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Image: ABLE
I have compiled a list of sustainable fashion brands that are affordable. I’ve been asked the question ‘Are there any affordable sustainable brands?’ so many times that I thought this list would be quite useful. By ‘affordable’, I mean products that don’t cost as much as Forever 21, but fall within the range of $35-$200. I don’t shop very often, so this is a price range that I find reasonable. If you’re paying $10 for a shirt, someone is probably being exploited. To me, a sustainable purchase is one that you can use for a long time and even pass down to your children. I still like to wear my mother’s clothes from the 80s, and I believe that a sustainable purchase should be something that can last for generations.
Of course, affordability is subjective, and we don’t blame those who can only afford fast fashion brands because they need something. The issue is people buying TOO much of it.
I want my clothes to be durable and made responsibly, not just worn a handful of times like fast fashion brands intend. Most mall stores prioritize trends over quality, and encourage excessive consumption. Instead, I prefer to buy from brands that have a distinct personality and prioritize sustainability, paying attention to their carbon footprint and treating their employees well. I love fashion and appreciate the artistry of garment construction, and I believe that we can still support this art form while also being environmentally conscious. Let’s come together and support brands that allow us to express ourselves through clothing in a sustainable way. Fashion may not be necessary for survival, but it adds color to our lives, culture, and stories. Here’s to supporting responsible fashion and the wonderful makers who create it!
CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF 30 OF THE MOST AFFORDABLE SUSTAINABLE FASHION BRANDS IN 2024
ABLE
I have a pair of jeans and a denim jacket from this brand, and I must say they are amazing!
They offer great sales, and you can sign up for their newsletter to keep track of them.
Even at full price, their products are worth it.
The jeans cost $130, but they are of top-notch quality.
What’s more, ABLE has a strong belief that providing jobs to those who lack opportunities, particularly women, is key to ending poverty.
Boodywear
I am not usually a big fan of featuring bamboo fabric on my blog because it is known to have a harsh textile process.
However, some brands like Boody use closed-loop systems and zero-waste initiatives, which I support. Honestly, bamboo fabric feels amazing on the skin, and I don’t want to give it up completely. Boody is a brand that looks incredibly comfortable, and I have heard many great things about them. That’s why I had to include them on my blog!
Girlfriend
This brand is highly regarded for its inclusive sizing options.
Girlfriend offers sizes up to 6X, with an extensive range of colors and styles.
Their color palette is impressive, and their products tend to sell out quickly.
The brand uses a variety of fabrics, all of which are made from post-consumer waste.
Their facility in Taiwan specializes in eco-friendly and high-quality textile, and their ethical cut-and-sew SA8000 certified factory is in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Subset
Subset’s underwear is made of 95% GOTS certified organic cotton.
They are manufactured in a Fair Trade certified factory located in India without the use of harsh chemicals.
You can learn more about their entire supply chain, including the cotton farmers and yarn spinners, on their website. The packaging is also eco-friendly, made of FSC-certified and recycled materials with low impact inks. I personally find Subset’s underwear very comfortable to wear!
Pact
Probably one of the most affordable organic brands, Pact has you covered on any basic piece you can think of.
Their collection includes lace undies, bras, and tees that are loved by many.
The best part is that everything washes well and stays soft. I often browse their online store to check out their new collection of basics.
tentree
Tentree, a company dedicated to environmental conservation, has successfully planted over 43 million trees to date! Their “earth-first” approach to clothing production ensures that all apparel is made ethically using eco-conscious materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, TENCEL, and hemp. They also strive to make their clothing accessible to everyone by offering a range of sizes at reasonable prices. In addition to apparel and accessories, Carbon offsets for personal lifestyle can be purchased directly from their website!
thought
Thought offers a wide range of clothing options that cater to different occasions – whether it’s an office meeting or a day spent at home, they have it all.
They prioritize the use of eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton and avoid the use of plastic in their packaging.
However, they do have some products that are made from conventional materials, so it’s always best to double-check before making a purchase.
WAMA UNDERWEAR
WAMA has been featured on this blog multiple times over the past few years.
They are renowned for their hemp underwear, and have recently launched two bra styles – a triangle and a racerback (pictured).
Their designs are extremely comfortable and actually good for your health. Hemp is the perfect fiber for undergarments!
I think hemp is such an amazing fiber, and I actually just wrote a post about the cost of hemp and how supporting brands like this can help make it more accessible in the future!
Warp & Weft
If you’re in search of budget-friendly denim, then this is the brand you should definitely check out.
They offer a wide range of styles to choose from, and speaking from personal experience, I can say that their jeans are of excellent quality.
Their family-owned and eco-friendly mill is one of the largest textile manufacturers in the world, enabling them to create premium denim that’s great for you, the environment, and your pocket!
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Loving your list! I have a similar one on my blog, but I’ve never heard of several of these brands! Excited to check them out. <3
So good! It’s amazing to me that though I spend a lot of time exploring sustainable fashion, I haven’t heard of a bunch of these companies! Adding them to my roster…
I’d love to see a list with more global retailers or any US based ones.
http://www.preppypanache.com
same v
None of this is affordable for normal people. I can barely afford a $5 meal let alone a $90 pair of jeans.
We put a sad cheap price on clothing which only hurts others and lowers our standard. I barely get by paying my bills every month, but know if I want a pair of jeans I will save up or go to a thrift store. This list isn’t for everyone or what you call ‘normal’ because we all have different spending habits. Some see more value in buying quality clothing which will last and pays the worker fairly all while considering the environment. Sustainable fashion does not get cheaper than this because it has so much to live up to. It’s responsible & in the end the high cost is going to be that $5 tee 🙂
This is great, are there any similar brands for men?
Yes! I have a similar list right here: https://www.sustainably-chic.com/blog/12-eco-ethical-sustainable-menswear-clothing-brands
Id love to see soulflower (soulflower.com) on this list – keep the sustainable clothing ideas coming!
I’d love to see a list with more global retailers or any US based ones.
http://www.spazeapparel.com/brand
This is a brilliant list and exactly what I have been looking for. Thank you so much for your time and effort putting this together!!
I thought this list was really great! I’ve been trying to shift to more conscientious buying habits. I think there’s an interesting change in mindset you have to go through if you used to be a forever 21 junkie and you want to start buying from these kinds of locations but it’s so worth the effort. Thank you for the wonderful suggestions!
Happy to hear you are making the shift!
It can be a lot to take in at once 😀
One day, you will walk by a Forever 21 and not even look in the windows.
Thanks for this. It’s a really helpful list!
You’re welcome!! 🙂 Glad you found it helpful!
also check out shopvirtueandvice.com Their clothes are certified organic or sourced from small eco-farmers. And many of their fabrics are made without the use of electricity or water. All of their styles are cruelty-free.
One of the big names here in the PNW when it comes eco conscious and sustainable fashion for women is Texture Clothing. I would definitely suggest checking them out.
Thank you!!!
Thank you for this! Not sure if another person posted this, but here’s another great organization that’s sustainable! People Tree. http://www.peopletree.co.uk/
Yes! I love People Tree 🙂 I don’t personally own anything from them, so I try to keep the blog to brands I do know well. However, they do have super cute designs & I would love to own one of their pieces.
A wonderful list, thank you for promoting sustainable choices and underlining that there’s a reason why these choices don’t have the prices of Forever 21!
For more sustainable designs, you shold visit weecos.com – there are now almost 150 brands that are focused on sustainable values.
yes, plus so many more! I have a big sustainable brand directory with hundreds of brands:
https://www.sustainably-chic.com/sustainable-brands-to-love
Thanks for this! Love learning about this stuff to be a more conscious buyer. TomboyX is another slow fashion brand I love! They make the world’s most comfortable women’s underwear. Found their summary on Slow Fashion helpful too! https://tomboyx.com/blogs/news/slow-fashion
Oh nice! They have great looking socks!!
It’s great to see more brands creating sustainable clothes. I’m a big believer in buy well and support small makers as well as reuse, recycle, reduce, repurpose, etc.
I would also add Ecofit Sports to the list, Ecofit Sports is not just another activewear brand, we design functional and stylish active wear using sustainable and recycled materials wherever possible.
We endeavor to partner with manufacturers who are ethical and committed to sustainability, use organic, repurposed and recycled materials, send your products in biodegradable packaging, use carbon offset carriers, and continue to research alternate solutions, looking for new and innovative ways of minimising our footprint by using materials and a supply chain that has a lower impact on the environment.
Our vision is to provide sustainable, functional and affordable products for everyone who values their health and the health of the planet.
Healthy people creating a healthy planet.
Welcome to Ecofit Sports and to mainstream sustainability.
For more details Visit:- https://ecofitsports.com/
Thanks for sharing these article.
Great article and great brands!