27 Popular Fashion Brands That Are Getting Sustainability Right

Performative sustainability is real—here’s where to find brands actually doing the work.

27 Popular Fashion Brands That Are Getting Sustainability Right

With so many so-called sustainable fashion brands and eco-conscious lines popping up in stores and on our feeds these days, it's not always clear who's actually doing the work and who's just enjoying the halo effect of being socially and environmentally responsible. The fact of the matter is, fashion has a massive waste problem—on average, Americans generate about 75 pounds of textile waste per year, an increase of more than 750% since 1960—and companies can’t simply become sustainable overnight. Sourcing organic, recycled, regenerated, or innovative materials requires a far greater investment than the cheap textiles that make up the majority of our clothing today, and it takes years of planning to build responsible supply chains that have a low environmental impact. 

As consumers, it's easy to fall for greenwashing marketing tactics—with brands using fluffy jargon, misleading images, and hyper-focusing on one “green” business practice (while conveniently disregarding everything else)—especially if these messages are coming from a retailer or designer you love and regularly shop. But we need to clean up our act as much as our favorite labels do, and you can do your part to propel the industry forward by educating yourself and supporting the companies striving to do better.

To help you make sense of all the cryptic messaging, we reached out to three fashion sustainability experts to come up with helpful benchmarks to distinguish brands that are actually doing the work—versus labels that are putting out performative statements without the receipts to back them up. Of course, we know you can't actually buy your way into sustainability, but you can make more informed choices when shopping.

So what are some attributes to keep in mind? Here's what the experts have to say. 

Use of materials

Preeti Arya, Assistant Professor in Textile Development at the Fashion Institute of Technology, tells Glamour fiber content deserves a deeper look—and she encourages shoppers to look out for the materials brands are using in their clothes. As a general rule, the simpler fiber content, the better, so keep an eye out for natural, organic materials that use less water and don't include pesticides or microplastics. Wool, silk, flax, hemp, linen, okra, and bamboo are all great alternatives to clothes made from non-biodegradable materials like polyester and nylon. Some brands, like Pangaia and Adidas, are also pioneering the use of sustainably made materials from entirely new sources and innovative processes (think T-shirts made from eucalyptus pulp and seaweed powder; puffer coats filled with dried flowers, and sneakers made from ocean plastic.)

Understand the long-term mission

Céline Semaan, founder of Slow Factory and co-founder of the newly-launched digital talk show All of the Above, tells Glamour that people should keep an eagle eye on brands’ involvement in the sustainability movement. Is it a one-off thing or do they have long-term goals laid out? If they seem to be in it for the long haul, try to find out what exactly they're trying to achieve in the space (think: minimizing waste, regenerative farming, or reducing emissions)—and “see how honest in their journey they are,” Semaan says. Being transparent and putting information in the public domain through impact reports is key to accountability.

Wages

Another way to find out whether a brand is genuinely taking a 360-degree approach to sustainability is to see if it's talking economic sustainability as well—through fair, livable wages for all of its employees, Ayesha Barenblat, founder and CEO of ReMake tells Glamour. Garment workers are some of the most underpaid professionals around the world (even close to home in big cities like Los Angeles), so brands vetting its contractors and subcontractors won't just help create more sustainable practices across the board, it'll also further eliminate sweatshops, child labor, and unsafe working conditions for the people who produce the clothes you're wearing right now.

Certification 

There are many third-party certifications out there—both for materials and factory standards—but some of the most popular and globally recognized ones are GOTS, Oeko-TEX, Better Cotton Initiative, Bluesign, Certified B-Corp, and Fair Trade. Some of these can be pay-for-play (read: brands pay for audits on factories and fabrics), but overall they are helpful to get a sense of how committed a brand is to sustainability in general. Preeti says it “indicates good morale on their part as they’re going the extra mile to get their supply chains certified.” For added assurance, you can always check out ReMake's unpaid brand directory, which vets labels and evaluates the data (on workers, materials, and waste) they publicly disclose.

Aside from keeping these four criteria in mind when evaluating how sustainable a brand really is, you should also feel empowered to reach out to brands directly with concerns you have about its policies. Social media is the perfect vehicle to hold brands accountable, and in the last year we've seen Millennials, Gen Z’ers, and industry watchdog accounts like Diet Prada boldly call out brands they felt were greenwashing or leaning into performative activism. Even still, the line between holding brands accountable and canceling them out entirely is a fine one, and Barenblat says shoppers should use social media as a means to ask questions and rather than dismiss a brand entirely. Those questions can be as simple as what materials are being used, how much workers are being compensated, or where and how a donation or upcycling program takes place. The way a brand responds to these inquiries will tell you a lot about whether they're worth your coin. 

The road to sustainability is a long one—and so much more needs to be done for the fashion industry to disentangle itself from wasteful practices. But consumers can demand change by reassessing their own consumption and shopping more consciously. Get to know, and shop, 27 sustainable fashion brands making strides right now.

Levi’s

Denim production can be extremely wasteful, and the heritage jeans brand is doing its part to change the industry. Some commitments Levi's is working towards by 2025: using 100% sustainably sourced cotton, having 100% renewable energy in Levi's owned and operated facilities, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% across its entire supply chain. The brand is also pioneering innovative, durable fabrics (like cottonized hemp) that require less waste and resources to produce. Levi's also has a Worker Well-Being program, through which it “partners with suppliers and local organizations to implement programs focused on financial empowerment, health and family well-being, and equality and acceptance." To date, the company claims that 80% of its workers are enrolled in the program. 

Wedgie Fit Ankle Women’s Jeans

Wedgie Fit Straight Women’s Jeans

DL1961

Another great example of a sustainable denim producer is DL1961. Whereas the average pair of jeans uses approximately 1,500 gallons of water to make, DL1961 says its average pair uses less than 10 gallons. That’s no small feat. DL1961 is able to keep its carbon footprint at a minimum by controlling each aspect of the manufacturing process—from spinning the yarn and weaving the fabric (it uses certified cotton and low-impact, biodegradable fibers like Modal and Lyocell) to cutting and sewing the garment. Once that's done, the brand uses Jeanologia machines to give its pairs a unique wash. (FYI: Jeanologia machines use air and laser technology to create wash variation without requiring water.)

DL1961 Ultra High Rise Instasculpt Flare Jeans

DL1961 High Rise Straight Leg Ankle Jeans

Cuyana

Cuyana is doubling down on its commitment to considered manufacturing, working mainly with family-run businesses to produce limited quantities of its timeless, high-quality designs so they don’t end up in landfills. The brand wants you to love what you buy, and wear it often, for years to come. What’s more, Cuyana has also committed to using only sustainably sourced materials by 2022—and it's already held up to that promise this year by introducing its traceable, single-origin cashmere collection.

Cuyana Single-Origin Cashmere Funnel Neck Sweater

Cuyana Washable Silk Jogger

Naadam

This direct-to-consumer brand works directly with herders in the Mongolian desert to source its cashmere, all the while cutting out the middleman and delivering higher-quality products at a lower cost. The brand has made sizeable reinvestments in the herders' communities and prioritizes livable wages across its supply chain. Naadam is also very transparent about its material sourcing, and has laid plenty of info out in its Social and Environmental Impact Report, which goes into detail about what its goals are for 2025, and how much progress it's made so far.

Naadam Cashmere Cropped Tank Top

Naadam Café Cotton Cashmere Cropped Sweatpant

Girlfriend Collective

Using recycled plastic bottles, fishing nets, and other waste, Girlfriend Collective designs affordable, size-inclusive athleisure and loungewear in an Instagram-friendly palette of neutrals like sand, sage, and chocolate. These colors are achieved through a unique and low-impact dye process, and the brand says it then donates the dye mud “to a local pavement facility where it’s recycled into sidewalks and roads.” The brand's “About Us” page offers more insight into its sustainability practices—including the materials it uses, how they get made, and the factory everything is cut and sewn in. Workers' wellbeing is top of mind, and Girlfriend Collective shared the certification of the Vietnamese manufacturer. 

Earth High-Rise Pocket Leggings

Ivory Bianca Bra

Outerknown

The California lifestyle brand Outerknown was already committed to sustainability when it was founded in 2015 by creative director John Moore and 11-time world champion surfer Kelly Slater, and in 2020 the brand committed to achieving full circularity (translation: eliminating all waste and making sure resources are either reused or replenished) by 2030. More about its design ethos: Outerknown aims to create versatile wardrobe staples (think sweatshirts, jumpsuits, outerwear, the like) that help eliminate waste and pollution and empower the people who produce the clothing. 

Hightide Shortys

S.E.A. Suit

Adidas

Adidas has been leading the charge in sustainable activewear for years now, with the main mission of ending plastic waste. It has an ongoing partnership with Parley of the Oceans to use recycled plastic debris and certified fabrics in its designs. Right now half of its collections are made of recycled polyester, but the brand has committed to eliminating all virgin plastic from its pieces by 2024. Add to that, the activewear giant also has a long-standing collaboration with Stella McCartney, a pioneer in sustainable womenswear design. 

Samba Vegan Shoes

Adidas by Stella McCartney Sweat Pants

Nisolo

This direct-to-consumer leather goods brand is committed to producing ethically made shoes and accessories—all while creating a healthy working environment and offering living wages for its employees. There isn't as much information about Nisolo's environmental sustainability as there is about its social commitments, but Nisolo writes in its impact report that it's working towards improving its raw material sourcing.

Carmen Chelsea Boots

Canvas Weekender

Veja

You already know that Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton love Veja’s white tennis-style sneakers, but did you know the French fashion brand’s shoes are also less harmful to the environment? Each of the materials, like the organic cotton and wild rubber it uses, can be traced right back to its source. Veja is also a certified B-Corporation, meaning it underwent a third-party audit and “meets social sustainability and environmental performance standards”. According to the Veja website, the team also spends considerable time in-field to ensure there's no child labor or discrimination taking place—and that its employees are being properly treated and paid. 

Veja V-10 Sneakers

Veja Esplar Sneakers

Cariuma

With its accessible price point and minimal aesthetic, Cariuma believes in creating eco-conscious footwear that stands the test of time. The brand works with ethical factories and clean tanneries, and sources only natural, premium materials like raw natural rubber and certified organic cotton. 

Catiba Pro

Ibi Low Raw

Reformation

Reformation is upfront about its commitment to becoming a climate-positive company by 2025, via carbon offsets and the use of more regenerative fibers. Ref also has an online partnership with the clothing-recycling company ThredUp, and the brand supports the California Garment Worker Protection Act SB62, a provision that would hold brands and retailers accountable for paying subcontractors fairly (thus eliminating wage theft for garment workers and piece-rate pay).

Reformation Lauretta Dress

Reformation Christine Dress Es

Lacausa

The Los Angeles-based label with boho-chic vibes is committed to ethical fashion and manufacturing processes by cutting, sewing, and knitting most of its garments in local factories, and providing its employees with fair wages and working conditions. The brand also published a list of all of the non-profit organizations it's donated to in the past.

Paris Cami

Rio Pants

Naked Cashmere

If you’re looking for luxe loungewear that's sustainable and traceable, Naked Cashmere is a reliable source. What’s more, the brand has advanced its sustainability efforts with its first-ever recycled collection: Cashmere Reborn. The collection includes lightweight cashmere pullovers, dusters, tanks, and joggers made from post-consumer yarn that has been sorted by fiber length, shredded, and respun back into 100% cashmere yarn.

Rhone

Candice Joggers

Mara Hoffman

Since 2017, Mara Hoffman has been dedicated to the fair treatment of artisans and reducing the environmental impact of her swim and resort wear. The label’s colorful bikinis and one-pieces are made of recycled polyester and recycled nylon and prioritizes organic materials like hemp, organic cotton, and linen for her vacation-ready dresses, tops, and knits. PS: If you have a Mara Hoffman piece you want to part with (or want to shop from the brand second-hand), check out its Full Circle program, where you can buy and resell items so nothing ends up in a landfill.

Mara Hoffman Extended Aliz Dress

Mara Hoffman Emma One Piece

Araks

If there’s no distinction in your top drawer between “everyday” and “occasion” lingerie, then you’ll love Araks’s barely-there undergarments. Think wire-free styles, pastel colors, elevated granny panties (definitely a thing), and lots of satin and mesh inserts made from organic-certified fabrics, repurposed swatches from previous collections, and recycled nylon for its swimwear. The brand states on its website that it also only works with “manufacturers who actively pursue measurable sustainable practices, most of whom have a long list of certifications.”

Yanelis Bralette Lima

Yahvi Panty Lima

Patagonia

A cool 64% of Patagonia’s product line is said to be made with recycled materials right now, including recycled nylon, polyester, yarn, cotton, and cashmere. (Patagonia says it's moving toward 100% renewable and recycled raw materials.) Plus, the brand says 82% of its line is sewn in Fair Trade Certified factories around the world, ensuring workers are being paid livable wages.

Patagonia Women's Storm10 Jacket

Patagonia Women's Classic Retro-X® Fleece Vest

Pangaia

Pangaia focuses on innovative tech and bio-engineered materials to ensure each of its garments (whether it’s a down jacket made from dried flowers or a T-shirt made from eucalyptus pulp and seaweed fiber) are made with as many sustainable and recyclable elements as possible. Its emphasis on using and developing sustainable materials like C-Fiber, FLWRDWN, and Grape Leather leads back into Pangaia’s overall mission of becoming a climate-positive brand.

Pangaia Move Women's Pprmint Zipped Jacket

Pangaia Move Leggings

Eileen Fisher

Eileen Fisher needs no introduction. She's an industry leader in sustainability—and some of her current goals (like focusing on regenerative farming and finding new techniques to repurpose materials) are outlined in the brand's Horizon 2030 program. Her commitments and progress are laid out clearly in bullet points, showing what the company has achieved to date, where it plans to be tomorrow, and where it wants to be by the turn of the next decade. 

Eileen Fisher Organic Cotton Hemp Stand Collar Long Jacket

Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Jumpsuit

Jade Swim 

If you’re in the market for sustainably made swimwear, look no further than Jade Swim. Founded by former fashion editor and stylist Brittany Kozerski Freeney, Jade Swim is a Black-owned business that uses organic and recycled materials like ECONYL (or regenerated nylon) to create minimalist one-pieces and bikinis. The brand also limits production by producing in small batches, so no excess product end up in landfill. 

Apex One-Piece

Cava One-Piece Terry

Sleeper

Sleeper's 2030 goal is to become fully circular—and the cool-girl brand that introduced feather party-pajamas to the world has made great strides in becoming more sustainable so far. For starters, the brand prioritizes low-impact, certified, and biodegradable materials like linen, EcoVero Rayon viscose, and recycled polyester. Artisans also produce clothes on a made-to-order basis in the brand's sewing studios Kyiv, Ukraine—and all pieces come with a little note card signed by the person who made your dress or lounge set. 

Sleeper Rumba Linen Lounge Suit in Daisies

Sleeper Sizeless Pajama Set with Pants in Mint

Christy Dawn

Dreamy dresses and tops abound at this socially- and environmentally-conscious brand. Christy Dawn uses sustainable materials such as organic cotton and factory deadstock fabrics and leathers to produce each of its pieces. The brand is also about to release a “Farm-to-Closet” collection made from regenerative farming (it's been two years in the making!)—and on the brand’s website, you'll find bios of all of its garment markers. 

Christy Dawn The Scarlet Dress

Christy Dawn The Augusta Dress

Ozma of California

Ozma of California is what you'd call “slow fashion.” The brand focuses on sustainable materials (raw silk noil, alpaca, and linen) and has a limited production in order to make high-quality clothes you'll wear for years to come. (Ozma's mantra is to “buy what you will wear and love til it's threadbare.”) All of its pieces are produced locally in LA, in small, family-run factories that are vetted to ensure that the people producing its clothes are paid fairly, being treated with respect, and working in safe conditions.  

Ozma Petra Pant

Ozma Georgia Top

Another Tomorrow

Another Tomorrow's elevated staples are made up of a handful of traceable materials, each with a low environmental impact. Think: recycled cashmere, organic cotton, organic linen, wool, FSC-certified viscose, and upcycled Levi's denim. What's more, each clothing label features a QR code that you can scan to learn more about the material's provenance. The brand also strives to hold itself accountable with publically available documents on its animal rights, carbon offset, living wage, and chemicals policies. 

Another Tomorrow Trench

Another Tomorrow Tank Dress

Mate the Label

With its laidback essentials, the Los Angeles-based Mate the Label is on a mission for people to “Dress Clean.” It only sources organic materials (think organic cotton jersey, organic terry, organic thermal, and linen) and keeps its production close by so that it's able to visit factories on a weekly basis to ensure everything is made according to its clean standards. One of the brand's goals for 2021 is to become a climate-neutral company.

Mate the Label Organic Thermal Crop Top

Mate the Label Organic Thermal Wide Leg Pant

Behno

Shivam Punjya, founder of the ethical handbag line Behno (meaning "sister" in Hindi), has a unique business model that goes beyond just consciously sourcing materials. The brand created “The Behno Standard” as a way to focus on garment worker social mobility in India. In order to create a manufacturing process that adheres to its standards, Punjya and the Behno team built their own factory, MSA Ethos in Gujarat, India in 2015. Some of the company's guiding principles include prioritization of women's social mobility, access to clean water and educational resources, and fair wages. 

Behno Ina Mini Crossbody

Behno The Softest Tee

Knickey

Every part of Knickey’s supply chain is certified and/or organic. It starts with the GOTS-certified organic cotton (meaning no pesticides were used to grow the cotton) all the way through the Fair Trade factory in Tamil Nadu, India where its undies are woven, knit, cut, and sewn. Best part? Whenever you send the brand a box of old undies to recycle, you get a free new pair in return. 

Knickey Mid-Rise Brief

Knickey High-Rise Brief

Ética

Another sustainable denim brand worth having on your radar is Ética (Spanish for “ethical”). The label has a loyal celeb following—Alessandra Ambrosio and Jessica Alba are both fans—and the vertically integrated company uses less water, fewer chemicals, and produces less waste than many counterparts in the industry. Fair labor practices are also at the core of this LA-based denim brand, and the company says it “provides workers with living wages, health benefits, on-staff doctors, free meals and take-home produce grown in our on-site garden.” 

Ética Tyler High Rise Vintage Straight

Ética Brandy Long Short

This story originally appeared on: Glamour - Author:Talia Abbas