Sustainability has been a buzzword for several years, with the latest spotlight shining on the fashion industry. Cheap, trendy clothes, known as “fast fashion”, use toxic textile dyes and materials to mass-produce clothing that last just a season or two. Once worn, they often end up in the trash, creating a huge amount of waste.

Even worse, fast-fashion clothes are often made with synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and acrylic that will sit in a landfill for a very long time before they degrade. Even if natural fibers are used, they’ve been bleached, dyed, or covered with chemicals — none of which are good for the environment.

But, we aren’t totally doomed! Eco-friendly clothing brands are on the rise. Companies are starting to pay attention to sustainable manufacturing practices and their environmental impact. While a bit pricier, we believe that eco-friendly clothing brands are totally worth the extra money. They’re higher quality, non-toxic and environmentally-friendly. Here are affordable ethical clothing brands that we totally love:

https://www.outdoorvoices.com/

This company creates apparel for active lives, but with eco-conscious, sustainable materials. Their Rec Poly material is even made from up-cycled post-consumer water bottles. That’s athleisure making a difference!

https://www.hm.com/conscious-sustainable-style

Even though H&M is a huge brand, their conscious line is a budget-friendly way to buy sustainable clothing. H&M has a sustainability page on their website that outlines their strategy to lead the change towards a more sustainable fashion industry.

https://ecovibestyle.com/

This shop is powered by 100% renewable energy, and focuses on sustainable fabrics that are ethically produced. They use bamboo, modal, tencel, cork, and recycled polyester to make their clothing. They’re also members of 1% For the Planet, a global organization helping to save the environment.

https://wearpact.com

This Fair Trade Factory Certified company uses ethical practices and only sources 100% organic cotton since it’s better for the planet. They offer clothes for the whole family, plus bed and bath textiles.

https://www.fairindigo.com/

Fair Indigo is fair trade, uses organic cotton, and certified earth-friendly dyes. In addition, they eliminated hang tags and use packaging that is fully biodegradable! On top of that? Free shipping!

https://www.winterwaterfactory.com/

Built on core values of promoting sustainability and manufacturing ethics, this Brooklyn-based company specializes in screen printed textiles and organic kids’ clothing. Every item is crafted from 100% organic cotton and made in the USA.

https://www.peopletree.co.uk/

People Tree clothing is a bit more expensive, but they’ve been a sustainable Fair Trade company since 1991. They offer contemporary, versatile designs with playful, exclusive prints. All clothes are dyed using low impact dyes and free from harmful chemicals. They use natural materials, avoiding plastic and toxic substances.

Everyone has a responsibility to do their bit to help save the environment. By choosing to buy eco-friendly clothing, you support fair trade, reduce toxic waste, and minimize contact with harmful chemicals. A win-win for you and the planet!