The Sustainable Fashion Trends We Love This Spring

Spring is in the air, bringing with it a promise of the new – and as always, a new set of fashion trends. In the name of mindful shopping, it's important not to overindulge in trends: for a more sustainable approach, our wardrobes should transcend seasonality and veer more towards the evergreen.

By Sascha Camilli: writer, speaker, activist, and vegan fashion expert. 

However, chances are that you already have some of these in your wardrobe (so much of fashion is constant revivals), in which case spring 2023 is a perfect time to give them a new spin, and some others, like innovative plant leathers, are worth discovering. Here are the trends we will be giving a second glance to this season.

Mushroom leather

Mushroom leather has been trending for a few seasons – its look and feel has improved so much that even iconic brands are interested: as Hermès, known for its leather goods, has made a bag with mushrooms. Naturally, Stella McCartney has worked with the material too. Made from the root structure of fungi, mushroom leather requires very little energy and water in its production, making it a friend to the planet. Shop accessories in mushroom leather such as stylish cardholders at Ashoka Paris.

Seaweed

An up-and-coming material in the world of sustainable fashion, seaweed is one to watch. Produced with virtually no toxic chemicals and requiring less water than animal-derived fabrics, seaweed is the next frontier of eco-conscious fashion - all without using animal-derived ingredients. Another reason to love it? Its versatility: seaweed can be used in anything from sneakers by Corail to activewear by 1 People. 

Plastic-free vegan leather

Plastic-free vegan leather is now a possibility, thanks to Natural Fibre Welding and their miracle material MIRUM, which is crafted from a variety of different kinds of plant waste, welded together. No petroleum-derived ingredients are used anywhere in the process, and the end result is a luxurious leather feel. More vegan brands (like Melina Bucher) are turning towards MIRUM to minimise plastic in their production – watch out for this material to show up in more collections. And check out our MIRUM Edit.

Florals

It's not only nature beginning to bloom at this time of year - so are our wardrobes. Catwalks were blossoming at Simone Rocha, Balmain, and Alexander McQueen. This is an easy trend to copy while making it sustainable. Your best ally in this endeavour is Baukjen, whose dresses in recycled materials, organic cotton, or ECOVERO viscose, are perfect for spring and beyond. Alternatively, look for BIBICO's lightweight and breezy floral-print styles. 

Recycled materials

The sheer amount of textiles present on the planet means that many eco-conscious labels are reaching for recycling as a means to repurpose what is already out there. Recycling alone isn't a fashion saviour - but it is a positive step forward. At the SS24 catwalks, Louis Vuitton and Ganni were among the designers to showcase recycled fibres. To bring recycled materials into your wardrobe, check out MOMOC's colourful shoes or breezy spring knits and recycled jackets from Minuit Sur Terre.

Exotic-skins patterns on vegan leather

As designers such as Chanel, Mulberry, Victoria Beckham, Paul Smith, Burberry and more have all banned exotic skins from their collections, using the real deal is increasingly a faux pas. But if you secretly like the look of croc skins, this will be the year to indulge - choosing vegan leather of course. Embossing animal-free leathers with an exotic-animal print is a simple way to pay homage to the beauty of animals without abusing them. Brands like Estimon and Minuit Sur Terre are your best bet.

By Sascha Camilli

About Sascha

Sascha Camilli is a vegan fashion writer, speaker and activist. Her book Vegan Style is out now on Murdoch Books. For more about Sascha, you can read our interview with her or listen to her podcast Catwalk Rebel. You can also follow her on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Cover image via Unsplash.

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