As someone who travels quite often {except as of now with this baby bump}, I've gotten acquainted with a few ethical brands over the last few years that I've thought were just perfect for traveling. From clothing, to shoes, to tech gear, these 10 brands are definitely worth looking into when packing for your next trip!
ENCIRCLED
This is a brand I've gotten to know well over the last year or so. I have a pair of their Dressy Sweats I've worn time & time again. They wash wonderfully, and they are just as soft as the first day I wore them. As a daughter of a pilot, I've always been told to dress well when flying. I grew up wearing dresses whenever we travelled, but that definitely isn't the most comfortable. When I first came across Encircled, my initial thought was 'this brand would be appropriate to wear for a flight AND I'll still be super comfortable'. Needless to say, I wear those dressy sweats each time :D
SASSIND
A great collection of clothing to travel with because their designs are made to carry with you throughout the day and fit many different body types. Nothing more than a capsule wardrobe & traveling enthusiast could want than a garment you can use morning, noon & night! Plus, their palette of neutral colors and soft pastels is ideal for pairing together outfits within small wardrobes {i.e. your suitcase}. Their collections consist of cashmere, merino, silk and the finest of cotton {with some french linen on the side, too} - all wonderful fabrics to travel with. You can just roll it up, and have plenty of room for your souvenirs.
ROTHY'S
Probably the comfiest shoe I've ever worn, Rothy's feel like a sneaker yet look absolutely feminine and chic. They are extremely durable and well-made, and best part - they use low-waste, low-impact materials! Can you believe these guys are made from recycled water bottles with 3D knit technology?! This type of material makes for a super sturdy shoe, and you can even clean them in your wash machine. Oh, and when you're done wearing {a long time down the road, I'm sure} you can send them back so they can recycle them. This truly is the flat of the future!
FRILUK
From passport carriers to card holders, FriLuk is using an awesome material to create practical goods, cork {which is a biodegradable, natural and renewable resource}. It is also waterproof & stain resistant making it an ideal material for a product you use everyday. They are also super soft & light so no weighing you down., and the prices are very reasonable. You won't have any trouble organizing. Each wallet has multiple card & money slots, and you can even fit your iPhone 7Plus in the Zip-Around. Important to note: All wallets use RFID that block signals used by data thieves to steal card information so you can feel safe & secure.
LIVE VESSEL
Less waste & better taste with luxury travel mugs...
As someone who hates using throw away cups while I'm on-the-go, I'm always looking for the perfect reusable one. I don't think I've ever come across a more beautiful travel mug than my LIVEN from Live Vessel. It makes drinking an experience, and offers top quality, gorgeous looks & a fresh taste. Live Vessel is morphing technology and aesthetic, and bringing us fashionable travel mugs we can use for years to come. The eco-friendly LIVEN travel mugs created by the ACERA artisans have a patented tourmaline anion technology which helps improve the quality and taste of your drink.
EBA TOTES
*use code SUSTAINABLY20 for $39 off*
Your eco-friendly bag where versatility and style meet, eba totes are designed for both your personal and active life. No more carrying around several bags to separate your day out - the eba tote is perfect for groceries, travel, the gym, diapers... you get the point ;) Besides being multi purpose, this tote is one of the first to contain a waterproof compartment. That's right! No need to worry about those inventible spills or wet bathing suits we throw in from the day at the beach. The outside materials are Ultrafabric® vegan leather and USA made linen. The eco-friendly vegan leather is moisture, stain & mildew resistant. Another great part - they fit perfectly under your airline seat!
KAKAW DESIGNS
*use code SUSTAINABLYHOLIDAY for 20% off your entire purchase*
A bag roomy enough {chic, too} for your weekend getaway! Made fairly in Guatemala with natural dyes, hand woven textiles & genuine leather, this duffle is going to carry with you trip after trip. Even the interior is so well-done! You get all the space & organization you need with two convenient outside pockets, two medium inner pockets, and one large inner pocket. Kakaw Designs partners with traditional weavers and artisans to produce accessories out of repurposed materials and new handwoven textiles. They work to create economic opportunity for these women so they can continue their craft and support their families.
MAYAMAM WEAVERS
*use code CHIC20 for 20% off your entire purchase*
Made for the traveler, these lovely-woven travel cosmetic bags come fully lined and in an array of colors. The jewelry rolls have one long and two small satin lined zippered pockets, two slip pockets and a tab to hold your rings that secures with a magnetic snap. They are even tied up with a vegan cord. Mayamam Weavers are based in Morriston, NJ & are proud members of the Fair Trade Federation. The artisans use weaving techniques of Mayan culture to create their accessories and home goods. The cooperative making up Mayamam Weavers was founded in 2008 in Cajolá, a Mayan town in the western highlands of Guatemala.
LAKESHORE DRY GOODS
Especially if you are spending your vacations near a pool or beach, these organic hair towels are going to come in handy a ton! Great for drying, reducing frizz & damage, Lakeshore Dry Goods' Sunrise Bliss T-shirt towels are an essential for travel. They are also great for wrapping items up in your luggage to separate your toiletries from your clothing. Each towel is made from GOTS Certified Organic Cotton {with low impact dyes}, and is incredibly lightweight & soft. It's a t-shirt type fabric with great stretch retention, too. Plus, they are made right in the US {Detroit}! You gotta check out how sweet their prints are.
RADEN
Perfect luggage for seamless travel...
Finding a suitcase that checks off everything in my sustainable list has been quite difficult. This bag has come the closest to what I would call sustainable luggage & here's why: 1. It's built to last. This is the biggest issue I have with today's suitcases, none of my bags have ever lasted more than a few years. You can literally jump on this bag with no issue {we all know how much TSA cares about our personal belongings}. 2. It's smart. You can charge your phone, locate it through GPS and weigh it before traveling. 3. It looks really, really good... so why not?! :P