In an increasingly environment-conscious world, less shopping or secondhand clothing are the most sustainable options. But even the minimalist among us have to buy new clothing articles from time to time. There are multiple clothing brands for women focused on sustainability and their carbon footprint. These brands make an effort to keep the world clean and liveable for future generations. Here are 10 Women’s Clothing Brands that make a difference by offering sustainable clothing.
Sustainable Women’s Clothing Brands
In a sea of clothing brands, only a handful have managed to offer sustainable clothing. But what does it mean? It means the brand is mindful of the environmental impact of its clothing at every step of the manufacturing process from fibers to shipping. Some clothing brands tend to put their efforts in a single area of the manufacturing process, like using organic fibers but not paying their labor fair pay, or they do take care of their employees but skimp on recyclable packaging.
There are clothing brands in the market that ensure sustainability is achieved at every step of the manufacturing process of clothing. With that in mind, here are the 10 Best Women’s Clothing Brands that ensure their clothing doesn’t pollute the planet. Note: Not all of these are exclusively Women’s Clothing Brands, but cater to other demographics as well.
- Christy Dawn
- Mate The Label
- Girlfriend Collective
- OuterKnown
- Everlane
- Nudie Jeans
- Organic Basics
- Reformation
- Patagonia
- People Tree
Christy Dawn
Many clothing brands use deadstock fabric, leftover fabric from other brands or textile mills, for their clothing and Christy Dawn is one of them. The brand is known for its floral and romantic designs. Aside from the Deadstock Fabric, the brand also incorporates Organic Cotton into its clothing. Using the Upcycled material, the brand aims to reduce the fabric waste of other brands and the fashion Industry.
Not only that, the clothing brand also works with Regenerative Cotton Farmers, to replenish the soil and lock the carbon into it. Aside from using deadstock fabric and organic cotton, the brand also takes good care of its employees from the farmers to workers in their factory.
Mate The Label
Los Angeles’ casual clothing brand uses Organic Cotton and Tencel, made from wood pulp, for its clothing with traditional cotton and linen. The brand takes pride in keeping its supply chain local. Everything from sewing and cutting to dying, is done in Los Angeles.
Keeping its production at a local level, Mate The Label further reduces its carbon footprint. The clothing doesn’t ship through air or sea. Not only does it limits the environmental impact of its production but also reduces the overall cost as they don’t need to ship.
Girlfriend Collective
Known for its Activewear, Girlfriend Collective uses recycled plastic and waste from the Cotton industry instead of Synthetic Polyester, which comes from Crude Oil. What sets them apart as a sustainable clothing brand is their Take-back program which recycles the clothing again, further reducing waste.
Girlfriend Collective offers Activewear, undergarments, and some other clothing options. All clothing is produced with eco-friendly materials. Making it one of the leading sustainable clothing brands in the market. Not only that, they also cater to women with different body proportions with maternity activewear sizes going up to 6X.
OuterKnown
Founded by World Surfing Champion, Kelly Slater, Outerknown offers a range of casual outerwear. Materials used to produce clothing are recycled, Organic, regenerated, or renewable. It’s committed to reducing the carbon footprint of its clothing.
The brand uses non-toxic dyes to reduce water and chemical waste during production. They are also conscious about their supply chain and prioritize partnerships with suppliers that respect human rights. That is not all, 8 of its facilities run on renewable energy.
You’ll not only look good wearing the brand’s clothing but also feel good thinking that you are helping the world heal.
Everlane
Everlane believes in making fashion responsible and a sustainable future for the planet and clothing. The brand incorporates a three-pillar framework for sustainability. The brand aims to achieve sustainability by minimizing waste, reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, and treating its employees with respect.
Its commitment to transparency allows consumers to verify that its clothing and packaging are made from recycled materials. The brand aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Nudie Jeans
A lot of brands claim to offer sustainable clothing, which they do but some go above and beyond to achieve sustainability. Nudie Jeans is one such clothing brand. Fair traded and recycled organic cotton makes up over 90% of the fiber used to produce clothes.
To further reduce the environmental impact of its clothing, Nudie Jeans also offers lifetime repair for its Jeans without restrictions. You can bring your old Nudie Jeans and they’ll repair it for you, free of charge. Even if you want to buy a new pair of jeans, the brand also gives discounts by handing them your used Nudie Jeans. All this is to extend the life of the product, which in turn makes our world a little bit cleaner.
Organic Basics
A brand that holds itself accountable when it comes to sustainable clothing, Organic Basics, aims to deliver clothing that can’t be bought secondhand like undergarments due to hygiene concerns. To make it a reality, the brand uses recycled, plant-based, and organic materials, which can be recycled afterward, and if not, are biodegradable.
Organic Basics only partners with companies or factories that share their values for sustainable clothing and a cleaner world. It’s one of the more transparent brands that don’t just aim but achieve their goals of sustainable clothing.
Reformation
Reformation is a clothing brand that achieved carbon-neutral status in 2015 and is on track to become Carbon-Positive by 2025. It produces sustainable clothing and invests in projects that give back the resources they have used, like the fresh water plants to offset the water used to produce its clothing.
Furthermore, the brand recycles 75% of its waste and is working to increase that percentage. If you are looking for a clothing brand passionate about sustainable clothing, look no further than Reformation. Aside from its clothing being sustainable, Reformation also produces stylish clothing.
Patagonia
One of the most recognizable sustainable clothing brands, Patagonia, is synonymous with outdoor clothing and has produced sustainable clothing since 1973. To further reduce the impact of its clothes manufacturing on the environment, it donates 1% of its profits as a self-imposed tax to support non-profit organizations working to clean air, land, and water across the globe.
For decades, Patagonia has been farming organic Cotton for its clothing and 64% of the materials used are made from recycled fibers. It also acquires its materials through fair trade sources, making it one of the leading brands to offer sustainable clothing.
People Tree
The first-ever fashion brand to be certified by the World Fair Trade Commission, People Tree, is a pioneer in sustainable clothing. The brand has been sourcing its materials through fair trade since 1991. It sources organic fabrics and dyes for its clothing, reducing the environmental impact. Using organic cotton, each pair of jeans produced uses almost 87% less water than traditional jeans manufacturing. If you are looking for a brand that genuinely made a positive impact on the climate, People Tree is for you.
Final Thoughts
Sustainable clothing isn’t an easily achieved target. People and companies must pour time, money, and energy into making it a reality. Despite efforts, we as a species are way off to achieve sustainable supply and demand for clothing. However, these brands have shown that providing sustainable clothing is not impossible and is very much a reality. I hope you’ll consider one of these women’s clothing brands as a sustainable alternative to traditional clothing production.