5 Sustainable Women's Clothing Brands You Didn't Know About...

Did you know that 60-70% of all clothing is made from the same chemicals found in plastic?

The ones that were recently discovered to be linked to the cause of cancer, infertility, developmental delays, and can disrupt your hormones. No? Most people don't.

Currently in the U.S., women's clothing brands focus on creating trend-forward pieces that generate the most profit possible. Big brands like Forever21, SHEIN, Zara, etc. produce massive amounts of waste, use synthetic materials, and add to global pollution. Not only are these brands making large negative impacts on our climate, but they are also making them on our bodies.

Instead of buying from these popular brands, it's essential that we, as consumers, look beyond fast fashion-focused companies and turn to ones that better support us as women, as well as the earth. Choosing to shop with sustainable women's clothing brands can lessen the negative impacts of the fast fashion industry on our planet.

A true sustainable clothing brand prioritizes ethical practices, eco-friendly materials, and fair labor conditions, aiming to minimize its environmental impact and promote social responsibility. This means brands are unethically creating cheap products and selling them for the most profit possible.

Without thinking about safe working environments, carbon footprint, toxic materials, etc. This approach, although good for the company's profit, is not eco-friendly nor is it consumer-friendly.

Let's move away from chemically based clothing and opt for pieces made from real, natural fibers, organic fabrics, and non-toxic dyes to make a positive impact on both the planet and our bodies. Below are the five best sustainable clothing brands for women that prioritize the things we all want and need when it comes to achieving that effortless style.

1. Indigo Luna

Number 1 is Indigo Luna, which is a sustainable women's clothing brand homed in Australia and created in Bali, Indonesia. This women-owned brand focuses on creating activewear and loungewear for women with the earth in mind. "Choices are grounded in intention, eco-consciousness, and deep care for both people and planet." -Indigo Luna.

This brand is known for its cute and comfortable yoga pieces, created from plant-based materials like plant viscose and pure cotton. By staying away from harsh materials like polyester, Indigo Luna uses natural fibers to carry the body through life and movement positively.

This brand is...

• Ethically sourced and made

• Uses certified organic cotton

• Uses natural materials

• Uses plant-based dyes

• 100% vegan fabric

• OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified

Indigo Luna is a great choice for ethical fashion for anyone looking for comfy and cute active and loungewear.

Shop Indigo and Luna here.

2. Pact

At Number 2, Pact, "Earth's Favorite Clothing Brand," is one that focuses on affordable basics, most well known for their organic cotton underwear. The brand uses ethical practices to ensure the use of pure organic cotton in its products.

Organic cotton is a popular eco-friendly material that is grown without toxic pesticides and uses significantly less water than conventional cotton, making it better for the environment and farmers.

Pact is also well known for its size inclusivity, expanding its sizes to fit a wider variety of body types. As a sustainable women's clothing brand, they are rated incredibly highly.

This brand is...

• Holds Fair Trade Certified status

• Uses only GOTS-certified organic cotton

• Has carbon offset shipping

• Uses recycled and biodegradable packaging

• Has a donation program for used clothes to lessen clothing waste.

Pact is a perfect match for anyone looking for some good closet basics. Although the brand does have some unique pieces, the basics are what they are best known for.

Shop Pact Clothing here.

3. Olive and Oath

Pact is a perfect match for anyone looking for some good closet basics. Although the brand does have some unique pieces, the basics are what they are best known for.

At number 3, Olive and Oath is a prime example of how sustainable women's clothing brands can be both ethical and cute. The gingham dress above is made with 100% pure linen. It supports the women's body and the earth by using only plant-based materials.

This New Zealand-based brand, on the pricier sidefocuses on both women's bodies and the planet when designing its clothes. Beyond its eco-friendly mission, the company prioritizes comfortable, flattering designs that celebrate the female form for everyday luxury by creating designs that flatter and fit a diverse array of body shapes, promoting a more inclusive fashion culture.

This brand is...

• Ethically manufactured

• Uses only certified 100% pure flax linen

• Non-Toxic

Olive and Oath is a perfect option for women who love to feel good while looking good in their clothes.

Shop Olive and Oath here.

4. MATE The Label

At number 4, MATE the label is another great choice when looking to shop sustainable women's clothing brands due to the use of natural, non-toxic materials in its clothing. This brand has a wide range of styles, although it is best known for its cute and comfy loungewear.

This brand is...

• Climate Neutral Certified

• Uses natural and organic materials

• Made in the USA

• Uses eco-friendly packaging

• Donates a percentage of profits to environmental causes

Shop MATE the label here.

5. Frank & Oak

Frank and Oak furthers its positive environmental impact by having a recycling program where customers can bring their old jeans to be repurposed for new products and materials.

This brand is...

• GOTS Certified

• Uses only natural and eco-friendly fabrics

• Uses compostable packaging

As mentioned earlier, this brand is great for anyone who is looking for some great staples for their closet. Especially, if you are in need of some good, sustainable jeans!

Shop Frank & Oak here.

Honorable Mention: Patagonia

While we all know this popular brand, the impact they have on the sustainable clothing world is remarkable and should be talked about. With their use of recycled fabrics and sustainable practices, it truly stands out in the fashion industry.

Patagonia has committed to using 98% recycled materials in its products and has launched a Take-Back Program to create a circular clothing system.

This brand is...

• B Corp certified

• Fair Trade Certified

• Uses organic cotton and recycled materials

• Leads environmental sustainability initiatives

• Patagonia runs a secondhand shop that recycles worn products into new ones.

Learn more about Patagonia's direct impact on the planet here.

When choosing a sustainable women's clothing brand, Patagonia is a top option for many reasons. If you are looking for outdoor wear or any comfy basics, the eco-friendly clothing Patagonia offers is the right choice.

Shop Patagonia Here

Why Sustainable Women's Clothing Brands?

Shopping ethically and sustainably is more important now than ever. Overconsumption in America is at an all-time high, which directly impacts our climate by adding to the already dangerously high levels of pollution.

An example of this would be the newfound increased usage of recycled materials, such as those made from plastic bottles, in clothing production. This aids in the reduction of waste and the need for new materials.

As little parts of a much larger system, we as consumers can make a change by choosing to make the ethical choice. Brands that are committed to clean fashion will be transparent about using non-toxic materials that are better for your skin and the planet, and address their production process.

Ethical production ensures fair labor practices, which means that everyone involved in the process of creating your clothes is treated fairly.

How to Get Away from Fast Fashion

In order to get away from the world of fast fashion and overconsumption, we need to look beyond the brands we know and find new sustainable brands.

When looking to create a sustainable wardrobe, look for things like...

• GOTS Certified clothing- this ensures the sustainable practices in farming and manufacturing of organic cotton.

• Fair Trade Certified labels

• The use of recycled materials, such as those made from plastic bottles, is increasingly used in clothing production, helping to reduce waste and the need for virgin materials.

• Any sustainability initiate programs / donation boxes on websites.

The two main things to look for when choosing a brand are ethical practices and eco-friendly materials. This generally means that the brands are taking into consideration the environmental impact of their company/ product as well as the impact this product and process has on people. Regarding both workers and consumers, these brands make sure both are being treated with respect and good practice.

Be an Eco-conscious Consumer!

Beyond these five sustainable women's clothing brands, there is a multitude of eco-friendly clothing available in the fashion industry today. Women’s clothing brands are increasingly recognized for their stringent environmental responsibility initiatives, shaping sustainable fashion practices. Caring for your body with non-toxic materials and protecting the earth with sustainable methods is always the best option.

More Eco-Friendly Clothing Brands

Find more eco-friendly clothing brands here.

🪽 Written by Jessica Minch