Fashion and sustainability don’t have to be mutually exclusive. The modern consumer is looking for more than mere trends–they are also keeping an eye out for clothing brands that are making a positive impact. Although the fashion industry has a long way to go in terms of sustainability, consumers are now paying more attention to the quality of their garments, production processes, and supply chain transparency.

Now more than ever, we must support brands that prioritize long-lasting clothes, limit the amount of wasted fabric in production, and strive to create a low environmental impact. Here’s a list of 21 clothing brands that are changing the face of fashion through sustainable and ethical production practices.

*Quick heads-up: this post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission if you decide to purchase one of these products.

Opia

Based in Byron Bay, OPIA produces simplistic, delicate clothing for everyday wear. OPIA uses eco-friendly materials and a “slow fashion” philosophy that focuses on quality and longevity.

2. Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective makes activewear out of recycled materials. In their words, “trash looks better on you than it does polluting the planet.” All products are made in an SA8000 certified facility.

3. Cuyana

Cuyana is a direct-to-consumer apparel and accessories brand. According to their website, “fewer, better is the foundational philosophy that leads all aspects of our brand.” Each collection is sourced exclusively from suppliers that produce the materials and garments in-house, cutting out the middle man.

4. PANGAIA

PANGAIA is the ultimate eco-friendly brand. They use a high proportion of eco-friendly materials, including upcycled materials, and limit water usage in production. They also solely use low impact non-toxic dyes and compostable packaging. All products are vegan.

5. Amour Vert

For every tee you buy, Amour Vert plants a tree alongside their partner, American Forests. Moreover, 97% of Amour Vert’s products are made using sustainable materials in San Francisco.

6. Arnhem

Arnhem is a Byron-based brand that uses eco-friendly materials in their bohemian clothing. Arnhem also donates to the following charities: 1% for the planet, Green fleet, Take 3 for the sea, Rainforest rescue.

7. Petite Studio

Petit Studio abides by slow fashion principles. Their clothing is produced using smaller, smarter production runs. Each garment takes 20 hours to construct versus 4 hours at the typical fast fashion production line.

8. Spell & The Gypsy

This Australian brand uses rainforest-free wood pulp fibers and ethically-produced rayon fibers in their biodegradable fabrics. The Spell team has also worked with the Global Fashion Initiative to transition their fashion model into a more circular model.

9. Boyish Jeans

Designed in Los Angeles, Boyish is a sustainable women’s denim line focused on quality washes. Boyish also works with ethical factories, uses less harmful chemicals during the dyeing process, utilizes one-third of the amount of water typically needed, and works exclusively with recycled fabrics and materials.

10. Musier Paris

Created in 2018 by Anne-Laure, Musier uses fabrics from previous collections to create new styles. All fabric is used in production out of respect for the planet.

11. Sézane

Sézane is working toward a circular supply chain, including regenerated material use, mono-material pieces, and a customer recycling program. Sézane also a huge range of materials that are more sustainable than conventional alternatives, including organic cotton, RWS certified wool, FSC certified viscose, EcoVero viscose, tencel, linen, and vegetable-tanned leather. These materials are all independently certified.

12. Mara Hoffman

Mara Hoffman founded her label in 2000 after graduating from Parsons School of Design in New York City. Hoffman aims to design and manufacture clothes with greater care to reduce impact. Today, Mara Hoffman uses a high proportion of eco-friendly materials, compostable packaging, and a waterless digital printing technology.

13. Re/Done

RE/DONE makes the vintage denim of your dreams. By repurposing old pairs of denim, RE/DONE is minimizing the use of new materials. All RE/DONE jeans are manufactured in Los Angeles using modern eco-friendly wash processes.

14. MATE The Label

Founded by Kayti O’Connell Carr in 2013, Mate the Label offers essential clothing made with organic fabrics and low-impact dyes. Each piece is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard. Mate also use 100% recycled materials for shipping mailers and boxes.

15. Eileen Fisher

Eileen Fisher is a leader in sustainable fashion. This brand is committed to using organic fibers, recycled fibers and sustainable fibers in their clothing. Recently, Eileen Fisher rolled out an eco-friendly and socially conscious program called Horizon 2030, designed to tackle six main problem areas within the manufacturing industry.

16. Stella McCartney

Since Stella McCartney was founded in 2001, the brand has used eco-conscious materials, non-toxic dyes, polyester recycled from plastic bottles, and banned all leather, skin, fur, or feathers. According to Stella McCartney, “My job is to make desirable, luxurious, beautiful clothing and accessories women want to buy. My first decision is always based on, ‘Can I do this in a more sustainable way without sacrificing design?’ If I can, then there is no reason not to.”

17. AUGUSTE THE LABEL

Auguste’s clothes are made in a WRAP Certified factory in Guangzhou, China and small, family run factory in Bali, Indonesia. Auguste the Label is also a part of the 1% For The Planet program and donates to the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Orangutan Land Trust.

18. Olivia Rose The Label

Founded in January 2017 by Olivia Rose Havelock, Olivia Rose The Label is a small independent British clothing label. Every item is handmade to order in limited quantities by the founder and sole seamstress Olivia Rose Havelock in her studio in Edinburgh.

19. DÔEN

DÔEN primarily uses natural fabrics and embraces the “fewer, better things” mentality. Their clothes are crafted to last and made with ethically-sourced materials. Their packaging is 100% recyclable and eco-shippers contain a minimum of 90% post-consumer content.

20. MOTHER OF PEARL

Mother of Pearl is a luxury sustainable brand based in London that celebrates sustainability. In 2017, the brand launched No Frills, a core sustainable collection made from organic and natural materials, with a transparent supply chain. On their website, you can see the sustainable attributes of each piece.

21. Attire the Studio

Created by German-influencer Xenia Adonts, Attire the Label is one to keep an eye on. This fashion brand was built to deliver sustainable fashion without compromising on quality or design. According to Adonts, “My goal is to create the most honest and eco-friendly fashion brand that’s out there.” I can’t wait to see what transparent, eco-friendly, and ethical clothes she creates next.