Hey there, eco-fashionista! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for clothing brands that not only make you look good, but also do good for the planet. Well, I‘ve got a real gem to share with you today: Outerknown.
Founded by world-champion surfer Kelly Slater, Outerknown is making serious waves in the sustainable fashion scene. In this post, I‘m diving deep into what makes this brand so rad – from their commitment to ethical manufacturing to their totally covetable clothing. Plus, I‘m serving up some style inspo and tips for making your Outerknown pieces last.
So grab a reusable cup of fair trade coffee and let‘s get into it!
The 411 on Outerknown‘s Sustainability
If you know me, you know I geek out hard on the nitty gritty sustainability details. And let me tell you, Outerknown is crushing it in this department. Here‘s a quick rundown of their earth-friendly practices:
- 90% of fibers are organic, recycled, or regenerated – we‘re talking organic cotton, hemp, recycled polyester and nylon, and ECONYL (aka regenerated fishing nets).
- Fair Trade Certified manufacturing ensures safe working conditions and fair wages for the people crafting your clothes.
- Accredited by the Fair Labor Association, which conducts unannounced audits to verify ethical labor practices.
- Pioneering circularity with the "Garments for Change" program – send back your worn Outerknown gear for repairs, upcycling, or recycling.
And the impact of these choices really adds up. According to Outerknown‘s 2020 sustainability report, they‘ve:
- Saved over 1.5 billion liters of water
- Avoided over 200 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- Recycled over 200,000 plastic bottles into clothing
Pretty incredible, right? But Outerknown isn‘t just focused on being "less bad" – they‘re actively working to spark industry-wide change by sharing their supplier info and collaborating with other conscious brands. In other words, they‘re the real deal.
My Favorite Outerknown Pieces (and Why I Can‘t Stop Wearing Them)
Okay, so now that we‘ve established Outerknown‘s sustainability street cred, let‘s get into the good stuff: the clothes! I‘ve been lucky enough to try out several pieces from their collection, and I‘m honestly obsessed. Here are a few of my go-tos:
The Blanket Shirt
The Blanket Shirt is an Outerknown icon for a reason. Made from super soft organic cotton twill, it‘s the perfect cozy layer for beach bonfires or workdays at home. I snagged one in the "Ventura" plaid (a dreamy blue and yellow combo) and I can‘t tell you how many compliments I get on it! It has the relaxed vibe of my guy‘s flannels, but with a cool cropped fit that looks great with high-waisted jeans or cut-off shorts.
The Groovy Pocket Tee
Don‘t let the name fool you – this tee is a total classic. The organic cotton jersey is ridiculously soft, and the slightly relaxed fit looks good on literally everyone. I have it in black and white and they‘re in constant rotation. Dressed up with a blazer, half-tucked into vintage Levi‘s, or thrown on with sweats for weekend errands, this tee can do it all.
The Station Jumpsuit
If you follow me on Instagram, you‘ve definitely seen me rocking this jumpsuit on repeat. The organic cotton/linen blend is garment-dyed for a perfectly broken-in feel (no stiff, scratchy linen here!) and the utility-inspired details make it super versatile. I‘ve worn it belted, layered over a striped turtleneck, or just zipped up solo with sandals. Plus, it has pockets! Need I say more?
What Other Eco Babes Are Saying
But don‘t just take my word for it – Outerknown has a serious cult following among sustainably-minded fashionistas. Exhibit A: Check out what blogger and fellow surfer girl Anne-Mieke has to say about her S.E.A. Suit:
"I‘ve had my S.E.A. suit for over a year now and I‘m blown away by how well it has held up. I can wear this baby surfing, diving, paddle boarding – you name it. And then I just throw it in the wash and it‘s good as new. It gives me so much peace of mind to know my swimwear isn‘t adding to the microplastic pollution problem. Outerknown nailed it with this one!" – Anne-Mieke, ethical fashion blogger at @oc.earthling
Or how about this review of the Blanket Shirt from Rob, aka the "Sustainable Dude":
"I basically live in my Blanket Shirts all fall and winter. They‘re the perfect weight – cozy but not too heavy. And I love that they‘re made with organic cotton and nut buttons. The quality and craftsmanship are top-notch. Well worth the price in my opinion. Outerknown, if you‘re reading this – more plaid colorways, please!" – Rob, sustainability advocate behind @sustainabledude
Styling Your Outerknown Favorites
Now that you‘re fully briefed on all things Outerknown, I bet you‘re dying to get your hands on some of their pieces. But once you do, how can you style them for maximum impact (and maximum wears)? Here are a few ideas:
The Oversized Alpiner
This organic cotton fleece is the perfect throw-on-and-go layer. For a casual weekend look, pair it with the Painter Pants and sneakers. Heading somewhere chilly? Layer it under the Oiler Jacket for added warmth.
The Strand Shirtdress
This breezy organic cotton shirtdress is a one-and-done wonder. Rock it on its own with slides and sunnies for a beach day, or throw it on over the Pixie Tee and Jax Shorts for a cute coffee run ensemble. Bonus: The Strand also makes a great swimsuit coverup!
The Sur Snap Hoodie
Add some surfer flair to any outfit with this color-blocked hemp hoodie. Throw it on over the Groovy Pocket Tee and the Canyon Shorts for a laid-back skate sesh, or dress it up with black skinnies and boots for a pop of color.
Make It Last: Outerknown Product Care
The key to a sustainable wardrobe? Making your clothes last as long as possible. Luckily, Outerknown makes that easy by crafting their pieces from durable, high-quality materials. To keep your Outerknown faves in tip-top shape, follow these easy product care tips:
- Wash less, spot clean more – constant washing can break fibers down over time. For minor stains or smells, try spot cleaning with a gentle detergent.
- Choose cold water – it‘s gentler on the fabric and uses less energy. Win-win!
- Skip the dryer when you can – heat is tough on clothes. Opt for air drying when possible, especially for pieces with delicate or embellished details.
- Go green with your detergent – conventional laundry soaps can have harsh chemicals. Look for plant-based formulas, or make your own!
Putting Your $ Where Your Values Are
At the end of the day, supporting a brand like Outerknown is about so much more than just looking good (although trust me, you will). It‘s about using your purchasing power for good and investing in a future where style and sustainability are one and the same.
I know that Outerknown‘s prices can be a bit of a splurge compared to your typical mall brand. But in my experience, their clothes are truly built to last – both in terms of quality and timeless style. By choosing Outerknown, you‘re not just buying a cute new tee or dress. You‘re casting a vote for fair wages, safe working conditions, and responsible manufacturing. You‘re reducing your closet‘s carbon footprint and water usage. You‘re fighting against the environmental damage of fast fashion.
And here‘s the really rad part: when you rock Outerknown, you‘re also spreading the word about sustainable fashion to everyone who checks out your sick style. You‘re planting a seed and sparking conversations. You‘re inspiring others to rethink their shopping habits and dare to expect more from their clothes.
So yeah, I‘d say Outerknown is 110% worth the investment – for your wardrobe, for garment workers, for the planet, and for future generations of style lovers like us. Let‘s keep supporting this amazing brand and others like it, and together we can make conscious fashion the new normal. Who‘s with me?
