6 Brands Proving Sustainable Fashion Can Be Affordable

Is affordable, sustainable clothing possible? Can we make ethical choices without harming our planet?

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Sustainable clothing brands typically cost more than fast fashion. This higher cost stems from several factors, such as the use of higher-quality materials like organic cotton and paying fair wages for workers.

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While this commitment to worker welfare and environmental sustainability comes at a price, more affordable options are emerging for budget-conscious consumers.

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Here are a few brands that offer affordable, sustainable clothing:

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Tentree

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Starting Price Point: $20

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Tentree offers affordable, sustainable clothing for men and women. The brand uses organic cotton, TENCEL, and recycled materials in its products. It's Climate Neutral and B Corp certified and promotes transparency by publishing details about its manufacturing partners. The brand also encourages circularity through a product resale and recycling program, offering store credit for returned items.

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CHNGE

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Starting Price Point: $25

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CHNGE is an apparel brand that focuses on social and environmental justice, with a particular emphasis on mental health. It utilizes GOTS-certified materials, ensuring at least 95% organic fibers in each product. It is also Climate Neutral certified and demonstrates its commitment to sustainability through practices like using 100% recyclable packaging.

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Everywhere Apparel

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Starting Price Point: $28

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Everywhere Apparel offers affordable, sustainable clothing by creating circular apparel and textiles from 100% recycled cotton. It keeps waste out of landfills with its biodegradable and safe products. The company partners with renowned brands to offer circularity as a service. The brand is Climate-Neutral certified, Global Recycled Standard compliant, and is a member of Textile Exchange.

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Also read: 5 Upcycled Clothing Brands You Should Know About

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Pact Apparel

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Starting Price Point: $28

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Pact offers sustainable clothing for men and women, focusing on loungewear and summer essentials made from GOTS-certified organic cotton. The company uses recyclable, carbon-neutral Vela bags for packaging and actively minimizes plastic use. Its Fair Trade Certified factories ensure safe working conditions and have contributed $1.7 million in premiums.

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Colorful Standard

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Starting Price Point: $38

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Colorful Standard offers vibrant, organic apparel for men and women. It produces essential classics like hoodies, t-shirts, joggers, sweatpants, and beanies made from organic cotton and recycled merino wool. It manufactures its products in an ethical factory in Portugal and uses zero-waste, recycled packaging for its products.

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MATE the Label

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Starting Price Point: $55

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MATE the Label, a women-founded and run company offers affordable, sustainable apparel and accessories made using non-toxic, natural, and organic fabric. It partners with sustainable factories and even runs a recycling program. The brand holds multiple certifications, including Climate Neutral and B Corp.

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Vintage and Thrift Stores

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Another affordable, sustainable clothing option is to buy secondhand clothes from vintage and thrift stores. Some stores, like Goodwill, operate both online and offline, while others, such as Plato's Closet, are exclusively brick-and-mortar. There are also online-only options like thredUP and Poshmark. 

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More Vintage & Thrift stores→

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Pre-loved Lines

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Well-known brands, including Eileen Fisher, Canada Goose, Levi's, and REI run their pre-owned shops where you can buy gently used clothing from these brands. By shopping secondhand, you can prevent existing clothes from ending up in landfills while also saving money.

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