Stylish apparel essentials that are good for the planet

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If you are looking for a way to coordinate your wardrobe with concern for the environment, here are three eco-friendly brands with sweet, comfy pieces. 

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With all the research and design to make apparel that is an ethically-responsible option, we are happy to see it as an investment. Although there are some items as low as $45 (for the kids’ organic t-shirt) you’ll pay a bit more for PANGAIA which recently launched on Nordstrom.ca and in-store at Nordstrom Pacific Centre in Vancouver, BC.

Two other, slightly more affordable options, are Kotn and Allbirds. That said, we love everything all these retailers have to offer.

PANGAIA 

Nordstrom’s latest installment of NewConcepts@Nordstrom features comfortable and stylish designs from a company whose mission is “to save our environment.” 

Seems lofty, for sure, but the PANGAIA collection certainly is impressive in its approach. And we are loving their eco-friendly sweats.

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Their easy-on-the-environment apparel includes essential tops and bottoms for adults and children — apparel is the result of a collaboration of scientists, technologists and designers to create pieces with innovative tech and bioengineered materials.

The clothing is designed to be comfortable, stylish and made to last. And it’s created with very cool materials. Some of these proprietary technologies and trademarks include:

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Some of our favourites from PANGAIA  

365 Unisex Recycled & Organic Cotton Track Pants ($175)

Unisex Crop PPRMINT Organic Cotton & Hemp Denim Jacket ($315)

365 Unisex Organic Cotton Zip Hoodie ($225)

FLWRDWN Lite Recycled Nylon Puffer Jacket ($275)

The Nordstrom collection, with price tags ranging from $45 to $430, features 365 core offerings (tops, bottoms and jackets) and more. 

PANGAIA comes from combining pan, which means all-inclusive, with gaia, meaning mother earth. The collection is available online and at Nordstrom Pacific Centre through early May.

Allbirds

Allbirds, another eco-conscious company, launched its natural-run apparel last year — the first activewear collection to label each piece with the carbon emissions associated with the garment’s production.

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The brand known for using sustainable and technical materials like sugar and discarded snow crab shells has styles that are fresh, modern and simplistic. And because we’ve tried them, we can report back the materials are soft and breathable. And Allbirds shoes are super light and comfortable. 

Some of our favourites from Allbirds

Natural Leggings ($140)

Form tank top ($90)

Women’s R&R sweatpants ($130)

Kotn

Kotn, which is a Canadian brand, works with family-owned farms in Egypt and Portugal to make high-quality Egyptian cotton linen and clothing. 

Care about what you wear and how it impacts the environment and others? You will love Kotn.

The company works with a local NGO to help tackle illiteracy within their farming communities. 

Check out Kotn’s sweats collection here. 

Some of our favourites from Kotn

Men’s double-knit pyjama bottom ($65) 

Women’s midi ribbed cardigan ($95)

Women’s ribbed relaxed long-sleeve ($60)

Shopping Essentials is a new category that features highly-researched products, new and exciting launches or behind-the-scenes info — learn more.  All prices are accurate on the day of publication.

NMoharib@postmedia.com