Did you know that your feet help with thermoregulation? This is just a fancy way of saying that they help regulate body temperature. In fact, the temperature of your feet can be a determining factor in how you sleep. If your feet are warm at night, your body has an easier time cooling itself down, which allows you to fall asleep more easily and stay asleep. Looks like I’ll be paying more attention to my feet next time I’m struggling to sleep! As we head toward winter in the Midwestern tundra, socks become even more of a necessity. Since socks wear so quickly, supporting ethical companies and fabric choices matters. Responsible fashion is important all the way down to your sustainable socks!
The average American walks between 3,000 – 4,000 steps every day. While that number is fairly low compared to much of the world, we still spend a good deal of time on our feet. And since almost eight out of every ten Americans will experience foot problems within their lifetime, I think our feet deserve a little eco-friendly love, don’t you?
Pact
Pact is the perfect starting ground for those looking to just “dip a toe” into environmentally conscious clothing. If you find all this eco-friendly talk to be a bit intimidating, don’t worry, so do I! The goal is to start small, so what better place to start than with basic necessities?
A Pact with the Earth
Pact is an American company, based in Boulder, CO (my mom’s hometown!). They partner with only Fair Trade Certified Factories for the production of their clothing, which means safe working conditions and fair pay for employees, all while upholding environmental standards. So, what exactly are their environmental standards? For one, the cotton for their clothing is organic, which is much more environmentally friendly than non-organic cotton. The farming process for organic cotton does not require toxic chemicals and uses 91% less water than the non-organic alternative.
Science aside, their sustainable socks are super soft and durable. They offer a variety of options, including ankle, crew, and boot socks. And, they sell socks for both men and women, featuring both solid colors and fun designs. Pact socks have certainly been a hit with me and with my husband! As someone who dances around quite a bit, I have also been surprised with the lack of holes. I would highly recommend Pact socks to anyone looking for a good work-friendly sock.
Girlfriend Collective
Looking for socks that shout a message? Girlfriend Collective makes wonderful activewear, including sustainable socks. This company is the real deal, thinking outside the box. They are transparent about their process from start to finish, since they believe that their customers have the right to know exactly what is in their products and how they are made.
Collective Creativity
What inspires me the most about Girlfriend Collective is their creativity. They take reusing waste to the next level from utilizing recycled polyester to discarded fishing nets and plastic water bottles. In addition, all their packaging is 100% recyclable. Within their factories, they focus on fair wages and quality working conditions, while never allowing child labor. Their about page is so extensive, and I would encourage you to read up if you are interested in all levels of their production.
When it comes to creativity, their socks are no exception. Each pair of crew socks is made out of 93% recycled plastic water bottles and 7% spandex. This means that Girlfriend Collective saves 4.8 water bottles from ending up in a landfill with each pair of socks. In addition, these socks are wonderful for an active lifestyle. They promise to promote circulation and reduce swelling, along with providing premium arch support. As a lady with a high-arched foot, my feet are shouting for joy! Speaking of shouting, these sustainable socks advocate for recycling loud and clear. You’ll find the message “please recycle” printed on several of the socks.
Organic Basics
Another brand that is fantastic for my active friends! Organic Basics is a staple company in the sustainable community. Their products are durable and simple, the true definition of basic. While they are a little more expensive for those of us on a budget, they promise to last a long time. Since one of the goals of sustainability is to buy less, quality is important.
Organic Basics believes that sustainability isn’t just a choice, it’s an imperative. There is no other option. Since they operate by this motto, they have nothing to hide. Their products are made from all recycled materials, GOTS-certified organic cotton, TENCEL, and natural silver. Interested in eco-friendly fabrics? Make sure you read up on my last blog post. So, why silver? Silver is what makes Organic Basics products perfect for an active lifestyle. Silver coats the fibers, which helps with heat regulation, odor control, and bacteria growth. Pretty neat!
Silver Sustainable Socks
While not all of their sustainable socks feature their SilverTech, it’s certainly helpful for avoiding stinky feet. SilverTech socks promise to be odorless, as well as adapting to keep your feet warm or cool. They are also reinforced in areas that require more support for your foot. And don’t worry, they are still machine washable! Aside from activewear socks, Organic Basics also offers organic cotton socks and sheer socks. They have socks for everyone, featuring a wide range of styles from no-show socks to crew socks.
People Tree
If you’re sitting here thinking, “But Maggie, my lifestyle just doesn’t require SilverTech,” thank you for bearing with me. Maybe you are more of a read a book in a good nook type, or a tea drinker while watching Downton Abbey. Fair enough. Then, let me introduce you to People Tree, a fabulous UK Company. They are perfect for my classy friends out there, and they do ship to the United States. The only downside is that they only have women’s clothing.
Blazing the Trail
People Tree is known as a pioneer in the sustainable fashion industry, as they have been around since 1991. They are a Fair-Trade company that focuses on quality products with fun and contemporary designs. In fact, they were the first company to be awarded the World Fair Trade Organization label. This means that they meet all the criteria when it comes to fair trade, good working conditions, equality, and sustainability. People Tree focuses on sustainable fabrics like TENCEL, linen, and organic cotton. They also value the artisan, with products featuring hand embroidery and more.
People Tree doesn’t forget artistry when it comes to sustainable socks either. While they offer solid basic socks, their patterns are much more fun. From polka dots and colorful stripes to fun patterns like honeybees, you will find a pair of socks that fits your unique personality. And the best part: each pair of socks is made from 98% organic cotton and only 2% elastane. Lots of natural fibers!
Knock Their Sustainable Socks Off
So, who says you can’t have great socks all day? It’s important to protect your feet during the day with socks that match your lifestyle, and of course, to keep your feet cozy at night. If you sleep with a partner, you know that nothing is worse than when they try to warm their freezing feet on you. I’m always saying, “Just put on some socks!” If you’re in the same boat, perhaps some of these soft sustainable socks will persuade your significant other to warm up their toes.
Let me know if you try any of these brands. I hope they knock your socks off!
Be Well. With Love.
Gabriella Abbott says
Hi Maggie! Do you know of some ethically sourced underwear companies? I’m looking for some shorts to wear under dresses.
You’re great!
Maggie says
Hi Gabriella! There are a few options I would recommend. First of all, secondhand usually isn’t an option for underwear 🙂 Every once in awhile you can find a brand new, unopened pack of underwear at a thrift store, but it’s not common! However, you may be able to find spandex shorts at a thrift store if that’s what you’re looking for. I found my two pairs of spandex shorts at a thrift store! If price is a concern, I would definitely check out Pact Clothing for underwear (they have some nice boy shorts), Girlfriend Collective (great no-show underwear options), and Warp + Weft. Organic Basics has some awesome options too (that will last a long time!), but they are more expensive. My guess is that all of these options will have a higher price point than you are used to, but just remember that you are paying for a high-quality, long-lasting product, sustainable materials, and fair living wages for employees. Hope this helpful! Feel free to ask more questions if you have them.
~ Maggie