Best Sustainable Brands To Shop Now
Lately, fast fashion brands are all the rage. Clothing outlets such as Shein, Wish, and Fashion Nova are insanely cheap, trendy, and sooo tempting for consumers (even the climate concerned among us). But behind the Instagramable fits and bejeweled accessories lie a dark truth that cannot be ignored.
Fast fashion is not only terrible for our planet’s well-being but there are often abusive working conditions thrust upon those who make the clothing. With the rise of documentaries that point out the cruelty behind these brands, such as HBO’s “ Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion” as well as the documentary “The Ugly Truth of Fast Fashion,” more consumers are determined to make the switch to sustainable/ethical brands.
Here are 10 of the most sustainable clothing brands to shop from, with styles that are comfy, durable, ah-dorable, and cruelty-free.
Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective is a top-notch sustainable fashion brand for athletic wear and workout gear. Specifically, they’re praised for their endless supply of leggings, which are comfy, durable, and ethically made from recycled materials. (Oh, and plus, they happen to be super cute!)
What makes the Girlfriend Collective so great is the incredibly inclusive sizing. From petite to plus size, this sustainable brand has it all so no one feels left out. Girlfriend Collective is best known for their leggings, sports bras, and bike shorts, but they also offer bags and accessories to spice up your fits.
Oliver Charles
Oliver Charles offers some of the classiest clothing out there yet still keep ethics front of mind. With a Kashmere influence, this brand is known for spinning its clothing out of seaweed and yak wool.
For anyone looking for elegant sweaters, sophisticated cardigans, or V-necks, Oliver Charles is the way to go. Their slogan is “The Clothes We Wear Influence The Way We Feel.” Their terrific clothing is soft, breathable, and seamless, so you’ll exquisite wearing them for a lifetime of use.
Able
Able is a female-led clothing brand that cares about the safety and well-being of their employees. Their Nashville-based studio has rewarding opportunities for their predominantly female staff to help them as well as their families.
Compared to the fast fashion brands who are notorious for underpaying their employees in unsafe conditions, Able does the exact opposite.
Able offers Countryside Casual and Easy Elegance clothing lines. Plus, just like Girlfriend Collective, Able is also applauded for its inclusiveness in body size diversity. Their size guides offer clothing that is listed as Bump Friendly, Curve Friendly, Tall Friendly, and Petite Friendly.
Beaumont Organic
Elegant and casual with a beachy flare, Beaumont Organic is a British brand that designs and creates ‘Contemporary Conscious Clothing’ responsibly, using luxury fabrics, for modern women. They feature a massive clothing selection but also offer a homeware collection that includes ethically made, handcrafted pottery, blankets, and picnic wear.
While a bit on the pricier side, Beaumont Organic’s clothing is timeless and durable and will ensure a lifetime of use.
Frank and Oak
Frank and Oak launched in Montreal and is a Canada-based brand that features ethical clothing options. With fashionable fits for men and women, Frank and Oak’s mission is to nurture “the planet’s well-being” by using fabrics that are found in nature! Their fabrics include hemp, seacell, yak wool, and sugarcane paper, among others.
Fran and Oak’s styles and fits vary, yet for the most part, their clothing reflects the nature-loving bohemianism behind the brand. Think 60s/70s influence with a modern twist.
Whimsy + Row
Whimsy + Row is a Los Angeles based clothing brand which is reknown for its ethical fashion. By using recycled materials from other stores, they minimize waste and keep the planet safer and cleaner for people and animals.
The clothing style lives up to its name, boasting whimsical dresses, skirts, and tops that are reasonably priced. Even the names of their best looks are filled with capricious and playful, from their Sophie Dress in Oatmeal Linen to their Natasha Short in Coconut. Love!
People Tree
Rather than jumping on the latest fashion trends that come and go, People Tree prioritizes a timeless look that will never go out of style. With ethics in mind, this brand aims to make sustainable clothing for the sake of a greener planet.
People Tree is certified as a vegan, fair-trade brand. Headquartered in Japan, they’re considered one of the very first fair trade brands as they harken back to 1991.
Eileen Fisher
Starting in 1984, Eileen Fisher wanted to create an ethical clothing brand with sustainable clothes that withstand the test of time. Eileen Fisher is one of the longest-running sustainable fashion brands out there. It’s clear that her deep care for both her clothing and employees has certainly paid off.
The Fisher style focuses on fits that are both timeless and elegant. They have options on display for Work clothes, Travel, Casual, and Color.
Stella McCartney
Certainly, the most flashy of the bunch is Stella McCartney, which is known for its expressive, unique fashion, as well as its sustainability. Unlike run-of-the-mill ethical fashion pieces which tend to be monochromatic, Stella’s designs burst with colors, graphics, and artistic patterns.
Many Stella McCartney looks were featured in Met Gala 2024 by artists and entertainers such as Ed Sheeran, Cara Delevingne, and FKA Twigs.
With inclusivity in mind, the brand prioritizes various sizes and styles. They even boast a Unisex option for gender-non-conforming customers. While their clothes and products are on the pricey side, they’re worth the investment for people who care about ethical fashion/self-expression through clothing.
Amour Vert
Amour Vert has a plethora of breezy outfits that are simple divine for summer time. These outfits are as beautiful as they are ethical, from flowy dresses to flirty crop tops. With an aim to help the planet’s well-being, Amour Vert has a special offer called “Tees for Trees” — every tee you buy goes towards planting a tree in North America. So impressive!