The Stitch: Less is more: circular brands with the best basics

Marcus Falcão / THE GATEPOST

Emily Monaco / THE GATEPOST

By Bella Omar Asst. Arts & Features Editor As the weather warms and your feeds begin to flood with links to this season’s round of fast fashion items, I implore you to take a pause before clicking. Spring and summer basics like T-shirts and jeans should not need to be replaced on an annual basis, contrary to what you may be seeing on social media. Our clothes are an investment and should be treated as such by choosing where we find them carefully, if the time really has come to refresh a few well-worn pieces. The following brands are leading sustainable fashion by example, producing their garments mindfully, sustainably and in limited amounts - all while maintaining a level of unique style that has landed them on this list of my recommendations. A.BCH @abch.world on Instagram This Australian-born brand has been consistently hitting the mark on sustainable production since its conception in 2017. Every thoughtfully released collection has been full of quality basics such as 100% GOTS certified cotton T-shirts, linen button ups, denim jackets and more. Each product’s page includes a completely transparent description of its fabrication and production - allowing customers to rest easy knowing that every part of their purchase was milled, made, and designed ethically in Australia. Staying true to their “less is more” production philosophy, the brand aims to extend the lifespan of each piece by offering complimentary repairs and detailed care instructions. In fact, A.BCH is so committed to reducing their carbon footprint, they ceased production of new clothes entirely in 2024, now offering remaining pieces and fabrics from past collections. Nol Collective @nolcollective on Instagram Palestinian brand The Nol Collective was founded by Yasmeen Mall and produces inspiring and ethical pieces that are perfect for everyday wear. They partner with family-run businesses, women’s cooperatives, and artisans that are local to Palestine, utilizing traditional techniques that make all of Nol’s pieces that much more special. Palestinian hand-embroidery known as tatreez, with its deep history of political struggle and resistance, is featured in some of my favorite pieces from the brand such as the Nura hand-embroidered top and skirt. This craft is sourced from dozens of embroiderers throughout the West Bank. Nol also works with traditional handwoven Majdalawi fabric that is a 100% cotton fabric which has been a pillar of traditional Palestinian dress for centuries. “Hailing from the Gaza region, from the demolished town of Al Majdal, this Majdalawi fabric was handwoven in one of the last remaining artisan studios left in Palestine,” according to the brand’s about page. With everything from thoughtful graphic T-shirts to hand-embroidered sets, all showcasing the long and important history of Palestine, The Nol Collective is one to explore. RE/DONE @shopredone on Instagram If you’re in the market for denim, Sean Barron and Jamie Mazur’s Los Angeles based brand RE/DONE is a great option for sustainable pieces. Founded in 2014, the brand’s mission has been to reduce waste by upcycling and redesigning vintage denim into beautiful, luxury pieces from heritage brands such as Levi’s, Dr. Scholls, Hanes, and more. Since then, RE/DONE has upcycled over 200,000 pairs of vintage Levi’s, saving 1.75 million gallons of water in the production process. With over half of their sales volume being upcycled and recycled, RE/DONE has positively pushed the fashion industry as a whole toward more circular production. As they are constantly innovating new ways to reduce waste and promote eco-conscious shopping, such as adding their vintage marketplace page, RE/DONE customers can always have something to look forward to.