New sustainable fashion brands are popping up every day.
If you are trying to make the move towards a greener wardrobe, chances are you’ve come across at least a few brands you've never heard of. Existing mostly online and on social media, these independent labels often rely on word of mouth to spread their eco-friendly message.
While we encourage you to purchase from second-hand shops first, or not to purchase at all, there are sustainable clothing brands offering interesting alternatives to fast fashion.
So if you're in desperate need of something new, our list could be for you.
These labels - independently selected by our editorial team - provide the best compromise between style, quality and environmental or ethical commitment.
Pricing guide:
€ - under €80
€€ - from €80 to €250
€€€ - over €250
Best for … everyday essentials
1. Armedangels
From: Cologne, Germany
Since: 2007
Highlights:
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified since 2011.
- Only uses sustainable materials such as organic cotton, organic linen, organic wool, recycled polyester, Lenzing Modal® and Tencel.
- Works with Fairtrade and Fair Wear Foundation to implement fair working conditions.
Price: €€
Social: @armedangels
2. Komodo
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 1988
Highlights:
- GOTS certified.
- Member of the soil association.
- Most products are vegan and all are cruelty-free.
- Member of 1% for the Planet.
- Donates to the Sumatran Orangutan Society who restore natural rainforests and ecosystems through the purchase and repurposing of palm oil plantations.
- Uses innovative fabrics such as recycled PET from plastic bottles.
Price: €€
Social: @komodofashion
3. Thought
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 1995
Highlights:
- Founding partners of Common Objective, a not-for-profit network that champions ethical production.
- Uses sustainable fabrics such as hemp, bamboo, organic cotton, recycled polyester and rayon, Tencel and modal.
- Uses AZO-free (a harmful carcinogenic) dyes.
- Each piece of the collection is made in the same country so it’s isn't shipped all over the place.
Price: €
Social: @thoughtclothing
4. People Tree
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 1991
Highlights:
- Many products with Fairtrade certification.
- GOTS certified organic cotton and organic cotton denim that uses 87.2 per cent less water than in conventional denim production.
- Uses Tencel, a cellulose fibre derived from wood pulp in a unique system that recycles almost 100 per cent of solvent through a closed-loop process.
- Committed to a transparent and traceable supply chain.
Price: €€
Social: @peopletreeuk
5. SKFK (Skunkfunk)
From: Basque Country, France
Since: 1996
Highlights:
- Sources its electricity exclusively from companies supplying renewable energy, such as the GOIENER Cooperative or the EDF renewable energy fleet.
- Uses carbon-neutral UPS shipments.
- Uses biodegradable packaging.
- Sources organic cotton, recycled polyester, lyocell (biodegradable), linen, and hemp.
- Fairtrade certified.
Price: €€
Social: @skfk_ethical_fashion
6. Ekyog
From: Rennes, France
Since: 2003
Highlights:
- Select natural, organic, recycled or ecological materials like responsible wool, linen, organic cotton.
- OEKO-TEX, GOTS, Responsible Wool Standard certified clothes.
- No toxic dyes.
- Traceable supply chain.
Price: €€
Social: @ekyog
7. Vanesa Vinhas
From: London, United Kingdom
Highlights:
- Only sustainable natural fabrics such as organic cotton corduroy, organic bamboo silk.
- Works in small batches directly with small manufacturers in Portugal and London.
- Donates some of its profit to help charities that empower women.
Price: €€€
Social: @vanesavinhas
Best for... denim
8. Kings of Indigo
From: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Since: 2012
Highlights:
- Fully transparent and publicly disclosed list of suppliers.
- Teamed up with Made Blue Foundation: every jean purchased during Black Friday last year came with a clean water donation.
- Collection is made up of 95 per cent sustainable materials. The non-sustainable materials include elastane found in stretch denim.
- Committed to associations such as the Fair Wear Foundation
- Laws such as the Dutch Agreement on the Sustainable Garments and Textiles and the Code of Conduct ensure that the brand works only with locations where worker's wellbeing is a priority.
Price: €€
Social: @kingsofindigo
9. MUD Jeans
From: Almere, Netherlands
Since: 2013
Highlights:
- Takes back worn MUD jeans for recycling.
- Production of one pair of MUD Jeans uses 1,500 litres of water compared to the industry standard of 7,000 litres per jeans.
- Carbon neutral as the 9kg of CO2 emitted during the production of one pair of MUD Jeans is offset.
- Uses only non-toxic chemicals that are Nordic Swan Ecolabel certified.
- Part of the Young Designer Program by the Fair Wear Foundation.
Price: €€
Social: @mudjeans
10. KUYICHI
From: Utrecht, Netherlands
Since: 2000
Highlights:
- GOTS certified materials with 100 per cent of products made from organic and recycled materials; mainly cotton and polyester as well as post-consumer recycled denim, Tencel and linen.
- Nearly all Kuyichi jeans are vegan and approved by PETA.
- To reduce the use of water, power and chemicals, its suppliers make use of laser washing techniques.
- Fully transparent and publicly disclosed list of suppliers.
Price: €€
Social: @kuyichipuregoods
Shop
11. CLOSED - A Better Blue collection
From: Hamburg, Germany
Since: 1978 (sustainable line A Better Blue since 2018)
Highlights:
- A BETTER BLUE is an eco-friendly line using recycled cotton and recycled elastane.
- More than 80 per cent of products are made in Europe to keep shipping distances short.
- Products are transported to warehouses and shops by land, not air.
- Online orders are shipped in 100 per cent recyclable boxes made from 100 per cent recycled materials.
Price: €€
Social: @closedofficial
12. Weekday
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Since: 2002 (part of H&M group since 2008)
Highlight:
- 100 per cent of all cotton products are made from either organic or recycled cotton including denim.
- Swimwear made from recycled waste such as PET bottles and production waste.
- Restricts use of formaldehyde, antibacterial substances, nonylphenol ethoxylates and some AZO and disperse dyes. Does not use heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead and mercury.
- No fur, mulesed wool, cashmere or mohair.
Price: €
Social: @weekdayofficial
Best for… French style
13. Balzac Paris
From: Paris, France
Since: 2011
Highlights:
- Zero-waste advocates: new collections, scrunchies and underwear are cut from fabric scraps.
- Uses Tencel, recycled polyester, and vegetable-tanned leather, biodegradable leather or leather alternatives.
- Produces 98 per cent of their pieces within the European Union and ship them by truck to limit the carbon footprint.
Price: €€
Social: @balzacparis
14. Valentine Gauthier
From: Paris, France
Since: 2007
Highlights:
- Garments are made in small batches.
- Made in French, Italian or English workshops.
- You’ll find information about suppliers and sustainable materials, including certifications, next to each product on the online shop.
Price: €€€
Social: @valentinegauthierofficiel
15. Muse & Marlowe
From: Brittany, France
Since: 2018
Highlights:
- Uses GOTS certified organic fabrics.
- Made in France and Portugal.
- Uses eco-friendly packagings including compostable envelopes, biodegradable wrapping papers and stickers.
- Reuses fabric offcuts to make new products.
Price: €€
Social: @museandmarlowe
16. Les Sublimes
From: Paris, France
Since: 2005
Philosophy
Highlights:
- Only uses natural, recycled and innovative, botanical fibres such as GOTS-certified organic cotton.
- Limited or no use of hazardous substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, fertilisers or GMOs, and are free of harsh chemicals, dyes, toxins and processing agents.
- Collections are sewn in production atelier, mainly in France.
Price: €
Social: @lessublimes
17. Aatise
From: Paris, France
Since: 2017
Highlights:
- Gives maximum priority to renewable natural materials, such as linen, lyocell or viscose.
- Some garments are compostable.
- Uses recycled cotton from the textile industry to make trousers.
- Made in France.
Price: €€
Social: @aatise
Best for... athleisure
18. TALA
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2019
Highlights:
- Packaging is recycled and recyclable and the tags are made from 100 per cent plantable paper filled with seeds to grow your own flowers.
- A wide range of inclusive sizes.
- Up-cycled products including Polyamide Q-Nova textile, recycled cotton and recycled polyester.
Price: €
Social: @wearetala
19. ECOALF
From: Madrid, Spain
Since: 2009
Highlights:
- Certified B Corporation: legally required to consider the impact of their decisions not only on their shareholders, but also on their stakeholders including workers, suppliers, community, consumers, and the environment.
- Doesn't use fur.
- Uses mainly recycled fabrics like nylon from fishing nets, cotton, wool and tyres for its flip flops.
- All of ECOALF’s providers have at least one Bluesign® certification.
- Plastic-free, recycled packaging and manufacturing process carried out entirely in Spain.
Price: €€
Social: @ecoalf
20. Ninety Percent
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2018
Highlights:
- Shares 90 per cent of distributed profits between charitable causes and those who make their collection happen.
- Uses sustainable materials including organic cotton and merino wool.
Price: €€
Social: @ninety_percent
21. Thinking MU
From: Barcelona, Spain
Since: 2010
Highlights:
- Only uses organic fibres and fabrics, and biodegradable, non-toxic dyes.
- Fairtrade certified.
- Biodegradable packaging.
- Every item comes with a transparency tag featuring a QR code to access the story behind the product.
Price: €
Social: @thinkingmu
22. Dedicated
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Since: 2006
Highlights:
- Uses GOTS and Fairtrade Certified Cotton, GRS recycled poly and natural fibres such as Tencel.
- Swimwear, jackets, and beanies are made of 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles.
- Provides information about its suppliers including location and certifications.
Price: €€
Social: @dedicated
23. Pura Clothing
From: Switzerland and Italy
Since: 2015
Highlights:
- Recycled fabrics sourced from Italy.
- All of the pieces are made by hand in Switzerland and Italy.
- No air travel involved in any of their processes.
- 1 CHF (93 cents) of every purchase donated to a non-profit organization fighting global warming.
Price: €
Social: @puraclothing
Best for … knitwear
24. L’Envers
From: Madrid, Spain
Since: 2015
Highlights:
- All pieces are knitted in small family workshops in Spain.
- All pieces are made with GOTS certified organic cotton or wool from France or Spain.
- Gives 1 per cent of profits to support CO2-reducing projects around the world.
- Produces clothes small batches and orders small amounts of fabrics.
Price: €€€
Social: @lenvers_fashion
25. Wuuls
From: Gran Sasso National Park, Italy
Since: 2019
Highlights:
- Made in Italy
- Only works with locally sourced merino wool chosen for its biodegradability.
- Uses natural dyeing processes.
Price: €€
Social: @wuuls
26. Riley Studio
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2018
Highlights:
- Uses recycled and organic cotton, Econyl, and recycled polyester.
- Produces items in small, limited runs.
- Offers a lifetime guarantee for repair.
- There is a recycling scheme for Riley clothes.
Price: €€€
Social: @riley.studio
27. Carcel
From: Copenhagen, Denmark
Since: 2016
Highlights:
- Provides work and skills training to incarcerated women in Peru and Thailand.
- Fair wages benchmarked with the International Labour Organization (ILO) guidelines.
- Locally sourced fabrics like silk from Thailand and alpaca wool from Peru.
Price: €€
Social: @carcelclothing
28. Mandkhai
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2018
Highlights:
- Cashmere sourced from free-roaming goats in Mongolia.
- Any waste during production is used to make other products.
Price: €€€
Social: @mandkhaiofficial
29. Sabinna
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2015
Highlights:
- 95 per cent of all garments are made out of natural fibres.
- Uses 100 per cent compostable mailing bags and larger orders are packed into recycled boxes.
- Reuses leftover fabrics to make accessories.
- Offers free repair services to help extend the life of its products.
Price: €€
Social: @sabinna_com
30. Navy Grey
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2019
Highlights:
- Mulesing-free wool.
- Made in Portugal.
- Ships jumpers in undyed 100 per cent organic cotton drawstring bags from Devon-based solar panel powered distribution hub.
- Carbon-neutral delivery service.
Price: €€
Social: @navygrey.co
Best for … basics
31. Know the Origin
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2016
Highlights:
- Marketplace for sustainable brands.
- Fair Trade certified organic cotton range of basics.
Price: €
Social: @knowtheorigin
32. Cossac
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2014
Highlights:
- Items are produced in small batches to minimise waste and deadstock.
- Uses sustainable materials such as organic cotton, Tencel and modal.
- All production is carried out in Europe, in Portugal and Turkey in ISO and GOTS certified factories.
- Packaging is made from recycled paper and is 100 per cent recyclable.
Price: €€
Social: @studio_cossac
33. The Cotton Story
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2018
Highlights:
- Makes items in small batches to avoid overproduction.
- Delivery bags made from recycled paper and packaging is fully recyclable.
- Offcuts or damaged materials are re-used for cleaning its machines and where appropriate sold on to be made into other products.
- Fair and transparent pricing.
Price: €
Social: @thecottonstory
34. Jan’n’June
From: Hamburg, Germany
Since: 2013
Highlights:
- Clothing is produced in Wroclaw, Poland in a family-owned factory.
- All materials are certified including organic cotton, recycled polyamide, organic linen.
- Every item has a QR code that provides an "ECO-ID" – the passport of the item. Scanning it reveals every step of the supply chain from the origin of the resource or the final production.
- Gives offcuts a new life by using them to make new products.
Price: €€
Social: @jannjune
35. Beaumont Organic
From: Manchester, United Kingdom
Since: 2008
Highlights:
- GOTS certified organic cotton, wool is harvested according to non-mulesing practices.
- Upcycles unused fabric rolls from the production process.
- Only works with factories in the EU which pay fair wages and provide good working conditions for its staff.
Price: €€
Social: @beaumontorganic
36. Noctu
From: United Kingdom
Since: 2009
Highlights:
- Uses GOTS certified organic cotton.
- ‘Standard 100 Oeko-Tex®’ Certified which ensures that no harmful chemicals have been used in any process of the cotton cycle.
- Supports the World Land Trust (WLT): for every single purchase, they donate enough money to save 10 square metres of endangered wildlife across the planet.
Price: €
Social: @noctuorganic
Best for …. evening wear
37. Noumenon
From: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Since: 2016
Highlights:
- Vegan, cruelty-free and environmentally friendly fabrics from GOTS and Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) certified suppliers such as organic cotton, ramie, lyocell, modal.
- Labels are made from recycled cotton and the tags are made of recycled paper.
- Every order placed in Amsterdam is delivered by the 100 per cent electric company car BIRO in recycled packaging.
Price: €€
Social: @noumenon_amsterdam
38. House of Dagmar
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Since: 2005
Highlights:
- Certified viscose, organic cotton, friendly fur, mulesing-free merino wool, recycled polyester, chrome-free leather, lyocell fibres and eco-regenerated cashmere.
- Partnered with The Swedish Textile Initiative for Climate Action (STICA), with the ambition to develop a sustainability roadmap and action plan for the Swedish apparel and textile industry.
Price: €€€
Social: @houseofdagmar
39. Ssōne
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2018
Highlights:
- Prioritises sustainable, low-water washing and natural botanical dye processes.
- For every Ssōne order dispatched a tree will be planted in partnership with WeForest.
- Repurposes offcuts from the production process, deadstock materials and vintage fabrics to create unique pieces and interior objects with a seasonless appeal.
Price: €€€
Social: @ssonecircle
40. Coralie Marabelle
From: Paris, France
Since: 2016
Highlights:
- Creates clothing in small batches.
- Upcycles pre-loved clothes.
Price: €€€
Social: @coralie.marabelle
41. Mother of Pearl
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2002
Highlights:
- Only 5 per cent of fabrics are synthetic; GOTS certified cotton, mulesing-free and recycled wool, Lyocell and viscose make up the majority of collections.
- Garments travel to a maximum of 2 countries.
- If you see ‘Traced from Field to Final’ next to a garment it means the brand knows each step of its supply chain.
Price: €€€
Social: @motherofpearl
42. Bite Studios
From: Stockholm, Sweden and London, United Kingdom
Since: 2016
Highlights:
- 95 per cent of materials in collections are organic, recycled or low-impact.
- The brand provides a guide of materials used.
- Each piece is handcrafted.
Price: €€€
Social: @bitestudios
43. Clemmie Rose
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2019
Highlights:
- All dyes used are vegan and organic.
- Clothes are made in a small and safe factory in India recognized by the World Fair Trade Organization (WTFO).
- Originated as an NGO charity which provided women with a three-year training programme and any medical treatment or support they may need. After registering as a company the focus has been on paying employees a fair wage in order to better their lives, never employing children or outsourcing labour and ensuring good working conditions for all staff.
Price: €€€
Social: @clemmie_rose_designs
Best for… under €100
44. Lucy & Yak
From: Brighton, United Kingdom
Since: 2017
Highlights:
- Made in India in factories where tailors are paid four times the state minimum wage.
- 100 per cent biodegradable mailing bags.
- Everyone at Lucy & Yak is paid above the living wage.
- Uses organic yarn and low impact dyes.
Price: €
Social: @lucyandyak
45. Twothirds
From: Barcelona, Spain
Since: 2010
Highlights:
- Organic and recycled materials such as GOTS certified organic cotton and recycled wool.
- Made in Europe.
- Nearly all products are produced according to the Oeko-Tex 100 standard, thereby guaranteeing they are free of harmful chemicals.
- Merino wool is sourced in Argentina where sheep are not mulesed.
- All embellishments and details are made of cork instead of leather.
Price: €
Social: @twothirds_bcn
46. Lindex
From: Alingsås, Sweden
Since: 1954
Highlights:
- Have signed the 2020 Circular Fashion System Commitment by Global Fashion Agenda, a group working to set a mutual agenda and industry direction on sustainability in fashion.
- 68 per cent of cotton used is organic and the entire baby range is made of GOTS certified organic cotton.
- 90 per cent of their Better Denim assortment is dyed with DyStar Liquid Indigo Vat 40 per cent Solution, the cleanest indigo dye on the market.
Price: €
Social: @lindexofficial
47. Bibico
From: Bath, United Kingdom
Since: 2007
Highlights:
- Has an organic cotton collection.
- Works with two women's cooperatives that are both fair trade certified by the WFTO.
Price: €
Social: @bibico_clothing
Best for… summertime apparel
48. Arkitaip
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2018
Highlights:
- Biodegradable linen, sustainably grown in Europe.
- Works with small-scale European suppliers which provide fair wages and good working conditions.
- Uses paper bags for shipping.
- Uses leftover fabric scraps to create scrunchies.
- Mother-daughter duo aiming to create pieces that can be passed on from generation to generation.
Price: €€
Social: @arkitaip
49. A Perfect Nomad
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2018
Highlights:
- Handmade and hand-dyed by artisans.
- Uses organic ‘peace’ silk harvested in a way that means no animals are harmed.
- Uses GOTS certified organic cotton.
- 10 per cent of the profits from each garment goes toward setting up learning centres in economically disadvantaged communities.
Price: €€€
Social: @aperfectnomad
50. Lemlem
From: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Highlights:
- Made in Africa by artisans who no longer have a market for their craft.
- Partnered with a workshop in Rwanda that trains women artisans to create rich hand embroidery.
- Partnered with a local collective in Kenya that employs craftswomen and teaches the art of crochet.
- 5 per cent of sales go to Lemlem’s philanthropic arm, a non-profit organization with the mission to help women artisans in Africa thrive by connecting them to healthcare, education and pathways to jobs.
Since: 2007
Price: €€€
Social: @lemlemofficial
51. All Sisters
From: Barcelona, Spain
Since: 2015
Highlights:
- Uses high quality recycled textiles from Italy that carry the Made in Green by OEKO-TEX® certification.
- Uses upcycled garments made of stock material proceeding from local factories.
Price: €€
Social: @allsisters_official
52. Cocofrio
From: Paris, France
Since: 2016
Highlights:
- All swimwear is made in Italy and made in ECONYL®, from recycled nylon from fishing nets.
- 100 per cent made in Italy.
- €1 of each purchase is donated to the Cancer League.
Price: €
Social: @cocofrioparis
53. Bower Swimwear
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2015
Highlights:
- 1 per cent of profits from all orders are donated to the Healthy Seas initiative.
- Made in Rimini, Italy where all employees are paid in line with EU guidelines and are provided with safe working conditions.
- All swim fabric is produced using ECONYL® yarn, a 100 per cent regenerated nylon yarn derived from pre and post-industrial waste such as discarded fishing nets, carpet fluff and tulle.
- Vegan.
Price: €€
Social: @bowerswimwear
Best for… workwear
54. Filippa K
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Since: 1993
Highlights:
- Partnered with TrusTrace to use groundbreaking blockchain technology that supports the transparency of garments.
- Uses recycled polyester lining for all outerwear.
- Clean, minimalist aesthetic that increases the longevity of the garments.
- Suppliers and information about the garment are disclosed next to each product to help increase transparency.
- Mulesing free merino and recycled polyester are used throughout the collection.
Price: €€
Social: @filippa_k
55. Jungle Folk
From: Zurich, Switzerland
Since: 2013
Highlights:
- Only uses sustainable and certified materials such as organic cotton, linen, silk and wool for the clothing and recycled and natural materials for accessories.
- Works directly with independent family businesses.
Price: €€
Social: @jungle_folk
56. Rhumaa
From: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Since: 2014
Highlights:
- All products fall under the REACH regulations and are AZO free.
- Made in Europe.
- Fabrics are digitally printed.
- Organic and vegan fabrics.
Price: €€
Social: @rhumaa_official
57. Maska
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Since: 2009
Highlights:
- Only uses natural materials in buttons and knitting yarns.
- Most knitwear is produced in the EU following the labour laws of the European Union.
- All other knitwear produced in a Swedish-owned factory in Nepal run according to fair labour guidelines created by the international non-profit organisation Fair Wear Foundation.
Price: €€
Social: @maska.se
58. Lanius
From: Köln, Germany
Since: 1999
Highlights:
- GOTS-certified and uses materials that are controlled by independent institutes such as CERS and Control Union.
- Only uses mulesing-free wool.
- Vegan fashion certified by the PETA-Approved Vegan Label for pain-free clothing.
Price: €€€
Social: @lanius_fairfashion
59. Lifegist
From: Madrid, Spain
Since: 2013
Highlights:
- Locally produced around Madrid and Seville in Spain.
- Uses materials such as organic wool and cotton, hemp, bamboo, milk fibre, micro Modal®.
- Fabrics come from GOTS certified German and Italian factories.
Price: €
Social: @lifegistfashion
60. Rakha
From: London, United Kingdom
Since: 2016
Highlights:
- Garments made from biodegradable or recycled natural materials.
- Tries to ensure that only mono non-mixed materials are used in order to increase the chances that garments are either recycled into new materials or bio-degraded.
Price: €€
Social: @rakhaofficial
Disclaimer: This content is purely editorial. These brands have been chosen independently by members of the editorial team. This selection is based on personal opinion (i.e. style) and publicly available information disclosed by these brands on their website. Our journalists reserve the right to amend this list over time.
