Sustainable Clothing Guide: Finding Ethical Clothing Options

Your clothing should express who you are: your unique personality, your style, your values. We wear Fair Trade to know confidently we’re making the kind of fashion statements and impact we want to make.

It’s important to know that the best options for sustainable clothing come from brands that ethically source with both people and planet in mind. By wearing Fair Trade Certified factory-made clothing from brands in this guide and others, we’re helping create sustainable livelihoods, safer working conditions, and desperately-needed transparency in the fashion industry . The additional money that factory employees earn with every sale is used to fund important Fair Trade Community Development Fund projects . These are just a few of the brands selling Fair Trade styles!

Karen Walker

Linen Shorts

Cotopaxi

Llamascape Trucker Hat

Known Supply

Be Human Kind Pullover

Pact

Essential Vintage Snap Down

Mightly

Teal Stripe Pajamas

prAna

Momento Crop Top

Universal Thread

Jeans

Patagonia

Capilene® Cool Daily Hoody

Outerknown

Adventure Shorts

What is Sustainable Clothing?

Sustainable clothing refers to garments that are designed, manufactured, and distributed in ways that minimize environmental impact and promote ethical practices. This includes using eco-friendly materials, such as organic cotton, bamboo, or recycled fabrics, and employing production methods that reduce water usage, energy consumption, and waste. Ethical places to buy clothes use fair labor practices, ensuring that workers are paid fair wages and work in safe conditions. The goal of sustainable clothing is to create a positive impact on the environment, society, and economy while providing high-quality, durable fashion choices.

Do People Buy Sustainable Clothing?

Yes, people are buying more sustainable clothing, with the market share expected to reach over 6% by 2026. A 2022 Statista study found that 39% of respondents considered sustainability to be slightly important when buying clothing, while only 3% did not consider it at all important. In addition, a worldwide survey found that over a quarter of consumers have made significant changes to buy more sustainable products.

How Do You Buy Sustainable Clothing?

Other than buying from the above sustainable clothing brands, you can consider the following when shopping:

Buying secondhand: This is one of the most sustainable options because it keeps clothes out of landfills and doesn’t contribute to the resources used to produce new clothing.

Buying less: Choosing high-quality, timeless pieces can reduce the need to buy new clothes and the waste they create.

From Fair Trade Factory Workers

M. Mageswari

Fair Trade Committee Leader | Connoisseur Fashions

“Working here has made me appreciate how products at other factories often go through the same amount of care and work. Each consumer has a unique experience and through supporting us with their fair trade purchases, it’s a great and unique connection.”

Claire Aguilar

Sewing Department Instructor | Vertical Knits

“The Fair Trade Premium is a very important benefit. It motivates us all to continue working hard and also to value what we have. This is hard work, don’t think it’s not. We truly apply the highest standards possible.”

K. Murugan

Production Manager | Connoisseur Fashions

“When we started the Fair Trade Certified program a few years ago none of our employees had heard of it. There was some confusion at first, but after starting activities, everyone gained confidence – and satisfaction! – in the process. It’s a wonderful way for the worker community to feel engaged and connected to the consumer.”

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