22 OF THE BEST SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING BRANDS
Fresh off the 30 Day Shop Your Closet Challenge and looking to add to your closet?
Awesome!
Have no idea what I’m talking about and just want to shop more sustainably?
Great!
Regardless of whatever brought you to this post just know by you simply considering sustainable alternatives to the brands we all know and love, you are effecting positive change in the fashion industry- how amazing is that?!
Having said that, considering the ever-growing interest that sustainable fashion has garnered, many brands are jumping on board with claims that their brand is sustainable (and in some cases provide little information to support this).
Enter greenwashing.
You might have heard of this common marketing tactic in which companies use vague wording such as ‘natural’; ‘clean’; ‘bio’, etc. to make it appear as though they have taken steps to improve their environmental footprint and labor practices but in reality, have changed very little about the system that they employ.
When searching for sustainable brands becomes a game of where’s Waldo?, what’s one to do?
For the sake of less confusion and frustration, I’ve compiled a brand criteria that you can use, which will easily tell you whether or not a brand is actually sustainable.
Along with that I also debunk some terms thrown around in the sustainable fashion industry and explain a lot of the language and materials that sustainable brands refer to.
You can check out that post here.
If you’d prefer to have a few sustainable options listed for you (helpful if you’re just starting out on your sustainable journey), then keep reading!
Below you’ll find 22 sustainable clothing brands.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but it’s a good jumping off point.
To tailor the brands to fit what you’re interested in, look for the categories above each brand, and the price and sizing range. Pricing is Canadian, size range is based on US sizing.
Price range:
$= typically, $100 and under
$$= typically, between $100-$300
$$$= typically, between $300-$500
$$$$= typically, $500 and up
Best for Casual Pieces
People Tree
Fabrics: Tencel, uses GOTS and azo free dyes, Fairtrade certified cotton and organic cotton, linen, wool
Certifications: Fairtrade certification, GOTS Certified Organic Cotton, Organic Soil Association, PETA Approved Vegan
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in UK. Manufactured in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Turkey, Portugal, Nepal, Italy.
Give back programs: People Tree Foundation
They ship using polypropylene plastic which is recyclable and biodegradable
Price range: $
Sizing: US Size 2-14
Wearing: Kenzie Strappy Top, Shauna Stripe Trousers
Tonle
Fabrics: recycled materials, natural non-toxic dye
Certifications: Fairtrade
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in California. Manufactured in Cambodia
Give Back Programs: Tonle Activists Program
Uses recycled packaging and avoid single use plastics
Price Range: $
Sizing: US Size 0-18 (XS-XL)
Wearing: Romper with Dash Print
Encircled
Fabrics: Modal, Tencel Lyocell, Rayon from bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, linen
Certifications: Oeko-Tex Standard 100
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based and manufactured in Toronto, Ontario
Zero waste production, uses recyclable packaging, doesn’t polybag garments in plastic
Price Range: $$
Sizing: US 0-20 (XS-XXL)
Wearing: The Unmoto Jacket
Outerknown
Fabrics: 90% of fibers are organic, recycled or regenerated econyl
Certifications: FLA Accredited, Fair Trade USA
Most of its supply chain is traced
Price Range: $$
Sizing: US 0-16 (XS-XL)
Wearing: Kira Dress
Sotela
Fabrics: Tencel, Modal, organic linen
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based and manufactured in California
Packaged in recycled paper
Price Range: $$
Sizing: US 0-10; has length customizations on some products (petite, regular, tall)
Wearing: Pomelo Button Up Shirt, Papaya Short
Whimsy + Row
Fabrics: deadstock fabrics, linen, viscose, Tencel, rayon
Most of its supply chain is traced
Packaging is made from 100% recycled materials and are recyclable
Price Range: $$
Sizing: XS-XL
Wearing: Flora Pant in Grey
Fair Indigo
Fabrics: organic cotton, certified safe dyes
Certifications: GOTS, OEKO-TEK, Green America Approved
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in Wisconsin
Price Range: $
Sizing: US 2-18 (20) (XS-XL [XXL available in select sizes])
Wearing: Forever Organic Boxy Muscle Tee
Indigenous
Fabrics: organic cotton, low impact dyes
Certifications: certified by Green America, ISO, Fairtrade
Most of its supply chain is traced
Manufactured in Peru
Price Range: $$
Sizing: US 0-16 (XS-XL)
Wearing: Dramatic Collar Fleece Coat
Best for Basics
Vege Threads
Fabrics: organic yarn, organic dyes, hemp or organic blends, merino wool, dead stock fabric econyl, lyrca, organic cotton, natural and non-toxic ACO dyes
Certifications: GOTS, Ethical Clothing Australia
All of its supply chain is based in Australia
Based and manufactured in Melbourne
Give Back Programs: Donates portion of profits to a community development foundation in Bali
Uses compostable satchels and recycled postcards for packaging
Price Range: $
Sizing: XS- XL
Wearing: Organic Crop Sweater, Organic Sweat Pant
KOTN
Fabrics: authentic Egyptian cotton
Certifications: certified by B Corporation
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in Vancouver, manufactured in Egypt
Price Range: $
Sizing: US 0-16 (XS-XXL)
Wearing: Relaxed V-Neck
Best for Athleisure and Athletic Wear
Girlfriend Collective
Fabrics: eco-friendly dyes, recycled nylon, recycled polyester
Certifications: Oeko-Tek, SAI certified
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in Washington, manufactured in Vietnam
Give Back Programs: Girlfriend to Girlfriend
Packaging is 100% recyclable
Price Range: $
Sizing: XXS to 6XL
Wearing: Shadow FLOAT Cleo Bra, Shadow FLOAT Seamless High-Rise Legging
Patagonia
Fabrics: recycled polyester, nylon, Tencel, wool and down
Certifications: GOTS, certified Bluesign for 56% of fabrics, Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Restricted Substances List, 1% for The Planet, Global Traceable Down Standard, B Corporation
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in California
Price Range: $
Sizing: US 00-22 (XXS-XXL), Men’s XXS-XXXL
Wearing: Los Gatos Hooded Fleece Pullover
Tala
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 London, final stage of production manufactured in Portugal
Packaging is recycled and recyclable and tags are made from 100% plantable paper
Price Range: $
Sizing: US 0-16 (XS-XL)
Wearing: Dash Run Hoodie
Best for Underwear
Pact
Fabrics: organic cotton, elastane, linen, non-toxic dyes and chemicals
Certifications: GOTS, Fair Trade
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in Colorado, made in India
Give Back Programs: Give Back, Wear Forward
Packaging is biodegradable, recyclable and compostable
Price Range: $
Sizing: XS to 3XL
Wearing: High Rise Hipster
Best for Elevated Basics and Business Wear
Aday
Fabrics: recycled and regenerated fabrics
Certifications: Oeko-Tex Standard 100
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in New York and made in Portugal, USA, China, Turkey and Italy
Currently developing biodegradable packaging
Price Range: $$
Sizing: US 0-14 (XS-XL); have a tall and petite section
Wearing: First Class T-Shirt
Eileen Fisher
Fabrics: organic cotton and linen, Tencel, responsible wool, recycled cashmere, polyester and nylon
Certifications: Blue Sign Certified
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in US and is made in Peru, the US, and other places
Price Range: $$
Sizing: US 0-18 (XXS-XL); Petites 2P-16P (PP-PL); Plus 16W-22W (1X-3X)
Wearing: System Lightweight Viscose Jersey Tee, Cotton Stretch Jersey Lantern Pant
Mara Hoffman
Fabrics: econyl, Repreve, hemp, organic cotton and linen, Tencel
Certifications: dying partnerships are Oeko-Tex 100 Standard
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in USA, manufactured in USA, India, Peru, China
Uses compostable plastic polybags, 100% recycled paper mailers, cardboard boxes
Price Range: $$$
Sizing: US 00-20 (XXS-2XL)
Wearing: Catalina Jacket, Eldora Pant
Reformation
Fabrics: TENCEL Lyocell, Viscose, TENCEL Modal, Linen, recycled cotton, organic cotton, ECONYL, recycled cashmere, alpaca, dead stock fabrics
Certifications: Bluesign Certified facilities, Oeko-Tex 100 Standard
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based and manufactured in California
Compostable bags and 100% recycled LDPE bags with a biodegradable polymer (BDP)
Price Range: $$
Sizing: US XS-3X; Petites XSP- XLP
Wearing: Calista Dress
Thought
Fabrics: organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, Tencel, modal, recycled polyester, wool
Certifications: GOTS
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in the UK
Uses recycled paper for labelling and mailing bags and garment bags are made of compostable cornstarch
Price Range: $
Sizing: US 2-14
Vetta
Fabrics: Tencel, linen, BCI Supima Cotton, organic cotton, recycled polyester, ecovero, lenzing modal ponte, deadstock fabric
Certifications: Better Cotton Initiative, FSC and PEFC Certified
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based and manufactured in the USA
Poly bags, inserts, packing slips made from 100% recycled materials, boxes made from recycled and FSC certified materials
Price Range: $$
Sizing: US 0-18 (XS-XL)
Wearing: Belted Pleated Short
Mother of Pearl
Fabrics: cotton, wool, Lyocell, viscose
Certifications: their fabric manufacturers are GOTS, EU Ecolabel and FWF certified
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in the UK
Price Range: $$$
Sizing: US 0-10 (XXS-XL)
Wearing: Dani Sweatshirt
Best for Jeans
Boyish Jeans
Fabrics: organic cotton, recycled cotton, GRS recycled fabrics, deadstock dabrics, Tencel Lyocell, natural plant based dyes
Certifications: Oeko-Tex 100 Standard, Dystar Indigo, PETA OSC 100 Certified Organic Cotton
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in LA
100% compostable shipping bags, labels made from recycled materials, hang tags made from recycled paper
Price Range: $$
Sizing: US 000-14 (XXS-XL; 22-32)
Wearing: The Billy Jean
That’s it folks!
Did I leave out your favourite brand?
Feel free to let me know in the comments and I’ll be sure to add them in!
If you want to easily determine if a brand you love is sustainable, check out this post here, which explains the criteria used to compile this list.
