What Are the Best Ethical Clothing Brands?
Some of the best ethical clothing brands include Stella McCartney, Chloé, Komodo, Ninety Percent, and Finisterre. These brands combine stylish design with verified commitments to fair wages, sustainable materials, and reduced environmental impact. This guide covers 20 of the most fashionable and planet-friendly options available.
Sustainable fashion has gone from strength to strength in recent years. These days, ethically sourced clothing is often very stylish. More and more consumers are rejecting fast fashion in favor of eco friendly alternatives. Here are 20 of the best ethical clothing brands for women, that are fashionable and friendly to the planet.
Ethical Clothing Definition
You may have heard of slow food and slow travel, but have you heard of slow fashion? Basically, ethical clothing is the opposite of fast fashion, and aims to counteract manufacturing issues such as:
- Low wages
- Poor working conditions
- Forced and child labor
- Use of toxic chemicals and pesticides
- Water usage
- Animal cruelty
What Is Ethical Fashion?
The guiding principles behind ethical fashion are to improve working conditions and reduce environmental impact. Some of the ways in which this can be achieved are by:
- Using sustainable or long lasting fabric
- Sourcing and producing clothing locally
- Using recycled materials where possible
- Reducing the number of styles per collection
- Ensuring fair working conditions and wages
- Mimizing environmental damage by eliminating harmful chemicals
- Reducing water usage
- Protecting animal rights
Fast Fashion Facts
When we look at fast fashion statistics, it’s a shocking story:
- 1,600 chemicals – used in dyeing processes. Only 16 of these are EPA-approved.
- 2,700 liters of water – required to produce one cotton t shirt.
- 1,800 gallons of water – needed to produce one pair of jeans.
- 35% of microplastics in the oceans – are from the laundry of synthetic textiles (IUCN report).
- 200 years – the time it can take clothing from polyester to break down in landfill.
- 85% of plastic pollution in the sea – is from microfibers in synthetic clothing (Dr. Mark Browne, Professor of Ecology, UNSW).
- $550 – the value of unworn clothing in an average woman’s closet (VoucherCloud survey).
- 81 pounds of clothing – disposed of by the average American every year. 85% of this ends up in landfill (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
- 35 days – the average duration that we keep fast fashion garments, generally worn less than 5 times (Forbes).
- 3/5 of clothing – ends up in landfill or an incinerator within a year of being produced (McKinsey report).
Ethical Clothing Consumer Tips
It’s great that clothing companies are starting to address these issues, but how can you make a difference as a consumer?
- Pick only clothes that you intend to keep for a long time
- Rent, repair and repurpose your clothing
- Donate or sell items that you no longer use
- Check the labels and do your research before purchasing
- Consider buying vintage clothing
- Choose natural fabrics such as bamboo, hemp or sustainably grown cotton
- Adapt your laundry regime to use full loads, pick biodegradable detergents and dry on a line where possible
If you’re a UK based ethical clothing brand or a fashion influencer with an interest in sustainability, why not join Influence for Good. This groundbreaking community aims to encourage collaborations between top ethical companies and content creators, and to give sustainable practices the consumer visibility that they deserve.
Ethical Clothing Brands
Consumers are increasingly interested in where their clothes come from and in what conditions they have been made. According to a recent survey by Oeko-Tex Association, 69 percent of millennials (born from 1977 to 1995) look for eco-friendly or sustainable fashion.
Another survey by Nielsen found that 73 percent of millennials are willing to pay more for sustainable garments, compared to 66% of consumers as a whole. Here are a few sustainable clothing brands that are making positive strides.
1. Chloé
The Parisian house became the first luxury maison to earn B Corp status in 2021, and it was recertified with a higher score in October 2024. Since April 2023 Chloé has also been a legally registered purpose-driven company, a French “Société à Mission”. It sources part of its ready-to-wear through Fair Trade partners and social enterprises, and it works with the World Fair Trade Organization.
Expect the brand’s signature romantic, flowing silhouettes, now made with a much stronger focus on lower-impact materials and a commitment to advancing opportunities for women.
2. Allbirds
Billing themselves as the world’s most comfortable shoes, Allbirds are known for their ethical sneakers. These lightweight shoes are made from merino wool and eucalyptus tree fibers.
The sneakers are machine washable and delivered in a clever box made from recycled cardboard, with no superfluous extra packaging. Allbirds have a cult following and now sell online and through stockists.
3. AKYN
AKYN is the new London label from Amy Powney, one of the UK’s most respected voices in sustainable fashion. After almost two decades leading Mother of Pearl, she struck out on her own in 2025. The name combines “atelier” and “kin.”
The collections are built around four core fibres: organic, regenerative or recycled cotton, European flax linen, RWS-certified wool and Tencel. Powney personally audits the factories she works with. Expect refined, minimal wardrobe staples designed to last, with thoughtful details like buttons cast from hagstones and shells.
AKYN launched exclusively at Liberty and is now also stocked at selected John Lewis stores. Powney has also designed womenswear capsules for Finisterre.
4. Beth Richards
This designer beachwear range is ethically made in Toronto, Canada. Beth Richards creates simple yet stylish bikinis and swimsuits with practical details like adjustable straps and UPF 50+ protection against UV rays.
The brand set up the Censor Project, a not-for-profit initiative that donates all proceeds to Planned Parenthood and The Gloria Steinem Foundation.
5. Elvis & Kresse
This British luxury accessory designer works with recycled materials to great effect. These unusual fabrics include fire-hose, parachute silk, coffee and tea sacks, auction banners and printing blankets.
Elvis & Kresse was founded in 2005, when they learned that the London Fire Brigade’s old hoses were destined to become landfill. They came up with bags, iPad cases and luggage tags made from the decommissioned fire hoses.
Since then, no London fire house has gone to landfill, and 50% of profits from the Fire-hose Collection are donated to The Fire Fighters Charity.
6. Filippa K
This Swedish fashion brand is renowned for its ethically made clothing. The minimalist designs reflect their passion for mindful consumption.
Filippa K send out customer orders in reusable packaging. Each customer who sends this packaging back to them gets a discount off their next order.
Another sustainable initiative is their rental service, available in 11 stores. For 20% of the retail price, customers can borrow an item for up to four days.
7. Vitamin A
Founded in Southern California in 2000 by Amahlia Stevens, Vitamin A is widely credited with pioneering sustainable swimwear. Stevens spent three years working with mills in Italy, Canada and California to develop EcoLux, the first premium swim fabric made from recycled nylon.
More than 95% of the collection is made in Southern California, which cuts transport emissions. The brand also donates a share of its sales to organisations protecting clean water. Beyond the flattering bikinis and one-pieces, look out for its resort pieces in linen, organic cotton and Tencel.
8. Komodo
One of our favorite ethical clothing brands is Komodo. This London based design team has been making eco fashion for over 30 years.
They choose fabrics such as bamboo, hemp, tencel and organic cotton that minimize the impact on the environment. From Balinese hand-woven bags to stylish vegan shoes and organic denim jackets, there are some great designs.
Komodo is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and Soil Association certified. They trade fairly with manufacturers in China, Indonesia, Nepal and Turkey and have supported many worthwhile projects such as reforestation programs to the Tibet Relief Fund.
9. LemLem
Founded by supermodel Liya Kebede, LemLem means to bloom in Ethiopian. The LemLem Foundation aims to empower women artisans in Ethiopia and Kenya.
The boho style designs for men, women and children are hand-woven in Ethiopia by local craftspeople. Made from natural cotton, these ethical clothes use pattern to great effect.
10. Maggie Marilyn
Championing livable luxury, this New Zealand brand produces the majority of its clothes locally. Maggie Marilyn textiles are all sourced ethically sourced or recycled.
Their wholesale packaging uses biodegradable cassava root bags and their fabrics include organic cotton, recycled polyester and organic New Zealand merino wool. Maggie’s Net-A-Porter collection is part of their NET SUSTAIN edit, focusing on sustainable fashion.
11. Matt & Nat
This vegan footwear and accessories brand takes its name from MATerial and NATure. This Canadian brand has been going strong since 1995.
They are committed to using eco friendly materials such as recycled bike tyres, and all their linings are made from recycled plastic bottles.
12. Ninety Percent
The ethos of Ninety Percent is simple but revolutionary – they donate ninety percent of their profits to charity. You get to choose where your money goes, whether to Big Life Foundation, Children’s Hope, War Child or Wild Aid.
From their London design studio, they work closely with their manufacturers in Bangladesh and Turkey to ensure workers welfare. The collection is low key and very comfortable to wear.
13. Vestiaire Collective
Buying pre-loved is one of the most sustainable ways to shop luxury. Vestiaire Collective, founded in Paris in 2009, is a leading global platform for second-hand designer fashion, operating in more than 70 countries.
In 2021 it became the first fashion resale platform to gain B Corp certification. A year later it began banning fast fashion brands from its site. Every item goes through a multi-step verification process, so you can shop Chanel, Hermès or Dior with confidence.
I’ve used Vestiaire Collective to sell some designer items and wasn’t happy as they managed to lose a Paul Smith jacket. They did eventually reimburse me but I would advise only to buy vintage fashion items with them, never to sell as their customer service is extremely slow and inefficient.
14. Pachamama Knitwear
Since they started trading in 1990, Pachamama have been working closely with artisans in the Andean Mountains and Tibet. The name Pachamama means Earth Mother in Quechua, the language of the Incas.
Pachamama focus on handmade knitwear and provide year round orders for their suppliers. They have been working with some of them for over 20 years.
15. Gabriela Hearst
Uruguayan designer Gabriela Hearst grew up on her family’s ranch before launching her New York label in 2015. She is widely seen as one of fashion’s most climate-conscious designers. She pioneered carbon-neutral runway shows, works extensively with deadstock fabrics and uses hand-crocheted lace made by fairly paid artisans in Bolivia.
From 2020 to 2023 she was creative director at Chloé, where she helped steer the house to B Corp status. Her own label is known for quietly luxurious tailoring, cashmere and the Nina bag. She has also supported Save the Children for a decade.
16. Ronald Van der Kemp
Describing themselves as the world’s first sustainable couture label, Ronald Van Der Kemp has created timeless pieces in vibrant colors. Van der Kemp uses vintage fabric and unused textiles for his designs.
This Dutch luxury fashion brand makes its garments locally in the Netherlands. The focus is on couture rather than ready-to-wear, in order to avoid over-production.
17. Spell & The Gypsy Collective
One of the most fashion forward eco clothing brands, Spell & The Gypsy Collective makes us feel like we are permanently on vacation! The brainchild of sisters Elizabeth and Isabella, this Australian fashion company excels in boho chic.
Each item is designed in Byron Bay and ethically produced in one of their partner factories worldwide. Spell & The Gypsy are members of the Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), a non-profit bringing together clothing brands who are passionate about sustainability.
18. Stella McCartney
An early advocate of sustainable luxury fashion, Stella McCartney is as well known for her feminine designs as for her songwriter father. The British clothing brand aims to treat all suppliers fairly.
The garments are made from eco friendly materials such as re-engineered cashmere, organic cotton and vegetarian leather. The brand now has 51 stand alone stores and is sold in 77 countries worldwide.
19. Swedish Hasbeens
Distributed in over 70 countries, Scandinavian fashion brand Swedish Hasbeens makes fun shoes based on 1970s designs. Their motto is ‘Better shoes for a better world’.
Swedish Hasbeens shoes and accessories are crafted from natural grain leather that is environmentally friendly. The clogs are naturally tanned and made by traditional artisans in small factories.
20. Finisterre
Founded by Tom Kay in St Agnes, Cornwall, in 2003, Finisterre began with a single waterproof fleece for cold-water surfers. It became the first European outdoor clothing brand to achieve B Corp certification in 2018.
The womenswear is built for coastal life: merino knits, organic cotton basics and weatherproof outerwear designed to last for years. The brand is also working on closed-loop wetsuit recycling and uses regenerative organic cotton. A recent capsule with sustainability-minded designer Amy Powney raised its womenswear credentials further.
How to Spot a Genuinely Ethical Fashion Brand
With greenwashing on the rise, knowing how to verify a brand’s ethical claims is just as important as knowing which brands exist. A few reliable signals to look for:
●GOTS certification (Global Organic Textile Standard): Covers the full production chain, from raw fiber to finished garment. Komodo, for example, holds GOTS certification.
●Fair Trade certification: Look for World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) or Fairtrade marks, which cover fair wages and safe working conditions. Pachamama, for example, is a member of the British Association for Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers.
●B Corp certification: Awarded to companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.
●Soil Association certification: Relevant for organic cotton and natural fibers, and one of the most rigorous organic standards in the UK.
●Membership of industry bodies: Look for brands affiliated with organizations such as the Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) or the Ethical Trading Initiative.
If a brand makes big sustainability claims but carries none of these markers, it is worth digging deeper before you buy. If you enjoy ethical and sustainable clothing that is also built to perform in demanding conditions, there are options beyond everyday fashion worth exploring too.
Where to Buy Ethical Clothes
Beyond shopping directly with the brands listed here, there are a few broader routes to building an ethical wardrobe:
●Brand websites: Buying direct from the brand is the most transparent option. You can read their full supply chain and materials policies before you click purchase.
●Curated ethical marketplaces: Some multi-brand retailers specifically stock verified sustainable labels, making it easier to compare options in one place.
●Vintage and pre-loved platforms: Vestiaire Collective, listed in this guide, is one option. Buying secondhand is one of the most effective ways to reduce fashion’s environmental footprint, because it extends the life of a garment that already exists.
●Rental services: Filippa K operates a rental service across its stores, allowing customers to borrow pieces rather than buy new.
The most ethical place to buy clothes is ultimately wherever you can verify the supply chain and where the garment will be worn and cared for over the long term.
Key Takeaways
●20 ethical clothing brands covered, from luxury to everyday.
●Komodo: GOTS and Soil Association certified, 30+ years eco fashion.
●Chloé: the first luxury fashion house to become a certified B Corp.
●Buying vintage extends a garment’s life with zero new production.
●Look for GOTS, Fair Trade, or B Corp certification.
●35% of ocean microplastics come from synthetic textile laundry (IUCN).
In Conclusion: Ethical Clothing Brands
As we’ve seen, many clothing brands are now championing ethical production processes. This is great news for people who want to make sure the clothes they buy were produced in an environment where workers and suppliers’ rights were respected and cared for.
Consumers can research favorite brands to determine whether their apparel was made responsibly, or shop directly with ethical brands that have committed to legally complying production standards. It pays to be informed – not only in regards to what goes into our wardrobes, but also how it gets there.
Fashion enthusiasts should consider building their wardrobe with an ethical flair, investing in items that are more than just aesthetically pleasing. As always, on our website you can find stylish articles designed to help you get bang-for-your-buck while satisfying both your moral compass and your wardrobe.
So check out our other style features and stay tuned for more tips on dressing dazzlingly and responsibly!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some ethical clothes brands?
Good ethical clothing brands include Stella McCartney, Komodo, Allbirds, Ninety Percent, Filippa K, Maggie Marilyn, Matt & Nat, and Spell & The Gypsy Collective. This guide covers 20 options across fashion, footwear, swimwear and accessories, ranging from high-end luxury to affordable everyday wear.
What is the most ethical fashion brand?
Several brands stand out for their depth of commitment. Ninety Percent donates ninety percent of its profits to charity, letting customers choose where the money goes.
Chloé became the first luxury house to earn B Corp certification in 2021, and Finisterre holds one of the highest B Corp scores in UK fashion.
Komodo has been making eco fashion for over 30 years and holds both GOTS and Soil Association certification. The ‘most ethical’ brand depends on what you prioritize: labour rights, environmental impact, or charitable giving.
Where is the most ethical place to buy clothes?
The most ethical place to buy clothes is directly from a certified ethical brand (look for GOTS, Fair Trade, or B Corp certification), from a curated sustainable marketplace, or from a reputable vintage retailer such as Open For Vintage. Buying secondhand is one of the most effective individual choices, as it extends the life of a garment that already exists rather than creating new demand.
What brands are Gen Z buying in ethical fashion?
Gen Z shoppers tend to favour brands that are transparent about their supply chains and have strong sustainability credentials. Vintage and pre-loved shopping, represented here by Open For Vintage, is also a major Gen Z preference, driven by both environmental values and a love of unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.
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