The fashion industry is the second-largest polluter in the world, just after oil. With growing awareness of environmental and social concerns, many consumers are seeking more ethical alternatives to fast fashion. Fortunately, sustainable fashion no longer means compromising on style. The following brands are leading the way in responsible production while offering beautiful, well-designed clothing worth investing in.
Understanding Sustainable Fashion
Before diving into specific brands, it's important to understand what makes fashion sustainable. True sustainability encompasses several key factors:
- Environmentally Responsible Materials: Organic, recycled, or low-impact fabrics that minimize ecological harm
- Ethical Labor Practices: Fair wages, safe working conditions, and respect for workers' rights
- Transparent Supply Chain: Clear information about sourcing, manufacturing processes, and business practices
- Durability and Timelessness: Well-made products designed to last, reducing the cycle of consumption
- Circular Business Models: Take-back programs, repair services, or other initiatives that extend product life
Few brands excel in all these areas, so we've highlighted what makes each of our selections noteworthy in the sustainable fashion landscape.
Investment-Worthy Sustainable Brands
For Timeless Wardrobe Staples
Eileen Fisher
A pioneer in sustainable fashion, Eileen Fisher creates minimalist, high-quality pieces that transcend trends. The brand's Renew program takes back used Eileen Fisher garments for resale or recycling into new fabrics and products.
Sustainability Highlights: B Corp certified, organic materials, transparent supply chain, take-back program, plus-size inclusive
Signature Pieces: Fluid silk blouses, organic linen separates, and washable wool basics
Price Range: $$$
Veja
This French footwear brand combines style with substance, creating sneakers from organic cotton, wild rubber from the Amazon, and recycled plastic bottles. Their transparent pricing model reveals the cost breakdown of each pair, highlighting their fair trade practices.
Sustainability Highlights: Organic and recycled materials, fair trade rubber, transparent pricing, minimal carbon footprint
Signature Pieces: V-10 sneakers, Campo low-tops, and running shoes
Price Range: $$
For Contemporary Fashion
Reformation
With the tagline "Being naked is the #1 most sustainable option. We're #2," Reformation combines sexy, feminine aesthetics with eco-friendly practices. They publish quarterly sustainability reports and offset 100% of their carbon emissions.
Sustainability Highlights: Climate neutral, recycled and regenerative materials, size-inclusive ranges, domestic manufacturing
Signature Pieces: Floral midi dresses, sustainable denim, and wedding guest attire
Price Range: $$-$$$
Stella McCartney
As a luxury pioneer in sustainable fashion, Stella McCartney has never used leather, feathers, fur, or exotic skins. The brand continuously innovates with materials like mushroom leather (Mylo) and regenerated cashmere.
Sustainability Highlights: Vegetarian brand, innovative materials, circular fashion initiatives, renewable energy in stores
Signature Pieces: Falabella bags, tailored suits, and platform shoes
Price Range: $$$$
For Activewear
Girlfriend Collective
This inclusive activewear brand turns plastic bottles into buttery-soft leggings and sports bras. Their SA8000-certified factory in Taiwan ensures fair wages and safe working conditions.
Sustainability Highlights: Recycled materials, size-inclusive (XXS-6XL), ethical manufacturing, takeback program
Signature Pieces: High-rise compression leggings, racerback bras, and bike shorts
Price Range: $$
Patagonia
More than just an outdoor brand, Patagonia has been a leader in corporate responsibility for decades. Their Worn Wear program repairs, resells, and recycles used Patagonia gear, extending product life and reducing waste.
Sustainability Highlights: B Corp certified, 1% for the Planet member, fair trade certified, repair program, activism
Signature Pieces: Better Sweater fleece, down jackets, and Baggies shorts
Price Range: $$-$$$
For Denim
Nudie Jeans
This Swedish denim brand uses 100% organic cotton and offers free repairs for life on all their jeans. When your jeans are beyond repair, you can return them to be recycled into new products or receive a discount on a new pair.
Sustainability Highlights: Organic materials, repair program, recycling initiative, transparent production
Signature Pieces: Lean Dean, Tight Terry, and Gritty Jackson jeans
Price Range: $$-$$$
DL1961
This family-owned brand controls the entire denim manufacturing process, from fiber to finished garment. They use waterless technology that saves an average of 1,500 gallons of water per pair of jeans compared to traditional methods.
Sustainability Highlights: Low water usage, clean energy, recycled materials, vertical integration
Signature Pieces: Emma skinny jeans, Hepburn high-rise wide leg, and Florence cropped
Price Range: $$
For Accessories
Matt & Nat
This vegan accessories brand has been creating stylish, animal-friendly bags since 1995. Their linings are made from recycled plastic bottles, and they're exploring innovative materials like cork and rubber.
Sustainability Highlights: Vegan materials, recycled linings, commitment to exploring eco-friendly alternatives
Signature Pieces: Dwell collection bags, wallets, and backpacks
Price Range: $$
Brother Vellies
Founded by Aurora James, Brother Vellies preserves traditional African design practices while creating sustainable luxury accessories. The brand works with artisans across Africa, supporting fair labor practices and cultural heritage.
Sustainability Highlights: Artisan-made, traditional techniques, vegetable-tanned leathers, byproduct materials
Signature Pieces: Cloud Boots, Doodle Slides, and Palms Bag
Price Range: $$$-$$$$
How to Build a Sustainable Wardrobe (Without Breaking the Bank)
While the brands mentioned above offer exceptional quality and ethical credentials, sustainable fashion can be expensive. Here are strategies to build an ethical wardrobe gradually:
1. Start with Basics
Invest in sustainable versions of the items you wear most frequently—perhaps a pair of well-made jeans, a white button-down, or everyday sneakers. These will have the highest cost-per-wear value.
2. Embrace Secondhand
Platforms like ThredUp, Vestiaire Collective, and The RealReal offer pre-owned clothing, often from sustainable brands at a fraction of the retail price. Even purchasing secondhand fast fashion extends the life of existing garments.
3. Look for Sales and Discount Programs
Many sustainable brands offer loyalty programs, seasonal sales, or discounts for signing up for newsletters. Some also offer student or healthcare worker discounts.
4. Consider Rental Services
For occasion wear or trendy pieces, rental services like Rent the Runway allow you to enjoy high-quality, designer clothing without the full investment.
5. Practice the "30 Wears Test"
Before purchasing any new item, ask yourself if you'll wear it at least 30 times. If not, it may not be worth the investment, regardless of how sustainable the brand is.
Greenwashing: How to Spot It
As sustainability becomes a marketing buzzword, some brands engage in "greenwashing"—making misleading claims about environmental practices. Here's how to identify genuine commitment versus empty marketing:
Red Flags to Watch For
- Vague terms like "eco-friendly" or "natural" without specific details
- Environmental initiatives that address only a tiny fraction of the business
- Sustainability messaging that doesn't align with business practices (like fast fashion brands producing "conscious" collections)
- Lack of transparency about manufacturing processes or material sourcing
Green Signals to Look For
- Third-party certifications (B Corp, GOTS, Fair Trade, Bluesign)
- Detailed information about supply chains and manufacturing
- Specific, measurable sustainability goals and regular progress reports
- Evidence of systemic commitment rather than token initiatives
The Future of Sustainable Fashion
The sustainable fashion landscape continues to evolve with exciting innovations:
Emerging Materials
Brands are exploring alternatives like Piñatex (pineapple leaf fiber), apple leather, algae-based textiles, and lab-grown materials. These innovations promise to reduce environmental impact while creating unique textiles with desirable properties.
Circular Business Models
More brands are implementing take-back programs, repair services, and rental options to extend product lifecycles and reduce waste. Some are even designing products specifically for disassembly and recycling.
Digital Fashion
Virtual clothing and digital fashion experiences offer a zero-waste alternative for social media content and self-expression. While still emerging, this sector represents an interesting frontier in sustainable style.
Conclusion
Building a sustainable wardrobe is a journey, not a destination. By gradually incorporating pieces from ethical brands, caring for your clothes properly, and making mindful choices, you can reduce your fashion footprint while still expressing your personal style.
Remember that the most sustainable garment is the one already in your closet. Before adding new pieces, even from sustainable brands, first shop your own wardrobe, repair what's broken, and reimagine what you already own.
As consumers, our choices have power. By supporting brands committed to ethical and sustainable practices, we send a clear message to the industry about the future we want to see—one where style and sustainability go hand in hand.
