8 Sustainable Fashion Boutiques in the Hudson Valley | Sustainability | Hudson Valley

An estimated 92 million tons of textile waste are created every year by the fast fashion industry—a number that could rise to 148 million tons by 2030. Increasingly, industry defectors are turning to slow fashion—as designers, shoppers, and curators—opting for sustainably crafted garments that boast quality craftsmanship, natural fibers, and social responsibility. The Hudson Valley is full of folks who have walked away from the corporate  world for a quieter, more connected and crafted life. Here are eight local retail shops where you can buy sustainable clothes and accessories.

Alder & Co. | Germantown

Originally launched in Portland, Oregon, Alder & Co. brings a laid-back bohemian twist to modern luxury with sustainably sourced clothing, undergarments, home goods, and accessories. When the brand moved east, founders Carla Helmholz and Rebecca Westby set up shop in a cozy 1876 farmhouse in Germantown. The curated selection of sustainable goods include yummy wool-cashmere flannel pants and quilted vests from London-based design brand Toogood; organic cotton undies, sweaters, and sleepewear from Domi, socks from Collegien, and casual wearable knitwear from Babaco.

River Mint Finery | Kingston

At River Mint Finery’s historic, light-filled storefront in Uptown Kingston, shoppers can find a curated selection of artisan clothing, jewelry, and accessories that emphasize ethical sourcing and high quality craftsmanship. Browse from local brands like Eleven Six, which offers modern knitwear ethically made by artisans in Peru, as well as some of Hammill’s designer favorites, like For Days, M.Patmos, Stateside, Frank & Eileen, Yerse, Matta, and Trovata.

Bosco’s Little Shop | Saugerties

With decades of experience in corporate visual merchandising, Laura Huron has a honed aesthetic and instinct for quality in the home goods space, which is on display in her first upstate shop Bosco’s Mercantile. At the Saugerties storefront, she stocks sustainably sourced bed linens, pillows, towels, and other luxurious textiles. A small section of artisan-made women’s clothing in one corner of the mercantile eventually gave rise to its own store—Bosco’s Little Shop. Around the block, the clothing-focused boutique offers brands like Matta, with colorful blockprinted dresses made by artisans in Nepal and India; and Italian-made cashmere cardigans from MJ Watson, 100% cotton, graphic sweatshirts from Clare V that are made in LA, alpaca knitwear from Xirena, and more.

Eleven Six | Kingston

After an inspiring trip to Peru, designer Catherine Carnevale left her corporate job as the Senior Director of Knitwear at Club Monaco to found Eleven Six with her husband Nick. The brand, now based in Midtown Kingston, offers both women and mens knitwear crafted sustainably from natural fibers by artisans in Peru. In addition to their online shop, they also have a concept store on the ground floor of the historic Fuller Building in Midtown Kingston that is open Monday through Saturday by appointment. In addition to Eleven Six products, there is also a limited selection of merchandise from other brands like Lake & Skye candles and perfumes, wall art by rotating artists, and ceramics.

Hudson Clothier | Hudson

Hudson Clothier is a temple to domestic manufacturing and slow fashion with practical pieces are that are built to last. MaryVaughn Williams founded the boutique in 2014 when, after years in the import side of fashion, she wanted to sell only American-made apparel and accessories. Williams aims for timeless not trendy pieces and sources from brands like Mother Denim, Thunderpants, Velvet by Graham & Spencer, Xirena, Prairie Underground, and local Gardiner-based brand Utility Canvas.

Kaight Boutique | Beacon

First opened on the Lower East Side in 2005, Kaight Boutique now sits on Main Street in Beacon offering sustainable and fashion-minded clothing, shoes, accessories, and decor. Owner Kate McGregor upholds strict sourcing priorities that include zero waste, fair trade, reclaimed materials or 100% natural textiles, and local production. Products include handmade leather purses from O My Bag, recycled cotton denim from Boyish, New York City-made womenswear from Loup, and knitwear from Mirth Caftans.

Canvas + Clothier | Poughkeepsie

Jillian Grano, co-owner and founder of Utility Canvas, has been domestically designing and manufacturing clothing and home goods rooted in practicality since 1990. MaryVaughn Williams has carried Utility Canvas products at her American-made boutique Hudson Clothier for years. The “micro department store” Canvas + Clothier, located in a historic 19th-century department store in Poughkeepsie, brings the two together in a full circle collaboration. The shop offers domestically produced and sustainably manufactured clothing, accessories, jewelry, bed linens, pillows, and home textiles. Beyond Utility Canvas’s own products, some featured brands include Archerie, Schott NYC, and Freenote Cloth.

Zephyr | Rhinebeck

At Zephyr in downtown Rhinebeck, Caitlin Millard offers high-end, artisan-made garments from global and local brands including her own collection of flattering, bias-cut dresses that are made using natural fabrics like silk, linen, cotton, and wool by a small team of sewers in Kingston’s Rondout district. The 1,100-square-foot store front has plenty of space for an ample inventory that is selected to cater to a range of budgets, sizes, and ages. Zephyr carries high-end brands like Pas de Calais, Hannoh Wessel, Maku, Prairie Underground, Jungmaven, Only Hearts, and CP Shades, but there are also plenty of items under the $100 mark.