8 Ethical Fashion Brands That Won’t Break The Bank
Looking good doesn’t have to come at the cost of your morals, or your money. Fast fashion brands have dominated the fashion industry because of their low price points and trendy styles. However, there are plenty much more high-quality, ethical, and sustainable brands to shop from without going over your budget. Check out our list of great ethical fashion brands below!
Veja
If you haven’t heard of Veja by now, then you are definitely missing out. Veja is a French shoe label that infuses quality and ethics at every level of production. Veja uses sustainable and organic sources for their raw materials, and fair-trade work practices throughout all levels of production. Most shoes are made from ecologically sourced leather tanned with natural plant dyes, but they also offer a wide variety of vegan shoes as well.
The best thing about Veja is that they fill a niche in the small pool of ethical fashion brands by providing shoes specifically designed for an athletic lifestyle. Their designs are also very reminiscent of other popular shoe brands like Nike and Adidas, and their price points are similar too! So next time you’re looking for a new pair of sneakers, consider Veja!
Pact
Pact specializes in basics, but it is anything but basic. Pact brands themselves as “Earth’s favorite clothing”, and when exploring their website, it’s not hard to see why. Like many of the other ethical fashion brands on this list, Pact uses organic and sustainable raw materials, and fair trade manufacturing practices to make its clothes. What is special about Pact is their surprisingly low prices and their wide selection, they even offer bedding! Pact is an amazing place to build up your wardrobe with ethically sourced clothes you’ll wear all the time!
ABLE
ABLE is based in the heartland of Tennessee, USA. But while their styles are All-American, their impact spans all over the world. ABLE is especially committed to empowering women by creating transformative opportunities in the fashion industry. Through their employment, ABLE has helped break the cycle of poverty for women across the globe. In addition to apparel, ABLE also sells jewelry, bags, and shoes, and their price range aligns with those of other medium to high-end fashion brands. ABLE commitment to women makes it stand out in the mix of ethical fashion brands!
Alternative Apparel
Alternative Apparel is a very eco-conscious brand that continuously strives to improve their practices. They not only source sustainable and environmentally-friendly materials, but they also use a lot of recycled materials to lessen waste. Alternative Apparel’s first commitment is always to the environment, so they’re also not afraid of showcasing competitor brands on their site in the name of sustainability. What could be more ethical than that?
Alternative Apparel specializes in athletic and active wear, but offers a good range of loungewear as well. When compared to competitors, Alternative Apparel is actually around the same price or cheaper than most other high quality athletic brands. The price might be a bit more steep when compared with similar fast fashion items, but the extra cost is well worth it for their quality and Alternative Apparel’s clothes’ softness, so if you don’t know what to buy, their sweatshirts are highly recommended!
Levi’s
Levi’s is already an established and super popular company known for being the world leader in denim, but what you probably didn’t know is that they are also a leader for ethical fashion brands. They are committed to sustainability, and leading the industry with innovations to reduce resource waste during the production process. Levi’s also gives back a lot to its workers and its community.
Despite their increasing philanthropy, Levi’s prices remain as classic and unchanged as their styles. If you don’t have a good pair of Levi’s in your closet already, then this is another great reason to get some. In fact, get several pairs! They have jeans in all different styles and colors, plus denim jackets and other apparel that will fit perfectly into anyone’s wardrobe!
Thought Clothing
Thought Clothing is one of the pricier ethical fashion brands, but the quality is well worth it. (The price point is about comparable to a store like The Gap). Based in the UK, Thought Clothing, like many others, promotes sustainable use of resources, especially organic fabrics, and fair wages and working conditions for their employees and suppliers.
Thought Clothing focuses on making classic styles with high quality to produce ethical pieces you’ll wear for a long time. Additionally, they also sell jewelry, home goods, and they have a special loungewear line! If you don’t know what to buy, check out ther fun collection of sustainably made socks in tons of colors and patterns!
Fair Indigo
Although most sustainable and ethical fashion brands are focused on producing clothes that will last, Fair Indigo is especially committed to clothing longevity. Their “forever organic” t-shirts are famous for their comfort and their ability to last over five years! They guarantee such quality by partnering with artisans for perfectly handcrafted products. The clothes’ price points are equally as astounding as their production, offering very fair prices with few items going over even $100.
Fair Indigo has a special partnership with producers in Peru. They source the finest pima cotton from local farms with fair trade practices, and employ local artisans to craft their clothes. Fair Indigo saves the environment and creates jobs for those who need them most! Another fun fact is that they also sell really cute organic and hand knit stuffed animals!
People Tree
Lastly, People Tree is one of the oldest veterans among ethical fashion brands. Based in the UK, People Tree has been operating for almost 30 years! They are recognized in the fashion industry at large as a pioneer for ethical and sustainable fashion, with a mission statement focused on “respecting people and the planet”.
People Tree products are a bit pricey and they only offer clothes labeled for women; however, unlike many of the other ethical fashion brands on this list, People Tree offers a wide selection of stylish and contemporary styles. That way, you can shop ethically and stay on trend!
