It’s great to see that people are becoming more mindful of the planet and its inhabitants. More and more, people are choosing to invest a little more money in their material possessions and take home ethical clothing brands among other efforts like ethical banking to help save Mother Earth.

As I read somewhere recently, there is no such thing as cheap clothes – someone somewhere is paying the price. So today, let’s talk about my favourite ethical clothes.

This year I’ve vouched to buy less and buy mostly second-hand (if you’re in Berlin, check out my Berlin thrift store guide). I know it’s not always possible, so for the rest, I hope I can inspire you with these fantastic ethical clothing companies and fair fashion brands.

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What does Ethical Fashion Mean?

So what does ethically made clothing mean? Brands and consumers sure have their own beliefs when it comes to what ethical clothes brands should be and the ethical clothing meaning. In my opinion, eco clothing brands can be called ethical clothing or ethical fashion brands when those criteria are met:

• it’s free from animal cruelty
• there is a fair trade clothing agreement going on between the parties involved in the process of making clothes, including being manufactured in humane working conditions
• the materials used are environmentally-friendly
• the brand promotes slow fashion, meaning that the quality and the longevity of the clothes are well thought-out

Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood once said, “Buy less. Choose well. Make it last.” The ethical fashion meaning is in our own hands too.

Why do Ethical Clothes Matter?

The fashion industry is extremely polluting. More so, billions of water and tons of chemicals are used to produce clothes we can’t seem to get enough of one day and throw away because out of style the next. According to an article published on United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2018, “To make just one pair of denim jeans, 10,000 liters of water is required to just grow the one kilo of cotton needed for the pair of jeans. In comparison, one person would take 10 years to drink 10,000 liters of water.” Five billion pairs of jeans are produced every year, requiring 110 billion gallons worldwide. 900,000 tons of chemicals like acid and bleach are used in factories every year. The crazy part is that I’m only talking about one pair of jeans.

If you need more incriminating facts about fast fashion, I urge you to watch The True Cost on Netflix. Here are seven ethical clothing brands I’ve been supporting ever since I made the big switch.

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My Favourite Ethical Clothes Brands

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links.

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ThokkThokk

ThokkThokk’s ecofashion label started off as the passion project of one individual that slowly grew into a full collection with many collaborators and a team of decicated and sustainability-driven people. ThokkThokk’s unique and colourful collections are fair trade, GOTS certified, PETA-approved and use a lot of Tencel, an eco-friendly and incredibly soft material.

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Armed Angel

Armed Angel speaks wise words. “For us, organic is not a trend but a conviction. To assume responsibility for our environment is not an option but an obligation. This is why we opt for renewable resources and recycled materials.” The ethically made clothing brand offers dresses, sweats, t-shirts, polos, jackets, loungewear, to name some — all made with organic and recycled materials certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard and approved by PETA.

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Organic Basics

As the name has it, Organic Basics provides ethical basics clothing: cotton ethical panties, activewear, tees & tops for both men and women. The Danish brand handpicks “every single fabric based on its environmental footprint and lifetime durability”. That means natural, renewable, recycled, biodegradable or low-impact textiles only. Organic Basics also ensures that they only work with trusted factory partners where the environmental footprint is reduced, the workplace is free of child labour, and employees are paid fairly and with benefits like free lunch and childcare.

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Jojoe Collective

Jojoe concentrates on an eco-conscious approach that encourages people to make small changes in their lifestyles to result in a bigger, collective difference. The brand uses only recycled materials and fabrics in both the products and packaging – the products use bonded seams and printed care labels to minimise waste and maximise comfort. They also ensure all of our manufacturing processes are fully ethical and environmental making sure all of our factories are SEDEX approved. The underwear are so soft and silky, feels like you’re wearing nothing at all!!!!

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Troo

Initiated by two sisters from South Africa, Troo is another ethically made clothing brand that promotes a sustainable lifestyle and slow fashion. The sisters partner up with young inspiring designers who share the same passion for slow fashion as they do. One of their epic efforts is to save lace leftovers from big designers and turn them into sexy intimates. By getting to know more about this brand through their products, you’ll absolutely know what troo love means now more than ever!

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Under Protection

Under Protection is all about ethics and aesthetics. The Danish brand has a wonderful collection of ethical underwear, loungewear, swimwear, basics, and accessories such as eye masks, purses, and toiletry bags — all made ethically and sustainably. Under Protection also swears by eco-friendly packaging that is all recycled and recyclable.

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Dedicated

True its name, Dedicated is one of the ethically made clothing companies that is devoted to sustainability, positive alternatives, decent working conditions, and getting certifications in the fashion industry. All that in order to come up with wicked organic clothes, may it be for men, women, or kids.

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Plant Faced

Plant Faced is an ethical, independently-owned, vegan label. This ethical clothing brand speaks from the owners’ love for fashion, music, tattoos, skate, streetwear, surf, plant-based and cruelty-free lifestyle, and of course protecting the environment.