The Most Unethical & Unsustainable Luxury, Designer Brands

Designer clothing has long been a coveted, fashionable sign of status. Unlike “cheap” fast fashion brands, designer clothing is often considered a quality, luxury good. Consumers may be surprised to learn that designer brands are often just as unethical and unsustainable as notorious fast fashion brands like BooHoo. 

Designer labels no longer guarantee quality or ethics. Instead, shoppers often shell out their hard-earned dollars to support brands that don’t align with their values. 

In this guide, we cover a few of the “worst” designer brands in terms of sustainability and ethics. We’ve also included a few tips on how to shop designer brands more sustainably. 

Are Designer Brands Ethically Made?

Despite the hefty price tag, designer brands often employ unethical labor practices including hazardous work environments, low wages, and forced labor. Much of the status attributed to designer brands is their mystique and inaccessibility. But that same lack of transparency applies to their production methods, allowing designer brands to use exploitative labor without question. 

Luxury brands rarely disclose how and where they produce their clothes, what the working conditions are like, and what they pay. According to Good on You, 111 of 174 luxury brands surveyed did not pay living wages throughout their supply chain. Many luxury brands have even been linked to sweatshops, such as Ralph Lauren, or exploitative wages, such as MaxMara and Fendi.

Unless a designer brand provides full transparency on its supply chain and allows a third-party audit to certify its labor standards, consumers can’t verify any ethically made claims. 

Why Are Luxury Brands Not Sustainable? 

There are two main reasons why luxury brands aren’t sustainable: a reliance on animal-based materials and a lack of transparency. 

Most luxury brands provide little to no information on efforts to reduce emissions, minimize waste, ethically source animal-derived materials, or use low-impact materials over hazardous chemicals. 

Most consumers assume that because a luxury designer brand costs more, it’s held to higher standards. But it often means that designer brands are rarely held accountable. Of the few designer brands that do claim to be reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the majority provide no evidence as to how.

Luxury and designer brands produce significantly less clothing than fast fashion brands, which has a positive impact. However, this alone doesn’t make them sustainable.

Unless luxury brands provide further transparency on each production stage, from sourcing to cutting to shipping, we can’t assume they are more sustainable than fast fashion brands. 

The 25 Worst Designer Brands to Avoid

Below, you’ll find several designer brands that we avoid supporting. The biggest reason why is a lack of transparency. 

Every designer brand below currently doesn’t provide verifiable information on how they are reducing emissions (despite many claims), nor do they report the wages and working conditions within their supply chain. 

While we’ve done our research, we also recommend researching any brand yourself to ensure that it aligns with your values. 

1. Dior

Owned by LVMH, a luxury group conglomerate, the Parisian fashion and beauty brand Dior has a long way to go when it comes to transparency. Despite LVMH’s supply chain code of conduct, Dior’s supply chain has no verified labor standards. 

When it comes to sustainability, Dior notably recycles some textile waste but rarely utilizes low-impact materials. Dior reportedly sourced cotton from Xinjiang, China, a region notorious for using forced labor. 

2. Hermès

Hermès is a French luxury designer brand that reports artisan craftsmanship and circular production. However, they don’t have any certified labor standards throughout their supply chain and have only reported living wages for certain workers. 

Hermès specializes in leather goods, so it’s encouraging that they only work with Leather Working Group-certified tanneries. However, despite having an official animal welfare policy, they don’t disclose the sourcing of most animal-derived materials used. 

Hermès makes several statements about how they prioritize sustainability, minimizing waste, and lowering their impact, but they currently don’t provide insight into how they do this. 

3. Louis Vuitton

A French luxury brand owned by LVMH, Louis Vuitton does have an official sustainability and supply chain code of conduct, but these efforts are largely unverifiable.

Louis Vuitton’s supply chain is largely unknown, with no verifications for safe working conditions, fair wages, or worker’s rights. They reportedly sourced cotton from Xinjiang, and it’s unclear if that’s changed.  

Louis Vuitton uses some Responsible Wool Standard certified wool, and Responsible Down Standard certified down, but the ethics and source of the remainder of their animal-based materials are unknown.

4. Chanel

Chanel rarely uses lower-impact fabrics, does not report any measures for reducing waste throughout their supply chain, and doesn’t have any animal welfare policy. 

Chanel obtained a supply chain score of 11-20% in 2022 by the Fashion Transparency Index. They reportedly conduct audits throughout their supply chain and are currently working to have it verified and certified for no forced labor. But, Chanel currently doesn’t disclose worker’s wages or working conditions. 

5. Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren is an American designer brand that has been linked to unethical labor. In 2022, BBC reported that Ralph Lauren exploited their workers in an Indian factory, forcing them to work days on end with little to no breaks to meet production. Ralph Lauren has reported increasing wages and better working conditions, but their efforts are largely unverifiable.  

Ralph Lauren claims to implement some responsible materials and circular production methods by 2025, but they don’t provide sufficient information on what that means. The few stated concrete actions they plan to take, such as offering five Cradle to Cradle Certified products and some products with 100% recycled cotton, are frankly, not enough.  

6. CELINE

A LVMH brand, CELINE doesn’t appear to disclose workers’ wages or working conditions. They have a supply chain code of conduct and anti-trafficking policy, but their supply chain isn’t currently verified or certified to support this. 

CELINE has reportedly sourced cotton from Xinjiang. Despite tracing the origin of some of their animal-derived materials and not using fur, they don’t provide sufficient information on how their materials are sourced. 

7. Loro Piana

Loro Piana, owned by LVMH, is often associated with sustainable luxury, but they have many areas for improvement. Loro Piana produces durable, quality products with some lower-impact fabrics, and they recycle some textile waste. They also treat wastewater throughout production and utilize some solar energy. However, those are the only sustainable measures they currently disclose that can be verified. 

Loro Piana doesn’t report wages throughout their supply chain or transparency on their manufacturing process. When it comes to animal-derived materials, they don’t appear to ensure ethical sourcing or animal welfare.

8. Prada

Prada ranks low on the list of designer brands prioritizing animal welfare. While Prada doesn’t use fur, they do utilize numerous animal-derived materials including angora, with no apparent animal welfare policy. Prada doesn’t disclose any efforts to trace the source of their materials. They also do not certify or report labor conditions.

Prada has recently started to implement some sustainable initiatives, such as recycled packaging, utilizing solar energy, and offsetting some emissions. They now have two recycled collections using recycled nylon and recycled gold.

9. Jimmy Choo

Jimmy Choo is a Malaysian designer brand now owned by the corporate luxury group, Capri Holdings Limited. While this group has a lengthy statement on their supply chain code of conduct and the audits they adhere to, Jimmy Choo’s supply chain doesn’t appear to be certified or verified. 

Jimmy Choo has set a goal to use more responsible and certified materials throughout their collections and to minimize packaging waste by 2025. While they now have notable goals for future improvement, these initiatives are currently largely unverifiable. 

10. Miu Miu

Owned by the Prada Group, Miu Miu states that they comply with international labor standards. But, they currently don’t appear to have any formal policies or verifiable efforts to ensure ethical working conditions and fair pay. 

As of December 2022, they have implemented several sustainable measures such as offsetting emissions, solar energy, and recycled packaging, but little is known about their production methods and impact. Miu Miu offers an upcycled collection and some low-impact materials, but they don’t appear to report their sourcing, including for animal-derived materials.

11. Givenchy

Givenchy uses the same unverified claims for reducing emissions and ensuring animal welfare as its fellow luxury brands owned by LVMH. They state that they recycle some textile waste, but not all, and they don’t provide transparency on their supply chain to verify that it meets any certified labor standards.

Givenchy also reportedly sourced cotton from Xinjiang, and it’s unknown if they stopped. Despite using Responsible Down Standard certified down, the sourcing of their other animal-derived materials is not disclosed.

12. Salvatore Ferragamo

Salvatore Ferragamo has set several environmental initiatives to be completed by 2025 and 2030. It’s unclear how much action has been taken, and their claims are largely unverifiable.

Salvatore Ferragamo does work with Leather Working Group tanneries and has an official animal welfare policy, including only sourcing wool from non-mulesed sheep. That being said, Salvatore Ferragamo doesn’t report worker's wages or working conditions. 

13. Tod’s

Tod’s, an Italian luxury brand, doesn’t appear to be working toward reducing waste, emissions, or hazardous chemicals throughout their manufacturing process. Tod’s supply chain doesn’t adhere to any certified labor standards, and it obtained a 0-10% supply chain score in 2022.

Tod’s has made claims that they work to minimize animal suffering, but they do not have any evidence of this, nor do they have a formal policy to protect animal welfare.

14. Versace 

Owned by Capri Holdings, Versace is a long-standing Italian designer brand that states they are committed to minimizing their environmental impact. However, little is known about their production process or how they are reducing waste. They do implement numerous responsibly sourced and certified materials, but not all. Versace has limited the use of animal-derived materials and banned fur, but they don’t have an official animal welfare policy.

Versace finalizes production in Italy, but they currently don’t provide transparency on workers’ wages or conditions throughout their supply chain. 

15. Dolce and Gabbana

Dolce and Gabbana is a particularly notable offender when it comes to sustainability. Dolce and Gabbana do not appear to be using low-impact materials, minimizing waste, or reducing water waste. Their only stated action on sustainability is eliminating plastic packaging by 2025. 

Their supply chain received a 0-10% score in 2022, and they do not disclose wages or safeguards. While Dolce and Gabbana have stated that they work to prevent animal suffering, they don’t have an official policy nor do they report sourcing. 

16. Maison Margiela

Maison Margiela is a luxury designer brand now owned by OTB Group. Maison Margiela uses almost no low-impact materials, nor do they report efforts to minimize emissions, waste, or water. 

Their supply chain isn’t verified to meet any ethical labor standards, and they received a 0-10% supply chain score in 2022. 

17. Elie Saab

While most designer brands struggle with transparency, Elie Saab provides notably less information. They don’t appear to offer any insight into how they manufacture, where they get their materials, or efforts to implement sustainable production methods.

18. Tom Ford

Tom Ford currently doesn’t provide transparency on their manufacturing, production, or sourcing. When it comes to sustainability, the only action disclosed is that Tom Ford is supporting the innovation of plastic packaging alternatives. 

19. Vera Wang

Much like Tom Ford, it’s difficult to discover any insight into how Vera Wang operates. No code of conduct or sustainability page is disclosed. 

20. Christian Louboutin

Little is known about Christian Louboutin’s production methods and supply chain. They do not claim to ensure animal welfare, cruelty-free materials, or sustainable manufacturing methods. 

There are currently no reports of living wages or safe working conditions throughout their supply chain. 

21. Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham is a popular designer brand with a long way to go when it comes to transparency. 

Victoria Beckham doesn’t claim to be reducing emissions, waste, or hazardous chemicals. It’s unclear who produces their products, under what conditions, and where. They also don’t claim to ensure animal welfare when sourcing animal-derived materials. 

22. Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang doesn’t provide information on how they produce their products and where, nor do they report any sustainable manufacturing initiatives. 

23. The Row

A beloved quiet luxury brand, The Row is notably quiet about how they produce their products. They don’t indicate that they are minimizing emissions or waste, nor do they provide evidence of fair and safe working conditions.

24. Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta is a renowned designer brand that unfortunately shows little interest in implementing sustainable production methods. They don’t have a formal Code of Conduct and the wages and conditions of their supply chain are unknown.

25. Gucci

Gucci is certainly not a sustainable designer brand, but they have made recent efforts to improve. Gucci has incorporated more eco-friendly and recycled materials and utilizes low-waste fabric-cutting methods. 

They are working to reduce emissions (though this isn’t verifiable), and are minimizing the use of harmful chemicals in leather. Gucci doesn’t provide information on how they abide by their animal welfare policy, or source all animal-derived materials.

A notable difference between Gucci and the above designer brands is their supply chain. Gucci does have a third-party audit of their final production stage. This verified living wages in their final production stage. The rest of their supply chain is unknown.

How to Shop Designer Brands More Sustainably

If you prefer to shop from designer brands, there are a few ways to do so more sustainably. 

• Shop Vintage: Choose vintage designer pieces over new. Online vintage marketplaces like The RealReal and Vestiaire Collective are wonderful places to start, as are local vintage stores. 

• Buy Pre-Loved: Some designer brands (Balenciaga, Gucci, etc) offer pre-owned, re-sell collections to minimize waste.

• Rent: While renting has a considerable environmental footprint, if you want a designer piece for a special event, this is a better option than buying new from the brand. However, if you plan to rent regularly, or would have worn the piece numerous times, consider alternatives like shopping second-hand instead.

Ultimately, designer brands have consistently ranked low in sustainability and ethics, but several luxury brands are beginning to make notable changes. If you have a favorite designer brand, monitor their progress to stay updated on how they are working to improve. 

Even better, let brands know that their current production methods don’t align with your values. Consumer demand is the only reason why some luxury brands are finally starting to take action, and thankfully, it’s working. 

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About the Author

Alicia Briggs is a writer & editor specializing in slow travel & sustainable living. She has been a full-time traveler since 2018 and runs her own blog, Learning the Local Way, where she covers responsible travel tips and guides.

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The Best Organic Cotton Clothes

With warmer days on the way, it’s time for light layers and summer dresses again! If you’re searching for a new piece for your wardrobe, but you want to shop sustainably, it’s important to avoid certain materials that are bad for the planet.

One such material is cotton; while one of the most widely used textiles in the fashion industry, popular for its breathability and versatility, it’s also one of the most environmentally damaging.

Is Cotton Sustainable?

Cotton farming is incredibly water-intensive, taking 2,700L of water to make just one conventional cotton t-shirt – that’s about three years’ worth of drinking water! Cotton is also the most pesticide-dependent crop in the world, using chemicals that pollute waterways and ecosystems and poison the farmers who grow the crops. 

Why You Should Choose Organic Cotton

Organic cotton is a better alternative to cotton as it’s produced and certified to organic agricultural standards. Its production sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people by using natural processes rather than artificial inputs. Most importantly, organic cotton farming doesn’t allow the use of toxic chemicals or GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

Switching to organic cotton can save up to 91% of the water needed to grow the crops, 46% fewer greenhouse gases, and gives farmers more control as they don’t rely on buying expensive genetically modified seeds from a handful of big companies. Currently, only around 1% of all cotton produced is organic, so we need more people to ditch traditional cotton and opt for the more sustainable option of organic cotton. To be sure that what you’re buying is actually organic, look out for certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and the Organic Content Standard Certification (OCS).

Read more about Organic Cotton & GOTS Cotton.

We’ve looked at sustainable brands who use organic cotton and made a list of our favorite 16:

1. Pact

For: Men & Women

Pact is committed to sustainability and ethical practices. All their products are crafted using organic cotton and are certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), ensuring high-quality and eco-friendly materials.

From stylish dresses, skirts, and comfortable sweatshirts to cozy hoodies, Pact offers a diverse range of clothing for women and men. What sets Pact apart is their dedication to Fair Trade certified factories, where their products are made. These factories prioritize safe working conditions and support local communities, highlighting Pact's commitment to ethical manufacturing.

In addition to their sustainable production practices, Pact is also mindful of affordability. Most of their products are priced under $100, making organic cotton clothing accessible without breaking the bank.

Furthermore, Pact goes the extra mile by offering customers the option to offset the carbon footprint of their shipments, enhancing the eco-friendly nature of their products. This demonstrates their commitment to reducing environmental impact at every stage of the production and delivery process.

code: SUSTAINABLYCHIC for 15% off

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2. Crann Organic

For: Kids

Crann Organic is a brand committed to providing super soft sustainable basics for kids.

Their range includes a variety of items such as t-shirts, sweats, and boxer briefs, all designed with a focus on comfort and eco-friendliness.

What sets Crann Organic apart is their dedication to using eco-friendly and non-toxic fabrics, such as GOTS certified organic cotton, TENCEL, and hemp, ensuring that your little ones are not only comfortable but also safe from harmful chemicals.

One of the standout features of Crann Organic's products is their thoughtful design. Free from irritating tags and cuffs, these clothes are perfect for children with eczema or sensitive skin. In fact, the brand was inspired by the founders' son, whose eczema was aggravated by wearing polyester clothing. As a result, Crann Organic has crafted their clothes to provide a gentle and comforting experience for kids with skin sensitivities.

In addition to its commitment to sustainability and comfort, Crann Organic caters to a wide range of children, offering sizes from 2 to 12, ensuring that all kids can enjoy their thoughtfully crafted clothing. Furthermore, their collection features a vibrant array of colors, adding a touch of fun and style to their sustainable basics.

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3. Made Trade

For: Women, Men & Children

Made Trade offers a wide range of sustainable and ethical organic cotton clothing brands, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, underwear, dresses, and more.

Their website provides convenient sorting options based on brand, size, color, price range, and other parameters.

In addition to a diverse collection of clothing, Made Trade also features a variety of sustainable home goods, accessories, shoes, and furniture.

What's more, Made Trade is a woman-owned business and is committed to being carbon neutral, making it a fantastic alternative to larger retailers like Amazon.

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4. Organic Basics

For: Men & Women

Organic Basics is the go-to destination for all your essential clothing needs.

Their range includes underwear, tops, and leggings, all crafted from high-quality organic cotton and other eco-friendly materials.

In addition to the basics, they have expanded their line to include activewear, dresses, and a unique denim collection.

What sets Organic Basics apart is their commitment to sustainability and durability. Their circular design approach and avoidance of synthetic blends ensure that their products are long-lasting, reducing the need for frequent replacements. The brand is synonymous with minimalism, offering simple yet elegant designs in monochrome color palettes.

Moreover, Organic Basics prioritizes ethical production practices. They exclusively collaborate with certified factories that provide fair wages and ensure a safe working environment for their employees. Workers also receive additional benefits such as free childcare and lunches, reflecting the brand's comprehensive approach to ethical and sustainable business practices.

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5. MATE the LABEL

For: Women & Children

MATE is a socially responsible company that was founded by women to create "Clean Essentials" using sustainable practices in Los Angeles.

Their products are made from non-toxic, natural, and organic materials, such as various types of organic cotton such as thermal, terry, jersey, and stretch. This diverse range of materials allows them to produce a wide variety of items suitable for different activities and climates.

Their loungewear sets are not only comfortable but also perfect for those seeking a post-pandemic style, while their activewear range is so stylish that it could motivate anyone to work out!

What's more, MATE has localized its entire supply chain within a ten-mile radius, handling everything from cutting, sewing, dyeing, packaging, to shipping within their LA factory. This localized approach significantly reduces their carbon footprint, making MATE a great choice for those looking to support sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.

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6. TomboyX

For: Gender Neutral

TomboyX is a fantastic and one-of-a-kind size-inclusive brand that was founded and is run by women.

They have created a wide range of organic cotton clothing that is tailored to suit a variety of body shapes and fashion preferences.

All of their products are manufactured in socially responsible factories, and they are currently working towards obtaining B Corp certification.

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7. Amour Vert

For: Women

Amour Vert, which translates to 'green love', is a sustainable California-based brand renowned for its stylish and contemporary clothing collections.

Their range includes an array of elegant dresses, fashionable jumpsuits, and trendy pants.

Utilizing organic cotton and other sustainable materials, they produce durable and luxurious clothing designed to stand the test of time.

Each collection is created in limited quantities to uphold the highest production standards and minimize excess waste.

Remarkably, 97% of Amour Vert’s clothing is manufactured within close proximity to their San Francisco headquarters, significantly reducing the need for extensive transportation and lowering their carbon footprint.

The brand also ensures fair wages and equitable treatment for the workers in the factories by conducting daily visits. This dedication to ethical production practices sets Amour Vert apart as a brand that prioritizes sustainability and social responsibility.

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8. Q for Quinn

For: Men, Women & Children

Q for Quinn is a brand dedicated to sustainability and safety, providing non-toxic and GOTS (Global Organic Textiles Standard) certified clothing for babies, children and adults. T

he brand's commitment to creating gentle and safe basics extends to the planet and communities as well.

Their clothing line includes seamless socks and underwear designed for the utmost comfort, especially for sensitive little ones.

What sets Q for Quinn apart is their philanthropic initiative; with every item sold, the brand donates a school meal to some of the world's most disadvantaged children through the organization Mary's Meals. This dedication to social impact adds a meaningful dimension to the brand's mission of creating safe and sustainable clothing.

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9. Colorful Standard

For: Men & Women

Looking for an eco-friendly and ethical alternative to American Apparel?

Colorful Standard offers a range of styles available in approximately 20 different colors, all dyed with Oeko-Tex® certified methods and approved by PETA.

This sustainable brand is one of Natalie’s, the founder of Sustainably Chic, favorites!

She particularly admires their Twill Shorts, sweatsuit sets, and the convenience of finding versatile wardrobe staples.

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10. Obakki

For: Women, Men, & Kids

If you’re looking for some super comfortable sustainable basics, check out Obakki’s Essentials Collection. These long- and short-sleeve tees, tanks, and hoodies are made from 100% organic cotton, have a low carbon footprint, and are produced using holistic manufacturing. That means they’re produced in small batches through sustainable partnerships with artisans. These are the perfect staple for pretty much anyone’s everyday wardrobe!

Learn more about Obakki and their Essentials Collection in this Brand Feature.

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11. Conscious Step

For: Men, Women & Children

Conscious Step offers a wide range of socks designed to support causes that align with your values and passions.

When you visit their website, you have the opportunity to select from various causes, such as ocean conservation or children's education.

By purchasing their socks, you are not only receiving a high-quality product, but also contributing a percentage of the proceeds to a partner organization dedicated to advancing the cause you care about.

Additionally, Conscious Step has recently introduced a line of kids' socks, expanding their impact to younger generations. These Fair Trade socks are crafted from clean, organic cotton by empowered producers who work in safe and fair conditions.

They are an ideal gift for individuals who are deeply passionate about specific causes and value ethical and sustainable products.

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12. Mata Traders

For: Women

Mata Traders is dedicated to the mission of fashioning a better world by crafting unique designs that not only celebrate a woman's individuality but also empower her to make a positive impact through her purchasing choices.

The company collaborates with multiple Fair Trade organizations in India and Nepal, working in partnership to provide training and employment opportunities to hundreds of skilled artisans from underprivileged communities.

Mata Traders is renowned for its vibrant and playful prints, patterns, and colors.

Their collection includes beautifully crafted printed dresses made from handwoven cotton, as well as tops adorned with intricately hand-embroidered designs, making them the perfect choice for a stylish and ethical summer wardrobe.

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13. Mightly

For: Children

This one’s for the kids, and was created by moms so we know it’s a good one! Mightly’s collection of tees, leggings, dresses, hoodies, and pajamas are Fair Trade certified in India and made out out of GOTS organic cotton and non-toxic, kid-safe dyes. They have super cute designs (many of which are gender neutral) that are created by Lili Arnold, an artist and designer based in Santa Cruz, California. What’s really unique about this organic children’s clothing brand is that you can shop by theme! So if your child loves rainbows or animals, there’s a category for that - and good news, they go from sizes 2T to 14!

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14. Nudie Jeans

For: Men, Women & Children

If on the hunt for a pair of sustainable denim jeans, Nudie Jeans would be the best place to start!

Their jeans come in 4 different fits and a range of different colors, & since 2012, all Nudie Jeans denim have been made with 100% organic cotton. The organic cotton they use is certified by GOTS, OCS, or the US Department of Agriculture (USDA Organic), depending on the origin & supplier. Apart from jeans, they offer jackets, pants, dungarees, shorts & sweatshirts, for both women & men. 

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15. Groceries Apparel

For: Women

This brand aims to redefine transparency and human responsibility by “supporting family farms, localized manufacturing, living wages, and Monsanto-free post-consumer ingredients”.

They use organic cotton in their collections, as well as eucalyptus, recycled plastic, hemp and recycled cotton, & have even used natural plant dyes in some of their collections.

From t-shirts, leggings and sweatshirts to underwear and activewear, they have everything to create easy-to-wear outfits.

They manufacture all their products in their own factory in Los Angeles to ensure their standards are fully executed and keep their supply chain as local as possible to reduce their carbon footprint. 

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16. Beaumont Organic

For: Women

British-based company Beaumont Organic is pioneering the way for sustainable fashion by introducing only two collections a year, along with a range of accessories that encompass the brands’ clean look and contemporary styling.

Their casual luxury pieces include jumpsuits, dresses and jackets, made with GOTS certified organic cotton (& other sustainable fabrics).

They also only work with factories within the EU that pay fair wages & guarantee safe working conditions for garment workers. 

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About the Author:

Sarah is a freelance writer with a focus on vegan fashion, sustainability and ethically made clothes. She campaigns for change in the fashion industry through her blog and on her Instagram page.

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Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the fashion industry a better place!

The Best Sustainable Handbag Brands

In need of a new handbag? We’ve compiled a list of our favorite sustainable & ethical handbag brands for you to shop through. There are totes, crossbody bags, shoulder bags, evening purses, and more. You can find vegan leathers made from plants (rather than virgin plastic materials), veggie-tanned leather (instead of chemically dyed), and natural materials (like cotton & straw). There is most definitely a style, size and color for everyone here!

These eco-chic bags not only make a fashion statement but also promote positive social and environmental impact. With increasing awareness about the harmful effects of fast fashion, more and more fashion-forward individuals are turning to brands that prioritize sustainability and ethics.

The Rise of Sustainable Fashion

As conscious consumerism continues to gain momentum, sustainable fashion has become a prominent trend in the industry. With a focus on sustainability and ethics, individuals are looking for alternatives to fast fashion that align with their values. One such alternative is sustainable handbags, which have emerged as a stylish and ethical option for fashion-forward individuals. These bags not only make a fashion statement but also promote positive social and environmental impact.

What makes a handbag sustainable?

We look for a few things when deciding if a brand should be listed on Sustainably Chic. The top two things are manufacturing and materials. Are the bags created ethically in safe working conditions, and are they made from materials that are kind to the planet? Transparency is essential to us, and if we cannot learn how their handbags are made, we aren’t confident sharing them with you. As mentioned above, we look for eco-friendly materials like plant-based vegan leathers, natural fibers, and veggie-tanned leather. If you are interested in learning more about sustainable fabrics, please check out these posts here.

We also want to list brands that make a quality product at an accessible price point. The point of buying a sustainable product is for it to last you many years and avoid having to replace it. We also understand that sustainable fashion brands are more expensive than conventional brands. Therefore, we search for brands whose price points are more manageable than others because you don’t have to spend $500 on a beautiful, quality handbag!

Of course, no brand is ever perfectly sustainable, but we believe these brands are genuinely working to make the fashion industry fairer for workers and plant-friendly.

to learn more about sustainable fashion - click here -

The Environmental Impact of Traditional Handbags

Traditional handbags often contribute to the fashion industry's negative environmental impact. These bags are typically made from materials like PVC and polyurethane, which are derived from fossil fuels and have a high carbon footprint. The production process for traditional handbags also involves high water usage and the release of harmful chemicals into the environment. Furthermore, the fast fashion model encourages the overconsumption and disposal of handbags, leading to significant waste generation.

Benefits of purchasing a sustainable Handbag

There are several benefits to choosing a sustainable handbag over their traditional counterparts. Firstly, sustainable handbags are made from eco-friendly materials that have a lower environmental impact. Vegan leather, for example, is produced without the need for animal hides and is sometimes made from natural and renewable plant-based materials. Additionally, sustainable handbags are designed to be durable and long-lasting, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing waste.

Secondly, sustainable handbag brands prioritize fair trade practices and ensure that workers are paid a fair wage and work in safe conditions. By supporting ethical brands, consumers contribute to a more compassionate and equitable fashion industry.

Looking for wallets? Check out this post here.

& here’s a list of all our favorite vegan handbag brands

Now, our favorite sustainable handbags:

1. Made Trade

Categories: Tote Bags, Crossbody & Belt Bags, Backpacks, Clutches & Pouches, Travel Bags, Beach Bags

Price: $19-$575

Materials: cactus leather, apple leather, veg-tanned leather, cork, organic cotton, wool, jute, rattan, palm leaves

A woman-owned and family-run company, Made Trade makes shopping sustainably easy. You can sort by specific values, like BIPOC-owned, Fair Trade, and Vegan. You shop from many different brands of ethical handbags on Made Trade, as well as clothing, shoes, furniture, and more.

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2. Able

Categories: Totes, Backpacks, Crossbody Bags, Crossbody Totes, Shoulder Bags, Clutches

Price: $40-278

Materials: Veggie-Tanned Leather

ABLE is a very transparent brand and was one of the 1st fashion brands to publish their lowest wages as part of their Lowest Wage Challenge. The leather used in their bags is vegetable-tanned to avoid using harsh chemicals during the tanning process, and artisans handcraft every bag.

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3. Nisolo

Categories: Clutches, Crossbody Bags, Totes, Backpacks, Wallets

Price: $60-170

Materials: Veggie-Tanned Leather

A certified B Corp, Nisolo ensures that everyone involved in their supply chain is paid a fair wage, and you can find out more about their specific factories (which they own & operate) right on their website. In addition, their minimalistic & beautiful designs will stand the test of time and be a staple in your closet for a long time.

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4. Sézane

Categories: Bucket Bags, Totes, Shoulder

Price: $205-475

Materials: Veggie-Tanned Leather,

Sézane, a Certified B-Corp Brand, began with the founder making adjustments to French vintage clothing and selling them online. It’s now extremely popular, & as someone who has bought a handful of items from them, I can tell you they have some of the best quality accessories and clothing. So if you love that classic French style, this will be your new favorite brand.

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5. Pixie Mood

Categories: Totes, Waist, Shoulder, Crossbody, Clutches, Bucket, Backpacks

Price: $40-130

Materials: PU & Recycled Vegan Leather

Another great (PETA-approved) vegan option, but with a more accessible price point. We don’t love PU leather, but it is better than PVC, and they even use recycled for some of their designs. Plus, all of their linings are made from recycled bottles. Finally, Pixie Mood offsets its carbon and uses biodegradable packaging.

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6. Sans Beast

Categories: Tote Bags, Crossbody Bags

Price: $24 - 296

Materials: AppleSkin™, MIRUM®, recycled PU

Discover the avant-garde world of Sans Beast.

Crafting bold and unique bags from vegan leather, they champion cruelty-free fashion while promoting transparent and ethical sourcing, setting a high standard for animal-friendly accessories.

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7. Melie Bianco

Categories: Top Handle Bags, Crossbody, Shoulder, Totes

Materials: Recycled PU

Price: $70 - 154

Melie Bianco designs vegan leather handbags that are eco-friendly and stylish. Their collection includes a wide range of trendy and classic handbags, including top handle bags, crossbody bags, shoulder bags, totes and backpacks. Melie Bianco uses recycled PU to make their bags and ensure the factories they work with uphold high safety & well-being standards as well as fair pay. 

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8. Svala

Categories: Totes, Clutches, Shoulder Bags, Backpack Purses, Crossbody

Materials: Piñatex® (Pineapple leather), MIRUM®, cork, PU, BioVeg 

Price: $130 - 298

Svala handbags are crafted in LA with materials sourced from Europe. They use a wide range of vegan leather alternatives for their handbags, and BioVeg (made from recycled polyester from plastic bottles and bio polyols). Svala donates 10% of profits to various charities and organizations, including Wild Aid, whose mission is to end the illegal wildlife trade. 

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9. Behno

Categories: Crossbody Bags, Shoulder Bags, Mini Bags, Top Handle Bags, Tote Bags, Clutches, Bucket Bags, Box Bags

Price: $75-595

Materials: LWG-certified Responsible Leather

Behno seamlessly combines style and sustainability, crafting clothing and accessories with a focus on ethical practices, fair labor, environmental consciousness, and social responsibility. With transparent supply chains and chic design, Behno offers consumers the chance to make fashion choices that benefit both people and the planet.

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10. HYER GOODS

Categories: Bucket, Shoulder, Crossbody, Fanny & Belt Packs

Price: $120-355

Materials: Upcycled, Deadstock Leathers

HYER GOODS is a brand that offers accessories made of leather and fabric sourced from deadstock materials and factory scraps, which helps keep these materials from ending up in landfills! Instead, their luxury leftovers are abandoned by big luxury brands & rescued by them and consist of pebbled leathers, Italian crocs, etc. And their deadstock leathers are made in India from fashion industry leftovers.

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11. The Tote Project

Categories: Tote Bags, Pouches

Price: $22-32

Materials: Organic Cotton

The Tote Project donates 10% of gross profits to Two Wings to support survivors of human trafficking in the US.

Plus, they partner with factories that support women survivors. Every tote is handmade by Oasis Bags in a sustainable factory in India from fair-trade certified cotton.

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12. Allégorie

Categories: Totes, Backpacks

Price: $68-325

Materials: Apple, Mango & Cactus Leather

A leather handbag made from fruit?! Allégorie uses waste from mangos, apples, and sustainably-harvested cacti leaves to create a line of handbags that you would never know weren’t genuine leather. Their quality is impressive and an excellent way to avoid waste in the food industry!

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By embracing sustainable fashion and making a conscious choice to support ethical handbag brands, individuals can contribute to a cleaner and greener planet while promoting a more compassionate and equitable fashion industry. Upgrade your accessory game with sustainable handbags that combine luxury, style, and a commitment to a better world. It's a win-win situation!

& as always - love & take care of what you already have

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The Best Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Wallets for 2023

Although digital wallets are gaining popularity, most of us still use physical wallets to store our credit cards, cash, ID and a few other essentials. 

Wallets are a staple item we carry everywhere with us, and they’re as important as our phone and keys when we’re out and about. Many people also see wallets as a fashion accessory that can make them look stylish and distinctive. 

Unfortunately, so many companies produce poor-quality wallets, in an unethical way and using unsustainable materials. Those tend to wear out quickly and barely last a year.

Investing in a high-quality wallet is a great way to ensure it will last for years, and that we will not lose our hard-earned money. 

It’s also important to choose wallets that aren’t hurting the planet or the people who make them. In recent years, more and more brands have been selling high-quality and sustainably made wallets, so we have no excuse.

Here, we’ve compiled 14 sustainable wallet brands for men and women to help you find a wallet you’ll love and use for years to come!

WHAT MAKES a WALLET SUSTAINABLE?

A sustainable wallet is a wallet that you’ll be able to use for years without replacing it. It’s also made using sustainable materials, and in a way that is not detrimental to the environment. 

The wallet brand needs to be transparent about how and where it’s making its products. And it should be paying its employees fair wages and ensuring safe working conditions. 

WHAT ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS SHOULD YOU SEARCH FOR?

Many high-quality wallets are made of leather, as it is one of the most durable materials. While leather can be very unsustainable, you can choose one that is more eco-friendly and ethical. 

Opt for leather that is a by-product of the meat industry, and one that is vegetable-tanned and Gold-rated by the Leather Working Group. This organization grants its Gold certification to only the most sustainable tanneries and promotes ethical leather production.

There are also vegan leathers that are made from plant-based materials, like fruits or trees. You can find wallets made from apple peels, pineapples, mangos or cacti! 

Cork is another eco-friendly material for wallets, but you cannot go wrong purchasing one made of recycled polyester or recycled nylon. Some companies even make wallets out of discarded plastic items! 

OUR TOP PICKS FOR PRACTICAL, SUSTAINABLE WALLETS:

1) Able

For: Women

Materials: Leather 

Price: $45-130

Able is a fashion brand that empowers and employs women to help them get out of poverty. Initially, the company offered jobs to Ethiopian women coming out of the commercial sex industry. The brand sells a variety of wallets in different neutral colors, giving them a classy, chic and timeless style. Made in Ethiopia or Mexico, they all have many pockets for storing cards and cash. You can even carry your phone in most of them. 

Able’s wallets are made of leather that is a by-product of the meat industry, and the tanneries producing it are part of the Leather Working Group. 

The company’s Ethiopian partners also use 100% recycled water and a closed process system to reduce their environmental impact.

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2) Nisolo

For: Men & Women

Materials: Leather

Price: $50-100

Nisolo is a footwear brand creating shoes and accessories for women and men. 

The brand sells a women’s wallet made of vegetable-tanned leather that becomes even more beautiful as it ages.

Handmade in Peru and available in three classic colors, it’s the perfect everyday wallet with pockets for cash and credit cards, and a zippered pouch.  

Nisolo also makes a bifold wallet for men, available in three different shades of brown. It’s made of leather in an ethical factory in Mexico.

95% of the brand’s leather originates from Leather Working Group certified tanneries, which meet the highest standards of environmental responsibility in the industry. 

Nisolo is a certified B Corporation, and entirely climate-neutral. The company is very transparent about where its CO2 emissions come from and where its factories are located.

use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC20 for 20% off your purchase

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3) Pixie Mood

For: Women

Materials: Vegan Leather (Recycled Options)

Price: $22-100

A great (PETA-approved) vegan option, but with a more accessible price point. We don’t love PU leather, but it is better than PVC, and they even use recycled for most of their wallets (which we prefer!). Plus, all of their linings are made from recycled bottles. Finally, Pixie Mood offsets its carbon and uses biodegradable packaging.

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4) Bellroy

For: Gender Neutral

Materials: (Vegan Leather) Mirum, LWG Leather

Price: $55-179

Based in Melbourne, Australia, these wallets are crafted from premium, durable materials that feel great in your hand and age beautifully as the years go by.

Besides the LWG Leather, they also use Mirum (a vegan leather-like material) for one of their classic wallets here.

In addition, Bellroy works with the Centre for Effective Altruism to support some not-for-profit projects, is transparent about the efforts to improve their sustainability, and works hard to be a positive place to work.

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5) O My Bag

For: Men & Women

Materials: Leather 

Price: $42-96

O My Bag is a Dutch brand creating high-quality leather bags for women and men. 

The brand offers a huge variety of wallets and cardholders, in many colors, shapes and styles. You can also choose from different types of leather, according to your preferences. These wallets are all made of premium quality leather that is tanned without the use of harmful chemicals. Instead, the leather is tanned naturally using vegetable tannins.

O My Bag offsets 100% of its carbon emissions from shipping. It donates part of its profits to support projects around India, promoting women empowerment and education. 

The company also has a pre-loved program featuring an online marketplace where you can buy second-hand O My Bag products. You can find many wallets there at a discounted price!

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6) Ekster

For: Men

Materials: Leather, Aluminum, Recycled Car Windshields

Price: $31-250

Ekster is an innovative brand creating wallets and other accessories for men. Its wallets are made of genuine top-grain leather, and are available in a variety of textures, models and colors. 

The brand’s leather is a by-product of the meat industry, and it gets better over time. It is sustainably sourced from American hides that have been processed at Gold-rated tanneries. 

The leather is processed using an innovative technology that helps save huge amounts of water, reduces the need to use chemicals, and lowers wastewater production. 

Ekster also sells a vegan wallet made from recycled car windshields, as well as cardholders. All the brand’s accessories can be paired with a solar-powered tracking technology to make sure you do not lose your wallet.  

The company became climate-neutral in 2021, and it’s been making progress towards receiving a B Corp certification.

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7) Allégorie

For: Men & Women

Materials: (Vegan Leather) Apple Peels, Mangos, Cactus Leaves, Recycled Plastic

Price: $165-198

Allégorie is a women-owned company that creates bags and wallets for women and men, using food waste. The brand sells a large variety of wallets and cardholders for all budgets. They are made with upcycled discarded fruits from grocery stores and juice factories. You can choose models made from apple peels, mangos or cactus leaves. How cool is that?!

Allégorie also utilizes other eco-friendly materials, like post-consumer recycled plastic and non-edible crops. Unlike most vegan leathers, Allégorie’s materials are 100% PVC-free. They’re made using cruelty-free, bio-based, fair trade and non-toxic chemicals that are certified by Oeko-Tex, PETA, USDA and the World Fair Trade Organization.

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8) Svala

For: Women

Materials: (Vegan Leather) Pineapple Leaf Fiber, Polyurethane, Cork, Organic Cotton, Recycled Polyester

Price: $55-250

Svala creates luxury, vegan handbags and accessories that are handcrafted in Los Angeles, using premium and innovative fabrics. 

The brand sells wallets that have a detachable silver chain strap so that you can use them as a small handbag if you want to. They’re made from PVC-free vegan materials like polyurethane, pineapple leaf fiber or cork. 

Svala also creates vegan cardholders for when you prefer a lighter and smaller option. The inside of each wallet is lined with organic cotton and recycled polyester made from plastic bottles. 

Svala is PETA-approved and offsets its carbon footprint from shipping. It also donates 10% of its profits to charities, including Wild Aid, whose mission is to end the illegal wildlife trade.

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9) Poppy Barley

For: Men & Women

Materials: LWG Leather

Price: $46-188

Poppy Barley is a Canadian brand and B-Corporation founded by two sisters in Edmonton, AB. Their company is committed to rethinking every step to create sustainably made, fairly-priced products designed to be worn on repeat. From simple cardholders to passport holders, they have a design fit for every lifestyle.

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10) BEEN London

For: Women

Materials: Recycled Leather 

Price: $38-70

BEEN London creates beautiful bags, backpacks and wallets. It uses recycled materials, including tannery off-cut leather, plastic bottles, discarded clothes, pineapple leaves and apple skins. 

The brand sells a wallet in three colors that offers plenty of space for bills, cards and coins. It is handcrafted from full-grain premium recycled leather that doesn’t scratch or show signs of wear easily.

BEEN London also sells a small coin purse made from recycled leather, which is perfect for minimalists! The recycled leather the brand uses is made from tannery off-cuts and trimmings that would have been discarded. 

All the brand’s products are handmade by artisans in London, and the company is certified Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex. 

For every product purchased, BEEN London plants a tree in partnership with Tree Nation.

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11) A_C

For: Women

Materials: (Vegan Leather) Cactus Leaf Fiber

Price: $87

A_C was founded with a mission to create sustainable and cruelty-free bags, using materials like cactus and pineapple leaf fibers. 

The brand sells two wallets, one in black and one in white, that are elegant, sophisticated and functional. They have different card slots and are roomy enough for a mobile phone. They even have a detachable custom chain so that you can clip it to your bag or hip. 

A_C’s wallets are made with cactus leather, which is created using the mature leaves of prickly pear cacti. I love how cool and unique this material is! The inner fabric inside these wallets is made of 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. 

The brand’s wallets are PETA-approved, and for every A_C product sold, the company plants a mangrove in partnership with Sea Trees.

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12) Recycled Firefighter

For: Men 

Materials: Recycled Fire Hose

Price: $25-49

Recycled FireFighter was created by a firefighter who understood how durable fire hoses are, and decided to make recycled wallets and backpacks out of them. 

The brand sells four types of wallets, all handmade from recycled fire hoses that are saved from the landfill. They have a simple design for them to be carried around comfortably on a daily basis. 

The great thing about fire hoses is that they are very sturdy and durable, so the brand’s wallets are made to last and stand the test of time. 

The company makes its wallets in small batches in the USA. I love the brand’s approach, and how unique and cool repurposing fire hoses to create accessories is! 

Between 2014 and 2016, Recycled FireFighter saved and repurposed over 15,000 feet of decommissioned fire hose!

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13) Baggu

For: Gender-neutral

Materials: Recycled Nylon, Leather

Price: $28-30

Even though Baggu used to create reusable shopping bags, it is now making all kinds of accessories, pouches, hats and home goods. 

The brand sells gender-neutral wallets that are affordable, which is perfect if you’re on a budget! Baggu’s trifold wallet is available in three colors, and has a loop so that you can clip it to your keys. It is made using recycled nylon, one of the best alternatives to conventional nylon. 

You can also choose a simple circular leather wallet with two card slots and a center compartment for bills and coins.

When Baggu’s products wear out, you can ship them back to the company so that they get recycled, repurposed or donated to non-profit organizations.

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14) Tree Tribe

For: Gender Neutral

Materials: (Vegan Leather) Tree Leaves 

Price: $25-50

Tree Tribe is an outdoor lifestyle brand that creates drinkware, clothing and accessories for women and men. The brand sells wallets and cardholders that are handmade using leaf leather, an innovative plant-based leather made from tree leaves. It is water-resistant and as durable as real leather. This plant-based leather is made using fallen Teak leaves, which means that no trees are harmed during the production process.

The brand also started selling wallets made with banana leaf leather. I love that we can see that Tree Tribe’s wallets are made from tree leaves; it is so fun and beautiful! 

The company has partnered with environmental organizations to plant one tree for each purchase of a Tree Tribe product. So far, over 450,000 trees have been planted in 12 countries.

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15) Corkor

For: Men & Women

Materials: (Vegan Leather) Cork

Price: $33-95

Corkor is a brand that makes unique vegan bags, wallets and accessories out of cork. The brand offers a beautiful selection of wallets and cardholders for women and men, in different colors. They are all handmade in Portugal by local artisans who use traditional craftsmanship techniques. Corkor’s wallets are made in small batches from 100% cork. The brand’s cork material looks, feels and behaves like leather, but it is PETA-approved.

The cork leather is certified, ensuring the conservation of cork oak forests. It is obtained by removing the outer bark of the tree, without harming it. The bark replenishes, so cork can be harvested time and time again. 

Read this blog post for an in-depth explanation of why cork is such a sustainable and great material!

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16) Rydal

For: Men

Materials: Leather 

Price: $90-132

Rydal is a brand selling high-quality bags and wallets for men, combining British design, Spanish craftsmanship and Italian leather. 

The company makes a few wallets and cardholders, available in multiple colors.

Made in Spain using traditional and artisanal skills and techniques, they’re all functional and beautifully designed. 

All Rydal’s wallets are made from vegetable-tanned leather, meaning that it is naturally tanned by tree and plant extracts. They all come with the Guarantee Label of the Genuine Italian Vegetable Tanned Leather Consortium, which certifies the traceability and quality of Tuscan vegetable-tanned leather. 

Rydal’s wallets also come with RFID protection to protect debit and credit cards against card skimming. I love how transparent the brand is about how and where exactly its products are made!

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About the Author

Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle. She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.

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Sustainable Outdoor Clothing Brands

Spending time in nature is such a special way to remind ourselves of the beauty of this planet, and our responsibility to care for it and those living on it. That being said, many of the clothes that make spending time in the great outdoors more comfortable can often be harmful to the planet, as well as the people who made them, and animals. Luckily, there are some excellent sustainable outdoor clothing brands.

What makes outdoor clothing unsustainable?

Synthetic Fibers

The clothes that are made to keep us comfortable outside are often made of both virgin synthetic material and animal-derived materials. If we start with synthetics, here’s what we know: virgin synthetic fibers used to make leggings, rain jackets, coats and thermals, as well as winter warmers like fleeces, are made from plastic. 

In fact, about 60% of clothes made today are made from petroleum. Even before we talk about what this means when it comes to washing our clothes, this is a problem. These synthetic, petroleum-based materials fund the incredibly environmentally harmful mining industry. In 2015 alone, more than 330 million barrels of oil were used to make cheap nylon, polyester, acrylic and other synthetic fibers. So when we talk about the need to move away from fossil fuels for the sake of the climate, that means in the fashion industry, too.

Synthetics are an issue too, because they shed non-biodegradable, plastic microfibers into the waterways, and ultimately the ocean, when we wash them. 

Animal-derived materials

When it comes to animal-derived materials like wool, leather and down used in thermals, jackets, coats and accessories, environmental issues are also largely tied up in climate impact and greenhouse gas emissions. The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations says that the farming of animals is one of today’s most serious environmental problems, requiring urgent action. Animal-derived materials are the most harmful to our climate, according to the best available data.

This is not only due to the fact that farmed animals and their waste release methane into the atmosphere, but because animal agriculture is land-intensive, requiring more land to be cleared to produce less material than could be made with plant-based, recycled, bio-based or in the future, lab-grown materials. When we clear land, we release carbon, and we also stop carbon from being sequestered (soaked in and stored) by the vegetation that could have been growing there.

Mass Production

The last thing to consider around sustainability in the realm of outdoor clothing is mass production. Brands that are producing endless amounts of clothing – no matter what they are made of – aren’t sustainable, as 33% of clothing made every year is sent unsold, directly to landfill. Here, clothes break down, releasing more greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

What makes outdoor clothing unethical?

When we think about outdoor clothing that is sustainable, we also need to consider the ethics of how they are made – because we can’t sustain the unjust treatment of garment workers, or the exploitation of animals in fashion. 

Some outdoor brands continue to use even the most controversial animal-derived materials, like fur, to line their coats and jackets, while materials like down and wool are far more common. These materials are all made in industries which harm and ultimately kill animals – even wool, despite common misperception. 

Many outdoor clothing brands also use unjust and exploitative labor. Around the world, just 2% of garment workers are paid a living wage that covers their basic needs like food, clean water, shelter and medical care. Garment workers are also often made to work in unsafe conditions, and in a workforce made up largely of women of colour, unfortunately incidences of harassment and assault are common, too. It’s important we consider not only what our outdoor clothes are made of, but who made them.

Luckily, there are plenty of excellent outdoor clothing brands that consider and respect the planet, and everyone living on it! Below are some of the clothing brands that we love most for when we need some great clothes to suit the great outdoors.

Outdoor clothing brands we love:

1) Patagonia

Patagonia is one of those brands almost everyone knows of, and for good reason. The brand, which offers a wide range of outdoor clothing and gear, has long been a trailblazer for the sustainable and ethical fashion movement.

Having written a living wage standard into their code of conduct for the sake of garment workers, and using recycled and organic materials, including many which are clearly labelled to be animal-free, Patagonia has great options. Some of their quilted jackets are filled with PrimaLoft, the most sustainable, recycled jacket filling available, while many of their Fair Trade fleeces are made of recycled materials, too.

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2) Apricoat

Apricoat loves the planet, and knows you do too, offering stylish, sustainable and functional gear for any and every adventure. All products are made from 100% recycled materials with as much as 300 plastic bottles per jacket, and can also be sent across the globe with carbon-free shipping. Apricoat products are also produced based on waste reduction and spoilage free practices (pre-orders), and meets the fair labor factory certifications. The community based brand offers more of the most innovative adventure gear yet.

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3) Outerknown

Pro surfer Kelly Slater is behind this Fair Labor Association accredited brand which makes garments that 90% of the time, are made of recycled, organic and ‘regenerative’ materials.

The brand, which has lots of animal-free and sustainable options, has fleeces, rain jackets, activewear like leggings, joggers and shorts, and a bunch of other great garments.

Plus, the company works with three partners that are certified through Fair Trade USA.

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4) Ecoalf

This brand caters to people of all genders, and children, too! The brand uses a whole range of sustainable materials like those made from recycled plastic bottles, fishing nets and tires, as well as recycled cotton, nylon and more. Talk about champion recyclers! 

This brand labels which of their garments are vegan, has certifications to show their social responsibility and safe work environment for garment workers, and is all round cool. We particularly love their range of 100% recycled puffer jackets, and comfortable basics.

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5) Embassy of Bricks & Logs

This brand offers a range of quilted jackets, raincoats, and basics.

The brand, which offers feminine and masculine styles, prides themselves on producing ‘premium ethical attire’. 

Designing for longevity with recycled, organic and other more sustainable, animal-free materials. Made ethically across small factories in China and Germany, this brand is dedicated to continually becoming more transparent and fair.

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6) Save the Duck

Using recycled and innovative materials, this brand has created advanced outdoor clothing that has seen the top of Mount Everest.

A certified B-Corp, this ethical, animal-free and sustainable brand is ticking all the boxes.

The brand offers clothes for men, women and children, like rain jackets, puffer jackets, ‘athleisure’ and more.

In 2019, PETA awarded them the Company of the Year!

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7) Finisterre

Finisterre is a pioneering, sustainable outdoor brand, built to inspire a love of the sea and anchored in exceptional product.’

This brand is B-Corp certified, and extremely transparent about their ethical manufacturing processes. 

Using lots of great materials worth looking for in their collection like Tencel, organic and recycled cotton, hemp, and recycled synthetics, the brand makes base layers, basics, rain jackets, puffers, beanies and more.

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About the Author
Emma Håkansson is the founder and director of Collective Fashion Justice which seeks to create a total ethics fashion system that prioritizes the life and wellbeing of non-human & human animals, as well as the planet, before profit & production. She has written countless articles on ethics, sustainability, and fashion, and has two books due out over the next two years.

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