When deciding what to wear, many people don’t put a lot of thought into the ethics of where their clothes come from. But over the last decade or so, sustainable fashion has become a major topic in popular culture and critical discussion.
Fashion isn’t just about looking good- it’s also about feeling good. Shopping for affordable ethical fashion brands is the perfect way to find affordable, trendy outfits that will make you feel amazing! There are many affordable ethical fashion brands out there, but these 11 affordable ethical fashion brands are some of the best and most popular.
Pricing Guide
$ | Typically under $25
$$ | Typically $25–$50
$$$ | Typically $50–$80
$$$$ | Typically $80 or more
Kotn
Ethics | Certified B Corp, sustainable & organic cotton, fair labor & wages, gives back
Product Range | Adult cotton basics & loungewear, home goods
Price Range | $$–$$$
Known for its soft and remarkably breathable Egyptian cotton apparel, Kotn makes some of our favorite wardrobe staples in a fair and safe environment. They provide an alternative to fast fashion brands by creating garments with high-quality materials and they don’t use any harmful chemicals in their production process. However, Koton’s prices are still competitive so it makes shopping for clothes more accessible than ever before! Kotn’s mission is to make sustainable, eco-friendly clothing accessible for all. Their clothing line includes tops, bottoms, dresses, jackets/coats, skirts and more. All of their products are made using organic cotton or silk to reduce environmental impact as well as chemical use in production.
Quince
Ethics | Fair labor & wages, Bluesign® & OEKO-TEX certified sustainable materials & factories, eco-friendly packaging
Product Range | Adult apparel, jewelry, bags, accessories, home goods, capsule options
Price Range | $$–$$$
Quince is a clothing brand with an affordable price point. But they still manage to maintain their ethical values of sustainability. The company doesn’t just produce sustainable fashion – they are also fair trade certified and have a factory that has been rated by the Fair Wear Foundation. Quince partners with many charities, including The Nature Conservancy, which works to protect nature for future generations. Their collections are made from organic cotton, recycled polyester and organic bamboo fabric which is sourced responsibly in China under fair conditions. All of these efforts have earned them the coveted Cradle to Cradle certification!
Pact
Ethics | GOTS certified organic fabrics, Fair Trade certified, eco-friendly production, take-back program
Product Range | Adult & children’s apparel, bed & bath
Price Range | $–$$
Pact is a brand that is transforming the fashion industry. They offer affordable ethical fashion, and they have created a new way of living for consumers with their “Pact Life” philosophy. Not only do they offer clothes that are made with sustainable materials, but it’s also easy on your wallet too! Pact offers dresses, tops, bottoms and accessories at low prices to appeal to everyone. With sizes ranging from XXS-XXL and over 35 different countries represented in the line-up of styles you’re sure to find something for you no matter what your personal style happens to be.
Levi’s
Ethics | Sustainable & organic fibers, eco-friendly & ethical production, gives back
Product Range | Adult & children’s apparel, accessories, customizable options
Price Range | $$–$$$$
Levi Strauss & Co. is a clothing company with an ethical approach to fashion. Levi’s not only offers affordable clothes, but also makes sure that they are sourced ethically and manufactured responsibly. Whether it is cotton or leather, all of their materials come from suppliers who treat the people who make them fairly and provide safe working conditions for those in the factory. In addition, Levi’s offers dyes that have been created without hazardous chemicals so as to avoid polluting waterways and harming wildlife. If you’re looking to purchase clothing from a brand with sustainability at its heart, then look no further than Levi’s!
Happy Earth
Ethics | Certified B Corp, organic materials, ethically made, carbon-free, gives back
Product Range | Adult apparel, accessories, activewear, headwear
Price Range | $–$$
Happy Earth is built around protecting the planet. As a certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, the brand is held to the highest sustainable and ethical standards. They use organic fabrics and environmentally friendly practices in every step of their production process, from sourcing materials to shipping garments. The brand uses recycled materials whenever possible and employs fair trade workers who are paid above regional living wages. For those with sensitive skin or allergies, Happy Earth has an extensive list of vegan options as well as eco-friendly dyes so there’s something for everyone!
Tentree
Ethics | Certified B Corp, ethically made, organic materials, climate-neutral, gives back
Product Range | Adult & children’s apparel, hats, bags, & accessories
Price Range | $$–$$$
Tentree is rooted in the belief that we have a responsibility to protect and preserve the world we live in. They believe in sustainable practices, fair pay and work conditions for all of their employees, and they are committed to using eco-friendly fabrics. Their clothing embodies the freedom of being able to dress well without breaking the bank. Tentree also has a collection made with recycled plastic bottles that can be seen on their website! Their mission is to produce affordable ethical fashion without compromising on style or quality because they believe sustainable living should be accessible to everyone.
Ref Jeans
Ethics | Bluesign® & OEKO-TEX certified organic materials, fair labor & wages, carbon-neutral, powered by wind energy, eco-friendly packaging & practices
Product Range | Women’s apparel
Price Range | $$$–$$$$
Ref Jeans is tackling denim waste. Launched by Reformation in 2017, the apparel collection uses the fashion brand’s same eco-material standards, as well as its sustainable and ethical practices. It’s one of the first brands to offer a wide size range to accommodate women with curves. Ref Jeans is also made from sustainable materials like organic cotton and hemp – meaning you’re not only buying good quality denim, but also supporting sustainable practices too! With a wide range of styles available at reasonable prices, this company is making it easy for you to do your part in supporting the environment while looking good!
Girlfriend Collective
Ethics | Recycled & sustainable materials, inclusive sizing, fair labor & wages, gives back, take-back program
Product Range | Adult activewear, apparel, basics, & accessories
Price Range | $$–$$$$
Girlfriend Collective is a fashion brand that provides ethical and affordable clothing for women of all shapes. They believe in the idea that “women look and feel better when they’re wearing clothes that suit their shape”. With sizes ranging from XXS through 6XL, the brand offers bras, shorts, leggings, and more made out of recycled materials—like old water bottles and fishing nets. They specialize in eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, and linen. Unlike most brands nowadays they create their own patterns which are designed with the female form in mind. Not only does this help eliminate body shaming it also creates clothes that fit really well!
Boody
Ethics | Organic bamboo, fair labor & wages, gives back, FSC-certified packaging, eco-friendly practices
Product Range | Adult’s loungewear, activewear, underwear, babywear
Price Range | $–$$$
Boody is a new fashion company that strives to provide high quality, ethical and affordable clothes for people of all shapes and sizes. The company claims to use innovative technology to create high quality products at an affordable price. They also have a variety of fashionable clothes for men, women, and children. The result is quality products at prices that are more accessible than other brands out there – so you can look good without breaking the bank. With the purchase of each product from Boody you will be helping contribute to their goal of making “clothes that are good for people and the planet”.
Boden
Ethics | Ethical production, fair wages, gives back, recyclable packaging
Product Range | Adult apparel, children & baby clothing, accessories
Price Range | $$$–$$$$ (also offers sales)
Boden is a British clothing brand that offers high quality, affordable items. The company has been in business for over 25 years and is constantly creating new styles to keep up with the latest trends. They offer everything from casual wear for your day out on the town to work clothes perfect for any professional setting – all at unbeatable prices! What makes Boden even more unique than other brands is their commitment to ethical fashion; they are committed to zero harm throughout their supply chain and aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive. They believe in sustainability and strive towards lowering environmental impact by reducing waste through production methods such as circular design and recycling.
Able
Ethics | Certified B Corp, made by artisan women, fair labor practices & wages, responsibly sourced materials
Product Range | Women’s apparel, denim, shoes, bags, jewelry
Price Range | $$–$$$$
Able believes that to end poverty, you must create economic opportunity so that people, specifically women, can provide for themselves. They are committed to the environment by using sustainable fabrics like organic cotton and hemp, as well as natural dyes. Their clothes are made in small batches with care which helps reduce waste and they’re also fair trade certified. Able products are designed to be timeless classics that can transition from season to season or year round; something you’ll love for years!
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Conclusion
When it comes to shopping, the best way to get what you want at a price that won’t break your budget is by knowing where and when to shop. For those of us who are looking for more than just clothing or jewelry, we need to know about some affordable ethical fashion brands so we can find pieces that will last while also being ethically made without breaking our budgets. We hope this list has helped! What other resources do you use in order to find these types of products? Let us know in the comments below at SenseOrient!