Seven Ethical fashion brands to shop in 2025
Ethical shopping can be extremely hard as unfair labor practices and an influx of waste consume the fashion industry. While it is hard to navigate brands and shopping, I made a list of my favorite brands, brands I’ve heard of, and their affordability. It’s important that as I try to promote more environmentally friendly practices, they are not only accessible but affordable.
1)Organic Basics
Organic Basics Azure Blue collection
This first brand is known as Copenhagen-based and specializes in organic basics (as in the name), recycled materials, and many other basics. They sell everything from active wear, undergarments, and basics, but the best part about this brand is their prioritization of materials and sustainable practices. If you are looking for an affordable but still ethical brand this would be my first suggestion.
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2)Reformation
@Beauty_that_thinn
This would not be on the affordable side; however, celebrities such as Bella Hadid and Devon Lee Carlson have been known to sport this extremely trend-forward brand, which has thousands of fashionable outfits. While the price tag is higher, the brand has a lot of amazing options, and I’d look out for the next sale, as they have to find their best sellers at a better price. Not only that, but in my experience, their pieces last long, too; I talked about this in an earlier article about fashion ethics [Insert Link], but being able to repair items and extend their life is another excellent move towards sustainability.
3)Ganni
I have seen an influx of people shopping at Ganni, and I predict that Dutch-based brands will only get more popular in the years. They had huge trends in 2024 in shoes and bags and have had a huge rise in popularity, setting trends and creating the term ‘Ganni Girl.’ On top of that rising popularity, according to British Vogue, “the Danish label sets itself apart by being a leader in the sustainability space, via both its Fabrics of the Future initiative, which promotes innovative new materials such as bacteria-grown leather, and its commitment to cut its total greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2027.”
Small GANNI Bou Bag
Advancements in materials like this open the door to what we can do for recyclables, especially in the fashion industry. However, it can also be a huge asset in other industries, whether that be using recycled materials or advancing lab-grown/bacteria-grown leathers. The reason I added this to the list was due to my love for the advancements in scientific technologies, especially in the fashion industry. If you have any further research into lab-grown leather or sustainable materials, you can send me a message on the Instagram account, and I’d love to take more research like this into account.
4)Etsy
This isn’t a one-stop shop. You can find thousands of products from small businesses on Etsy, and they will usually let you know if they are sustainable. I love supporting small businesses and practicing sustainable shopping. According to The Good Trade, “In addition to highlighting talented artisans, Etsy also takes their sustainability initiatives seriously by committing to reaching net zero emissions by 2030.”
5)Sézane
Sezane outfit worn by, Venetia Alia, @veneti.a on instagram.
I have always known about Sézane, but I fell in love with them while walking around Georgetown, DC, and stepped into the store. Their clothing was beautiful, and their sweaters were high quality and beautiful; while some would find these tops unaffordable, it depends on what you get. The French brands have the best sweaters, but I suggest shopping around a bit. I found their pieces affordable but not for everyone, so keep that in mind while shopping. If you intend to wear the pieces and care for them often, I suggest investing in quality.
¾ of their materials used are eco-friendly, More than 90% of cotton is organic, and More than 85% of viscose comes from sustainably managed forests. You can read more about their sustainability pledge on their website.
6)Quince
This sustainable brand offers excellent basics, flowy pieces, and suitable materials at affordable prices. They believe sustainability isn’t a luxury, but a necessity. They sell items from cotton, mulberry silk, and cashmere, and they ship their clothing in virgin plastic-free bags for compostable packaging. They also have an 'About' section that highlights their practices, including good working conditions, fair pay, and sustainable practices.
You can also find bedding and children’s clothing on the site, making it a fantastic one-stop shop for all your needs. I would suggest that if you're into minimalist style or need something more casual, this is the perfect place for you. It also has a slightly older demographic, in my opinion, such as those in their late twenties and beyond. However, the garments remain versatile and offer better prices than many other sustainable counterparts, as they seem to stay true to their craft.
7)Girl Friend Collective
The activewear brand Girlfriend Collective is likely one of the most size-inclusive on this list. They appear to have a solid grasp of both ethical practices and stylish options. Not only do they offer activewear, but they also provide affordable and ethically made undergarments in various sizes.
This was only seven of a larger number of sustainable brands; however, if you’d like more information on sustainable brands, I’ll be sure to add more to the list, along with brand sustainability pacts and clauses. I am also always on the lookout for brands making a big impact, so feel free to reach out if you are a sustainable brand or know of one you’d like to highlight. You can subscribe below for a monthly update on blogs, resources, and information. Thanks for reading!
