack by Nubuckcuir | Grant Blvd Distruptor Upcycled Fanny Pack | Floral Handmade Fanny Pack (from curtain fabric!) by UKUBAG | Reef Ocean Plastic Sustainable Fanny Pack | Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole® Mini Hip Pack 1L | Keep Nature Wild Blush Fanny Pack

Above, we’ve rounded up alllll of the best sustainable fanny packs we could find, from the athletic (hello Seattle hikers!) to quirky and fun to chic and minimal. They’re all so functional, which is the fanny pack’s MO, right? I especially like that Girlfriend fanny packs are water resistant and I’m so looking forward to paddle boarding and kayaking (very near the shore, but regardless) this summer. And not to promote impulse buys of any kind, but I totally just purchased that upcycled floral tapestry bag from Etsy as I wrote this up. I just know it’ll soon be a staple.

All of the bags made with leather have been noted in the titles above, for those of you who prefer not to use this material. I’ve only included leather fanny packs from brands that value craftsmanship and sustainability in their business practices as a whole, utilizing leather as a by-product of the meat industry. Like many of you, I’ve found that searching for vegan bags often equates to incredible greenwashing and use of non-renewable materials. But please do let us know if you come across anything unsavory that I’ve missed above!

As many of the bags above are now sold out, I’ve updated this post as of September 2024 with fresh finds, below!

Which fanny packs do you own?

6 Sustainable Apps to Help You Become a More Conscious Consumer

updated on July 20, 2023 by Mindy Chung

In the age of smartphones and social media, it’s easy to jump on the hype train when it comes to new trends and apps geared towards making more eco-friendly choices. But it can be hard to make the right decision—for every 1 good app, there’s 5+ copycats trying to trick users into downloading their less-than-helpful platform instead. With new ones popping up every day, how are you supposed to know which sustainable apps actually make a difference and which ones are only greenwashing their brand messaging?

While everyone’s approach to reducing their carbon footprint may be different—buying used goods, recycling, buying bulk—we’ve compiled a list of apps you can check out to today to help you transition to more eco-conscious shopping in 2022.

6 sustainable apps for conscious consumers

Good On You

We’re past the age of being blindsided by the news that our favorite brands still operate sweatshops and pollute with toxic runoff. Good On You is a free app (and website) that compiles information on over 3,000 fashion brands and how their practices affect their workers, the planet, and animal welfare. With a scale that goes from “We Avoid” to “Great,” the team at Good On You has done the heavy lifting of sorting through company reports and certifications so that you don’t have to. @goodonyou_app

GoodHuman

If you want to shop sustainably but don’t want to waste time sifting through manifestos or researching brands, GoodHuman is an app that curates ethical and sustainable good for you. GH bases its list of brands on a 5-point criteria system that includes community approval and transparency reports. Every brand or product featured on the app is vetted, and continually audited if need be. While incredibly helpful at cutting down the work of shopping sustainably, GoodHuman is less wallet-friendly than buying second-hand or from your local market. @get_goodhuman

Depop

An app that’s exploded in popularity as Gen Z gets more and more obsessed with vintage and upcycled fashion, Depop is one of the largest reselling platforms out there. Capitalizing on its promise of unique pre-loved finds, Depop is a great option for anyone who wants to stick to a consumer-to-consumer shopping model.

Essentially the virtual version of thrifting in a Goodwill, those who love sniffing out a good deal and hunting for a specific item will love scrolling through this social marketplace app. @depop

Grailed

Most, if not all, fashion apps cater primarily to women. It can be hard to shop as a man or non-binary individual, and even harder to try and do so sustainably. Grailed is a platform dedicated to affordable luxury and streetwear fashion for men, built on peer-to-peer community shopping. Like Depop, it lets users cut their carbon footprint while ensuring their second-hand goods go to a new owner who appreciates their value. @grailed

Think Dirty

Looking to go green with your skincare and makeup this year? Think Dirty works as a database of beauty products geared towards helping you avoid harmful ingredients and make smarter purchases. You can search for specific items or scan their barcode to see if the app has flagged any additives used as toxic for you or the earth, and even submit products that aren’t currently listed to help grow the platform. @thinkdirty

If one of your holy grail items comes up red, the app even suggests replacements so that you can transition to alternative products with ease.

Too Good To Go

Tiktok has shown me many great things, one of which was the existence of the Too Good To Go app. Created with the mission to reduce food waste, TGTG partners with local restaurants, grocery stores, and eateries to sell any food they would have thrown away to consumers at a discounted price. The choice and variety differs by area, but you can expect to purchase anywhere from $10-$20 worth of food for around $5 a pop.

You have to be nimble though—the window to purchase is usually small, and competition to buy one of the limited number of bags can be fierce if it’s a popular spot. @toogoodtogo.usa

Have you downloaded any sustainable apps on your journey to shopping consciously?