A sustainable clothing brand directory
There’s been a sharp shift when it comes to the fast fashion industry and I’m thrilled to have witnessed it.
Every time I log into Instagram another fashion blogger is raising awareness around sustainability *does a happy dance. Somehow we went from shops releasing 4 seasons per year to 52 and the effects this is having on our planet, our mental health and communities that are affected by the fashion industry is finally starting to wake us up.
I already consider myself a fairly ethical shopper because of how intentionally I’ve shopped for years now, but after watching Stacey Dooley’s Fashion’s Dirty Secrets and The True Cost, both of which I’d highly recommend, I’ve been keen to educate myself around more ethical alternatives to those high street brands I know so well. One of my main takeaways from these documentaries is that it isn’t that we don’t care about how our clothes are made, it’s that we don’t know. Education is key.
I’m a firm believer in the buy less, buy better, make it last philosophy and I do believe that quality clothes that have been made using sustainable materials that won’t wreck the planet by people who earn a decent wage should cost more money. I’d rather buy less clothes, but quality that last longer because this method is fairer, makes life simpler and has saved me a fortune over the years. When we buy cheap, someone somewhere is paying for it – because the company still has to make a profit.
Being 5ft 2 with oddly short legs and picky taste makes shopping tricky at the best of times. I can really struggle to find that item I can see so clearly in my head but just can’t find in real life. I’ve found building a go to brand list makes shopping so much easier. Everyone’s brand list will (and should) be different, but knowing where to turn to will save you hours of time endlessly searching and scrolling online for pieces that might fit the bill.
I’ve already shared my favourite minimalist style brands directory but I also wanted to share this list of strictly ethical clothing brands with you. These aren’t drab awful weird clothes either. These are brands who are making beautiful creations with ethics at the top of their agenda, but because they’re smaller than high street giants they often sit below the radar often making them tough to find. I wish I’d known about all of these sooner.
As such, here’s a list of ethical brands recommended via the ever stylish Instagram community *some of these links are affiliate.
The cotton story – founded with a simple but lofty aim; to offer luxury everyday clothing at a fraction of the usual price. They think it’s time that clothing made with the finest materials should be available to everyone at an honest price. And they think the factories they’re made in should be ethically and sustainably run. Sounds simple right? It is.
Ebay – there isn’t much you can’t find on eBay. Buying second hand clothes means you’re not feeding the fashion industry because the piece is already in circulation. Buying from eBay is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and shop clothes you wouldn’t usually be able to afford new.
Lonely – a New Zealand-based design house that celebrates the strength and individuality of women and creates lingerie, swimwear and clothing. They’re constantly striving to improve the effect they have on the planet.
Flamingos life – Gorgeous vegan trainers that are PETA approved. Five trees are planted for every pair you get.
Henri – great for all the basics you could need (including underwear). Henri has developed a passion for continued learning on sustainability and social responsibility within the business. Visiting the communities behind the Henri shirts opened her eyes to the importance of continued ethical outsourcing and provided another reason to push the business forward.
Thought clothing– Contemporary, sustainable style – this brand came up again and again when I asked the Instagram community for their recommendations.
Vestaire Collective – A fantastic used clothes, shoes and accessories site that ships worldwide. The Vestiaire Collective model is unique due to its carefully curated catalogue of desirable items, that once sold are expertly checked to ensure their quality and authenticity.
Rockholly – this brand lives and breathes outerwear design. I was recently very kindly gifted of of their rain coats and can confirm their clothes are beautiful. Their waterproof fabrics are sourced from bluesign system approved partners and use solvent- free laminates. They are also dedicated as a brand to being completely PFC free and are committed to using PFC-free DWR’s on all of their waterproof outerwear.
People Tree – a go to for your entire wardrobe. People Tree is recognised by customers and the fashion industry as a pioneer in ethical and environmentally sustainable fashion. For over 27 years, People Tree has partnered with Fair Trade producers, garment workers, artisans and farmers in the developing world to produce ethical and eco fashion collections.
Wills Vegan Shoes – simply the best collection of ethically made vegan shoes I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to find this brand.
The Resolution Store – Another great vintage online store. A platform that offers a unique opportunity to buy into influencer style directly, in a neatly curated, and easy-to-navigate space, extending the life cycle of little worn and un-used clothes.
Beaumont Organic – an international ethical ladieswear brand that combines signature styling with contemporary classics. Teaming contrasting fabrics and unique silhouettes with luxury organic, fairtrade and eco fabrics to create a renowned style. Their mission is to design and create ‘Contemporary Conscious Clothing’ responsibly using luxury fabrics for the modern woman.
Matt and Nat – specialists in vegan shoes and bags. Their designs are sleek and they have a great variety to suit most styles. Each season, they continue to explore new innovative ways to remain sustainable and eco-friendly. Over the years, they’ve been experimenting with different recycled materials such as recycled nylons, cardboard, rubber and cork. Their motto is ‘live beautifully’ and that means appreciating the humanity, creativity and positivity found in all of us.
Vegetarian Shoes – a great selection of vegan shoes that are quality and made to last. I’ve found hiking boots particularly difficult to find but finally got some that I love from here.
Everlane – one of the more mainstream ethical brands, Everlane have a very transparent policy and pride themselves on how ethical the factories they use are. They stock a beautiful selection of simple designs that are timeless.
Retold vintage – Beautiful vintage pieces Retold for modern and contemporary fashion lovers. Each item is handpicked and curated by owner Clare Lewis. Retold Vintage supports the slow fashion movement; buy less new, choose well and help the fashion industry work towards a more sustainable future.
Son de flor – swoon worthy clothing from a family run business in Lithuania. Everything is made by hand and materials and complementing components are come from responsible producers and suppliers based in Lithuania. If dresses are your thing, I know you’ll love this brand.
Not Perfect Linen – ethical linen clothing from a family run brand. Their pieces have a very whimsical feel to them. They have a great range of colours if colour is your thing.
Lucy and Yak – comfy casuals in a rainbow of colour choices (including monochrome!) They have pledged to always pay the ‘Living wage’. It’s so important that all of their staff are treated with respect, no matter how big or small their role is. Whatever country they are in, they will always be looked after.
Elizabeth Suzann – a label born out of dislike for excess and desire for quality. Practicality, elegance, comfort and attention to detail are at the forefront of their philosophy. They strive to create thoughtful, well-designed, and long-lasting garments. By ultimately creating seasonless pieces that can be worn a myriad of ways, they aim to discourage the disposable view of clothing that has become increasingly pervasive.
Stalf – the go to place for oversized cosy basics. Stalf hand make a small quantity of each of their styles that are made to order and have chosen to purposely grow slowly and soulfully.
Stella McCartney – a high end designer that omits all fur and leather from her designs. This is the gold standard of an ethical brand when it comes to high end fashion.
Don’t forget local charity shops in wealthy areas
Olive – a British contemporary clothing brand with its operational headquarters and flagship womenswear store in Regency Cheltenham. They ship worldwide. They combine heritage with modernity, simplicity with playfulness, and street style with understated elegance.
Vetta – committed to sustainable factories and responsible factories they create mini capsule wardrobes made up of five versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a month’s worth of outfits. You can buy the entire capsule or shop individual pieces to start building your dream wardrobe. Our versatile designs can be worn multiple ways, and everything mixes + matches.
Cuyana – fewer, better is the philosophy behind everything Cuyana do. They create timeless collections for the modern woman through carefully selected fabrics, precise silhouettes and attention to detail. Each piece is made with integrity and kindness from the highest-quality materials, and created by skilled craftsmen throughout Europe, South America, China, and the United States.
Armeangels – believers that organic is not a trend but a conviction. ‘To assume responsibility for our environment is not an option but an obligation’. This is why they opt for renewable resources and recycled materials. I love how simple their designs are.
Know the origin – style with nothing to hide. Fairtrade and Organic ethical fashion for men and women. They are committed to a 100% transparent production process.
Only child – unique basics for women, designed and created under one roof in Oakland, California. Every piece they produce in house is designed with quality and sustainability in mind. They only use natural fibers such as cotton, linen, silk, and wool because these are fabrics that they stand behind for their functionality, ease of wear, and limited environmental impact. Nothing gets made until you order it,
Lindex – premium quality made to last. Lindex provide affordable fashion, while considering the impact we have on our environment, using the earth’s resources wisely, and treating our employees and factory workers respectfully and responsibly.
Hiut Denim – they make jeans and that’s it. They only make 100 pairs of Hiut’s a week. But at the end of the day, they are here to try and make the best jeans they can and not the most jeans we can. I LOVE their no wash club!
Etsy have a great selection of family run businesses too. Give the search a go and see what comes up.
Yireh – an ethically made and socially conscious fashion and home goods brand based in Hawai’i. Created by a full circle-movement, Yireh are committed to staying out of the category of “fast fashion” by producing small-batch collections throughout the year that feature handmade clothing and fabrics, and incorporate the craftsmanship of the cultures we’ve encountered during our travels abroad.
I’m hoping you found this list useful. Have you got any more I can add to the list? Let me know in the comments and I’ll pop them on there.
