21 AFFORDABLE SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING BRANDS
There’s an elephant in the room when it comes to sustainable fashion that I don’t think is talked about enough… privilege.
Our society is raced, classed and sexed in a way that means minority groups are disproportionality prevented access to sustainable goods, namely sustainable fashion.
The irony is that while sustainable products should be accessible to all to combat the ever-growing ethical labor and environmental issues around the world, limiting access to a select, privileged few of society in a sense, does the opposite of what sustainable fashion intended- pushes fast fashion as the only cost-effective option for many.
The issues of sustainable fashion affordability, however, are two-fold.
One main reason the price differences between sustainable and fast fashion are so drastic is because of the disparities between worker pay, fabric cost, production methods, among other factors.
It goes without saying that paying workers a living wage and ensuring a clean and safe working environment, whilst using organic, recycled or sustainable synthetic fabrics will drive up the cost of a garment.
So… is it possible to shop for affordable sustainable fashion?
The answer is yes, with a little creativity.
Here are my tips:
Shop your closet first
Shopping your closet first will always be the most sustainable option.
Why?
Because no new materials or resources are being utilized.
Make your clothes last by mending and repairing your garments whenever possible.
Check out this series for how to shop your closet.
Shop secondhand
Shopping secondhand is not only significantly more affordable than buying new, it is also more sustainable since, just like the items in your closet, no new resources are being used.
If you’re uncomfortable shopping for secondhand clothes in person, there are plenty of online thrift stores that will likely have a variety of options you’ll love.
Check out this post for a list of some of the best online thrift stores.
Think in terms of cost per wear
Contemplate how often you’ll wear an item before making a purchase. Livia Firth from The True Cost, suggests wearing an item at least 30 times.
Invest in the best quality you can afford and try to refrain from trendy pieces or wild colors that will likely go out of style and prevent you from wearing the garment to its maximum potential.
Considering these two factors, thinking in terms of cost-per-wear makes sustainable clothing more affordable while ensuring that you’re intentional about what you bring into your closet by preventing impulse purchases.
For example, say you found a pair of sustainable jeans (check out this post for suggestions) for $100 (anyone else bulking at that price? 🙋♀️).
$100/ 30 wears = $3.33 per wear.
If you don’t need the garment right away, think about saving up using the cost-per-wear method, to make the initial cost more manageable.
Taking a slow fashion approach when shopping for clothes, when you can, also gives you time to browse any other retailers for perhaps better quality or price.
Affordable Sustainable Clothing Brands
Below are 21 affordable sustainable clothing brands, all typically under $100.
The brands are a mixture of clothing, shoes and accessories and organized by price.
For reference, pricing is in USD, and the size range is based on US sizing.
Price Range:
$= under $25
$$= typically, between $25-$50
$$$= typically, between $51-$75
$$$$= typically, between $75-$99
Knickey
Styles: women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton
Certifications: GOTS
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in New York
Price range: $
Sizing: XXS-XXXL
Favourite Item: High-Rise Brief
Conscious Step
Styles: women’s, men’s
Fabrics: organic cotton
Certifications: GOTS, Fair Trade, Certified Vegan, 1% for the Planet
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in New York
Give back programs: support a variety of causes based on the types of socks purchased
Price range: $
Sizing: Sweatshirts: XS-XL; Socks: S-M
Favourite Item: Socks That Protect Tropical Rainforests Package
Honest Basics
Styles: women’s, men’s, kids
Fabrics: organic cotton, TENCEL
Certifications: GOTS
Packaging: Packaging is low waste and mostly plastic free, climate neutral shipping through DHL GoGreen program.
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in Germany
Price range: $
Sizing: XS-XL
Favourite Item: Crew Neck Sweater Women in Off-White
WAMA Underwear
Styles: men’s and women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton, hemp
Certifications: PETA, Green America, National Hemp Association
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in California
Price range: $$
Sizing: Women’s XS-2X
Favourite Item: Triangle Bralette
CHNGE
Styles: men’s, women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton
Certifications: GOTS
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in New York
Price Range: $$
Sizing: XXS-XXL
Favourite Item: Power of Love Top in Black
For Days
Styles: women’s, men’s
Fabrics: organic cotton, recycled cotton, recycled polyester, TENCEL
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in California
Packaging: uses recycled packaging
Price Range: $$
Sizing: XS-XXL
Favourite Item: Upcycled Rib Polo
Tala
Styles: women’s
Fabrics: uses 92% upcycled materials
Certifications: GOTS, Confidence in Textiles, Global Recycled Standard, Q-Nova, Oeko-Tex 100 Standard, Higg Index, EU Ecolabel, Sedex
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in the UK
Packaging: Packaging is recycled and recyclable and tags are made from 100% plantable paper
Price Range: $$
Sizing: XS-XL (2-14)
Favourite Item: Hosta Shorts in Latte
Pact
Styles: women’s, men’s, kids, baby
Fabrics: organic cotton, elastane, linen, non-toxic dyes and chemicals
Certifications: GOTS, Fair Trade
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in Colorado
Give Back Programs: Give Back, Wear Forward
Packaging: Packaging is biodegradable, recyclable and compostable
Price Range: $$
Sizing: XS to 3XL (0-24)
Favourite Item: Luxe Bomber Jacket
Lucy & Yak
Styles: women’s
Fabrics: organic yarn, recycled wool
Packaging: uses 100% biodegradable mailing bags
Some of its supply chain is traced
Based in the UK
Price range: $$
Sizing: Women XXS-XXL (2-18)
Favourite Item: Maya Organic Cotton Tee in Pink with ‘Hello Sunshine’ Print
Known Supply
Styles: men’s, women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton
Certifications: Fairtrade, GOTS, Certified B Corporation
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in California
Price Range: $$$
Sizing: XS-XL
Favourite Item: Lisbon Jacket
Woron
Styles: women’s
Fabrics: Lenzing Modal, organic cotton, OEKO TEX Standard 100 or 1000
Certifications: GOTS, PETA
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in Denmark
Price Range: $$$
Sizing: XS-XL
Favourite Item: High Neck Top Sleek L-Sleeve in Black
Boody
Styles: women’s, men’s, baby
Fabrics: bamboo
Certifications: Ecocert, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, PETA, SGS, ISO 14001, ISO 9001, WRAP
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in Australia
Price Range: $$$
Sizing: XS-XL (0-14)
Favourite Item: Padded Shaper Bra in Dark Olive
Patagonia
Styles: women’s, men’s, kids, baby
Fabrics: hemp, organic cotton, wool
Certifications: 1% for the Planet
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in California
Price Range: $$$
Sizing: XXS-XXL (00-22)
Favourite Item: Women’s Lightweight Pack Out Tights in Forge Grey
Threads 4 Thought
Styles: women’s, men’s, kids, baby
Fabrics: organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled nylon, Lenzing Modal
Some of its supply chain is traced
Based in New York
Give Back Programs: partners with International Rescue Committee
Price Range: $$$
Sizing: XS-XXL
Favourite Item: Misty Pullover in Ranger Green
Tentree
Styles: women’s, men’s, kids
Fabrics: TENCEL, recycled polyester, organic cotton, hemp
Certifications: Certified B Corporation
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in British Columbia
Give Back Programs: Plants 10 trees for every item purchased
Price Range: $$$
Sizing: XS-XL
Favourite Item: French Terry Fulton Jogger
KOTN
Styles: women’s, men’s
Fabrics: authentic Egyptian cotton
Certifications: certified by B Corporation
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in British Columbia
Price Range: $$$$
Sizing: XS- XXL (0-16)
Favourite Item: Turtleneck Mini Dress in Scarlet
Tamga Designs
Styles: women’s
Fabrics: TENCEL, Lenzing Ecovero, Lenzing Modal, organic cotton
Certifications: 1% for the Planet
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in Ontario
Packaging: orders are packed in an organic cotton tote bag with 100% compostable shipping envelopes, with 100% post-consumer paper hang-tags
Price Range: $$$$
Sizing: XS-XXL (2-12)
Favourite Item: Suzi Mini Dress in Bella
Thought
Styles: men’s, women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, Tencel, modal, recycled polyester, wool
Certifications: GOTS
Packaging: Uses recycled paper for labelling and mailing bags and garment bags are made of compostable cornstarch
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in the UK
Price range: average $$$$
Sizing: XS-XL (2-14)
Favourite Item: Potto Chunky Wool Blend High Neck Sweater
Tonle
Styles: women’s
Fabrics: recycled materials, natural non-toxic dye
Certifications: Fairtrade
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in California
Give Back Programs: Tonle Activists Program
Packaging: Uses recycled packaging and avoid single use plastics
Price Range: $$$$
Sizing: XS-3XL (0-26)
Favourite Item: Emily Dress
Girlfriend Collective
Styles: women’s
Fabrics: eco-friendly dyes, recycled nylon, recycled polyester
Certifications: Oeko-Tek, SAI certified
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in Washington
Give Back Programs: Girlfriend to Girlfriend
Packaging: Packaging is 100% recyclable
Price Range: $$$$
Sizing: XXS to 6XL
Favourite Item: Forest Classic Jogger
Organic Basics
Styles: women’s, men’s
Fabrics: organic cotton, recycled nylon, TENCEL Lyocell, recycled wool, recycled cashmere
Certifications: Certified B Corporation, GOTS, GRS, Standard 100 OEKO-TEX
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in Denmark
Price Range: $$$$
Sizing: XS-XL
Favourite Item: Invisible Bra
While more work needs to be done to make sustainable fashion more accessible, I hope this list of affordable sustainable clothing brands provides a jumping off point for those new to the sustainability space who are looking to add eco-friendly pieces to their wardrobe.
Did I miss your favourite brand?
Let me know in the comments!
Until next time,
