“A few years ago, the chance to shop from conscious manufacturers capable of producing stylish, even on-trend pieces, was limited. Today, that list of companies has grown.”

As awareness of the ecological and social impacts of our lifestyle choices grows, we start to scrutinize everything in our home, from furniture, footwear, to clothing. To the latter topic, the debate between fast fashion and sustainable fashion has garnered national attention, most recently in a Saturday Night Live skit shaming the Chinese clothing giant SHEIN. The brand practically embodies the definition of fast fashion; it’s considered one of the worst offenders in the industry, called out for textile waste, excessive carbon emissions, a lack of transparency, and poor working conditions. SHEIN remains popular for staying abreast of trends at affordable prices – but at what cost?

A few years ago, the chance to shop from conscious manufacturers capable of producing stylish, even on-trend pieces, was limited. Today, that list of companies has grown. Given spending choices influence companies and their practices, consumers now have options – and the power to vote with their wallets by patronizing ethical clothing companies. Unlike fast fashion, well-made pieces last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacement. While we’ve grown accustomed to buying what we want, when we want, there’s also a particular beauty in the well-worn, timeless pieces that bind our past and future together, much like a beautiful piece of art. Taking a page from food or wine – buy less but better – consider doing the same for your wardrobe. Fortunately, many brands have also figured out how to bring down costs so their clothes are accessible.

Five Brands for Your Next Wardrobe Update

Launched in 2012, Harvest & Mill sprouted from a custom sewn clothing shop. The initial mission sought to address the need for locally sourced and sewn organic cotton clothing. Today, the company buys 100 percent organic certified cotton, works with American heritage mills, and employs a local sewing community with the goal of rebuilding American-only supply chains based on ecological and ethical principles. Pieces are sewn in Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco, all within 20 miles of the company’s studio in Berkeley, California. Clothing comes in natural undyed unbleached fabrics or naturally dyed colors sourced from farmers and dye artists in Indiana and California. Shipping packaging is compostable or recyclable.

Statement of Sustainability

Price Range | $12-$200

Best For | Casual Women’s Basics

Crafted from Egyptian cotton, Kotn’s incredibly soft basics hit many sustainability goals. The company uses OEKO-TEX certified nontoxic dyes, BCI certified organic cotton, upholds safe and fair labor standards, utilizes plastic-free packaging, and gives back to Egyptian communities. From their farms to factories, Kotn adheres to these standards and assists suppliers in transitioning to organic practices over the span of five years. Furthermore, as a certified B Corp, Kotn has positively impacted over 100,000 lives in Egypt by constructing schools and supporting over 2,000 farms.

Statement of Sustainability

Price Range | $12-$200

Best For | Egyptian cotton basics

Affordable. Ethical. Sustainable. YES Friends bills itself as capable of doing it all. To make ethical fashion accessible to everyone, Yes Friends works with organic cotton suppliers and factories running on solar energy in India. Their factories and suppliers meet or exceed certifications like Fair Trade USA, GOTS, BSCI, and WRAP, which all support ethical supply chains and minimal environmental impact. Popular items include their basics, notably the black t-shirt, a staple in everyone’s wardrobe.

Statement of Sustainability

Price Range | $30-$90

Best For | T-shirt Basics

You’d never guess Boden to be a responsible fair trade clothing company by scrolling the site. Gorgeous dresses in contemporary and whimsical designs leave nothing to be desired. However, for nearly 30 years, Boden has made significant strides in responsible sourcing, fair trade, and ethical practices across its factories in 15 countries, ensuring eco-friendly options throughout the supply chain. Their apparel touches on men’s and children’s clothing, but it’s the women’s clothing that outshines. For example, cute and colorful swimwear is made from recycled polyamide and polyester, while linen pieces incorporate a percentage of recycled materials. Boden also collaborates with the Ethical Trading Initiative and &Wider to help prevent modern slavery.

Statement of Sustainability

Best For | Women’s Dresses

Cuyana specializes in essential wardrobe staples for women with a focus on timeless pieces. Based in San Francisco, the brand uses high-quality materials sourced from the United States, South America, and Europe. A statement of transparency on the website covers the production processes and certifications for materials such as recycled plastic, LWG-certified leathers, GOTS-certified organic cotton, and regenerative linen. Additionally, Cuyana’s Lean Closet initiative gives products a second life through two initiatives, a partnership with ThredUP and the Cuyana Revive program. Currently, Revive only accepts Cuyana brand bags and small leather goods for resale, but it accepts donations for repurposing.

Statement of Sustainability

Price Range | $50-$500

Best For | Chic Minimalist Essentials

*The Azure Road editorial team is guided by the North Stars and vets all recommended products personally. When you buy something using our retail links, Azure Road may receive a small commission at no cost to you.