Sustainable Fashion Voices I'm Reading This Year (2026 Edition)
You’ve seen the headlines. “Sustainability is over”. “Fast Fashion is Back.” In a world with near constant wildfires, flooding, and overheating, it’s hard to feel like we’re moving the needle on the climate crisis. Sustainable fashion is no different. You might ask, “What’s the point?”.
The people benefiting from this reality don’t want you to know that fashion is deeply connected with social justice issues. Women make up the majority of garment workers, who are fighting for adequate pay and safe workplaces. Large companies pollute the environment by overproducing excess clothing. Those of us in the sustainable fashion space know the fashion industry can do better.
Read these reflections from bloggers, journalists, and industry experts who know protecting the planet is always in style.
Start Here If You're New to Eco-friendly Wardrobes
Aja Barber: Barber's book Consumed is a must read to learn about the injustices within the fashion industry, how we may participate, and what we can do to change it. She also writes on Instagram and Patreon, where you can read more about the harms of fast fashion, ways we can take political action on the issues we care about, and her fantastic styling recommendations. Aja Barber's perspective is informed by their veteran status within the fashion industry; we value their viewpoint.
Kristy Drutman: The founder of Browngirl Green, they are an environmental educator and entrepreneur who makes information about major environmental issues accessible for the general public. For many young people who want to translate their visions for the future into long term action, she models community and network building. Co-founder of the Green Jobs Board, a platform for climate and sustainability related jobs, Drutman is an essential voice for anyone to listen to, regardless of experience in this space.
The Eco Hub: If you're looking for an expert in all things eco friendly, The Eco Hub is the stop for you. Candice Batista has twenty years of experience in sustainable living. She distills her experiences in environmental journalism, eco-friendly TV, and climate change documentary-making into her blog to empower people to make those simple, small changes that add up to all the difference. She covers sustainable living, zero waste, cleaning, ethical fashion, green beauty, and health.
The Honest Consumer: The Honest Consumer is run by Emily Waddell, who identifies herself as an "anxious creative." It focuses on fair fashion, social impact, mental health awareness, and conscious living. Read her work if you are struggling with eco-anxiety and are uncertain how to start taking action. She writes about her own struggles and successes in becoming a more conscious consumer. The Honest Consumer answers the question of where to find socially responsible goods.
Imperfect Idealist: Lily Fang, also known on Instagram as @imperfectidealist, shares sustainablity, gorgeous landscapes, and marathons all on the same feed. We appreciate her thoughtfulness in the recommendations she provides, and love her joyful approach to loving the planet. Check out her blog for product recommendations and travel tips.
Sustainable Jungle: Joy McConnochie, Lyall Mabin, and Amber McDaniel are the core team behind Sustainable Jungle, a fantastic resource for conscious consumers to get brand recommendations. With curated guides on the best thrift stores and fabric composition guides, it's a perfect choice for beginners looking to start their fashion journey.
L to R: Joy McConnochie, Lyall Mabin, and Amber McDaniel
Sustainably Chic: Natalie Costello's blog, Sustainably Chic, combines sustainable fashion, green beauty, and eco lifestyle. She's been sharing great content since 2014. She maintains high standards of quality in a world of seemingly unlimited choices. Read her guides on fabric types and certifications if you are unfamiliar with fashion terminology. If you need a holistic place to start your sustainable fashion journey, she's the one for you.
Sustainably Shelbi: If you're not watching Shelby Orme, also known as Shelbizleee on YouTube, you can find her blogging about all things environmentally friendly. Her passion is sustainable living, and her blog focuses on zero waste, eco-beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. She channels her mantra, "you cannot do all the good that the world needs, but the world needs all the good that you can do," into everything she writes.
For the Initiated
Maxine Bédat: I'm a big fan of her book, Unraveled: Life and Death of a Garment, where she discusses the life cycle of a pair of jeans by examining the global supply chain which makes its production possible. Read it to get a better understanding of the fashion industry. Bédat also has a Substack blog called In the Pursuit..., where she publishes data-driven reflections on other major societal issues.
Alden Wicker: Alden Wicker is a journalist who has published in a variety of outlets on sustainability in consumer goods. Her award winning book, To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick - and How We Can Fight Back explores the intertwined issues of consumer health and fast fashion. On her blog EcoCult, she provides product recommendations, reliable information about certifications, and more. Read her work to learn more about the clothes you wear everyday.
Conscious Life & Style: Conscious Life & Style is written by Elizabeth Joy, Stella Hertantyo, Jharna Pariani, and Yuhanne Natividad, and it's a digital media destination for eco-friendly action at all levels of society. She's created a wonderful place to get educated on the systemic challenges to saving the planet and valuing people. If you want to get started in your slow, eco-conscious lifestyle while looking good responsibly and taking in all perspectives, follow Conscious Life & Style.
L to R: Elizabeth Joy, Stella Hertantyo, Jharna Pariani, and Yuhanne Natividad
Industry Professionals and Fashion Aficionados, Look Here
Conscious Fashion Collective: For professional audiences, Elizabeth Joy, Stella Hertantyo, and Jharna Pariani also lead the Conscious Fashion Collective, where you can find style recommendations, industry updates, and educational guides all in one place. This site is a great resource if you are trying to break into the fashion industry or if you are already an insider trying to grow your impact. I recently joined and love what I have access to.
Megan Doyle: Doyle writes and conducts research for a wide variety of publications, from Vogue Business to Fashion Revolution. She's penned articles on live shopping, cotton agriculture, and garment worker rights. She recently published an article about new regulations from the European Union preventing large brands from dumping and burning their stock. She's also penned a cool piece about designers taking notes from peat bogs. Read her work if you want a deep dive on the most current issues.
Brittany Sierra: Creator of the Sustainable Fashion Forum and writer of the Substack Green Behavior, Brittany Sierra is an invaluable voice in the fashion industry. Sierra focuses on the consumer behavior side of fashion, or the why and how of our purchases. Her work is a crucial read for fashion and communications professionals. Read her Substack, subscribe to her newsletter, and follow her on Instagram for her industry insights.
Wardrobe Crisis: Written by Claire Press, Wardrobe Crisis is a key resource for industry commentary and trend analysis. Her podcast of the same name focuses on niche topics within the world of fashion, featuring visionary guests. Whether you are new to the fashion industry or an experienced voice, Press' work will expand your knowledge base on the future of fashion. Check out her books, Wear Next: Fashioning the Future and Rise and Resist: How to Change the World.
Sustainable vs. Ethical vs. Eco: A Quick Note
Plenty of people have written about how confusing terms like "eco-friendly", "ethical", or "sustainable" are. It's not easy to navigate - especially as a consumer. Here's my take: "Eco-friendly" is a catch all term for any product which takes its impact on the Earth into consideration. This could mean it's produced with solar power, can be composted, or is made with recycled materials. The term "eco-friendly" isn't regulated by law, so take time to research and understand if the brand in question can back up the claims it's making.
"Ethical" is more specific; it refers to a product's impact on the people making it. Fair wages and safe working conditions help protect workers. "Sustainable" refers to the impact products have on the planet through their resources and speed of production. With all of these terms, it's important to do your own research into the brand's claims.
How I Choose Which Sustainable Fashion Voices to Follow
Finding reliable sources for all things sustainable fashion can be difficult. I choose who to follow by reading their recent posts, getting recommendations from sources I trust, and by paying attention to active contributors to the industry. I recommend getting names from your friends, colleagues, and community members as well! There is no shortage of authors, content creators, and activists who advocate for better practices within the fashion industry.
What Should I Know About Sustainable Fashion?
Who are the best sustainable fashion writers to follow in 2026?
Aja Barber, Maxine Bédat, Kristy Drutman, Megan Doyle, Sustainably Chic, The Honest Consumer, Imperfect Idealist, Claire Press, The Eco Hub, Conscious Life and Style, Conscious Fashion Collective, Sustainably Shelbi, Brittany Sierra, and Alden Wicker are great voices to listen to for all things sustainable fashion.
How can I find the best sustainable fashion brands?
Sustainable Jungle contains detailed guides on sustainable and ethical brands at every price point. Read their work to know which brands are good for the planet and your wallet.
Who should I read to find sustainable fashion news?
Read Megan Doyle's work to learn about current issues within the fashion industry that deserve more coverage. Subscribe to Brittany Sierra's newsletter to stay up-to-date on industry trends and position your career for success. Follow Kristy Drutman on Instagram to read, watch, and share accessible climate storytelling.
What's the difference between sustainable and ethical fashion?
Sustainable fashion focuses on the impact production has on the planet, from the beginning of its creation to its disposal. Ethical fashion focuses on the impact production has on the people who make the products. It includes fair wages and safe working conditions.