As things slowly begin to reopen and we are allowed to venture outside of our homes, many of us (myself included!) are itching to travel… anywhere! This practical summer/warm-weather packing list is my go-to. And, if you’re hoping to support local brands that have either sustainable or ethical manufacturing practices, then you’re in luck! Because I’ve also provided ethical buys for each of the items featured in my summer packing list.
Whether you are just lounging in your backyard, local nature park, or manage to slip away to a cottage, these classic, time-tested capsule wardrobe pieces won’t let you down. Happy packing!
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Screenshot the list below or Pin this handy graphic to save this ethical summer packing list. All of these items are mix and match! My tip for an easy-pairing, capsule packing list? Choose a colour palette and stick to it! For this cottage vacation, I chose mainly white and camel or nude pieces, and then tossed in some vibrant coral accents.
Viola! No thinking required once you get to your destination. Well, maybe some thinking. Like whether to relax in the shade or the sun.
Happy packing!
Save this article (PSST: there’s a handy Pin on Pinterest if you’re an avid pinner, like yours truly) to make your next summer packing list a breeze! This list contains links to items I love that are sustainable and/or ethically made. All items linked to are also vegan.
You may recognize a few of these since I wear these timeless pieces constantly.
Ohh, the fancy top! They take a casual jeans and sneakers outfit from meh to wow in 3 seconds. I love fancy tops in natural fibers for summer, like these two cotton beauties by Montreal-based Essentiels Co: Tie-front cotton top, Puff-sleeve cropped top, both handmade in Montreal, Canada.
{ Yes, these are the same fancy tops I’ve been frolicking in all over Instagram and YouTube. }
Equally stylish and good for the planet! I’m obsessed with the new slides by Rothy’s, made from recycled plastic water bottles. And a new discovery for me is RAFA, a 100% ethically-made shoe brand that offers vegan sandals in different heel-highs–you can even customize the colourway when you order from their website!
PS: I have a $20 off Rothy’s coupon that’s free for you to use!
Go for cotton or other natural fibers, like linen blends. I have several of the v-neck cotton t-shirts by Encircled, made here in Toronto. They are beyond comfortable and super flattering.
I’ve spoken about my VEJA’s a million times on my social media accounts, and they seem to always appear in my packing lists. That’s because these kicks are just so darn versatile!
If you didn’t know already, VEJA sneakers are designed in France, ethically manufactured in Brazil, and feature sustainable fabrics. The rubber soles are sourced from fair-trade Amazon partnerships, which incentivize locals to protect the trees instead of cutting them down.
If you are into dresses, you know the time-saving value of slipping on a single article of clothing and being ready to go. That’s why I always bring one or two with me on any warm-weather getaway.
My favourite brands for ethically-made and sustainable summer dresses are Yireh, Farmrio, and Reformation.
Also, this is not a “sustainable” brand, but I wanted to give a shout-out to a new brand that I stumbled across Chloe Kristyn! This high-end brand manufactures everything in the US and is black-female owned. Her dresses and blouses are so chic (AKA: business-appropriate) and suit-case friendly.
If you’ve seen any of my vacation photos, you know that I live in this oversized, organic-cotton buttondown by Outerknown. I have the Costa shirt in the colour called “Salt”, which is a feather-light, gauzy waffle-weave fabric. I wear it as a traditional top, half-tucked into shorts, or as a bathing suit cover-up. Personally, I keep the sleeves rolled up all the time for that effortless, chic look. And because the Costa shirt is generously sized, it never develops a funky odor since the fabric billows away from your skin. (I sized down to an XS.)
It sells out fast every time it’s restocked, and I can personally see why.
Even for warm-weather getaways, it’s always good to pack a pair of classic denim jeans or athletic leggings–especially if you are traveling with Canada or the US, since temps can take unexpected plunges.
There are so many great brands offering recycled-fiber denim. Two that I’m currently swooning over: Boyish and Ref Jeans (petite sizing),
For athletics leggings, shorts, sports bras, windbreakers, and basics, you must check out Girlfriend Collective! They are size-inclusive, and all their fabrics are made from recycled waste fibers, like plastic water bottles and fishing nets.
If your destination includes a lake, ocean, or pool, check out these eco-friendly swimwear brands: SummerSalt (size inclusive!), Oysho, and Selfish Swimwear.
There are lots of brands using sustainable bamboo to create eyewear frames. But the recycled metal frames by MODO really stand out to me. Who wouldn’t think these Merano sunglasses weren’t designer?
There are a lot of polyurethane bags on the market, and to be honest, I’m a bit over those. Instead, I’m focusing on natural fiber or other innovative vegan-alternatives. I love a beachy rattan bag for summer! You’ve probably seen my half-moon style one from HFS featured in quite of a few my warm-weather outfits.
Alexandra K. is another brand to keep an eye on. Their latest brand launch included some seriously stunning handbags made from corn-leather!