It’s no secret that Anthropologie isn’t the most sustainable store. However, ethical clothing and home decor alternatives to Anthropologie do exist – so you don’t have to give up that gorgeous aesthetic completely!
Image: Daughters of India
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WHY I DON’T SUPPORT ANTHROPOLOGIE
During my high school years in the early 2000s, I developed a deep affection for Anthropologie. I frequented the sales sections, and even during college, I found myself working right across from one of their stores in the mall. I dedicated a significant amount of my time and money to the brand, and to this day, I still own various pieces from Anthropologie. I still, to this day, take pleasure in browsing their stores whenever the opportunity arises. Regrettably, my support for the company has waned due to their lack of transparency. There is a noticeable absence of consideration for environmental impact and the welfare of the individuals involved in the production of their clothing. Furthermore, Anthropologie has faced criticism for instances of racial profiling involving both customers and staff members.
WHAT ABOUT THEIR PARENT BRAND URBAN OUTFITTERS?
The same goes for Urban Outfitters and Free People – although many have said Free People clothing is more transparent and ‘ethical.’ Personally, I don’t trust any label under the overarching company URBN. There are so many other brands you can support where your money will better benefit the makers and the planet.
I figured many of you also love Anthropologie, so I thought I would put a list together of sustainable & ethical brands that I think reflect their overall aesthetic. I hope you enjoy it and let me know if you feel any should be added to the list!
OUR TOP ETHICAL ALTERNATIVES TO ANTHROPOLOGIE:
1. Daughters of India
Daughters of India is a socially conscious fashion brand that takes pride in its slow, sustainable, and handmade approach to creating garments.
By focusing on supporting Indian artisans and providing employment opportunities for women, the brand aims to bridge the gap between the creators and consumers of their products.
They are dedicated to preserving generations-old crafting traditions and empowering women by giving them a platform to showcase their skills.
The brand is known for producing sustainably handmade clothing that exudes comfort, femininity, and versatility, reflecting their commitment to ethical and eco-friendly fashion practices.
2. Cleobella
At Cleobella, they are deeply committed to sustainability and ethical practices, which serve as the foundation of their brand.
They prioritize working with local artisans and small factories to support the creation of jobs and sustainable incomes on a global scale.
Each individual piece is carefully and ethically handmade, with a focus on preserving traditional heritage techniques.
Furthermore, they are dedicated to using eco-friendly fabrics such as GOTS Organic Cotton, Ecovero, Linen, and Hemp in their designs.
3. All the Wild Roses
I’ve always thought of this brand as the ethical Free People. It’s romantic, free-spirited, and all-around lovely.
All The Wild Roses is a certified B-Corp brand from Australia that specializes in timeless Bohemian-style clothing made from vintage fabrics. Their small team of women is dedicated to creating sustainable designs that connect and empower women, while also creating opportunities for people to thrive.
The brand’s journey is an evolution that stems from the founder’s life as an Australian refugee and her family connections to her native Vietnam. Up to 90% of their designs are made from upcycled fabrics, which are also called deadstock, surplus, or remnant fabrics.
The team curates biodegradable fabrics from excess and leftover fabric from other designers and fabric warehouses to use in their collections. This allows them to reuse and divert some of these materials from landfills and into your closet.
As a small brand working closely with their makers, All The Wild Roses is able to work closely with orders. This means that they only make what is needed, reducing waste and offering a made-to-order service that allows them to create clothing that is specific to you.
4. Transcend
Transcend’s exquisite collection draws inspiration from the vibrant colors and rich textures found in India’s bustling shopping bazaars.
Each garment, whether it’s a dress or separates, is meticulously crafted by skilled artisans using eco-conscious fabrics such as organic cotton and linen. The founder and designer, Nazia Siddiqui, envisioned making high-quality embroidery and prints accessible to women by creating timeless silhouettes.
Every piece is thoughtfully designed to stand the test of time, with a keen focus on intricate details. In fact, the dedication to craftsmanship is so profound that crafting a single dress can require up to 70 hours of meticulous work.
5. Christy Dawn
Christy Dawn is renowned for crafting exquisite, timeless dresses and wardrobe essentials from eco-friendly fabrics.
A significant number of their pieces showcase breathtaking floral patterns and exhibit feminine cuts and silhouettes, ideal for lovers of the cottage-core style.
What sets Christy Dawn apart is their commitment to sustainability, as they use organic or regenerative cotton for their garments and employ natural, organic dyes for coloring.
This dedication to eco-friendly materials ensures that every piece from Christy Dawn is not only beautiful but also environmentally responsible.
6. Whimsy & Row
Established in 2014, Whimsy & Row is a lifestyle brand that designs clothing, accessories, and home goods for environmentally conscious women. The brand is a great one to support in the US because it manufactures all its products in small batches within a few miles of its headquarters in Los Angeles.
This means that the production process is less wasteful, resulting in fewer carbon emissions since the items don’t travel far between the factory and the brand’s office. Whimsy + Row exclusively uses locally sourced and eco-friendly materials and recycles every scrap of deadstock fabric to create new garments or accessories.
Additionally, their designs are made using recycled water and low-impact dyes, and the brand is carbon-neutral. It’s a great place to shop for everyday attire and formal events, offering extended sizing and a pre-loved section where you can purchase their items secondhand!
7. Sézane
Sézane is an esteemed Parisian clothing brand renowned for crafting exquisite, enduring clothing and accessories for women.
Their collection includes a delightful array of options for men as well. Whether you’re in the market for a cozy sweater, an enchanting dress, or a stylish pair of shorts, you’ll discover that Sézane’s pieces exude timeless elegance.
What’s more, many of their items have obtained the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification, ensuring that they are free from harmful substances. The brand demonstrates its commitment to sustainability by utilizing GOTS-certified organic cotton, recycled polyester, vegetable-tanned leather, and other certified materials in the production of its garments.
As a certified B Corporation, Sézane is dedicated to ethical business practices. Through its innovative recycling program, the company has successfully repurposed over 13,000 clothing items.
Additionally, Sézane has raised an impressive 4.5 million euros since 2018 for DEMAIN, its philanthropic program that advocates for equal access to education and culture.
8. Citizenry
for home goods
The Citizenry’s team personally visits each country where their products are made to source only local materials and build long-lasting relationships with artisans.
By bypassing middlemen and directly engaging with artisans, they are able to provide high-quality, handcrafted goods at more affordable prices compared to conventional luxury boutiques. This unique approach not only supports local craftsmanship and sustainability but also ensures that customers receive exceptional products with transparent and ethical sourcing.
You can learn more about each artisan partner on their website.
9. Ten Thousand Villages
for home goods
This establishment has a long-standing commitment to prioritizing people and the planet, with a track record of over 70 years.
Many people have had the opportunity to physically visit one of their retail locations in the past. It’s more than just a store; it’s part of a global movement that connects consumers with incredibly talented artisans from around the world. By making a purchase, customers are directly contributing to the sustainable livelihoods of these artisans while helping to preserve the authenticity of their crafts.
Each product not only celebrates different cultures but also emphasizes the importance of environmental conservation, ensuring that neither aspect is compromised.
Good list. While perusing the websites, I was surprised by weareThought. Their womens clothes sizes are 6-18, but their mens sizes are XS-3XL. I wonder why they aren’t inclusive of smaller women.
That is an English size 6 which would be a 2 or an XS in the States 🙂 I have several Thought Pieces – I’m petite 5’2” (usually a size 0 state side) and the 2s fit me great.
Great list. I don’t see many plus size items for women. Too bad. I love to buy sustainable clothing. No alternatives here for plus size. Non-inclusive. Atll least Anthropology does cater to plus size women.
We have an entire post on Inclusive Sustainable Clothing Brands here:
https://www.sustainably-chic.com/blog/sustainable-size-inclusive-brands
Looks like Anthropologie caters up to 3X – in this post – Made Trade, Christy Dawn, Whimsy & Row and All the Wild Roses also have dresses from XS-3X.
But yes I agree- we need more sustainable brands catering to plus size women. The post I shared with you has many brands that go beyond 3X, as well.
I had to quit Anthropologie after they blatantly stole art from a Native woman jeweler/artist I follow. She refused their offer to collaborate, so they just took her work anyway, plastered it on jeans and other products. Terrible.
That is terrible!!! 🙁