The Days Apparel: Cape May’s Sustainable Fashion Hidden Gem
The Days Apparel: Where Conscience Meets Couture
Photo Image via thedaysapparel.com
In a storefront across from Cape May's City Hall at 660 Washington Street, something quietly revolutionary is happening. The Days Sustainable Apparel isn't just New Jersey's first private-label sustainable boutique—though that distinction alone would be noteworthy. It's proof that ethical fashion and exquisite design aren't opposing forces but natural partners, that you don't have to compromise style to honor the planet, and that one Fashion Institute of Technology-educated designer's vision can transform how we think about getting dressed.
Image via thedaysapparel.com
Walk in and you immediately understand: this isn't performative sustainability dressed up in hemp sacks. This is sophisticated, contemporary fashion that happens to be crafted from regenerated ocean plastics, plant-based fibers, upcycled vintage terry cloth, and repurposed designer materials. The aesthetic is minimalist elegance meets luscious color—pieces that work as effortlessly in Manhattan as they do on Cape May beaches, designed for the contemporary individual who refuses to choose between looking exceptional and living consciously.
The founder's journey reads like the path many dream about but few actualize. Years designing for Jones New York, Club Monaco/Ralph Lauren, creating accessories and apparel for DVF, Vince Camuto, Betsey Johnson, Steve Madden, BCBG—the resume speaks to serious fashion industry credibility. But working in that machine, seeing the waste and environmental cost of fast fashion up close, sparked the realization: there had to be a better way. The brand name emerged organically from that introspection—making the days count, both individually and ethically.
What locals cherish about The Days is the complete alignment between philosophy and practice. The swimwear line uses ECONYL regenerated nylon—revolutionary fabric made from recycled fishing nets and plastic bottles recovered from oceans. This isn't just marketing; Italian firm Aquafil's ECONYL is identical in quality to virgin nylon while saving finite resources, reducing carbon emissions, and removing marine debris from our waters. The luxurious hand feel surprises first-time customers who expect sustainable to mean scratchy or inferior. Instead, they discover pieces designed to last—true slow fashion meant to be loved and worn confidently for years.
Image via thedaysapparel.com
The apparel collection showcases plant-based fibers like bamboo and hemp sourced from STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified mills, primarily in Asheville, North Carolina. This certification isn't just a label—it means rigorous testing for harmful substances through every production stage, from raw materials to finished garments. No illegal substances, no harmful chemicals, just textiles you can feel good about wearing directly against your skin.
Even the printing process reflects this commitment. The New Jersey-based partner uses non-toxic, water-based inks—smooth to touch, gentle on the environment, completely free of PVC, phthalates, ozone-depleting chemicals, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Unlike plastisol inks that contain harsh chemicals, these water-based alternatives are safe for both printers and planet, washing up easily in water without toxic runoff.
The factory relationships might be what most distinguishes The Days from typical sustainable brands. Every garment is made in USA factories in the NY/NJ garment district and tri-state area—not as a marketing claim but as a genuine commitment to preserving American manufacturing, supporting local jobs, and maintaining ethical labor practices. The owner personally visits factories multiple times each season, ensuring clean, safe, respectful work environments where talented garment workers are paid well and treated ethically. The transparency is complete—a digitized grid provides insight into every manufacturing step from sample to production, leaving no room for hidden compromises.
Even packaging aligns with the mission. Shipping mailers are 100% recycled post-consumer and post-industrial content, printed with non-toxic water-based ink—no poly bags needed. Garment hangtags use recycled cardstock. Shipping labels are post-consumer content paper. Every detail, from start to finish, reflects the belief that every little bit counts.
Locals love discovering pieces they know have stories—authenticated designer leathers upcycled into something new, vintage terry cloth reborn as contemporary beachwear, production scraps transformed into one-of-a-kind accessories. There's particular satisfaction in wearing something beautiful while knowing its creation helped remove plastics from oceans, supported ethical American manufacturing, and avoided adding to fashion industry waste.
The collection speaks to those who've evolved beyond fast fashion's empty promises. These are investment pieces—classic silhouettes in colors that transcend trends, quality that endures Cape May's salt air and sun, designs versatile enough for beach days and dinner reservations. The Days customer has likely traveled, values craftsmanship, recognizes quality, and understands that true luxury means living aligned with your values.
What makes The Days genuinely special is how it proves sustainable fashion doesn't require sacrifice. You're not settling for "good enough considering it's eco-friendly." You're choosing exceptional design that happens to honor both artisan and environment. The talented individuals who work with The Days weekly become friends and collaborators. When work becomes ethical and fun simultaneously, everybody wins.
The Days Sustainable Apparel
660 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
(Located across from City Hall)
thedaysapparel@gmail.com
Instagram: @thedayscapemay
Check Google for current shop hours
First-time visitors: Use code WELCOME15 for 15% off your first order
The Collection:
Sustainable swimwear (ECONYL regenerated nylon from ocean plastics)
Plant-based fiber apparel (bamboo, hemp)
Upcycled designer leather pieces
Vintage terry cloth reimagined
All pieces hand-designed in NJ, ethically made in USA
Locals know: This is where you buy pieces you'll still be wearing five years from now. The quality justifies the investment, and the ethics let you sleep well. Ask about the story behind specific pieces—the owner's design background and factory relationships mean every garment has genuine provenance. New Jersey's first private-label sustainable boutique isn't just a milestone—it's a movement.