The fashion industry is the third largest global contributor to pollution and the second largest consumer of the world’s water supply. Up to 10% of the entire world’s carbon emissions are produced by the fashion industry. Fast fashion may be affordable but it comes at the expense of the environment.
Because of this, there are many fashion companies that have decided to create sustainable and eco-friendly clothing to bring about a positive change to the planet. Here is a list of 20 sustainable clothing brands that you can consider shopping at for clothes to do your part in bringing down global pollution.
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Boden
Boden, a London-based brand is one of the top brands in the UK and has gone global.
Besides clothing, they also make accessories and they have products for all age ranges and both genders. They excel at making dresses that are suitable for any occasion.
Why is Boden sustainable?
Across the 16 countries they have factories in, this company is committed to source responsibly, trade fairly and have good ethical practices. Eco-friendly options are also offered at every part of the supply chain and they ship their products in recycled and recyclable packaging.
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Outerknown
Based in California, USA, Outerknown is a company that aims to create a future where clothing contributes to a world where both people and planet would prosper.
They have products for both men and women but they are best known for their denim products.
Why is Outerknown sustainable?
The company’s manufacturing is both Fair Labor Association (FLA) and Bluesign certified. In fact, they were the first company to pursue the FLA certification before shipping a product. Some of the products are Fair Trade Certified. Fair wages are given and sustainable production is practiced by Outerknown and its global partners.
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Patagonia
Patagonia is based in Ventura, California, and has been operating for almost 50 years.
This company produces outdoor clothing and apparel, swimwear and activewear, but they are best known for their outdoor clothing, perfect for all the adrenaline junkies out there.
Why is Patagonia sustainable?
Patagonia was one of the pioneers in the fashion industry to fight the war against environmental pollution. They were one of the first to use recycled material and switched their cotton to organic cotton. Now, their commitment expands to labour ethics and working with US factories as often as they can, with collections that are Fair Trade Certified.
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Pact
In the battle to make the world a better place through the fashion industry, Pact, based in Colorado, USA is not left out.
Their products range from basics for men, women and children to activewear. The price range of their products are fairly affordable and they are best known for their Fair Trade organic cotton basics.
Why is Pact sustainable?
Pact makes sure that their entire supply chain is B Corp Certified and are as clean and responsible to the environment as possible. Their tees, dresses and underwear are made of 100% non-GMO cotton, benefiting consumers and the farmers that grow the cotton.
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ABLE
ABLE, based in Tennessee, USA, is on a mission to fight against poverty.
This brand produces women’s apparel, shoes and accessories and they are well-known for being a feminist brand that supports women.
Why is ABLE sustainable?
ABLE believes that generational poverty can be abolished when economic opportunities are created for people, especially women. This company is B Corp certified and they are committed to having fair labour practices such as having female artisan-made products in Peru. Furthermore, they make sure that as their products are produced, it does less to no harm to the environment.
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Tradlands
A question for the ladies. Have you ever walked past the mens’ section and thought, “If only they made this for women?” If you have, Tradlands is the perfect brand for you. They are based in California, USA.
Trandlands produces high-quality apparel for women that are inspired by menswear without harming the environment. Ethical blouses are what they are best known for.
Why is Trandlands sustainable?
They practice ethical production by using natural and sustainable materials. In order to produce the least amount of waste possible, they produce each collection in small batches with established, ethical facilities and independent artisans.
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tentree
tentree is a brand based in Vancouver, Canada that is dedicated to restoring the environment.
They have clothes for everyone, ranging from kids’ apparels to adult tops, bottoms, outerwear and accessories and are best known for cozy and casual essentials.
Why is tentree sustainable?
tentree’s products are made from sustainable fabrics such as Tencel, hemp and organic cotton. They are very committed to giving back to the environment and show this by planting 10 trees for every item that is purchased. Their target is to have 1 billion trees planted by 2030. Furthermore, tentree is B Corp certified.
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Kotn
Another brand from the Great White North, in Toronto, Canada, Kotn adds a dash of luxury to your daily wardrobe.
They mainly produce women and men basic wear but they are best known for their ultra-soft Egyptian cotton wardrobe staples.
Why is Kotn sustainable?
B Corp certified, Kotn’s production practices safe and fair labour standards. This sustainable clothing brand uses organic materials and plans on helping its suppliers switch to organic cotton in the coming years.
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Boody
Born in The Land Down Under, Boody is based in Sydney, Australia and has now expanded all over the world.
Their product range includes loungewear, activewear, underwear and babywear. They are best known for using organically grown bamboo to manufacture their products.
Why is Boody sustainable?
The bamboo used to produce all Boody’s pieces are grown in China. Each stalk is grown 100% naturally without any chemical pesticides. Fair wages are also given and 100% of the profits from its Giving Bracelet goes to the Goodbye Malaria and the Relate Organization.
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Happy Earth
Based in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, the brand name, Happy Earth speaks for itself, prioritizing the planet first in everything they do.
They have apparels, accessories, activewear and headwear for both men and women and are quite affordable.
Why is Happy Earth sustainable?
From production to sales, every process aims to benefit the environment. Organic materials and recycled or recyclable packaging are used. Customers can choose to either plant trees, remove trash or help combat climate crises. This company is also WTFO certified.
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Cee Cee’s Closet
Cee Cee’s Closet was created by Chioma and Uchenna Ngwudo and is based in the city of New York.
They specialize in making fun, bright and patterned clothing and accessories for women.
Why is Cee Cee’s Closet sustainable?
The fabrics used to produce those beautiful apparels are all-natural, bring little to no harm to the environment in the process. The products are designed in New York but they are handmade by artisans in Nigeria, who are paid living wages. Today, they are able to send their kids to school, get proper healthcare and dream of a future.
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MUD Jeans
MUD Jeans, based in the Netherlands, is on a mission to create a circular economy within their supply chain.
As their name suggests, they specialize in producing women and men’s denim jeans. They also have a small range of jackets.
Why is MUD Jeans sustainable?
Materials used in their production are organic and recycled cotton. Their jeans are also made from recycled denim to reduce harm to the environment to a minimum during production. They also offer a program called “Lease a jeans”, the jeans sent back are used to produce a new pair.
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13. Thought
Thought is based in London, UK and they have a simple philosophy: to produce timeless and beautiful fashion without the expense of the environment.
They make apparels and accessories for both men and women at an affordable price range.
Why is Thought sustainable?
Organic cotton and sustainable fabrics are used to produce their pieces. Moreover, this company also treats every team member with respect by paying fair wages and providing ideal working conditions.
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MATE The Label
Based in Los Angeles, California, MATE The Label is a fashion company that wants their customers to “dress clean”.
Tops, bottoms, dresses, sets, activewear and even sleepwear for women is their product range and they are best known for the casual essentials.
Why is MATE The Label sustainable?
This clothing brand is committed to using non-toxic, natural and organic materials. In order to keep their carbon footprint to a minimum, all products are made within 10 miles from their headquarters in Los Angeles.
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EILEEN FISHER
Based in New York, USA, EILEEN FISHER is one of the leaders in the fashion industry when it comes to ethical and sustainable fashion.
The company produces women apparel, accessories and shoes and are famous for their organic linen clothing.
Why is EILEEN FISHER sustainable?
This company is Fair Trade Certified and they ensure fair working wages for its employees. They are also committed to using sustainable materials and practices like taking their old clothes back and transforming them into new designs.
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Tonlé
The Tonlé brand is based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and California, USA. They are all about creating a restorative, regenerative and just future for fashion.
Their product range includes apparel, jewellery and accessories for women with unique statement tops and sweaters as their signature products.
Why is Tonlé sustainable?
Tonlé is committed to having zero waste practices and fair-trade production. Each piece is handcrafted and natural dye is used.
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People Tree
People Tree is another company based in London, UK and are recognized as a pioneer in the fair trade and environmentally sustainable fashion movement.
They specialize in producing affordable fair-trade apparel and accessories for women.
Why is People Tree sustainable?
Their products are Fair Trade Certified and they use organic cotton and biodegradable materials so that the health of the environment is not compromised.
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Tamga Designs
Another clothing brand for women, Tamga Designs, based in Canada, makes colourful sustainable fashion for women.
They have a small range of apparel for men and children but their especially is for women clothing.
Why is Tamga Designs sustainable?
Tamga Designs believe that clothing should be eco-friendly and ethically made. Their products are made in Indonesia and they see that the workers are paid a living wage. In order to minimize the impact on the environment, Tamga Designs choose to use eco-friendly materials, water-saving dyes and plastic-free packaging.
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Tiny Closet
Based in Los Angeles, The Tiny Closet is a brand that does not own an inventory.
This company specializes in making women’s clothing and they are well-known for making to order.
Why is Tiny Closet sustainable?
The production for The Tiny Closet is made-to-order and handmade in Los Angeles to minimize carbon footprint. They only use deadstock fabric in order to reduce waste in landfills.
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Vetta
The Vetta brand is based in the USA with an innovative shopping model: capsule wardrobe.
Their main products are apparels for women and the capsule wardrobe is what they are well-known for. You can purchase a capsule collection comprising 5 pieces of clothing that you can mix and match to create a month’s worth of outfits.
Why is Vetta sustainable?
This company chooses to use sustainable, recycled and deadstock fabrics for its production. They have a partner factory in LA that uses solar energy for 70% of its energy.
Conclusion
As these companies are doing their best in trying to preserve and change the environment for the better by producing sustainable clothing, let us all be smarter consumers and more mindful of the environment by shopping at their stores. Look for clothing brands that are eco-friendly and support them.
