Sustainable fashion at sustainable prices
The sustainable fashion movement is taking off. Every month we hear about new brands creating lines of eco clothing, with ethical practice built into their business model. But for lots of consumers, even if they support the ethos of sustainability, the decision of what to wear (and what to buy) comes down to affordability – and some of these brands can be pricey. But sustainable fashion doesn’t have to break the bank. We’ve rounded up 10 amazing eco-fashion brands that are good for the planet (and your bank balance).
Bibico
After working for a high street brand and becoming disillusioned with the values of fast fashion (cheaper, worse quality, exploiting factory workers), designer Snow set up her own clothing brand which focuses on taking time and creating clothing that lasts using all natural fabrics, made by two fairtrade women’s co-operative factories in India. Usually quality comes at a price, but Bibico’s items are affordable especially when you consider that the timeless styles could last for a decade. For example, the Grace Swing Sleveless Dress, epitomising a feminine glamour that never goes out of fashion, is currently on sale at £69.
Greenfibres
Started in the 1990s by William and Gabriela Lana, Greenfibres was part of the early wave of ethical clothing companies in the UK. They are still a small team based out of their shop in Totnes and encourage visits. “No clever product write-up (and we’re still working on those!) can substitute the feel and smell of an organic wool blanket or organic cotton nightie,” they say. The clothing is simple but appealing, such as the organic cotton unisex hoody (£43).
Know the Origin
Founder Charlotte set Know the Origin up in 2015 with transparency as the guiding principle. The brand offers handy basics like this stretchy black dress for £40. Often purchasing the basics is where sustainability standards can fall down, but not here. Know the Origin are serious about reducing the environmental impact of an item of clothing from start to finish.
Madia and Matilda
Based in the Cotswolds, Madia and Matilda make their clothing in Britain by upcycling and reworking vintage clothing, using end-of-roll fabrics and recycled fabric waste. For example, this heavy linen skirt (£55) has been upcycled with a silk waistband. They also focus on natural fabrics that aren’t produced using harmful chemicals.
Mayamiko
Mayamiko uses fabrics from textile markets in Malawi, working with a co-operative of women traders to source exclusive prints for a limited number of pieces. The clothing is then made in a solar-powered factory outside the capital Lilongwe. You’d think that the artisanal focus would impact the price of these items but their bright and beautiful dresses are affordable. For example, the Dalitso Maxi Wrap Dress (£69).
Monkee Genes
Monkee Genes create ethical and eco-conscious jeans by scrutinising factories to ensure workers are paid a fair wage. Jeans come in skinny, slim and relaxed styles priced from £50-£80. For example the men’s slim fit in rinse wash (£60) is made from 98% organic cotton and 2% lycra, offering the chance to look good and feel good at the same time.
Noctu
Thanks to Noctu, sleeping is no excuse not to be sustainable fashion aware. They sell nightwear that is made from organic cotton by seamstresses in the UK. The Elio T’shirt (£28) is soft, lightweight and designed to give you a better night’s sleep – both because the lack of negative impact on the environment and the comfort of the material.
Po-Zu
Po-Zu creates shoes from ethically sourced sustainable materials. They are against the throw-away culture of modern shoe production and make their shoes to last. For example, vegan high tops Butterfly Hi available for men and women currently on sale at £29 made from organic cotton and the company’s trademarked Foot-Mattress sole made from natural latex foam and coconut fibre.
Thought
Thought (originally Braintree Clothing) was founded in Australia in 1995 and started with men’s shirts made from rammie (one of the oldest fabric crops in the world) and hemp. They came over to the UK in 2002 with a pop-up shop on Portobello Road and now can be found in stores all over the world. The collection’s focus is on classics that they hope will become reliable pillars of your wardrobe for years to come. For example, the Kerron Grandpa 100% certified organic cotton demin shirt (£49) is built to last with the company’s mantra: “wear me, love me, mend me, pass me on”.
THTC
At £25 for a t-shirt, THTC is not bargain-bin level prices, but affordable, decent quality and make an unusual style statement – see the King David (£25) Attenborough T. And as they are made of hemp they feel good on your skin and for the planet – the fabric is super soft and the crop can grow without pesticides or fertilizer so there are no nasty chemicals involved.
Want to print on organic and eco cotton apparel? ICON Printing offer a range of organic cotton blanks for printing – get in touch with our team to find out more.