Today I’m sharing some of my favorite conscious clothing brands to help you begin (or continue) your journey towards living more sustainably! All of these companies are brands I own and love, and are in one way or another committed to ethical, conscious, and/or sustainable living through the use of recycled materials, fair wages, ethical labor, organic fabrics, and/or eco-friendly practices. This post contains affiliate links.
Let’s talk clothes. If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve noticed my passion for sustainability evolve past what I put on my plate to include reducing my plastic consumption and, finally, to taking a good hard look at what’s in my closet and the products I want to fill it with moving forward.
Actually, it’s really evolved to taking a good hard look at my consumption in general, and making the active decision to buy less. To want less. To only buy things that are going to last me several years, and accepting that it will cost more money to buy those products than it would to buy their cheaply made counterparts, which I would end up needing to replace several times before the higher quality one wears out.
Like any journey, it all starts with small steps. I’m not suggesting you go out and spend $1,000 on a new, entirely sustainable wardrobe today. I’m just hoping that, next time you need a new tank top, or your current favorite pair of jeans wears out, or you’re in the market for a new pair of shoes, you’ll take one tiny step towards a more earth-friendly closet by purchasing just one item from the companies below. Then, the next time you need something new, you’ll get another. And before you know it, you’ll open up your closet and find it filled with organic cotton shirts, sustainably produced leggings, super comfy and eco-friendly underwear, the cutest second-hand dresses, and cruelty-free shoes.
Maybe, like me, you’ll even find yourself less interested in shopping in general; somehow satisfied more by owning and enjoying less. So, let’s get started. Here are some of my absolute favorite conscious clothing companies to help you start your journey towards building a more sustainable wardrobe.
PACT.
Great for: leggings, underwear, bralettes, and basics like tanks and tees.
Why I love them: Everything is so soft! They use 100% organic cotton, fair trade labor, and non-toxic dyes. They have a very short product list, which I actually love because it’s less overwhelming when trying to decide what to buy. Kevin loves their socks, tees and underwear, too. Save 20% on their website through this link!
UNITED BY BLUE.
Great for: Tees, tanks, and hiking/outdoor gear.
Why I love them: Everything is designed to be durable, so you won’t ever need to buy another one. They use organic and recycled materials in 100% of their products, and for every purchase they remove 1lb of waste from our world’s oceans and waterways. It’s a total win win situation when you get the softest organic cotton tees and tanks and they do the hard work of helping to clean up the 8 million tons of plastic that enter our waterways each year (yes, that’s actually the real number). You can save $5 off your purchase on their site with this link!
ALTERNATIVE APPAREL.
Great for: The softest sweatshirt and sweatpants, cute + comfy tees and tanks, and dresses.
Why I love them: Everything is made from organic cotton or recycled polyester, they ship in compostable bags, and are committed to fair labor practices and reducing waste on the corporate end. Their clothes also always fit me perfectly, and are so soft! I love their bundle packs of tees and tanks, which is a more affordable option if you know you’ll want multiple. Kevin literally lives in their men’s sweatpants and tees. Save 20% on their website with this link!
THREADS 4 THOUGHT.
Great for: Activewear, leggings, and colorful shirts and dresses.
Why I love them: Unlike most other sustainable clothing companies, T4T is a fashion brand; they have fun colors and patterns, whereas most others tend to only have neutrals (a girl can only live in so much black, white, and grey, you know?). They also have sales frequently, which makes T4T much more affordable!
TOM’S
Great for: Comfy sandals, low-profile sneakers, and their classic slip-ons.
Why I love them: Tom’s last forever, and can be tossed in the washing machine if they get dirty; they also always have fun new patterns (like their new Disney-inspired line!!). Tom’s isn’t just a shoe company, it’s a movement based on giving back to underserved communities across the country and world. What started as ‘buy a pair of shoes and we’ll give one to a kid in need’ has evolved into an organization that provides shoes, clean water, access to education, eyeglasses, and safe births to women and children in need worldwide.
Target’s A NEW DAY line:
Great for: Shorts, pants, dresses, and business-appropriate attire.
Why I love them: Everything is made from recycled materials, and they have a much wider range of size options and more affordable prices (since, hello, it’s Target). They also have some great professional-wear that I own and love. And, while this isn’t the most conscious option, since you’re still spending money at a corporation that, besides this specific fashion line, is not working towards sustainability, I wholeheartedly believe that every little thing counts; it’s all about the baby steps. If Target’s sustainable line of clothing is where you’re at, you’re still taking a step in the right direction!
PATAGONIA.
Great for: Outdoor gear of any kind, and leggings.
Why I love them: Patagonia is the industry standard in fair trade/ethical clothing- they are committed to sustainability and traceability with all of their products, and even have a new second-hand marketplace called “Worn Wear” where you can buy their gently-used clothing for less than the original. They also have the best winter jackets, rain gear, leggings, and clothing for literally any type of outdoor activity you want to do. (I don’t earn commission off purchases directly though their website, but if you want to buy Patagonia products through Backcountry.com, another great outdoor gear website, I earn affiliate commissions there. Feel free to purchase through either, but if you’re looking to support my blog with your purchase, I would greatly appreciate if you bought your newest Patagonia gear via this link to Back Country. Thanks!!)
EVERLANE.
Great for: Jeans that will last forever and jackets made from recycled plastic bottles (yes, really!).
Why I love them: Everlane is 100% committed to ethically sourcing their labor, and make all of their factory conditions available on their website. I love their honesty and transparency as a company, and they also make the best (albeit expensive, but worth it if it’s the only pair you’ll buy in the next decade!) jeans. They also have the prettiest minimal tote purses, chic cashmere sweaters, and clothes that look great on lots of body types. Update: I’m also in love with their new “Renew” Line of jackets made from recycled plastic bottles. I just bought the lightweight puffer jacket in white and am loving it!
THRIFT SHOPPING.
Great for: literally everything (also, the cheapest cast iron skillets!)
Why I love it: Purchasing second-hand makes a huge impact on overall waste by keeping clothing out of landfills. It also means you’ll spend less money, find unique, original pieces that no one else has, and can even snag a few kitchen items, furniture or random old books while you’re there. There are also online thrift shops like ThredUp and most areas have a Facebook Page dedicated to thrifting, too. And, unlike the stigma that surrounds thrift shopping, the clothes are not remotely dirty, tattered, or ‘cheap’ looking- in fact, I usually find it to be exactly the opposite. Jeans and tees are already fashionably worn-in, and everything is completely clean and stain-free.
Well, that’s it! I hope these brands + shopping options help inspire you to start making more sustainable choices when it comes to your wardrobe. Do you have any other like-minded companies that you love for clothing? Leave a comment below to share your faves!
XO, Chelsea