The Most Affordable Places to Buy Sustainable, Eco-Friendly, and Ethical Fashion (Updated)

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A lot of people are under the impression that only the upper class can afford eco-friendly fashion. A decade or so ago this may have been the case, but so many conscious brands have emerged in recent years that ‘conscious consumption’ is now available to the masses.

So what exactly do I mean by affordable?

When I say affordable, I’m not talking prices that match those found at Forever 21. The point of developing an eco-friendly attitude towards fashion is to embrace a “less is better” mindset. Think items that are high quality and everlasting, not ultra-trendy and disposable. So for the purposes of this post, I looked for basic tops in the $15-50 range, fashion tops for under $100, and dresses for under $150 (all prices are in USD). If you are truly interested in becoming a more conscious consumer, then these prices should afford you a few new items each season.

And if you still feel that these prices won’t work with your budget, that’s the beauty of thrift stores. Thrifting will always be the most green option when it comes to shopping, and I believe that a combination of ethically-sourced fashion apparel and thrifted items is the best way to go.

Without further ado, here is my list of the best sources for affordable fashion:

Cosmos Studio

Made with their totally innovative color diffusion innovation, Cosmos Studio shirts save 98% of water, 70% of chemicals and 50% of energy used to make a more traditional garment. Check out this post to learn more about Cosmos Studio.

Price: $88 (all prices are USD)

 

Kotn

Kotn creates beautiful basics from authentic Egyptian cotton that’s finer, softer, and more breathable than any other cotton. Unfortunately, since 2001, there has been a 95% decline in demand from big corporations that opted to go with cheaper options. As a result, millions of farmers, weavers, and craftspeople are struggling to make ends meet. By working directly with cotton farming families in Egypt, Kotn is seeking to rebuild the industry from the inside. They make their own fabrics from raw cotton bought direct from farmers at guaranteed prices. A Certified B Corp brand, they built a school in Egypt to combat child labor, and are now working on building a second one.

Prices: $20 – $90

 

Tradlands

Tradlands is a high-quality women’s essentials brand, inspired by classic menswear. Their pieces are comfortable, yet timeless, with an emphasis on fit, detail, and quality. Of course, they value the welfare of their craftsmen and women all over the world, use sustainably produced materials, and minimize waste as much as they possibly can.

Prices: $30 – $170

 

Klow

Klow is an online boutique that carries brands that are committed to transparency, ethical production, and a care for the earth. They carry women’s and men’s apparel, accessories, and beauty products and you can shop by the causes you care most about: ecological, ethical, social, vegan, organic, recycled, or upcycled.

Prices: $10 – $300

 

VETTA

VETTA makes it really easy to create a capsule wardrobe. Each collection is made up of five pieces, which can be combined to create an entire month’s worth of outfits. They’re all ethically made in a family run factory in NYC and LA out of either deadstock or Tencel fabric.

Prices: $50 – $150

 

Made Trade

Made Trade is an ethically-elevated and beautifully-curated online shop for fashion, home goods, and gifts. We like to think of it as the ethical, sustainable alternative to Anthropologie. You can learn more about Made Trade on our featured post here.

Prices: $24 – $325

 

Nau

Nau creates clothing that is both sustainable and high tech. They use all natural and/or recycled materials, with a bunch of certifications behind them to give you peace of mind. Plus, a portion of each purchase is donated to a grassroots environmental organization.

Prices: $40 – $150

Mayamiko

Mayamiko carries everyday basics that are perfect for the office or your capsule wardrobe as well as fun, playful prints and designs to party in. Everything is ethically made in Malawi by their team of tailors, pattern cutters, and seamstresses in a solar-powered facility. They use locally sourced materials like certified organic cotton and strive for zero waste production.

Prices: $20 – $130

 

Klow

Klow curates products from brands committed to the health of the earth and garment workers, as well as the people wearing their wearing their clothing—you. Each brand is carefully selected based on a set of sustainability and transparency standards in addition to quality and aesthetic.

Prices: $5.00 to $200

 

Taylor Stitch

Taylor Stich uses materials like upcycled and recycled (but durable!) yarns, organic cotton, natural hemp, responsibly-sourced leather, and synthetic down made from recycled plastic bottles. They use production methods that work to lower their carbon footprint, reduce water usage, and limit chemical exposure. Plus, you can get discounts by pre-ordering up and coming designs.

Prices: $45 – $200

 

G-Star

G-Star has been pioneering the recycling of plastic waste from the ocean into clothing in its special Raw for the Oceans collection. You can find out more about their transparent manufacturing progress here.

Prices: $25 – $210

 

Symbology

Symbology partners with marginalized artisans in developing countries to create handcrafted pieces using traditional fabric techniques like block printing, tie-dye and embroidery. Most of their pieces are made from sustainable viscose, Modal, and cotton.

Prices: $80 – $200

 

IKKIVI

IKKIVI is an India-based sustainable fashion boutique curated from the most beautiful slow fashion designers who are creating timeless, high quality silhouettes. Some of IKKIVI’s pieces are a bit more expensive, but that’s because they are actually upscale fashion pieces, but meant first and foremost for the Indian market, so you’re getting great value for handmade artisan luxury fashion made with natural fibers like pure silk and cotton.

Prices: $15 to $300

 

Kings of Indigo

Kings of Indigo is dedicated to creating the highest quality denim in the most eco-friendly way. They use recycled and naturally-dyed denim in addition to other sustainable materials. They are deeply committed to transparency and are certified by a whole host of third-party sustainability certifications.

Prices: $57 – $220

 

Alternative Apparel

I’m obsessed with Alternative Apparel’s basic cotton tees and own them in several different colors. They also have a collection of activewear including leggings, sports bras, tanks, and shorts.

Prices: $16 – $168

 

Threads For Thought

I love this brand’s patterned leggings which are sure to inspire you to get on your yoga mat, and their collection of casual dresses are perfect for a beachy getaway.

Prices: $18 – $98

 

Everlane

This socially responsible company offers highly-versatile pieces including basic tops, pants, shorts, and outerwear. Nearly everything is under $100. They are completely transparent about where their clothing is manufactured and how they devise their pricing model.

Prices: $12 – $235

 

Bluer Denim

Bluer Denim’s high-quality, tailored denim jeans run for $95-145 and are made entirely in America using Georgia-grown cotton, and buttons and zippers forged in Kentucky.

Price: $95

 

Amour Vert

When it comes to sustainable apparel that makes a statement, Amour Vert is one of my top picks. Amour Vert is fashion-forward eco apparel without the designer prices.

Prices: $35 – $95

 

Reformation

Though in general Reformation has a little bit higher price tags than some other brands listed on here, you can definitely find some budget-friendly pieces. Reformation is fashion-forward, with a luxury feel, and definitely worth the occasional splurge.

Prices: $12 – $388

 

People Tree

This UK-based fair-trade and eco-friendly fashion company offers fashion forward dresses for under $100, tops for under $50, and hand-made jewelry in the $15-50 range.

Prices: $10.50 – $179

 

Modernation

This brand takes deadstock and vintage clothing and makes it into super affordable, one-of-a-kind fashion. Find sexy tops, dresses, fringe leather jackets, and sweaters from $38 to $150.

Prices: $28 – $168

 

ABLE

ABLE is a lifestyle brand focused on ending generational poverty through providing economic opportunity for women. Their wages are transparently published on their website in order to protect the women makers and empower consumers. You can find apparel, shoes, purses and bags, and jewelry.

Prices: $50 – $200

 

 

Siizu

This small brand makes the highest quality, classic clothing and sells it directly to consumers, so that there’s no markup. Find Italian merino wool sweaters and silk blouses for under $100.

Prices: $20 – $178

 

H&M’s Conscious Collection

I might get flack for this, but I firmly believe that H&M is investing with intention to figure out how to make mass market clothing sustainable. Organic cotton is throughout H&M’s store, but the Conscious Collection is made with eco-friendly materials such as recycled polyester and Tencel.

Prices: $6.99 – $60

 

Nobody’s Child

Nobody’s Child owns their own factories in the UK, Europe and Asia, and their knitting plant, dye house, print facility and distribution centre are all based in the UK. They work hard not to create waste in terms of fabric and cost, so their ethically-made garments are shockingly cheap!

Prices: $10.50 – $60

 

Synergy

Syngergy’s clothes are made out of eco-conscious materials like GOTS certified organic cotton, recycled plastic, and low-impact dyes. Plus, they prioritize transparency and fair wages to their seamstresses in Nepal.

Prices: $35 – $150

 

Urban Renewal by Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters’ line of vintage and re-worked apparel includes denim cut-offs, tees, dresses, and other trendy pieces for budget prices.

Prices: $8 – $275

 

Yoga Democracy

Yoga Democracy is committed to using recycled fibers and their fabrics are dyed using a waterless transfer process. They are also determined to use suppliers who adhere to high standards of sustainability in water use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Prices: $40 – $80

 

Green Room by ASOS

ASOS offers a curation of vintage, reclaimed fashion apparel, jewelry made from sustainable materials, and anti-cruelty handbags.

Prices: $5 – $372

 

Levi’s

Levi’s has been committed to ethics and sustainability from the beginning, from their Worker Well-being program to their Waste<Less and Water<Less processes. While they have high-end Levi’s Made and Crafted items, you can easily find a pair of affordable everyday jeans to love.

Prices: Jeans for $12.79 (sale price) – $278

 

thredUP

Buy secondhand first! thredUP is the largest online secondhand fashion boutique where you can buy and sell high-quality pre-owned clothing.

 

Tasc Performance

Tasc’s high-performance clothing is made from from bamboo rayon. This is a great brand if you want to get active and look great at the same time.

Prices: $18 – $175

 

Groceries Apparel

Groceries Apparel basics are made from organic cotton, Tencel, recycled plastic, recycled cotton, hemp, and non-toxic vegetable dyes. Their operation empowers human beings through fair trade, fair conditions, and fair treatment across our entire supply chain and by providing full traceability to customers.

Prices: $38 – $138

 

Patagonia

A leader in sustainability for the past four decades, Patagonia carries a wide variety of apparel for men and women. Many of Patagonia’s pieces are made with fully or partially recycled and fair trade materials. You can find our more about their traceability on their website.

Prices: $30 – $170

 

Ella Stein

Ella Stein creates affordable diamond jewelry that’s made to order to prevent waste. Each piece is made using the small diamonds that are cut from larger ones and would otherwise be thrown away. Read more about Ella Stein here.

Prices: $99 – $299

 

Soko

Soko is a fair trade company that uses natural and recycled materials and provides guilt-free, on-trend jewelry that is shockingly affordable for the quality. Everything is made by artisans who, before being connected through Soko, didn’t have access to global markets.

Prices: $30 – $94

 

Species by the Thousands

A collection of edgy rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings run for $120 and under and are handmade in New York City.

Prices: $42 – $120

WAMA Underwear

WAMA Underwear for men and women is made from sustainable, GOTS Certified hemp and organic cotton. There are a lot of great things about hemp: it’s naturally anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, odor-fighting, and super soft and breathable. And trust me: these undies are super comfortable! The WAMA team works transparently with certified factories in China and oversee production there in order to ensure ethical manufacturing is taking place.

Price: $20