With summer officially here to stay, you may be wanting to plan some trips around the city to soak up the sun. What better way to do so than to head on over to the beach?
Toronto has a handful of beaches in and near the city, like Sugar Beach, Bluffers Beach, and Sandbanks Dune Beach, to explore. Not only can you get in that desired relaxation, but some of the areas actually have hiking trails and activities to take part in so you can enjoy the outdoors however you please. That being said, if you want to have the perfect beach day, you’re going to need some supplies.
Here are some of our favourite beach day essentials
Paddle Board
Starting off with one that everyone will love—introducing Maddle. Maddle is an inflatable paddleboard brand that comes in a bunch of different colourways and designs. The best part about the boards is that not only are they easily inflatable, but once you’re ready to pack up from the beach and go home, all you have to do is push the notch at the end of the board, and it’ll fully deflate. Then, roll it up and place it back in its carrier bag. You can quite literally take your new Maddle paddleboard everywhere!
Beach Tote
Another essential for the beach that we can’t forget is a durable beach bag. You most definitely need something to safely store your phone, towels, sunscreen, money, books, or even food! Currently, we’ve been obsessed with L.L. Bean’s Boat and Tote for beach days. It’s durable, spacious, and customizable – what’s not to love?
Towel
Obviously, you can’t go the beach without a towel – whether you plan to swim or lay out seaside, a towel is essential to not only keep you dry if need be but to also separate you/your belongings from the sand. Any towel will do the trick, but we are absolutely loving Simons’ collection if you want an Insta-worthy beach moment.
Sunscreen
It should go without saying but we’re going to say it anyway. Put on sunscreen! Here’s a list of some of our faves for your face.
Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
What’s a beach day without some music? While you lounge in the sand, or even on a floaty in the water, you can bring along a waterproof Bluetooth speaker like this one to ensure you never get bored.
Water
Although you may be near water, you still need to remember to continue drinking it. Especially if you’re planning on sitting out in the sun and heat all day. Come prepared with a water bottle filled with fresh water and ice to keep you cool and hydrated!
Beach Umbrella
As much as we love soaking in the sun, it’s nice to take a break in the shade every once in a while while spending hours at the beach. Bring a beach umbrella to keep you cool on a hot day on the sand!
Cooler
Keep your food and drinks fresh and cold in a cooler, while some snacks can easily be tucked into your beach bag. Certain items, like sandwiches, fruit and veggies, beverages, etc., are better left refrigerated.
Beach Chair
Our final essential for a beach trip would have to be a beach chair. You can find a handful online under “backpack chairs” or even a “foldable beach chair“, basically any that are easy to transport back and forth is key.
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All products featured in this article were independently selected by our team. By shopping through our links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
National Indigenous Peoples Day is June 21st, which is set to recognize and celebrate all of the wonderful cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada. With that being said, it’s our job to also support in every way that we can. There are a bunch of Indigenous-owned businesses and brands to shop, and many directly help the communities. Browse some of our favourite Indigenous-owned brands to support now and going forward!
Here are Indigenous-owned businesses to check out right now.
Cheekbone Beauty
Cheekbone Beauty is an Indigenous-owned and founded Canadian beauty brand that is based in the Niagara Region. The company’s mission is to create eco-friendly, vegan, and sustainable beauty products while empowering Indigenous youth along the way. A large focus of the brand is to invent ways to eliminate single-use plastic packaging and continue to create sustainable products. To see a company so involved in creating a happy and healthier planet is truly inspiring.
Birch Bark Coffee Company
Since 2018, Birch Bark has been serving certified organic, Fair Trade, SPP (grown and produced by farmers that are of Indigenous descent) certified coffee. It focuses on creating a way to give leadership to these small farmers in global trade. So every time you purchase from Birch Bark, you’re giving support to Indigenous peoples and families across Canada.
SECTION 35
SECTION35 is an indigenous-owned streetwear brand that’s based on the territories of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. The founder and creative designer, Justin Louis, forms the past with the present and finds inspiration in the juxtaposition between these elements. SECTION 35 was founded with the intention to use art and fashion to tell peoples’ stories. Recently, the brand collaborated with Roots on a collection, released at the 2024 Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival, that blends athletics and culture for a capsule that will last for generations.
Indigo Arrows
The founder of Indigo Arrows, Destiny Seymour, began the company by designing textiles that respectfully reflect local Manitobian Indigenous peoples and their history. Indigo Arrows now offers a diverse collection of table linens, pillows, blankets, and more, with patterns from Indigenous pottery and bone tools that are over 3000 years old!
TPMOCS
TPMOCS offers adorable mocs for little ones in a handful of colorways. The company was created by Maria Running Fisher Jones on the fact that everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed, and with a massive unemployment rate in her homeland, she wanted to make a change. With every purchase, TPMOCS takes meaningful action to address poverty and provide employment opportunities and resources to Native American communities in need.
B. Yellowtail
Looking for some super chic and meaningful pieces to add to your wardrobe? B. Yellowtail is definitely one to keep on your radar. The owner, Bethany Yellowtail, is a member of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, and proudly hails from the Mighty Few District of the Crow Nation (Southeastern Montana). The company’s brand initiative is to support Native Americans, First Nations, and Indigenous entrepreneurs. It aims to share the beautiful and authentic Indigenous design with the entire world.
Thunder Voice Hot Co.
ThunderVoice Hat Co. carries on the lineage of Native Fashion that emerged from a collaboration of cultures. Its iconic and popular Navajo Brim hat has actually been a design from many, many years ago and is a reminder of past generations. Every single hat is hand-sourced and steamed and shaped in-house. “Each hat holds stories, purpose, and the hope that you wear it with pride and meaning“—TVHC.
Wildcraft
Wildcraft is an indigenous-owned skincare brand founded by Laura Whitaker. With a mission to provide natural and effective skincare that makes you feel beautiful, Wildcraft creates products that provide a holistic and natural experience, bringing the transformative power of nature to your everyday routine. Plus, the brand firmly believes that exceptional skincare should be inclusive, so each meticulously crafted product is priced affordably under $45!
Manitobah Mukluks
As a young Métis entrepreneur, Sean McCormick began Manitobah Mukluks with the vision of creating a successful company while benefiting his community. The business has since grown into a global, B-certified brand, offering Indigenous-designed footwear, such as mukluks and moccasins, to the world. Mukluks and moccasins were originally created over 10,000 years ago to keep Indigenous people warm. To this day, all of the brand’s designs honour and continue the history of innovation, craftsmanship, and beauty.
Lesley Hampton
Lesley Hampton is an Anishinaabe artist and fashion designer who focuses on mental wellness and body neutrality in fashion through the lens of the Indigenous worldview. Her self-titled brand offers a variety of styles, from special event wear to everyday athleisure. Her contemporary designs with an indigenous flare are truly breathtaking!
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Two sustainable, size-inclusive brands with a cult following are popping up in Toronto this weekend!
Join Free Label and LEZÉ the Label in the Roncesvalles neighbourhood in Toronto from June 9th to June 11th for its one-weekend-only pop-up!
Experience and try on the popular West Coast brand’s comfortable and ethically-made garments in person and shop on-site!
Free Label was founded in 2015 by Toronto-born Jessica Sternberg. The brand provides elevated basics made consciously in Canada in sizes 5X-XS, with a focus on versatile and weight-fluctuation-friendly pieces.
“Clothing is meant to fit bodies. Bodies aren’t meant to fit clothes. For years western beauty standards have
taught us to shrink in order to fit into clothing; the majority of sizes range from XS-L, models are all size 0,
and size charts are hard to come by. While most clothing brands aim to make aspirational clothing, Free
Label sets out to make well-fitting, comfortable clothing for REAL people. Our hope is that you can go to
our website or social media platforms and see someone that looks like you, wearing our clothes, and being
celebrated. No change necessary.” – Jess Sternberg, Founder, Free Label
LEZÉ the Label was started by two best friends, Karen and Tanya, who repurpose waste into a buttery soft fabric, designed for lounging on the couch or heading into the office.
“Online shopping is hard. Every body type is different and even harder for someone who occupies a larger
body when most brands only carry up to XL or are simply grading their sizes higher without considering the
specific needs of plus size bodies.” – Karen Lee, Co-Founder, LEZE the Label
At this weekend’s pop-up, you can find an array of elevated basics that are sure to last in your closet for years on end.
The pop-up’s details:
Address: 2104 Dundas St. West
Dates: Friday, June 9th: 11 AM – 7 PM
Saturday, June 10th: 10 AM – 6 PM
Sunday, June 11th: 11 AM – 4 PM
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If you’re looking for ways to make your lifestyle more eco-friendly, there are so many great sustainable solutions on the market to help you do so. Above all, one area that can create a ton of waste is in your kitchen. From disposing of paper towels or napkins after every use to using saran wrap to cover leftovers, the amount of garbage created is shocking! Luckily, there are amazing kitchen products that can replace the one-time use items to help reduce waste. So, keep reading for essentials to make your life easier and reduce your ecological footprint.
Here are the best sustainable and useful kitchen products to shop.
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There are so many ways to make your lifestyle more eco-friendly. Shopping at sustainable brands is one way to do this since the fashion industry is a huge producer of waste and greenhouse gas emissions. So, make an effort to check out sustainable brands when you shop and browse our roundup of eco-conscious companies for outerwear, tops, bottoms, footwear, skincare, and beauty. You’re sure to find pieces you love and feel good about.
Here are the top 10 sustainable international brands to shop.
Briogeo
The owner, Nancy Twine, found a gap in the natural hair care market, and so she created Briogeo. Briogeo focuses on high-performing haircare, without sacrificing the use of natural products and transparency about ingredients. The brand offers awesome hair treatments, products, and more, made from ingredients you can actually pronounce.
Reformation
Reformation follows a materials guideline called the Ref standards. The materials are listed in five different categories in which the brand aims to use 75% of their A and B fibres. The A fibres are rapidly renewable, plant-based, and have a potential for circularity. Similarly, the B fibres are almost all-natural or recycled fibres.
Patagonia
Patagonia is part of the Canadian sustainable brands that truly understands the impact that fast fashion has on the environment. The brand focuses on making high quality clothing with recycled materials to promote an eco-friendly legacy.
Levi’s
Levi’s continues to source more sustainable materials and finds ways to use less water. It’s WELLTHREAD™ collection is created in Worker Well-Being facilities with rain-fed Cottonized Hemp, Water<Less® technologies, and as many recycled materials as the company can incorporate. Its puffer jackets and vests are now also made from recycled plastic bottles and waste, so, you get the same Levi’s® look and feel you love while keeping waste out of the landfills.
Everlane
The contemporary fashion brand, Everlane, strives to use the most sustainable materials from farm to factory, and invests in new fabric innovations to ensure it’s reducing its impact on the planet. Everlane prioritizes natural fibers, and uses recycled synthetics where they have a clear performance and/or durability advantage.
Allbirds
Sustainability is no joke when it comes to the footwear brand, Allbirds. It measures the emissions of its raw materials and reduces the company’s impact by incorporating things like natural and recycled materials. Plus, Allbirds also counterbalances the emissions that are left with carbon offsets to officially make Allbirds a completely carbon neutral business.
Columbia Sportswear
Columbia Sportswear is constantly improving its product design and sustainable manufacturing practices, to create new ways to reduce the impact on the environment. A practice that the brand uses is the bluesign® system, which keeps chemicals of concern out of the manufacturing process. Implementing bluesign® enables factories to operate more efficiently, reduce overall water consumption, and ensure products meet the strictest chemical safety requirements.
Athleta
The sustainable international brand of activewear owned by Gap Inc., Athleta, is B Corp certified. In fact, 76% of its materials are made of sustainable fibres, 4% of its products are made using water-saving techniques, and 72% of its waste from shipping packaging has been diverted from landfills.
Pact
Pact offers menswear, womenswear, and children’s clothing that are all made from organic cotton. Additionally, the brand is Fair Trade Certified. Pact offers a clothing donation program so that you have a place to deliver your gently used clothing, which means your clothing doesn’t end up in a landfill.
Eileen Fisher
This womenswear brand, Eileen Fisher is an industry leader in ethical and sustainable fashion. The company plans to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions from production by 25% by 2025. Not only does it source sustainably, but it also makes a point to create a supply chain of fair working wages.
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Shopping sustainably isn’t as hard as it once used to be. Package-free stores are popping up all over the city, and the latest to open in Toronto is bare market.
If the name bare market sounds familiar, it might be because you’ve seen the company’s pop-up shops before. Prior to opening its first brick-and-mortar location on the Danforth at the beginning of February 2020, bare market’s founder, Dayna Stein, hosted monthly package-free pop-ups in the city.
But Stein’s interest in package-free shopping stems much further back.
While living in Vancouver in 2012, Stein completed a degree in Sustainable Food Systems and Food Security, and had access to a refill shop that featured body, DIY, and home care goods. “Purchasing the things I needed from there felt like the one tangible way I was practicing what I was preaching and aligning my dollars with my values,” Stein tells us. “I knew back then there was a gap in the market in Toronto, and I wanted to bring it back here at some point, I just wasn’t quite ready back then.”
But in 2017, Stein was ready to take the leap.
In October 2017, Stein quit her consulting job to focus on bare market.
The concept was always meant to be a physical storefront, but hosting the pop-ups allowed Stein to test different products and price points, and get a better understanding of demand. Her first pop-up opened in June 2018, and was well received Torontonians looking to lessen their footprint.
Now at the permanent location, you can shop much more than the pop-up’s original offerings.
From bulk body items like shampoo, eyeshadow, and makeup remover, to home cleaning products, DIY ingredients like Himalayan sea salt and Avocado oil, and organic produce, bare market has just about everything you need to go bare and make an easy transition into package-free life.
Stein works with local suppliers and specialists to ensure each product stocked in-store makes as little an impact on the environment as possible, and often turns to Etsy, farmer’s markets, and local events to find the best package-free goods the city has to offer.
The store also features a cafe with seating up front.
At the end of the day, Stein sees bare market as much more than a store — it’s a way to start a dialogue on larger environmental and social issues.
“We chose to have a permanent retail space so that we could build community [and] spark this dialogue [through] workshops, panels, movie screenings, classes, and more.”
bare market is open six days a week, from Tuesday to Sunday. You can visit the store at 1480 Danforth Ave. in Toronto. Just remember to bring in your reusable containers!
See more photos from inside bare market below.
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As the New Year begins, it’s time to say goodbye to the old and make room for the new. And while you’re doing that, you’ll probably begin to see a pattern; the things you’re saying goodbye to are things that you only used a few times.
Though those things can be donated — you know what they say, one person’s trash is another’s treasure — it’s hard not to feel remorse over money spent on something that only sparked joy for a handful of moments.
Luckily as the years go on, wastefulness and the dangerous harms of fast fashion are recognized more than ever before. Our options for shopping better quality, earth-friendly, and socially conscious products are ever expanding, so when we are consuming, we can be smarter about it.
Instead of buying something you’ll regret the next time you’re cleaning out your house, check out these sustainable online stores that all ship to Canada.
One-Stop Shops
All Things Being Eco
Head over to All Things Being Eco to shop environmentally conscious and ethical home, baby, bathroom, cleaning products, and more. Our favourite section of All Things Being Eco is the zero waste page, where you can find refills on organic and natural products like shampoo, skin cream, deodorant, dish tabs, cleaning products, and more. Shop All Things Being Eco.
Whimsy + Row
Whimsy + Row is an L.A.-based brand that makes stylish clothing collections in ethical conditions using deadstock textiles and materials. Each collection is made in limited runs and is built to last. Not only that, but you can take pride in knowing that Whimsy + Row don’t use any water when creating their collections, only ship items with 100% recyclable packaging, and choose fabrics and materials that biodegrade faster than synthetic fabrics and use less water to create. You can also find homewares, skincare, and gifts from brands with similar ethos. Shop Whimsy + Row.
Sustain Ecostore
Another one-stop on our list of sustainable online stores is Sustain Ecostore. The store was created by husband-wife duo Jonathan and Celine MacKay as a solution to toxins inside the home. Each and every product on the website — from kitchen and home, to skincare, baby, and more — has been personally researched and used by the founders, and puts the health of the earth and your family first. Shop Sustain Ecostore.
Logan & Finley
Another one of our favourite sustainable online stores is Logan & Finley. Based in Toronto, Logan & Finley is an eco-conscious general store that thoughtfully chooses everything features. Online you’ll find ethically sourced, sustainable giftables, clothing, skincare, cleaning products, and more that don’t compromise on style or quality. Shop Logan & Finley.
Ten Thousand Villages
If you want to feel really good about where you shop, check out Ten Thousand Villages. The non-profit partners with artisans in developing countries, giving them a space to sell their goods, share their stories, and earn a living. Currently, Ten Thousand Villages works with over 20,000+ makers in 26 different countries, and offers everything from kitchenware to home decor, furniture, clothing, accessories, and much more. Shop Ten Thousand Villages.
Fashion
ThredUP
Thrift stores can be daunting; sorting through racks and racks of clothing to find one perfect piece isn’t for everyone. But at ThredUP, the world’s biggest online consignment store, thrifting is easy and you’re saving a piece from making its way to a landfill! Using the filter option when you shop, you can easily sort through clothing sizes, styles, and brands. Plus, if you’re a first time shopper, you can get 50% off your first order. Shop ThredUP.
The RealReal
One of our favourite online designer consignment shops is The RealReal, which features thousands of gently used pieces of jewellery, clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories from luxury labels like Gucci, Fendi, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and more. Each item is inspected and authenticated so that you know you’re getting the real deal. Shop The RealReal.
Reformation
By now, you probably already know Reformation, the sustainable brand that’s loved by celebrities. But what you might not know is that the L.A.-based brand also has a section on their website that help reverse the negative effects weddings, flights, and individuals have on climate. You can buy carbon credits starting at $32, which support Gold Standard verified projects through NativeEnergy and invest in clean energy and carbon-reducing projects around the world. Shop Reformation.
Beauty
The Detox Market
At The Detox Market, only the best clean beauty products are featured. Each product features pure ingredients, performs exceptionally, and is cruelty-free. Online you’ll find notable brands like RMS Beauty, ILIA Beauty, OSEA, Pai Organics, Alima Pure, Goop, and more. But if you’re new to the clean beauty game, start with the best sellers, which can be found on the homepage. Shop The Detox Market.
Clementine Fields
After being diagnosed with chronic leukemia in 2007, Ingrid Doucet became super aware of everything she put in and on her body, leading her to start Clementine Fields with her husband Tom. The online shop sells beauty products that are not only effective and green, but have the lowest environmental impact and are worthy of being displayed on your vanity. You can also shop plastic-free items to lessen your footprint even more. Shop Clementine Fields.
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Before I made the switch to a more low waste period routine, I was accustomed to the typical way of managing my period: pads, tampons, and the occasional chocolate bar. I thought this was normal and something I had to do. As it turns out, I just wasn’t taught about the alternative (and more environmentally friendly) ways of managing my period.
So here’s what I learned and what you need to know about switching to a low waste period routine.
According to the Women’s Environment Network, plastic is a major component of traditional menstrual products and it’s estimated that up to 90% of the material of a pad and 6% of the material of a tampon is plastic. On average, a menstruating human will have about 456 periods over 38 years and at about 20 pads or tampons per period, that’s a lot of plastic waste ending up in the landfill. Bummer, right?
Instagram/@lunettecup
Knowing this, I decided (based on the ability of my body) to make the switch to alternative and earth-friendly menstrual products to reduce the amount of plastic waste I was sending to the landfill each and every period cycle.
Guys, I’m happy to report that I will never be going back to disposable pads and tampons again. They’ve really changed my life.
Instagram/@caromarchand
My current routine consists of two alternative menstrual products: one, a menstrual cup and two, reusable period underwear. I use the menstrual cup as my primary method of managing my period. I use the DivaCup, but there are other brands like the OrganiCup, and the Lunette Period Cup. The DivaCup is made out of silicone and can be reused for up to 10 years! It’s super easy to insert (only took me a couple of tries to get it right!) and remove (it has a convenient little stem at the bottom). Cleaning and sanitizing it is also a breeze — just take a look at the manufacturers manual to get it right. Once the silicone becomes compromised due to wear and tear or improper cleaning, it’s time to replace it.
Instagram/@shethinkx
As backup, I use Thinx reusable period underwear to catch any leaks I may have due to improperly inserting my DivaCup. Reusable period underwear is similar to disposable pads because they catch menstrual blood in an absorbent layer of fabric. Like disposable pads, reusable period underwear must be changed a couple of times a day depending on your flow.
However, reusable period underwear is different because once they are soaked in water and subsequently washed in the laundry, they can be re-worn.
There are two other eco-friendly alternative menstrual products that I personally have not yet tried, but that I think deserve to be mentioned. The first is a reusable tampon applicator. Thinx has recently come out with a reusable tampon applicator that can be used for individual tampons without the need for single-use disposable applicators. The second is reusable pads and these are similar to reusable period underwear, but at a more affordable price point.
Instagram/@hannahpad_france
If you are able to, I challenge you to pick one eco-friendly alternative menstrual product from above and try it out for a couple of cycles.
Change is hard, I get it. But what an awesome thing to do for you and the planet.
Featured Image: Instagram/@taylordturner
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We can’t ignore the news reports any longer: the House of Commons recently declared a climate emergency in Canada as of June 17th. If it sounds serious, that’s because it is. According to members of parliament, science shows that Canada is warming at twice the global average. Should we be worried – perhaps? But there are also some preventative measures that can be put into place to do your part to help save the environment like going zero or low waste.
According to the Green Business Bureau, a staggering 2.2 billion tonnes of waste is produced per year with much of the waste produced from packaging used for food and beverages.
Instagram/@the.less.life
You may have noticed more and more companies across the board have made it their mission to generate less packaging and dispose of less waste.
One great example of this is coffee shops across the Greater Toronto Area and in North America implementing the Bring Your Own Mug or BYOM program. How it works is if you bring in a mug, you get a discount on your cup of joe. Seems simple enough, since so many of us have travel coffee mugs at home, but is it? Ashley Tomlinson of the blog, The Little Black Coffee Cup wrote about her 30-day commitment to change her behavior and found it required some planning and thought, and it brings up some excellent points on how to stay committed because it’s a huge lifestyle change.
Instagram/@thelittleblackcoffeecup
For many, we all want to do our part for the environment and for good reason. But the biggest thing we have to understand and realize is the zero-waste movement is about cutting down on packaging and of course, implementing changes in behavior – consumer or otherwise.
It’s a lifestyle change, and for many – it can be a privilege to make those lifestyle changes. Another great example is the Unboxed Market, a waste-free grocery store in Toronto’s west-end. The shop is dedicated to minimizing plastic waste and asks customers to bring in their own reusable food containers, mason jars, and bags when they shop there.
But some people may not have access or the resources to buying bulk Tupperware or mason jars to purchase their groceries or furthermore the pricing might be different here vs a discount grocery store that does use harmful plastics.
StyleDemocracy
In a recent piece for Vox, the author Alden Wicker writes, “Zero waste helps us reexamine our relationship with stuff in a way that can seem progressive and anti-consumerist.”
In theory, anyone can participate in the zero waste movement. But we need to think about the additional costs and the time one must invest to actually participate in this movement.
One place we’ve seen that is anti-consumerist while also contributing to the zero waste movement is Chef Jagger Gordon’s Feed It Forward pay-what-you-can grocery store. Located in The Junction, Chef Gordon is saving food that is about to be thrown out by grocery stores and food terminals and serving it back out to the community and those who need it most. In an interview with Toronto Life, Chef Gordan explains “We have $31 billion in food waste in this country. You don’t know who’s food insecure or even who is homeless. That’s kind of the idea behind this place. Everyone is treated the same.”
Feed It Forward
There is a wide variation on how zero waste is defined and focusing on zero waste may mean for some prioritizing waste.
But overall, we need to think of the bigger picture: making bigger overall lifestyle changes and implementing them into our lives, into the way that feels right for us. There is no right or wrong way to be zero-waste and one person’s journey may look different from another’s.
Know this: each small step you take is going to help save the planet and don’t feel judged because you haven’t taken more drastic measures. We’re all in this together!
Featured Image: Instagram/@abbeyrose.design
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Ready to start building your sustainable wardrobe, but don’t know where to start? We get it.
As a shopper, it can be hard to decide which brands are doing sustainability the right way. Lucky for you, we found six Toronto brands that are incorporating sustainable fabrics and materials in their pieces, while lessening their overall impact on the environment. From clothing to swimsuits to accessories, we have you covered!
Here are six of our favourite sustainable Toronto fashion brands to shop right now:
1. Uncle Studios
Instagram/@unclexstudios
Co-founded by Toronto-based style influencer Allegra Shaw, Uncle Studios is for the cool girl who wants to do good for the environment. Each garment is made in Canada from eco-friendly, recycled, or deadstock fabric and shipped to you in packaging made out of recycled and biodegradable materials, without those pesky paper receipts and plastic hangtags.
Our picks: the Slip Dress in ivory ($178), the Linen Tunic in white ($130), and the Perfect Crewneck in blush ($67).
2. Peoples Product
Instagram/@peoplesproduct
Looking for dreamy feminine pieces to add to your wardrobe? May we introduce you to Peoples Product, a slow fashion, ethical womenswear company based in Toronto and started by Eva Parrell and Chelsea Mazur. Each piece is designed in Toronto and handmade by Fair Trade artisans in India. Head on over to the website to see the price breakdown of why each piece costs what it does, from the materials and labour, to the shipping and duties.
Our picks: the Bon Bon Top in rose gold ($118) and the Hook & Eye Pants ($108).
3. House Of Ell
Instagram/@houseofell
Katia is the super cool Toronto-based creative behind the vintage and upcycled jewellery brand, House of Ell. Each piece is handpicked and transformed into a one-of-a-kind showstopper that will transcend those trendy and poorly made fast fashion pieces.
Our picks: the Upcycled Charm Necklaces and the Vintage Rings. Browse the styles on Instagram.
4. Kotn
Instagram/@kotn
Kotn is a Toronto retailer that sells well-fitting, basic, everyday pieces made from sustainably and ethically produced Egyptian cotton. Founded by two three entrepreneurs, Kotn works with a local NGO in Egypt to tackle the high illiteracy rates and provide children living in their farming communities with access to education? We’re not crying, you’re crying.
Our picks: the Men’s Essential Crew in black ($30), the Women’s Mock Neck Tank in lilac ($28), and the Women’s High Neck Tank in white ($25).
5. Scrunch
Instagram/@scrunch.to
Finally, a Toronto-based company to make all your scrunchie dreams come true! Michèle Klaponski works with re-purposed fabrics and makes each and every scrunchie by hand! Bonus: she’ll even take your old pants, dresses, and sweaters and upcycle them for you.
Our picks: the Coral Scrunchie ($10)and the Picnic Scrunchie ($10).
6. ?NIKA
Instagram/@unikaswim
Finding a sustainable swimsuit can be hard. But not anymore! ?NIKA is a Toronto-based swimsuit brand that uses a 100% regenerated nylon yarn fabric created from pre and post-industrial waste to make its made-in-Canada pieces. Sizing runs from Small to 4XL. Plus, each piece can be custom made to fit each and every curve of your body. Run, don’t walk! Check out our custom swimsuit experience with ?NIKA.
Our picks: the Hannah Bottoms ($97) and the Tulia Top ($89) in Sangria Slush.
Featured image: Kotn’s Queen St. West store via Instagram/@bunz_official
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