Looking for sustainable fashion on a budget? We’ve got some great tips!
By Amma Aburam
It’s true. Most honestly sustainable clothing brands will never be as cheap as fast fashion. And that’s a good thing! After all, paying more for ethically paid staff and quality materials is the whole point of making the choice to wear eco-fashion, right?
It’s a lot easier to find cheap ethical basics, like yoga pants or tee shirts. But that being said, rocking sustainable luxury on a budget isn’t impossible, either – it just needs a bit of planning and thought.
Oh, and by ‘luxury’, I mean jewellery, accessories and clothing that defies trends. Garments that are comprised of high quality fabrics, boasting superlative design. Finding these isn’t hard! It could involve hunting for vintage or second hand clothing, swapping and swishing with friends.
Buying sustainable fashion on a budget is easier than you think! Here are a few pro tips to get you started.
First, What’s Ethical Fashion?
Sure, affordability is important. And we’ve only included brands below that average less than $100 for basic stuff. But material and ethical standards are important too!
For us, ethical fashion is that which meets the following criteria:
- Natural Materials
- Recycled Materials
- Non-Toxic Dyes and Finishes
- Ethical Manufacturing
- Recycled and Recyclable Packaging
All the brands below include at least three of the above standards.
Tips For Finding Cheap Ethical Fashion
1. Buy Off Season
Bikinis are cheaper in the August sales, and jumpers go down in price after Christmas. Sure, you may not use the clothes you buy in the seasonal sales for another six months or so, but it gives you something to look forward to, right? Just make sure you buy stuff that is classically chic – trendy garments will look tired fast.
2. Look For Discount Sites & Outlets
The hardworking people behind Dontpayfull recommend signing up with discount sites. You may get lucky finding discounts with the most popular sustainable fashion brands, such as Eileen Fisher, Everlane, and Frank and Oak. Also try Last Call from Neiman Marcus, Bluefly or the Outnet – these are online outlet shops with great bargains and a few sustainable brands.
3. Follow The Leaders
Follow a variety of ethical bloggers and magazines. They know all the best brands, and often list the prices of items to give you an idea of what’s cheap – and what’s not. Follow those influencers and mags on social media, and you may also see discount codes and competitions pop up every now and then, too!
4. Remember: Quality Over Quantity!
Which do you think is better: buying 5 cheap shirts for $20, or spending $100 on a gorgeously well made shirt you’ll wear for decades to come? The same goes for handbags: it’s better to drop $300 on a used designer bag that comes with a lifelong guarantee than $100 on a cheap handbag whose straps fray or break after a year of use. As the saying goes: ‘cheap can be expensive’!
5. Get It Second Hand
Second hand fashion IS sustainable fashion! And there are more and more online stores offering bargains on top ethical fashion brands like Amur, Flor et al and Stella McCartney. In fact, big department stores like Selfridges are now selling second hand designer goods in store, too!
6. Know Where To Shop
The truth is, it’s easy to buy sustainable fashion on a budget if you know where to shop! I’ve listed some of my favourite online stores below. Do you know of any others? Let me know in the comments section if so!
Where To Shop Low Cost Sustainable Fashion
1. Everlane
Known for their budget friendly casuals like boyfriend shirts, beautifully cut jeans and chic flats, Everlane is one of the most popular places to shop sustainable fashion on a budget.
The brand partners with ethical factories and producers to source the finest natural materials, like cashmere, organic Pima cotton and Tencel. Interestingly, they share the stories behind these materials and factories on Instagram on what they call #transparencytuesday. Each week, their followers can submit ANY question to the brand and get answers immediately. Talk about bringing transparency into the digital age with style!
Based: USA
Average price: $70
One of the best sustainable fashion brands on a budget because: They truly are transparent. We also love their French-girl chic style!
2. SOKO Kenya
Sustainable fashion on a budget doesn’t get much more gorgeous than this! East-African based ethical fashion label SOKO paired up with ASOS. The result? A brand that believes that clothing has the power to build futures. And that’s why their collections work to improve local communities in Kenya.
Based: Internationally
Average price: $35
One of the best sustainable fashion brands on a budget because: They’re helping empower small communities in Kenya.
3. Matt and Nat
It’s quite possible that Matt and Nat is the most stylish vegan bag and shoe brand out around right now. The name stands for Mat(t)erial + Nature and the brand represents their love for natural materials firmly. They use various planet-friendly vegan leathers, cork and rubber to produce original, beautiful products, and all their bag linings are made of 100% recycled bottles.
Although their styles are as chic as anything you’d find in the designer section of big department stores, their prices will warm your heart. This is one of the best places to shop cheap ethical fashion that’s also 100% vegan friendly.
Based: Canada/Worldwide
Average price: $100 – pretty good for a quality handbag!
One of the best sustainable fashion brands on a budget because: They’re using recycled plastics for fashion that doesn’t need much (or any) washing. No microplastics!
4. Pact
There are a lot of myths behind organic fashion. For example? It’s always expensive. It isn’t really necessary. It’s just for privileged white women. And so on.
Pact knows that sustainable fashion is good for everyone and every thing on the planet – animals, plants, and people. They know that organic fabrics are better for your health. They also know how to make garments from organic materials that don’t cost the earth. In fact, this is one of the best places to shop cheap ethical fashion.
Designed for the whole family, Pact makes everything you need, from undies to bedding, The brand is all about practicality merged with comfort. It’s a place where consumers can find alternatives that fit easily with their lifestyle, proving that style, savings and sustainability can all coexist.
Based: USA
Average price: Around $55
One of the best sustainable fashion brands on a budget because: Their clothing is biodegradable. Good for you, good for the planet!
5. Cottonique
Whether you’re looking for pure organic cotton socks, underwear, sweaters or tees, you’ll find them here! Cottonique uses only gentle, natural dyes, too, which means this is a great brand for those with sensitive skin.
Based: USA
Average price: Around $50
One of the best sustainable fashion brands on a budget because: Their all natural clothing caters to those with sensitive skins and allergies.
6. Frank & Oak
As a certified B Corp, Frank And Oak is now a leader in sustainable fashion. They only use the most innovative, natural fabrics to create everyday wear for men and women. It’s simple, it’s chic, and it’s designed to make you feel good in everything you wear.
Based: Canada/USA
Average price: Around $40
One of the best sustainable fashion brand on a budget because: Their styles are the epitome of slow fashion.
7. TenTree
Ten Tree knows the clothing industry creates a lot of trash. Ten and a half million tonnes per year, to be exact. So they’re dedicated to help divert some of it from landfills, while conserving water and important resources, too. By planting ten trees for every item purchased, they show how sustainability can and should be as easy as putting on a t-shirt.
Here, you’ll find everything from home ware, kid’s clothes, and men and women’s basics.
Based: USA/Worldwide
Average price: Around $45
One of the best sustainable fashion brand on a budget because: Every purchase provokes the planting of not 1, not 2, but ten full trees!
8. People Tree
People Tree is a pioneering, ethical fashion brand. The broke down boundaries and paved the way for many brands today. Decades after its founding, it remains luxuriously stylish and affordable, and is even a favourite with celebs like Emma Watson. Famously featured in Andrew Morgan’s The True Cost, the brand puts people’s stories and the environment at the forefront. They support the Indian communities that make their styles, and also the folks who grow their natural cotton.
They recently launched a 100% biodegradable Tencel collection that’s not only ultra-eco, but looks incredible, too. We love their summer dresses!
Based: UK
Average price: $40
One of the best sustainable fashion brand on a budget because: This brand helps both Indian communities and the planet.
9. Thought Clothing
It’s easy to fall for Thought Clothing without much…erm, thought! This was one of the first places that came to mind when I was thinking of where to shop sustainable fashion on a budget. They make an array of great basics for men and women, from tees and pants to socks. In fact, they kind of specialise in these, with a wide range of quirky, stand-out styles.
The designers are a collective of creatives who write, design, sketch collections that are made from naturally grown materials like bamboo, cotton, wool and hemp.
Thought Clothing is the perfect brand to wear to the office, lunch with friends. Or even to bed!
Based: UK
Average price: $65
One of the best sustainable fashion brand on a budget because: It’s one of those ‘one stop shops’ for all your clothing needs.
10. Mayamiko
Supporting talented female garment workers in Malawi, Mayamiko delivers boldly beautiful, hand printed African designs on light cotton fabrics that will bring joy and colour to your wardrobe. And all this for a fraction of the price of brands undertaking similar ethical initiatives, like Stella Jean.
And an added bonus? They’re 100% vegan friendly and PETA approved!
Based: USA
Average price: $75
One of the best sustainable fashion brand on a budget because: They are kind to animals, and also help Malawian communities survive.
Do you know other places to find sustainable fashion on a budget? Let us know in the comments below!
Main image: Matt and Nat. All images: courtesy the brands
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