Company Review: Outerknown

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uterknown is a clothing brand that has gained a reputation for its commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. Founded by a professional surfer, Kelly Slater, this company uses recycled materials such as nylon and polyester, as well as organic cotton and hemp, in its clothing. The company's focus on sustainable materials has attracted customers who want to make a positive impact on the environment.

The brand also places a strong emphasis on style and quality. Its clothing collection includes a range of classic and modern pieces, from casual t-shirts and shorts to more formal jackets and trousers. The brand's designs are simple yet sophisticated, with a focus on durability and longevity.

A Seaside Journey of Quality & Sustainability

Along our journey to The Old Gate, we aim to find brands that are designed with quality in their products and approach to business practices, and that closely embody the 7 principles. With the "one-click-of-a-button" consumption culture, we have lost sight of our ability to sit back and wait for that perfect wave, or product, to come along. Outerknown is not only focused on making products that are organic and recycled, but on a concept called "slow fashion."

Slow fashion, huh? Sounds like something your grandpa would talk about while reminiscing about the good old days. However, it is about creating high-quality, durable clothes that you can wear for years. As mentioned on their site, Outerknown is focused on prioritizing industry-serving resale, repair, and recycling programs, and are aiming to make 100% of their products circular (out of landfills) by 2030.

Slow Fashion is the only chance this industry has to create a sustainable future for all. [Outerknown]

Durable Attire To Match Your Quiver

Outerknown might be right for you if you're tired of clothes that fall apart faster than a surfer riding a barrel. Let's face it, there's nothing more frustrating than investing your hard-earned cash in a shirt that starts to look like a used dishrag after a few wears. You know, the one your wife or girlfriend wants to throw in the trash but you won't part ways with until it completely disintegrates?

Here are a few things to consider:

On The Path (+)

Organic and Recycled Materials
Excellent Customer Service
Prioritized Sustainability
Increased Transparency

Off The Path (-)

Not All Products are Organic
Items May Sell Out Quickly

Musings from the Trail

I started on the journey in 2018 to better understand what the materials in the clothing I wear day in and day out were made of. This all led me down a path to better understand the the negative impacts that certain materials have on our body, and how our body absorbs the toxic chemicals used to produce clothing.

During that time, I noticed that I was purchasing products based on an indirect feeling or a secondary motive, such as a sports team I liked or place I visited, rather than on the actual product itself. In addition, I did an evaluation of my closet and noted that the majority of the clothes that I wore were no longer purely cotton but either a mix or 100% synthetic with no indication of them being organically sourced.

This entire process led me to search out companies that had value in their products and the materials used in their products, and weren't a ruthless machine focused primarily on their bottom line. It has been quite the process and one that I continue to strive towards as I become more independent from these toxic materials.

We are all "Too Poor, To Buy Cheap." It may not catch up to us right away but over the long haul buying quality over quantity will aid us in this journey back to The Old Gate.

People don't buy "Quality," they buy "Feelings."

Challenge:

Commit to better understanding the materials you wear and use. Set goals for integrating higher quality material into your clothing rotation. See the Objective(s) for ideas.