Sustainable Fashion Brands

Getting Into Sustainable Fashion (Without Going Broke)

I’ll be honest - I put off looking into sustainable fashion for years because I assumed everything would be either ugly, uncomfortable, or absurdly expensive. Turns out I was mostly wrong. Mostly.

After trying pieces from a bunch of different brands over the past year or so, here’s what I’ve found actually worth wearing and buying again.

Brands I Keep Coming Back To

1. Patagonia

Yeah, it’s the obvious choice. Everyone recommends Patagonia. But there’s a reason for that.

I bought a fleece jacket from them maybe eight years ago and it still looks fine. Their stuff just lasts. And when something does wear out or tear, they’ll actually repair it for you. I’ve used that service twice now.

What I’ve bought:

• Better Sweater fleece (worn constantly in fall/winter)
• Baggies shorts (surprisingly versatile)
• A few t-shirts

The good:

• Quality is genuinely excellent
• Repair program is legitimate
• They’re transparent about their supply chain
• Clothes actually look normal, not granola-crunchy

The not so good:

• Prices are high (though cost-per-wear is reasonable)
• Sizing can be inconsistent between items
• Some styles are very… outdoor-y

Worth it? For basics you’ll wear for years, yes. For trendy stuff, probably not.

2. Everlane

This was my entry point into caring about where clothes come from. Their whole “radical transparency” thing where they show you factory conditions and cost breakdowns appealed to me.

The aesthetic is very minimalist - lots of neutrals, clean lines. If you like basics, you’ll like Everlane. If you want statement pieces, look elsewhere.

What I’ve bought:

• The Uniform chinos (my everyday pants now)
• Several t-shirts
• A wool coat

The good:

• Prices are reasonable for the quality
• Factory transparency is interesting
• Basics are genuinely good basics
• Returns are easy

The not so good:

• Styles can be boring if you’re not a minimalist
• Quality has varied - some items are great, some just okay
• Sizing runs small sometimes

Worth it? For everyday basics like t-shirts and pants, definitely. I’ve been happy with most of what I’ve bought.

3. Girlfriend Collective

This one’s focused on activewear. They make everything from recycled materials - old water bottles, fishing nets, that sort of thing. Sounds gimmicky but the stuff is actually good.

My partner has been wearing their leggings for like two years and they’ve held up way better than cheaper alternatives that fell apart after a few months.

What we’ve bought:

• Leggings (multiple pairs at this point)
• Sports bras
• A few tank tops

The good:

• Size range is genuinely inclusive
• Leggings don’t go see-through (apparently this is a bigger problem than I realized)
• Recycled materials feel nice, not scratchy
• Colors are fun

The not so good:

• Not cheap, especially for workout clothes you’re going to sweat in
• Selection is limited to activewear
• Can take a while to ship

Worth it? If you need workout clothes and want something that’ll last, yes. The leggings especially.

4. Pact

This is my go-to for underwear and basics. Organic cotton, fair trade certified, and way cheaper than you’d expect.

I replaced all my old underwear with Pact stuff about a year ago. No complaints. It’s comfortable, it’s lasted, and I feel slightly better about it than buying whatever’s cheapest at Target.

What I’ve bought:

• Underwear (lots)
• Socks
• Basic tees

The good:

• Affordable for sustainable basics
• Organic cotton is comfortable
• Underwear multi-packs are a good deal
• Frequently has sales

The not so good:

• Limited to basics (no fancy stuff)
• Some items run slightly small
• Quality is good but not exceptional

Worth it? For basics like underwear and socks, absolutely. Great value.

5. Reformation

Okay, this one’s pricier. Reformation is more for when you want something nice for an event or a statement piece.

My partner has a few dresses from them that always get compliments. The styles are trendy but not so trendy they’ll look dated next year. And they’re pretty serious about sustainability - carbon neutral, sustainable fabrics, transparent reporting.

What we’ve bought:

• A couple of dresses
• Some tops

The good:

• Styles are actually fashionable
• Quality is high
• Good for special occasions
• Size inclusive (which isn’t always the case for trendy brands)

The not so good:

• Expensive
• Not everyday clothing for most budgets
• Styles might be too feminine for some

Worth it? For special occasion clothing, if you can afford it. Not for everyday basics.

Quick Comparison

What I’ve Learned

A few things that became clear after trying to shop more sustainably:

Buy less, buy better. Sounds obvious but really helped shift my mindset. Instead of buying three cheap shirts that’ll fall apart, buy one good one.

Secondhand is sustainable too. ThredUp, Poshmark, local thrift stores - buying used is arguably more sustainable than buying new from any brand. I’ve found some great stuff this way.

Perfect is the enemy of good. No brand is going to be 100% perfect on sustainability. If you wait for perfection you’ll never buy anything. Just try to do somewhat better than fast fashion.

Cost per wear matters. That $100 jacket you wear 200 times is cheaper than the $30 jacket that falls apart after 10 wears.

Where I Still Buy Conventional

I’m not going to pretend I’ve completely overhauled my wardrobe. Some things I still buy wherever:

• Specialized gear (running shoes, ski stuff)
• Things I’m not sure I’ll like and want to try cheap first
• Basics that wear out fast regardless (white tees get stained no matter how much they cost)

Sustainability is a spectrum, not an on/off switch.

Final Thoughts

If you’re just getting started, I’d say begin with one category. Replace your underwear with Pact. Or next time you need a jacket, look at Patagonia instead of wherever you’d normally go.

You don’t have to overhaul everything at once. Small changes add up.

Prices and availability may change. Check current deals before purchasing.