It’s great to see more and more people starting to question the environmental footprint of their clothing. And more organisations are spreading the word about sustainable fashion: Remake.world, The Sustainable Fashion Forum, Labour Behind the Label and The Clean Clothes Campaign are just a few. While fast fashion is certainly affordable, when it comes to the textile industry’s impact on both society and the environment – the price is more than anyone can afford.
Luckily, the number of companies in the fashion industry pushing for more conscientious production is on the up. By using organic materials and advocating for workers’ rights, to name just a few things, these sustainable brands offer a more ethical solution. However, while sustainability practices can sometimes lead to pricier products, that’s not always the case.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of 21 affordable ethical clothing brands in the UK that present a solid alternative to fast fashion brands.
The best ethical and affordable clothing brands in the UK
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Price range guide, average item:
£ = under £50
££ = £50 – £150
£££ = £150 – £200
1. Nobody’s child
Based: UK
Made: Bangladesh, China
Product range: Women’s clothing and accessories
Price range: £
Ethics and certifications: Recycled materials, Responsible Wool Standard, works with charitable initiatives, BCI cotton, organic cotton, collaboration with Re-fashion to recycle clothes
Nobody’s Child is the ultimate place to shop sustainable dresses in cool floral and geometric patterns and block colours. They use a range of sustainable fabrics from Lenzing Ecovero Viscose, recycled polyester and organic cotton. To make sure your clothes last they offer a repairs and alteration service.
But they don’t stop at dresses, they sell everything from nightwear to jumpsuits to athleisure and all at really affordable prices. Size isn’t a problem either with their petite, maternity, extended sizes and kids’ ranges.
The eco-friendly brand also looks after its people making sure that manufacturers meet ILO standards, although they don’t assure a living wage. The only animal product used is wool which is recycled where possible and Responsible Wool Standard assured if not.
2. Boody
Based: Sydney, Australia and stocked all over the UK and parts of northern Europe
Made in: China, Vietnam, & India
Product range: Men’s, women’s, and baby clothing
Price range: £
Ethics and certifications: Ecocert certified organically grown bamboo, zero waste fabric production, WRAP certified fair labour, SGS and ISO 9001 product quality testing, recycled packaging with vegetable inks, ISO 14001 factories, PETA-approved vegan
Boody’s comfortable essentials are created from organically cultivated bamboo. The plants are grown in China and as bamboo grows so fast, no toxic pesticides, fertilizers or even irrigation are required. As a result, the garments are made with hypoallergenic, highly breathable materials that are gentle on the skin. What’s more, their garments are knitted in tubes meaning hardly any wastage. Plus the use of bamboo itself and the ability to use all parts of the plant for something means hardly any waste there either!
Prices range from around £10 to £120. Our list of affordable and ethical clothing brands available in the UK wouldn’t be complete without this great brand for comfy basics.
3. Plant Faced Clothing
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Range: Men’s and women’s clothing and accessories
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Organic and recycled materials, eco-friendly packaging, involved in tree planting programs, GOTS-certified, PeTA approved vegan products, Fair Wear and WRAP certified production facilities
A brand that designs casual looks with an edgy undertone, Plant Faced is becoming a key name in ethical streetwear styles. The label’s stylish designs feature both monochromatic shades and bold colour palettes and the brand is no stranger to a cool slogan style. One style worth a look is the unisex Plant Based Kanji Hoodie.
Plant Faced uses eco-friendly and organic materials in its styles to help limit its environmental impact. The label helps reforestation efforts by engaging with tree planting programs and is the creator of products that are PeTA approved.
4. Pretty You
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Range: Women’s slippers, pyjamas and beauty and wellness products
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Use of some sustainable materials,
From faux fur slippers to soft bamboo pyjamas, UK brand Pretty You makes products designed to make you feel good. The brand has a certain element of glamour that it injects into its designs, while still creating pieces, such as the Bamboo Nightshirt, that are functional and comfortable.
The label has made steps towards sustainability by incorporating sustainable materials, such as bamboo, in its ranges. However, more information that is easily accessible regarding its sustainable policies and procedures would make this brand even better.
5. Komodo
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Made in: Nepal, Indonesia, India, China
Range: Men’s and women’s slippers
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Sustainable materials, renewable energy, sources wool from non-mulesed sheep, GOTS certified materials
Ethical brand Komodo has styles for both men and women that are relaxed while still embodying a classic elegance. The brand creates timeless designs, such as the Katty Jumper and Ronin Jacket. It uses high quality materials and pays attention to every detail.
Since the 80s, Komodo has been an ethical name in British fashion. It takes care to choose sustainable materials, hosts an Activists Club and even uses renewable energy to limit its impact.
6. Plain and Simple
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Made in: India
Range: Basics wear
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Use of sustainable and organic materials, Re-Made initiative, GOTS, ILO code of conduct
Plain and Simple makes quality clothing designed to be remade again and again. The label focuses on minimalist and monochromatic styles that can be mixed, matched and styled up or down for any occasion. Think boxy t-shirts, cool sweatshirts, hoodies, and sweatpants too.
Plain and Simple focuses on using organic materials, meaning clothing from this sustainable company is chemical-free. The label operates with a circular approach to production, so all clothing is designed to be recycled, composted, or reincorporated into other pieces. Customers who send used garments back to the company to be incorporated into new garments can even enjoy a 15% off voucher.
7. Beyond Retro
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Range: Vintage clothing and accessories
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Promotion of a circular fashion sector, second-hand clothing platform
If you are wanting to rock some vintage styles, then Beyond Retro is definitely worth a look. The organisation’s preloved platform is a haven for unique finds that are the perfect blasts from the past. You can score everything from 90s Tommy Hilfiger knits to Retro Levi’s in the Beyond Retro range.
Beyond Retro promotes a circular fashion system and proves that preloved styles are the ultimate way to build a sustainable wardrobe. It encapsulates the idea that the most sustainable clothes are the ones that already exist. The brand exists with the aim to reclaim, reduce and reuse ten billion items.
8. Vegan Outfitters
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Price: £
Range: Men’s, women’s and kids’ clothing, footwear and accessories
Sustainability creds: 10% of profits donated to animal sanctuaries, vegan, WRAP certified facilities, Fair Wear Foundation, plastic-free packaging
As the name may suggest, Vegan Outfitters specialise in fashion that is kind to people and to our animal friends. The label embraces a causal vibe that always has a unique, trendy feel. Many products feature cool designs or slogans that promote animal welfare ideals (check out the Save the Chubby Unicorn Vegan tee)
As well as supporting animal welfare principles, Vegan Outfitters donates to animal sanctuaries. It uses plastic-free packaging, and of course, is vegan-friendly.
Get 5% off if you spend over £50 with code GMT5
9. Joanie
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Sustainable packaging, use of organic and recycled materials, audited factories, eco-friendly labels, BCI cotton, SEDEX member organisation, Living Wage Employer
Inspired by vintage designs, Joanie creates women’s style that embraces a sense of nostalgia, while still seamlessly fitting into the modern fashion world. The brand embraces timeless silhouettes and retro prints to create styles that are eye-catching and always on-trend. To score a good deal on an 60s-inspired look, take a peek at the Dawn O’Porter X Joanie Bellini Light Wash Denim Shift Dress.
Joanie operates ethical supply chains and utilises sustainable materials, such as organic cotton. Garment bags are made from recycled plastic. Demonstrating a comprehensive approach to sustainability, even the labels are eco-friendly.
10. Rapanui
Location: Clothing manufactured in India, designs made and printed in the UK
Product range: Men’s and women’s clothing
Price range: £
Ethics and certifications: circular supply chain, on-demand production with no waste, renewable energy, recycled fibres
Rapanui garments are created using natural materials and renewable energy. In addition, the items are designed to be reused. Instead of discarding worn-out clothes, the brand encourages you to send them back, easy peasy and free of charge, so that they can create new products, and giving you a discount on your next. Their circular supply chain shows a commitment to ethical practices and is one more step in the fight against textile waste.
Also, instead of producing in bulk, Rapanui have developed a new manufacturing method in which orders are made one at a time, seconds after they are placed, ensuring no waste. All their T-shirts are made in a factory on the Isle of Wight.
The price range for basics is from £10 to £40. Some products are bundled for a more economical purchase. For example, the Women’s Bare Necessities Bundle includes an organic cotton towel, organic cotton pants, bamboo socks, and a reusable water bottle for £85, a very affordable brand.
11. Seasalt Cornwall
Based: Cornwall, UK
Made in: India, Turkey, China, Vietnam, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bulgaria
Also partners with local UK brands
Product range: Women’s clothing, footwear, and accessories
Price range: ££
Ethics and certifications: Soil Association and GOTS certified organic cotton. Aims for 100% GOTS certified cotton, 100% LWG leather, 100% RWS wool, and 100% closed loop viscose by 2024. SEDEX textiles in Vietnam, BRC Climate Action toward carbon neutrality
Seasalt is known for its magnificent patterns and gorgeous, timeless clothing. The Cornish-based brand is dedicated to making ethical apparel at an affordable price. They sell wardrobe staples like simple tees and Breton shirts, vibrant cardigans, and colourful skirts.
Each garment is GOTS-certified and made with organic cotton waterproof materials. Seasalt also provides opportunities for economical shopping, with generous discounts and frequent sales.
While based in Cornwall, the company is actively expanding the number of locally produced items all around the UK through their Locally Made Initiative.
The price range for tops is £7 to £70, and £15 to £90 for dresses and tunics. Apart from basics, Seasalt has a collection of knitwear (£25 to £80) and sturdy coats and jackets, ranging from £35 to £150. The company also offers free delivery for purchases over £50 in the UK.
12. Happyearth
Based: US
Product range: Clothing and accessories
Price range: £
Ethics and certifications: Certified B Corporation, supports environmental causes with every purchase, track and trace product’s footprint, carbon negative emissions through CarbonFund, fair wages, organic cotton, recycled fibres, sustainable cork, natural bamboo, eco packaging, 1% for the planet
Being a registered B Corp and a member of 1% for the Planet, Happyearth is proactive about environmental issues. The production process adheres to the highest ethical and ecological standards.
The ethical clothing label uses organic products, recyclable and recycled packing, and encourages consumers to donate with every transaction. With each purchased item or accessory, you can plant 15 trees, reduce GHG emissions, and clean up as much as 1 lb. of waste.
The prices range from £30 for T-shirts to £65 for leggings. You can also get a unique hand-woven blanket made from recycled material for £42. Happyearth has monthly bundled offers to keep things more affordable.
13. Bamboo Clothing
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Range: Men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and accessories
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Carbon neutral and working to be carbon positive, trace supply chain, use of recycled materials, recyclable, sustainable packaging, works with Sharewear
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For sustainable active and loungewear, BAM Clothing have you covered. I’m personally in love with their socks, underwear and chunky jumpers but they also specialise in some of the coolest leggings from yoga to walking to running and everything in-between. Made from modal bamboo they’re better for you and better for the environment.
To give you an idea of prices, their socks start at £6 and leggings at £49.
BAM are on a constant journey to be better and more circular. Their fleeces are made from recycled materials and are 100% recyclable. They carefully trace their supply chains right down to the bamboo grower and aim to be impact positive by 2030.
For more on this great brand, check out our interview with their head of sustainability. And for an exclusive 15% off all orders, use our code: GOODMAKERTALES15
14. Yes Friends
Based: Bristol, UK
Made in: Tirupur, India
Product range: T-shirts
Price range: £
Ethics and certifications: FairTrade and organic cotton, Climate Neutral wind and solar energy powered factories, Fair Share Scheme for fair wages, Fair Wear Foundation, GOTS certified organic cotton, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production, PETA-approved vegan, Business Social Compliance Initiative member
Yes Friends is a living, breathing example of an affordable ethical clothing brand, showing us clearly that sustainability doesn’t have to be expensive! Their T-shirts are accessible to everyone and priced at just £7.99 a piece in sizes from 2XS to 2XL.
How have they done this? By producing at scale and keeping their margins low. As simple as that. They point out that brands can easily buy T-shirts for only £1.27 and sell them for £10, representing a massive 700% markup. And that paying a living wage and manufacturing sustainably doesn’t actually have to cost the earth. We think they’re one of the best examples of affordable and ethical clothing brands in the UK and beyond. Read more about them in our interview with their founder.
15. Marks & Spencer
Based: UK
Made: worldwide
Product range: Men’s, women’s, and kid’s clothing, homeware, beauty
Price range: £-££
Ethics and certifications: FairTrade cotton, sustainable sourcing, fair wages, Ethical Trading Initiative member, Plan A
Marks & Spencer is another multinational retailer aiming at incorporating more sustainable practices into its production process. The London-based company states that all its materials come from environmentally friendly sources. They launched their Plan A in 2007 which they have recently reset with the ambitious target of being a net zero business across their entire value chain by 2040, meaning they don’t add any more greenhouse emissions to the planet than they take out of it.
Marks & Spencer also implements a low-waste policy in their stores, offices, and warehouses. Whatever they don’t need is recycled. Clothing samples and unsold stock are usually donated to Newlife and Oxfam for reuse.
The company recently included a list of factories that produce their clothing to encourage supply chain transparency. They also set strict standards for animal welfare. For example, Marks & Spencer created a code of practice for cashmere animal welfare and is a member of the Leather Working Group.
Prices range anywhere from £5 to £100.
16. Honest Basics
Based: Berlin, Germany
Made in: Bangladesh and India
Product range: Women’s, men’s, and kid’s clothing
Price range: £
Ethics and certifications: GOTS certified organic, International Labour Organisation compliant, low waste packaging, DHL GoGreen climate neutral shipping
Honest Basics, established in Germany, is a GOTS-certified, affordable and ethical basics brand. The company is on a self-proclaimed quest to make sustainable fashion accessible to everyone and are doing it incredibly well. They do so by using simple supply chains, producing in India, creating basics and not giving free returns. And they’re continuously enhancing the sustainability and ethics of their supply chain.
Sizes XS to L are available in the collection, and the price ranges from £10 for a T-shirt to just £40 for their super cool jeans.
17. Reflex one @ Veo
Based: UK
Product range: Women’s t-shirts, hoodies & athletic wear
Price range: £
Ethics and certifications: GOTS cotton, Global Recycled Standard, ethical working conditions, 5% profits to The Bee Foundation, plants a tree for every order
Reflex One makes our list of affordable ethical clothing brands UK shoppers will love due to its fair prices and sustainable and ethical practices. Using a mixture of GOTS certified organic cotton and recycled fabrics, Reflex One creates funky t shirts and hoodies plus practical leggings and activewear for the gym or just hanging out. They even include bum sculpting!
Featured in Vogue, their founder Kavita Basi set up the slow fashion brand after having a brain haemorrage in 2015 with the aim to give back to people and the planet. She also set up vegan shoe brand Ration L which you can read more about in our post about vegan shoes. Available on ethical shopping platform and certified B Corp Veo. Prices for an organic cotton t-shirt start at £23.
18. Omnes
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Range: Women’s fashion
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Certified B-Corporation,Global Recycled Standard, use of eco-friendly and recycled materials including organic cotton, ensues a living wage in some of its supply chain
Styles by UK brand Omnes have a contemporary vibe and offer a sustainable product that doesn’t break the bank. Styles like the Brackley knitted cami dress come in at under £60. It’s crafted from organic cotton. The label’s designs are sleek and modern while still embracing a timeless element.
Omnes uses recycled materials and audits some of its supply chain. It uses materials certified by respected bodies such as FSC and has achieved a ‘Good’ rating on Good on You.
19. This is Unfolded
Based: UK
Product range: Women’s and children’s clothing
Price range: £
Ethics and certifications: Supports charitable initiatives, SEDEX certified partner factories, sustainable packaging, sustainably sourced cotton
Inspired to do something about the massive levels of waste created in the garment industry, This is Unfolded decided to create a different kind of business model. The label is the home of casual styles that are still modern and sophisticated in their overall vibe.
The company puts emphasis on ethical working conditions and fair pay for workers. It minimises its waste by using a slow fashion approach to production and gives back through supporting charities that facilitate educational opportunities for disadvantaged children.
20. Wuka
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Made in: China
Range: Period underwear and swimwear
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Use of sustainable and organic materials, B Corp certified, GOTS, PETA approved vegan, Oeko-Tex, BCI, plastic-free packaging, NHS discounts
Wuka is the ultimate place to find a variety of period underwear and swimwear. Alongside its adult ranges, the label has lines specifically designed for girls and teens. Both swimwear and underwear are available in a range of different colours and styles to suit different personal needs and preferences.
Wuka has a good range of credentials and certifications to back up its sustainability claims. It uses certified organic, recycled and natural materials in its products and is working to provide a more sustainable alternative to disposable sanitary products.
21. NINETY PERCENT
Based: London
Made: by Echotex and Echoknits in Bangladesh, or by Echotextil in Turkey
Product range: Women’s luxury basics
Price range: ££
Ethics and certifications: 90% of profits distributed to customer-chosen charities, GOTS certified organic cotton, EcoVero and MicroModal sustainable wood fibres, upcycled fabrics
The London-based ethical clothing brand prioritises the use of sustainable fabrics for its clothing. Eco-friendly clothing from NINETY PERCENT is made with organic cotton blends and produced in ethical working conditions. The company also distributes 90% of its profits to a range of charity causes including those who make their collection happen, hence the name.
Prices range from £28 for a vest top to £225 for a high end knit dress meaning it’s not the cheapest brand on the list but when 90% of profits are going to charity it’s hard to complain.
The Importance of Affordable Ethical Clothing Brands
While buying a shirt for £3 from a fast fashion brand may feel like a bargain, the underlying cost is much steeper. Fast fashion production often robs workers of their fundamental rights while harming the environment. Not only do ethical brands ensure better working conditions and a decent wage, but they also encourage more environmentally friendly practices.
Each of the 21 affordable ethical clothing brands on our list supports some/many types of eco-friendly social initiatives. And if you’re reluctant to sacrifice your fashion sense for the sake of ethical consumption, there’s no need to worry, these brands offer a wide range of gorgeous garments that are likely to fit your budget.
