Fast fashion is a problem, and recycled clothing is a good part of the solution.
The fashion industry has a big waste problem. Many great brands create change by using recycled fabrics, offcuts, deadstock fabrics, and other unique upcycled materials.
Of course, first, we always encourage you to reduce and reuse whenever you can. Check out our article, Reduce, reuse, recycle: Ways to get you thinking, for some valuable tips and questions to ask yourself before deciding to make a purchase.
Once you have decided you need a new item, then a fantastic way to be more sustainable, support the circular economy, and help reduce waste is to buy from companies that are making recycled clothing or upcycled pieces.
Sustainable Fashion Brands
Frank and Oak
Frank and Oak believe clothes can only make a statement when they are sustainably sourced. So they set their own high standards for their products to ensure they are built to last, stylish, and don’t compromise the environment.
Pricing: $
Eileen Fisher
Eileen Fisher is an elegance clothes brand with timeless and sustainable designs. In addition the brand has established itself as a leader in ethical and environmentally conscious fashion.
They demonstrates a good commitment to sustainability by creating garments that minimize environmental impact and promote social responsibility. This means prioritizing the use of organic and sustainable fabrics, such as organic cotton, linen, and responsibly sourced wool and incorporating a recycled fabrics.
Eileen Fisher also have a take-back program that allows customers to return their used garments for recycling or resale creating a circular fashion economy and reducing textile waste. What cannot be resold is transformed into one-of-a-kind pieces like bags, wall art, and cushions. What a fabulous idea!
Pricing: $$
Coalatree
Coalatree’s lifestyle, outdoor apparel, and accessories are created with a focus on sustainability and recycling. They design gear for passionate adventurers through to urban explorers, including clothes, bags, backpacks, hammocks, and blankets.
They use many different recycled materials, from coffee grounds to recycled plastic bottles.
They are also passionate about giving back as much as they can. From helping the homeless with donated blankets to donating their time to cleaning up the environment, the people behind Coalatree have a lot to give.
Price Range: $ – $
Wolven
Wolven was started by Kiran Jade and Will Ryan in Los Angeles. Their beautiful designs are created using recycled PET (rPet). In fact, there are 27 recycled post-consumer bottles in every pair of Wolven leggings.
Wolven partner with Climate Neutral to offset their carbon footprint and are members of 1% for the Planet.
The best part, for every sale Wolven will remove one pound of waste from the ocean.
Price Range: $
Boden
Boden’s tag line is “We love clothes that last”. A great way to start is with well made quality clothes that you can wear for years. They offer a 1-year guarantee on their products along with a 3-month return policy on most items.
They use recycled polyester, linen and nylon in many of their clothes as well as using Lenzing, a fabric derived from sustainable wood and pulp.
Their latest range for summer using recycled linen is beautiful.
Price Range: $ – $$
Everlane
Everlane is known for its commitment to transparency and ethical practices in the fashion industry. Founded in 2010 by Michael Preysman, the eco-brand focuses on providing high-quality, stylish apparel and accessories while disclosing details about the production costs and factories involved in the manufacturing process.
This information makes it easy for customers to make informed choices about their purchases.
What they are doing so far:
- 75% of their cotton is certified organic, recycled, or regenerative.
- 98% of their leather is now Leather Working Group (LWG) Silver or Gold-certified.
- 100% of their polybags are made with either recycled LDPE plastic or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper.
- 96% of their materials containing polyester and nylon are made from Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified recycled fibers.
Plus, they have some beautiful pieces so be sure to check them out.
Pricing: $$
cotopaxi
Cotopaxi is a socially conscious outdoor clothing based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They create high-quality outdoor apparel, backpacks, and accessories known for their vibrant colors, functional features, and durable construction.
Their core philosophy revolves around addressing global poverty and supporting humanitarian causes. Cotopaxi dedicates 1% of its annual revenue to various nonprofits that focus on alleviating poverty and empowering communities in the regions where their products are made.
Pricing: $ – $$
Tentree
What’s in a name, you might ask? Well, there are ten trees in Tentree’s name. That means is that they will plant ten trees for every product you buy.
Like many startup’s they began in their basement, but it wasn’t long before they expanded. Today they have planted over 53 million trees. With a goal of 1 billion trees by 2030, there’s no reason they won’t achieve this.
Committed to finding and sourcing the most sustainable fibers and materials, Tentree uses Recycled Polyester from plastic bottles, organic cotton, hemp, and Tencel, a fiber made from wood pulp. Their products range from loungewear to activewear for women, men, and your little ones. Think hoodies, casual pants, t-shirts, and stylish jumpsuits.
Pricing: $ – $
Yoga Democracy
Yoga Democracy has created a sustainable alternative for yoga types like you and me. They use recycled nylon and polyester to produce gorgeous yoga and activewear.
They are designed, printed, cut, sewn, packaged, and distributed under the same roof in Arizona, USA. Keeping things close helps to minimize their overall impacts.
Price Range: $
PrAna
Like many brands, the founders of PrAna felt the yoga and adventure gear at the time left a lot to be desired, so they created their own. Their first products were labeled with homemade recycled paper and shipped in fruit boxes.
The word PrAna is a Hindu word defined as the universal energy and life-giving force that flows in and around us. They use recycled nylon called Econyl as well as recycled polyester. They also use recycled wool and Tencel fabric in some of their products.
They are transparent, responsible, and support charities to make a difference.
Pricing: $
Ecoer Fashion
Ecoer want fashion to be much slower. They use recycled polyester in their products, along with natural materials like GOTS certified cotton and organic linen, to help reduce their impact
Their range includes swimwear, activewear and casual everyday clothes.
Price Range: $
Fair Harbor
Seeing the increasing amount of waste washing up on their shores, the founders of Fair Harbor wanted to do something positive. Their goal was to create the best boardshorts on the planet while keeping the oceans free of plastic.
Being surfers themselves helped Fair Harbor to design functional boardshorts for men and boys. Made from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, they also reduce plastic waste.
Fair Harbor also has a recycling program for your old boardshorts as well. We love companies that take their products back at the end of their life.
Pricing: $
Volcom
Volcom has been pushing the boundaries since 1991 and the brand is built on its ‘True To This’ beliefs. They are committed to the environment and responsible sourcing.
Their core drivers are
- Strong Oceans,
- a Stable Climate,
- and a Smart Society.
Volcom is a lifestyle brand making skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding apparel for women, men, and kids. Check out their Eco-True range of sustainable clothing to find their recycled clothing. They use both recycled polyester and recycled nylon, plus organic cotton.
Price: $
Reima
It’s hard not to fall in love with a brand whose statement is “we are here to protect our children and their future.” It is what Reima are about. From the materials that they choose to their recycling initiatives they consider everything.
They make clothes so kids can move and be as active as they want. Along with being functional, comfortable and durable many of their clothes are made with recycled content.
Take a look at their great range.
Pricing: $
Saltrock
Saltrock is a British clothing brand that originated in the surfing community in Cornwall in 1988. Founded by brothers Angus and Ross Thomson, the brand is known for its laid-back, coastal-inspired clothing and accessories.
Saltrock’s product line includes comfortable hoodies, t-shirts, and other casual wear with surf and beach aesthetics. Over the years, Saltrock has become synonymous with a relaxed, outdoor lifestyle, appealing to individuals who embrace a love for the sea and adventure.
Pricing: $
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is a New Zealand-based outdoor and adventure retail brand that specializes in clothing, equipment, and gear for travel and outdoor activities.
Founded in 1987, the brand takes its name from Nepal’s capital, reflecting its commitment to providing quality products for adventurers and explorers. Kathmandu is known for its durable and innovative outdoor gear, including camping equipment, hiking apparel, and travel accessories.
With a focus on sustainability, the brand aims to create products that enhance the outdoor experience while minimizing environmental impact.
Pricing: $
Made Trade
Launched in 2018, Made Trade brings responsibly sourced and ethically made clothing to you. They put artistry above efficiency, fair wages above profits, and sustainability above mass production.
That means they do all the hard work making it much easier for you to shop sustainable brands.
Their clothing range includes casual wear, activewear, swimwear, pajamas, and underwear. In addition to their recycled clothing range, they offer home decor and furniture, shoes and accessories, and other gifts.
Pricing: $ – $$
Outerknown
Kelly Stator’s brand Outerknown has a mission “To transform the way we outfit the world by inspiring an industry to reimagine design and embrace circularity”. To achieve this, 90% of the fibers they use are organic, recycled, or regenerated, and they are working to improve that percentage.
Their men’s swimming trunks are made from recycled polyester and recycled spandex.
Pricing: $ – $$
United by Blue
Founded in 2010, United by Blue choose sustainable and ethical materials and manufacturing. They are a B-corporation and live up to the standards they set. Their product range includes loungewear, activewear, and outdoor clothing through to bags and other accessories like recycled shoes.
They are also committed to cleaning up the ocean. That’s why for every product you purchase, they will remove one pound of trash from the oceans and waterways.
Pricing: $ – $$
DK Active
DK Active is changing the game in environmentally responsible design. They understand what sustainable fashion means and know that it starts with high-quality items built to last.
DK Active use regenerated nylon ECONYL® made from recycled fishing nets, organic cotton, bamboo, and modal. These sustainable fabrics help reduce their carbon emissions.
They reduce their impact by doing everything in-house at their HQ. Plus they donate their offcuts to fashion schools or local gyms to fill boxing bags. By taking these extra steps they reduce their landfill contributions.
Price Range: $
Seasalt Kids
Seasalt Kids are not all about looking cute. It was founded by three sisters on a mission to create premium children’s swimwear while changing the status quo. “Loving the life we live and taking care of the planet” is their mantra.
Seasalt kids swimmers are made with quality, durability, and comfort in mind while using sustainable recycled fabrics.
Oh, and did we mention they are adorable! Who ever though recycled clothing could look so good.
Pricing: $
Noble Carriage
At Noble Carriage, they know you are busy parents and have little time to research brands yourself. So they do all the research for you. That way, you know the clothes you are buying are 100% safe for your children.
They carry a range of recycled fabric baby and kids clothes, plus eco-friendly toys and accessories.
They research the brands based on five values; certifications, fair trade, made in the USA, locally made, and handmade.
The store is full of adorable outfits for your eco-friendly muchkin.
Pricing: $
Organic Basics
Sustainability is the core mission of Organic Basics. Evident in their range of underwear, activewear, and essentials made from natural and recycled fabrics.
They design their products with their sustainable goals in mind. From handpicking durable fabrics with a low environmental footprint through to the processes and the factories involved.
The impact of every single product is measured and provided so you can be the judge.
They also give a lot back by donating profits to environmental projects and organizing beach clean-ups to keep pollution from the ocean.
Pricing: $ – $
Synergy Clothing
Inspired by the beautiful fabrics and textiles on a trip to Nepal, the founder started Synergy Organic Clothing in 1993. They focus on eco-conscious clothing and work to minimize their impact on communities and the planet.
Synergy believes in making high-quality clothing bringing together ethics, transparency, and sustainability to create beautiful clothes that you can feel good in. Their range includes loungewear, activewear, dresses, and blouses.
Their materials include GOTS certified organic cotton and recycled polyester. We also love that they have a recycling program where you can return your well-worn Synergy clothing.
Pricing: $ – $
