If you’ve read my post on capsule wardrobes, then you know the importance of fashion basics when building your sustainable closet. However, finding staple clothes that are both sustainable and reasonably priced is easier said than done.
Whether you’re just looking to add a few staple pieces to your closet, or starting from scratch, these 8 brands are the perfect places to find sustainable basics for your wardrobe.
What Makes Them Sustainable: Kotn is a certified B corporation and rather than working with farms who already use organic cotton, they are working to set up sustainable systems with farmers so they can learn eco-conscious farming techniques.
They also prioritize ethical practices in their manufacturing process, ensuring that every factory worker and farmer receives fair pay and has safe working conditions. Additionally, the profits they receive benefit the communities where their farmers work, by helping to build schools and maintain infrastructure.
Products: Kotn has a “core” collection that includes t-shirts, sweaters, tank tops, and more.
What Makes Them Sustainable: The majority of Pact’s clothing is Fair Trade Certified and even products that aren’t are guaranteed to never be made in sweatshops or using child labor.
They also use organic cotton in their clothes, which uses up to 95% less water in the wash phase and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals or dyes.
Products: Pact has basic shirts, pants, and shorts for men and women.
What Makes Them Sustainable: Honest Basics clothes are made with organic cotton which uses up to 91% less water than normal cotton and is grown without the use of pesticides. The brand is also GOTS certified which means they meet high standards of social and environmental responsibility.
Their packaging is low-waste, mostly plastic-free, and all shipping is climate neutral through the DHL GoGreen program.
Products: Just like the name implies, Honest Basics has staple pieces like tops, jeans, and shorts for everyone.
What Makes Them Sustainable: Everlane incorporates eco-friendly practices from their farming process all the way to their stores and offices. They have several material certifications including GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and GRS (Global Recycling Standard) that ensure sustainability throughout the farming and manufacturing processes.
They also conduct several factory audits annually to make sure production is not only eco-friendly, but safe and fair for the factory workers too.
Products: Everlane has pretty much every fashion basic you can think of, but most notable in my opinion is their wide variety of sustainable denim.
What Makes Them Sustainable: Currently 67% of Madewell’s clothing collection is made sustainably using materials like recycled cotton and salvaged plastic.
They also ensure that fair and ethical labor practices are used in their manufacturing process, have made commitments to animal welfare, and highlight black-owned businesses on their website.
Products: Madewell has tons of staple pieces for both men and women such as denim, tops, pants, and skirts.
What Makes Them Sustainable: For Days uses GOTS certified organic cotton fabrics and recycled materials to manufacture their clothing and their dyes are Cradle to Cradle certified. All of their factories are also SMETA certified or follow the ISF Lindex Sustainability Commitment.
100% of For Days transportation is offset by carbon credits, and they directly contribute to a program that reduces methane gas. Items are shipped in packaging that’s produced with recycled and renewable materials too!
Products: For Days has basic tees, pants, and loungewear for both men and women.
What Makes Them Sustainable: Organic Basics only works with certified factory partners that are always working to reduce their environmental footprint, and also ensure safe and ethical working conditions for employees.
They focus on using sustainable materials such as natural, renewable, recycled, biodegradable and/or low-impact textiles like organic cotton, recycled nylon, and reclaimed wool.
Products: Organic Basics has tees, denim, and loungewear for men and women.
What Makes Them Sustainable: Tentree is a certified B corporation, climate neutral certified, and they plant ten trees for every item purchased (hence the brand’s name).
They also use organic cotton to manufacture their clothes which prevents chemical exposure to both workers and waterways like rivers.
Products: Tentree has tops, pants, and outerwear for women, men, and children.
If your looking to build your sustainable closet, I hope you’ll check out some of these eco-friendly brands, and if you do let me know which ones you like in the comments below. Thanks for reading, have a lovely day!
Almost Eco-Friendly 