Growing up in a social media generation, teenagers have never been under more pressure to buy on-trend clothing. As climate movements are becoming increasingly youth-led, there is an added spotlight on sustainable fashion. However, finding sustainable clothing brands for teens can be a tricky task, with many of the eco-conscious brands aimed at either adult or children’s markets.
Fast fashion has complicated the teenage clothing sector. With pressure to buy a new outfit for each social event, the rock bottom prices of wildly unsustainable fast fashion stores, such as Primark, Boohoo or Shein, can be an alluring temptation. As many teens are also strapped for cash, the often higher priced sustainable sector can seem out of reach.
Teenagers are faced with the further problem of being between markets. Children’s clothing is often viewed to be ‘uncool’ with styles aimed at a younger market, however, the adult market isn’t designed towards a teen audience either. The lack of clothing that is trendy, sustainable and affordable creates the perfect storm, preventing teens from accessing the sustainable sector.
However, there are sustainable options. We have compiled this collection of brands to help every style-savvy, conscious consumer teen out there.
Sustainable Clothing Brands for Teens
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Our handy guide features a range of brands for every budget and style and are all available in the UK.
Price Guide:
£: Items for under £50
££: Items for £50 – £80
£££: Items for over £80
Top picks
1. 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
With everything from 70s maxi dresses to 90s sportswear on offer, Beyond Retro is the one stop shop for finding unique vintage gems. The organisation sources high quality second-hand clothing for resale through their platform.
By giving a second life to vintage clothing, Beyond Retro is promoting a more conscious approach to the modern fashion sector. It is saving clothing from landfill and extending the life of quality fashion pieces.
2. Vegan Outfitters
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Range: T-shirts, hoodies, joggers and shoes
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Vegan and cruelty-free, water based inks, donates to charitable initiatives, plastic free packaging
With trendy tees featuring cool slogans and quirky illustrations, Vegan Outfitters is the ultimate vegan clothing destination. Clothes from this animal-friendly brand have a modern style that is always on-trend.
Made for the ‘plant-based generation’, Vegan Outfitters uses water based inks, supports animal charities and is, of course, 100% vegan.
The brand has offered Good Maker Tales readers a 5% discount if you spend over £50. Just enter code GMT5 at the checkout! For more sustainable brand discounts see our article.
3. Waves
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Sri Lanka
Range: Men’s, women’s and unisex flip flops
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Recycling Initiatives, SMETA certified factory, FSC certified natural rubber, non-toxic dye
Made from 100% natural rubber, Waves makes stylish flip flops that don’t contribute to the microplastic crisis. The brand uses both rubber recycled from worn-out flip flops and from FSC certified rubber sources.
Waves flips-flops have trendy patterns and high tensile rubber toe straps, making them durable as well as stylish.
4. Happy Earth Apparel
Based: USA Ships to: Internationally
Range: Joggers, t-shirts, sweatshirts and accessories
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Certified B-Corporation, Carbon Neutral, give back programs, 1% for the Planet member, uses organic cotton fibres, Fair Trade
Featuring chic, earth-inspired prints and quality fabrics, Happy Earth is the sustainable go-to store whether you are wandering a city street or hiking the woods.
The brand is dedicated to making truly sustainable clothing and every purchase gives back to environmental campaigns.
5. Nobody’s Child
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Range: Loungewear, athleisure, dresses and casual styles
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Uses organic and recycled materials, OEKO-TEX, Bluesign or GOTS standards met
With delicate details paired with slick designs, Nobody’s Child makes ethical clothing for teens and adults that is effortlessly chic. With features such as tiered hemlines matched with bold monochrome patterns, clothing from Nobody’s Child is sure to make an impression.
The brand uses organic and recycled materials. All products must also meet GOTS, Bluesign or OEKO-TEX certifying standards.
6. Yes Friends
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Made in: India
Range: T-shirts and hoodies, soon to add jeans
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Solar powered factories, part of the Fair Share Scheme, PeTA approved Vegan, Climate neutral, Fair Trade cotton
With a string of environmental and ethical credentials, Yes Friends is the perfect place for when you need a reliable, well-fitting, quality t-shirt or hoody. Keeping it simple, Yes Friends makes t-shirts the right way, using ethical supply chains and taking an environmentally conscious approach. Find out more about how they do it in our interview with their founder.
With styles available for less than £10, it’s time to say yes to Yes Friends. See our article for more organic cotton t shirts.
7. Polarn O Pyret
Based: Sweden Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Bangladesh, China, Germany, Lithuania, Sweden and Vietnam
Range: Children’s and tween clothing
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Climate neutral commitment, charitable initiatives, sustainable and GOTS certified materials
More for the tween market, Polarn O. Pyret has a range of clothing featuring fun colours and cute prints that are still age appropriate for those moving into their teenage years.
Polarn O. Pyret has goals to become climate neutral and uses organic materials. The company works with charitable initiatives, demonstrating a commitment to give back.
8. Levi´s
Based: USA Ships to: Internationally
Range: Jeans, casual wear and outerwear
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Use of some recycled and eco-friendly materials, water management systems, targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
A staple in the fashion world, there are few clothing pieces as iconic as a pair of Levi’s jeans. These fashion heavyweights have maintained a distinctly modern and fresh feel while still embracing their vintage inspired origins.
While Levi’s could do more to improve its sustainability stance, it is doing better than many other major fashion names. It has some systems in place to manage its water use and uses some recycled and eco-friendly materials.
9. Komodo
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Kathmandu, Bali, India, China
Range: Jeans, casual wear, accessories, and outerwear
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: GOTS, Fairtrade, use of renewable energy in its supply chain, wool sourced from non-mulesed sheep
Fashion from Komodo has a contemporary vibe that still maintains a classic undertone. These make its styles great pieces that teens can buy and keep into young adulthood.
The brand has some impressive sustainable credentials. It uses GOTS certified materials and renewable energy in its supply chain to limit its overall environmental impact.
10. Rapanui
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Made in: UK
Range: Joggers, t-shirts, sweatshirts and accessories
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Circular supply chain, real-time production facility, renewable energy factory, use of organic cotton
Rapanui uses organic materials, low-impact dyes, renewable energy factories, sustainable packaging and a circular fashion system to create seriously sustainable styles.
With everything from underwear to jackets to printed t-shirts, you’re sure to find a style you love at Rapanui. Whether it’s an illustrated t-shirt featuring a technicolour sea monster or just a plain basic hoodie, Rapanui has you covered.
11. Plant Faced
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Range: Streetwear
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Organic and recycled materials, ethically made, eco-friendly packaging, involved in tree planting programs, GOTS certified, PeTA approved vegan
Plant Faced is the home of cruelty-free streetwear. With pieces featuring epic prints, on-trend graphics and slogan tees, Plant Faced clothing has attitude without losing any of its style.
Working to bring awareness to the sustainable market, the brand uses eco-friendly materials and works with ethical manufacturers.
See our interview with founder Charlie McEvoy for more information about this cool brand.
12. 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.
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 used in new garments can even enjoy a 15% off voucher.
13. 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.
14. Joanie
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Range: Jeans, casual wear, accessories, and outerwear
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Sustainable packaging, SEDEX member, use of eco-friendly materials
Great for the teen that loves a unique, vintage look, Joanie creates modern pieces that are inspired by vintage designs. This one-of-a-kind brand has even collaborated with the Natural History Museum.
The brand uses some eco-friendly and organic materials. It is a member of SEDEX, and uses eco-friendly mailing bags when shipping its products.
15. Will’s Vegan Store
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Europe
Range: Vegan footwear, outerwear, accessories and casual wear
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: PeTA Cruelty Free, use of some eco-friendly materials, local manufacturing, Carbon Neutral supply chains
As the name may suggest, Will’s Vegan Store makes clothing and footwear that is vegan friendly and cruelty-free. The brand creates versatile pieces that can be worn again and again.
Will’s is PeTA approved. It uses some recycled materials, has a Carbon Neutral supply chain and, when possible, uses natural materials.
16. Tentree
Based: Canada Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Vietnam, Bangladesh, Philippines, India, Poland and Hong Kong
Range: Casual and outdoor clothing China
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Climate-neutral, tree planting programs, certified B-Corporation, organic and recycled materials
Often featuring earthy colours and nature-inspired patterns, Tentree crafts quality clothing from highly sustainable materials. Whether you are looking for a trendy t-shirt, snuggly hoodie or some loungewear perfect for relaxation, Tentree has something for you.
The brand is climate-neutral and plants ten trees for every purchase, with over 7,000,000 trees having been planted already.
17. Afends
Based: Australia Ships to: Internationally
Made in: China and Australia
Range: Streetwear styles
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Fabric waste re-incorporation initiatives, GOTS certified, OCS 100 certified, OCS Blended, sustainable packaging, renewable energy
With voguish sustainable streetwear on offer, Afends is showing how sustainability and style can co-exist. With a focus on eco-friendly hemp, among other sustainable materials, the brand offers everything from t-shirts adorned with flying saucers to timeless corduroy jackets.
With a comprehensive approach to sustainability, Afends is working to create an eco-friendly fashion industry.
18. Infantium Victoria
Based: Germany Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Spain and India
Range: Casual and formal styles for children to 16 years
Price: £££
Sustainability creds: GOTS certified, PETA approved vegan
A sustainable clothing brand for teens and kids, Infantium Victoria has an eclectic range of effortlessly elegant designs. With no detail overlooked, these stylish pieces are unique in the modern fashion sector and have an individualised charm.
The brand is committed to cruelty-free fashion, with vegan ranges on offer. Taking an ethical approach, it supports supply chain traceability and is GOTS certified. Available with next or same day delivery in the UK through Farfetch.
19. Jackalo
Based: USA Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Portugal and India
Range: Sustainable clothing for teens, kids and adults
Price: £££
Sustainability creds: Recycling of scrap fabric, supports organic farming practices, prioritises energy-efficient factories
Jackalo has everything from tops to dresses to trousers available in sizes ranging from children to teens to adults. Featuring earthy colours or bright prints, the Jackalo range is eclectic and unique.
The brand has even been included in Forbes and The Good Trade.
An Emerging Market
Finding sustainable clothing brands for teens can be challenging, but it isn’t impossible. New organisations are emerging that are catering to the conscious teen consumer. Whether you are looking for swimwear, streetwear or even basics, embracing sustainable fashion has never been cooler.
And for more sustainable brands that are affordable, see 20 of the best affordable ethical clothing brands in the UK today.
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