I wanted to compile a list of all of the women’s clothing brands I'm familiar with that cover the spectrum of being colorful as well as ethically made, sustainably made and/or are eco-friendly. Many brands cover all of these categories whereas some only cover one. Keep in mind that choosing to shop a brand that values even one of these areas versus a brand that values none of them is a huge step in making these companies successful, while showing other brands that consumers DO care about these values. I have not tried all of these brands myself, but if I have, I will mention it in the list.

This list will be updated as I learn of new brands (there are more coming out everyday), and I encourage you to comment below with some of your favorite brands that I can add to the list!

This list is organized alphabetically. This list is not sponsored by any of the brands I am including, however, the list may contain affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase from them then I may receive a small commission. Thank you for your support of Sustainable Rainbow.

Women's Apparel

Able- A lifestyle brand focused on ending generational poverty by working with women who have often overcome extraordinary circumstances. They manufacture directly in the communities they wish to impact, both locally and globally, creating jobs and ending the cycle of charity dependency. They believe in radical and disruptive transparency and holding factories accountable to fair labor and manufacturing standards.

Ace & Jig- (XXS-4X) Based in Brooklyn, NY and Portland, OR, they design and create their own yarn dye woven textiles and work intimately with artisan weavers in India. They are proponents of slow fashion and are conscious of fashion's impact on the planet. They state "we've committed to finding a use for each scrap of our custom yarn-dye woven textiles from community initiatives, to recycling or repurposing." Their products are also available at Garmentory.

Alder- An outdoor recreation apparel company based in Toronto, Canada that offers “inclusive sizing, community-informed design, sustainable and ethical production and a playful brand that starkly contrasts with the performance-driven, hard-core athletic brands that currently dominate the outdoor space. We believe that outdoor recreation = happiness and the outdoor industry should be focused on fun, not exclusively performance and be a real leader in inclusivity, diversity and sustainability.” They partner with ethical, transparent factories in Canada, Vietnam and Indonesia, and they use sustainable materials including Lenzing Modal, Tencel and recyled nylon for their products. One of their newest designs is a reversible top, making it’s lifespan even longer. They are size-inclusive, offering XS-6X, with many fit models to help with sizing questions for each product on their wesbite!

Alice Alexander- Based in Philadelphia, PA, this size-inclusive brand makes ethically produced, colorful clothing made from sustainably sourced materials. They use natural fibers and are conscious of limiting fabric waste, developing styles specifically to ensure they use as much of the fabric as possible. They are passionate about making garments that have a long life, including designing them to be simple to alter and ensuring a seasonless fit that won’t go out of style. They only work with factories who’ve demonstrated their commitment to ethical labor practices. “Each factory has been vetted to ensure that they adhere to our standards of ethical labor including no forced, slave or child labor; fair wages; and clean and safe working conditions. Additionally many of our factory partners provide health care, pension plans and worker ownership.” They also prioritize sustainability and reducing waste by producing their styles in small batches. They offer sizes 0-30 (XS-4X)

Amour Vert- Ethically made in the USA. They are committed to using non-toxic dyes, sustainable fabrics, and creating zero waste. When you purchase one of their t-shirts, they plant a tree in North America. You can also find them at Nordstrom and Revolve. *I have 2 of their tops, and they are ridiculously soft and hold up very well over many washes!

Big Bud Press- Based in Los Angeles, this quirky company is transparent about their manufacturing processes and passionate about slow fashion (for their recent Kickstarter they offered several different color/style options, and only produced what they received orders for, which reduces waste). They offer sizes from XXS-7XL, and they show their products on models that represent all sizes, shapes and ethnicities. *I have a backpack from their Kickstarter campaign back in 2018, and it’s been my daily go-to bag for years now!

Birdsong- (XXS-3XL/UK 6-30) This London, UK based brand that works with skilled women makers that face barriers to employment, and pay them a fair wage. They understand that most women working in garment factories are taken advantage of and not paid a living wage, and you can see more about how much they are paying their workers and other ways the have given back to their community in their 2020 Impact Report. They use all natural or reclaimed fabrics for their garments and manufacture everything locally. Their packaging materials are all recycled, and their packaging and posting is done ethically by Mail Out. “Part of Unity Works in London, Mail Out offers people with learning disabilities support with their health and wellbeing and apprenticeships in warehousing.”

Cuyana- Based in California, they believe in "fewer, better things". They offer a Lean Closet program where they make it easy to donate your unwanted clothes to a non-profit they partner with, and you get a credit to spend at their store in exchange. *I own one of their bags, and it’s incredibly well-made and stunning!

Dariadeh- (2XS-3XL) Austrian-based brand “setting a new standard of comfortable, sustainable and ethical fashion.” Their products are vegan and polyester-free and produced in mostly small family-owned factories in Portugal, Serbia and Turkey. “We have carefully selected each manufacturer, personally visit production sites multiple times per year (except during the pandemic) and have quality managers on the ground who visit the factories on a weekly basis. Also most of our factories are certified (apart from very small ones, as they just aren't big enough to get certification / it's too expensive for them) by the worldwide leading textile processing standard including ecological and social criteria.“

Regarding materials, “Our items are made entirely of organic cotton, recycled cotton, Lyocell (Tencel ™), linen and bemberg (cupro). The elastane used in rib parts is Roica® V550, a yarn that degrades in the environment without releasing harmful substances (non-ecotoxic) and is certified with the C2C Gold Standard. This yarn is produced in Japan, Thailand, China and Germany. Furthermore, Corozo nuts are used for our buttons, which are sanded into buttons by a family run factory in Portugal. For the elastic waistband in our trousers we use a mixture of 50% natural rubber and 50% organic cotton. These natural rubber bands are produced in a small factory in Austria. The metal sliders which we use in some products are made in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal in a small family business. The material for the sliders is sourced in Europe (Luxembourg & Belgium) and is nickel free.”

They are conscious of fabric waste, and use leftover fabrics and textile scraps to sew filling for reusable menstruation pads or cotton pads.

Day/Won- (XS-5X) Athletic wear brand that is proudly size-inclusive, with each item available in sizes 0-32. They manufacture in upstate New York using recycled materials, and their prints are digitially constructed, never water dyed, which helps prevent pollution to the ocean. “DAY/WON is made in New York by our manufacturing partner, Ziel. Together we are saving carbon emissions and creating fair-wage jobs for local woman, with a commitment to producing and sourcing fabrics locally and keeping our environmental impact on Mother Earth as minimal as possible. Each order is made just for you which means no waste and excess production and saves hundreds of thousands of kilowatt hours of energy each year. Plus, this prevents us from contributing to the 10.5 million(!) pounds of excess clothing that is burned or thrown into landfills every single year. It takes a little more than than fast fashion, but protecting the planet is worth the wait.”

Dazey LA-Hand-drawn vintage-inspired designs that feature graphics promoting women's empowerment, these garments are made-to-order which reduces waste. “All of our tees are custom made for Dazey from 100% certified organic cotton. We believe in order to be a company that stands for empowerment that every person that touches our tees should be positively impacted. Our production process is fully ethical and our garment workers are paid a living wage and work in clean safe facilities, something most fashion companies can not claim.”

Diane Kennedy- (S-3X) Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Diane Kennedy uses Canadian-knit 100% Certified Organic Bamboo as their signature fabric, manufactures their garments in local factories paying fair wages and prioritizes minimizing the impact on our planet. “We design our fits separately around both size Large and again for size 1X, creating separate patterns for each size range, ensuring the best possible fit for all sizes!”

Eileen Fisher- A pioneer of ethical and sustainable fashion, they use materials like organic cotton and linen which are eco-friendly. You can also find their products at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Dillard's. *I own several linen pieces by this brand, and I love that they can be machine washed (or dry cleaned if you prefer) and they are perfect for warm-weather climates!

Elegantees-Their mission is "to provide hope to overcomers of sex trafficking with positive source of income that reinforces independence, a healthy self-image, and confidence." They are committed to paying their workers in Nepal a livable wage, including paid time off.

Everlane- They make great, affordable basics and are very transparent about their costs and supply chain. I own quite a few of their pieces, and I can attest to the fact that they hold up well over time!

Everybody & Everyone- (00-24) A New York, NY based woman-owned “eco-innovative, size-inclusive womenswear brand using material science and smart design to maximize the life of clothes and minimize our impact on the planet”. Their website is divided into many shoppable sections labeled “Biodegradable”, “Organic”, “100% Recycled”, and my personal favorite, “Odor & Spill Proof”.

This definitely makes them unique, and they explain how they do this on their website: “‘Activation’ describes fabric that’s been treated with a solution to repel liquids and resist odors. Typically, activations use chemical processes that aren’t great for the environment. But Everybody & Everyone isn’t typical. Instead, we use the most technically advanced, green activation available. We’re one of the first brands to activate in an eco-friendly way. Many of our tees, sweatshirts and sweatpants have been finished with recycled silver to resist odors and a fluorine free solution to repel water-based stains. We also partnered with the greenest denim mill in the world to make our jeans, which have been activated with a fluorine free, water-based stain repellent.

Reducing odor reduces the need to wash (seriously, you almost never have to wash them). And if you spill your coffee, your floor might get dirty… but your clothes will be fine. If the stain is oil-based, dab away the grease and then rinse with water, or throw in the wash with a mild detergent. Water-based liquids will roll right off. We’re one of the first brands to activate in an eco-friendly way. Many of our tees, sweatshirts and sweatpants have been finished with recycled silver to resist odors and a fluorine free solution to repel water-based stains. We also partnered with the greenest denim mill in the world to make our jeans, which have been activated with a fluorine free, water-based stain repellent.”

They are a certified carbon neutral brand and use recycled materials for packaging as well as their labels, care labels and hangtags.

Free Label- (XS-4X) Based in Canada, their items are produced ethically in small batches in Vancouver, and they visit their factories weekly. “Many of our fabrics are organic and custom milled locally in Toronto, Canada just for us. By creating our own custom fabric, we can ensure the soft hand feel, durability, and quality that make a fantastic garment. We prefer natural fiber fabrics, such as lyocell, Supima cotton, linen and bamboo. The little details are important too. All of our labels and tags are made in Canada, and in 2020 we switched over all of our packaging materials to be 100% home compostable.”

Girlfriend Collective- An eco-friendly activewear brand that makes clothing out of BPA-free recycled plastic bottles. They are transparent about their supply chain and labor standards. Their Vietnam factory is SA800 certified, and their website states that “this certification promises that our operation adheres to those super strict regulations that keep factory employees well-paid, safe, and living healthy lives”. Their packaging is 100% recycled and recyclable. They are size-inclusive, ranging from XXS-6XL, and they offer maternity leggings as well.

I personally LIVE in their leggings (which come in multiple inseam lengths), and have 5 identical pairs I wear all week long, and their bike shorts are my go-to during the summer!

Grana- They have retail locations in Austin, TX and Hong Kong as well as an e-commerce store. They sell high-quality basics in a range of colors, and they are transparent about their supply chain and pricing.

Groceries Apparel- Made in the USA with organic fabrics and non-toxic dyes. They also believe in "Vertically-integrated, local, and traceable production that maximizes quality, efficiency, and employee pay, and minimizes redundancy, waste and our carbon footprint."

Hackwith Design House- (0-28) A Minnesota-based mostly made-to-order brand that creates all of their products in-house with sustainable materials. “Many of the fabrics we use are sourced from a local, family-owned fabric store that specializes in run-off and second-hand fabrics. This is one way we cut down on waste while also supporting our local economy. We also strive to only use fabrics that are natural fibers or biodegradable, and look to use even more recycled fabrics when possible in the future.” Fabric waste is dropped off at a local fabric recycling center.

Something that makes HDH unique is their Sustain Shop, where they sell preloved HDH items sent in my customers. “Pieces that are still in good-as-new condition will be resold on our site at a lower price point. Pieces that we receive with holes, tears, or stains will be evaluated by our team of seamstresses, and mended or transformed into a completely new piece.” Customers who send in their preloved items receive a flat amount in store credit to be applied to future purchases from their main line or their Sustain Shop.

HOPE & HARVEST- (US 8-22/AUS 12-26) Australian based brand that manufactures locally as well as with fair-trade and ethical factories. They prioritize the well being of their workers and they closely monitor the working conditions in their factories to ensure they are kept to high standards. They use sustainable materials such as organic cotton for their garments. “All of the H&H patterning, grading, sampling, fit and sizing are done in our local studios in Ballarat and Melbourne. We support our local communities by employing local people with exceptional skills, to bring the high quality garments that HOPE & HARVEST are known for, to our customers again and again.”

Hours- (14-28, with some items ranging to size 32) New York, NY based brand making sustainable and ethical clothing exclusively for sizes 14 and up. “With every clothing item that we design intentionally, source sustainably, produce ethically, and craft to last for years, we are endeavoring to empower women to expect more from their clothing.” Their styles are seasonless, their workers have safe working conditions and are fairly compensated, and they regularly audit their supply chain to ensure everything is ethically produced. They only work with factories that are WRAP certified.

“At HOURS, we approach minimizing environmental impact in various ways. Firstly, we only produce clothing with upcycled fabric in reputable production facilities. Secondly, our packaging is 100% plastic-free, minimalist and made from recycled materials. We also make sure to partners with like-minded suppliers that prioritize sustainability and ethical impact.”

James Jeans- Based in Los Angeles, CA, this company makes super comfy jeans and other apparel items. They are transparent about their supply chain and make things ethicaly, locally and by hand. *I own several pairs and they are very comfortable and hold up well through washing.

Jamie and the Jones- Ethically and sustainably produced in Nashville, TN. They believe in creating "seasonless" apparel that can be worn any time of year, and they turn their scrap fabrics into beautiful, one-of-a-kind items. They are transparent about their production process and discuss how they design and create each piece, from start to finish, on their website.

Karen Kane- (XS-3X) Based in Los Angeles, CA. This one caught me by surprise, I had no idea they were a sustainable brand! I’ve been wearing thrifted and hand-me-down tanks and dresses by Karen Kane for years always loved how soft they are and how well they hold up wash after wash, and was delighted to see how passionate they are about sustainability and producing things ethically.

They installed energy-efficient LED lighting in most of their manufacturing facilities in LA, use renewable resources for energy, and installed new washroom fixtures that conserve 100,000-125,000 gallons of water every year. They began to reuse hangers in 2019, recycled from their retailers, preventing 1,000,000 new hangers from being made each year.

They provide ongoing sustainability education “for all management and employees, as well as incentives for making decisions that benefit our planet and positively impact our people. As a result of this program, we have minimized our use of plastic, integrated sustainable packaging, increased our use of sustainable fabrics, and made structural improvements to minimize our use of water and power at our main manufacturing facility.” For more on their sustainability practices and more, check out this page.

You can also find Karen Kane items at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Dillards.

Known Supply- A women's and men's apparel brand that is passionate about connecting customers to the people who made their clothes. Each item is signed by the maker who created it, and all products are made at facilities that celebrate and honor makers by paying living wages as well as supporting the communities where the workers live. They also offer customization options so you can order a truly unique piece! From their website: "We are disheartened by what fast fashion is doing to our planet and the people who make our clothes. We don’t like what we see, so we decided to do something about. As more of us put people first when it comes to making our purchasing decisions, the clothing industry will too. Together with you, we will tell an industry that all people are valuable, and in the process, we’ll change the lives of the millions of people who are a part of it."

Kowtow- A New Zealand brand whose clean, minimalistic designs are entirely made with sustainably and ethically sourced materials.

K.S. Garner- (XXS-4XX + Custom Sizing) This Phoenix, AZ based female-owned slow fashion brand makes all items to order. They make fun, unique and whimsical designs.

LOUDBODIES-This Romanian slow-fashion brand makes sustainable, ethical and size-inclusive clothing, including the twirliest dresses I’ve ever seen! They are passionate about sustainability and their products are Oeko-Tex 100 Certified in both fiber and printing. They use recycled paper for wrapping their items and their mailers are made from recycled plastic. They utilize their fabric scraps by turning them into pillows they donated to puppy shelters. Their sizing runs from 2XS-10XL (0-42US 2-46UK) and customizations for fit are free.

Lucy & Yak- A UK-based ethical and sustainable brand producing colorful and pattern-filled clothing and accessories. They are transparent about their supply chain, they offer inclusive sizing up to 4X and their website features diverse models. 98% of their fabrics are organic or recycled, 100% of their organic cotton is GOTS-Certified, the polyester used is made from recycled plastic bottles, and they use a closed-loop fabric made from a combination of seaweed and wood pulp that is 100% biodegradable. Their colors and prints are responsibly dyed to OEKO-Tex and GOTS-Certified certifications.

Mara Hoffman- A big proponent of socially and environmentally responsible practices, frequently uses materials that are eco-friendly. “When sourcing for our designs, we prioritize natural, recycled, and organic fibers and do no use any fur, leather, mulesed sheep wool or feathers. 100% of our swimwear is produced using recyled nylon or recycled polyester.” They conduct in-person factory visits regularly “to ensure that the people producing our clothes are paid fairly, treated respectfully, and working in safe conditions.” Their website details more about their approach here. Take it one step further and rent your Mara Hoffman pieces here. You can also find their products at Net-a-Porter, Revolve, Shopbop and Anthropologie. Their sizing runs from XXS-3X.

Mate the Label-A sustainable and ethically produced women's clothing brand based in Los Angeles. They partner with factories within a five mile radius from their Arts District Headquarters in DTLA, reducing their environmental footprint and allowing them oversight on those factories more easily. From their website: "The label is a collection of elevated essentials and vintage inspired graphics that embody the California-cool lifestyle. Each piece is thoughtfully designed, carefully sourced and proudly produced in small batches season after season."

Mate the Label graphic tees, shorts and dresses

Mayamiko-An ethical and sustainable women's wear and lifestyle brand made in Malawi. They work with a charity that provides local, disadvantaged women with training in sewing and tailoring as well as financial and business skills. After their training, all trainees receive a recognized qualification as well as mentoring, guidance and access to a micro-finance scheme, enabling them to start their own business. They are committed to being zero waste, using fair trade practices and incorporating organic fabrics into their designs.

Meemoza- Ethically made, feminine fashion based in Montreal, Canada. They value sustainable fabrics including tencel and organic cotton, natural fabrics that have not been treated with pesticides such as wool and linen, and reclaimed deadstock fabrics.

Mettamade- (XS-5X) Based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Mettamade are big supporters of the body positivity movement and partner with Body Brave, “an organization that supports recovery from eating disorders and creates safe spaces for self-compassion to grow and flourish. We design each piece in our collection to be inclusive of every body type and size, because you should feel as beautiful as you are. Each item was made ethically and sustainably, with locally-sourced supplies and manufacturers whenever possible.”

Their garments are made from eco-friendly materials such as Bamboo and Tencel. It is designed in their home studio in Hamilton, Ontario and cut and sewn in a women-run factory located 45 minutes from their home studio in Toronto, Ontario. “METTAMADE is for everyBODY. Because everybody is beautiful.”

Miakoda New York- (XS-4XL) New York City, NY based brand making cruelty-free, eco-friendly, slow fashion using vegan materials in fair trade and local factories. They use materials such as organic cotton (ethically harvested in Turkey or India), bamboo (OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified), soy (essentially upcycled, saved from being trashed after soybeans are pressed for oil), modal + lyocell, and all of their fabrics are GOTS certified or Central Union certified. They use low impact, fiber reactive dyes that are nontoxic, safe and eco friendly. They use hydrogen peroxide instead of chlorine to create their white colors, and their products are free of optic brighteners.

Miakoda fabrics are knit in WRAP certified factories where workers are paid living wages, provided health insurance, treated with respect and have a safe working environment. They personally visit their factories multiple times each season to ensure the working environment is clean, safe, and respectful. In addition to being size-inclusive, Miakoda is also conscious of casting models, using language and choosing influencers who are inclusive of all genders and identities.

Their packaging is made of 100% recycled material and made in the USA, and they are conscious of their fabric scraps which they upcycle in their zero waste collection found here.

Mien- (XS-3X), with styles designed to accomodate maternity and nursing fits. “Our signature fabric is made from 100% GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) Certified Organic Cotton. It's custom knit for us here in L.A. by a family owned fabric mill. We also use premium eco-friendly fabrics made from bamboo, modal, and linen. All of our garments are dyed locally using non-toxic AZO-free dyes in colors that are created by Mien's designer.” Their garments are responsibly produced in smal batches in Los Angeles. “We only work with family-owned factories that pay fair wages and provide their workers with a clean, safe working environment and regular breaks.” Their packaging is all compostable, recyclable, or recycled, and their gardments are never individually wrapped in plastic during production or in shipment. They have designed the fit of their clothing to adjust to our ever-changing bodies, especially during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Mokuyobi- California-based brand that makes super colorful and fun clothing and accessories, with an impressive range of backpacks. They offer unisex sizing with a size inclusive range from XXS-4X. Their products are ethically made, and they visit their factories daily basis “to troubleshoot problems, ensure quality, and track progress on all of our projects. When we set out to create something, we want to make it right. At Mokuyobi, we want our transparency to give you, our customer, confidence about the products you are buying and the brand, ethics, and ethos that you are supporting.”

They only work with local contractors and factories to ensure a reduced carbon footprint, and items are free of all animal products. They use recycled materials, reuse packaging and repurpose any leftover fabric scraps into new small goods. Their nylon scrap fabric is used to make future bag samples. They also care about extending the life of their products. “We offer a lifetime warranty on all of our bags where we repair any Mokuyobi bag for free to keep our products in use as long as possible and out of landfills. Everything we create is made to last.” .

Naadam- They believe in "clean energy powered production facilities, providing living wages for their employees, programs for healthy goats and sustainable grazing practices." They also do not use harsh chemicals or bleach on their products. They care about extending the life of each garment, and use higher quality materials to ensure this is possible. *I own the cardigan from the photo below and it is very soft and comfortable!

Nettle Studios is a San Francisco, CA based company handcrafting made-to-order, small batch clothing. Many of their items are made with linen, a very sustainable material. Their diverse models represent a range of sizes and real-life bodies, and they offer sizes XS-4X. Because of their small batch process, they are able to offer customizations such as adding pockets to pants or adjusting an inseam for a customized fit. They also sell colorful masks for adults and kids, in contour and pleated styles. They are very responsive on their Instagram page if you have fit questions! *I own their mid-easy pants and shorts and a super-wide crop top and I absolutely love them all!

Nettle’s Tale (XS-4X) Vancouver, Canada based swimwear and apparel brand. They manufacture locally and ethically. They also have a storefront in Vancouver, BC where they sell their own lines as well as other locally-owned, size inclusive, ethically made brands.

Nooworks- A California-based, women-owned company making colorful printed clothing in adults and kids sizes, ranging from XS-5XL for adults and 6 months-8 years for kids. They partner with 4 artists a year to create limited edition textiles and produce their garments in California with USA-sourced materials derived from plant based materials. “We purchase all our trims, notion and labels from other small businesses in the USA and print all our paper products on recycled paper.” Their employees are paid a living wage.

On The Plus Side- (1X-8X) New Jersey based brand that’s been “Sustainable from the Start” by prioritizing natural fibers and using fiber reactive dyes that are eco-friendly, and they believe in making garments that last, unlike fast fashion. They focus exclusively on sizes 1X and above and have 15 different fit models to showcase their garments in a range of shapes and sizes. “All of our garments are sourced from socially responsibly companies which work diligently to combat unfair and unsustainable work practices.”

Pact- They are passionate about organic cotton, fair trade and fair prices. Everything on their site is quite reasonable in price and they offer lots of basics in many colors. They offer kids and baby clothing as well as men’s clothing. My husband, toddler and I all own their products and they hold up really well over time.

Pamut Apparel- Based in North Carolina, all of their products are made from natural fibers such as linen and organic cotton. From their website, “All of our woven pieces are cut, sewn, and printed by our small team in our Raleigh studio. To make our organic tees, we work with the most eco-friendly production facilities in North Carolina.” They are size-inclusive, offering sizes XS-4X, with no additional charge for custom sizing requests.

People Tree- This UK-based brand collaborated on the documentary The True Cost, which I wrote about in my first blog post, as well as in this post. They are fair trade fashion pioneers, and are all about sustainability and supporting local artisans. I own a few of their pieces and the fit on some is smaller than expected, but they are all very well-made.

Poplinen- (XS-3X) Los Angeles, CA based brand making sustainable and ethical “timeless, wear everywhere pieces”. Poplinen use eco-friendly fabrics including Tencel™, modal, organic cotton, and upcycled denim. They use two fit models and two patterns for each style to ensure that every size fits well, and they are a 1% for the Planet member (an international organization whose members contribute at least one percent of their annual sales to environmental causes). Poplinen also offers a pre-loved section on their website where they sell gently worn items returned by customers, making them even more sustainable.

Poppy & Pima(aka Softhaus)- They are committed to using ethical and sustainable practices throughout their supply chain, and work with artisans in Peru to create their high-quality pieces. They are passionate about supporting humane production and using natural materials. You can also find their products on the ban.do website.

prAna- (XS-3X) Founded in 1992 in Carlsbad, CA, prAna has had sustainability at the forefront of it’s designs since the beginning. The Sustainability section on their website has dedicated pages on Animal Welfare, Circularity, Climate Action, Clothing For Positive Change, Fair Trade, Fibers and Materials, Responsible Packaging, Social Responsibility, and Supply Chain, among others. Their clothes are made with sustainable fabrics including organic cotton and hemp in Fair Trade certified factories. They also make men’s clothing! “When you choose sustainably made clothing, you’re casting a vote for social and environmental responsibility, for transparency, and for a fundamental change in the way clothing is made.”

Reformation- Honestly, I debated whether to include them in this list. They make sustainable apparel from eco-friendly materials, vintage clothing and deadstock fabrics that prevents waste from going into landfills, which is awesome, but they do have a history of stealing designs from independent designers (and you know how I feel about companies who do that).

Sarah Sue Design- (XS-5X) A Winnipeg, Canada based brand creating modern and minimalist styling in sustainable clothing. They use linen, hemp, bamboo, silk, cotton, and eco-friendly textiles. Their products are ethically made in Canada, and they believe in inclusivity, both in fashion as well as “creating a safe space for all ages, backgrounds, and cultures of humans. We believe in Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate. We are here for the BIPOC community and believe that Black Lives Matter. We also believe in loving everyone and that LGBTQ2S+ communities rights are important. We also believe that within our company and within our studio doors, that we have no place for hate. Our aim is to spread joy and happiness through our clothing for all bodies out there. We will keep growing in a positive way as we expand this small business.”

Sezane- (XS-3XL) Based in Paris, France, Sezane produces most of their garments using eco-friendly materials including organic cotton, linen, Tencel, and recycled materials. They are transparent about the certifications of their fabrics which are listed below:
- 82% of silk is Oeko-Tex 100 certified
- 83% of cotton is organic
- 68% of viscose is FSC Mix certified
- 61% of leather is vegetable tanned, chrome-free or metal-free

I want to note that on various pages of their website they provide slightly different information about their materials. For example, one page states that 3/4 of their materials are eco-friendly, another states 2/3. One page states that 86% of their cotton is organic, and another states that 83% is organic, so it’s hard to know which information is the most accurate.

They produce some of their collection in China at ethical factories that they visit regularly. “86 inspections were performed at our factories in 2018, either by Sézane itself or by third-party agencies. 84 of these inspections were positive, revealing that our suppliers adhere to the main tenets of our specifications. In those cases where they were not respected entirely, the anomalies were quickly addressed and corrected, such as when a supplier neglected to mark its emergency exits. In the two cases where the inspections failed, we were forced to end our partnership with the respective suppliers.” They have a page titled Where is Sezane made? where they share more details about the factories.

They package their items using recycled and recyclable materials and replace boxes with envelopes for shipping whenever possible. Something that makes Sezane unique is that they give buyers a choice to exclude unnecessary packaging with their order. “We’re also in the process of streamlining our boxes by eliminating unnecessary labels and excess wrapping, and adapting their size and shape to best fit the items they are designed to hold.”

Simone’s Rose- (XS-3X and custom sizing) Based in Winnipeg, Canada, this brand makes small batch and made-to-order garments using organic and natural fibers, vintage and deadstock fabrics. They prioritize ethical working conditions and all garments are made by hand in their studio. Their brand understands the harmful impact that fast fashion has on the planet and they are working to combat this with their made-to-last pieces.

The Social Outfit-An ethical fashion brand celebrating creativity and diversity, based in Australia. They provide employment and training in the fashion industry to people from refugee and new migrant communities in clothing production, retail, design and marketing. They also care about sustainability, recycling fabric scraps and focusing on seasonless garments that are designed to be worn for years to come.

Sotela- (custom sizing; equivalent to approx size 0-30) Based in Los Angeles, CA, Sotla is “a size, race, gender, and age inclusive clothing company and community that celebrates humans in all their forms.” Their sizes focuses on fit instead of labeling (they use their own unique sizing system) because they value pody positivity. Their fabrics are eco-friendly and include tencel, modal and linen. Their packaging and marketing materials are printed on recycled paper, and every item is ethically hand-made “from start to finish in our California studio”.

The Standard Stitch- (XS-5X) Based in Los Angeles, CA, all of this brand’s production is kept within a 10.3 mile radius of their headquarters which “allows us to foster real relationships with our certified vendors and ensure their products and practices are aligned with our standards.” They value ethical labor, including treating employees respectfully, providing fair wages and a safe working environment. They create season-less and classic styles for longevity of wear using non-toxic and low impact dyes and materials that are biodegradable, compostable, recycled and recyclable to avoid waste. They use organic cotton and other natural fibers in their clothing, and they use their cotton fabric scraps to create new fabric. “Considered a low impact fiber, recycled cotton uses less water, less energy and produces less CO2 emissions.” Their tags, labels and packaging are recyclable, biodegradable or compostable.

STATE the Label- (XS-3XL) Based in Athens, Georgia, all of this brand’s garments are made in the U.S. “Our small team of 10 cuts, sews, paints, washes, finishes, folds, tags, and packs each item. Only about 30% of our pieces are made outside our studio. For over 10 years we’ve worked with the same family-owned cut and sew factory in Manhattan’s Garment District. They create our more detailed pieces - anything with more complex collars or buttons - as well as our Britches.” Their clothing is built to last, and the hand-painted designs are very unique and fun!

Stella McCartney- High-end designer merchandise, available at department stores and online. They are committed to never using leather or fur, are passionate about circularity and their environmental impact, and protecting ancient and endangered forests. Their products are also available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Barney's.

Symbology- (XS-3X) Symbology offers special occasion, wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, workwear, maternity options and everyday garments. “Symbology uses fashion as a platform to empower women, preserve handmade crafts and provide sustained employment and fair wages to marginalized artisans. Each piece is handcrafted by women artisans in developing countries using traditional fabric techniques like block printing, tie dye and embroidery.” Their artisans are paid a livable wage and are involved in the design process as well. They partner with women artists in India, Mexico, and the West Bank and frequently visit these partner groups to ensure transparency.

Thief&Bandit- (custom sizing; equivalent to XS-3X) Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, all Thief&Bandit garments are handmade from start to finish, with all fabric printed in their showroom and every garment sewn by their team. They are committed to sustainability and make items to order using organic textiles and non-toxic water based acrylic inks for printing. They are known for their unique and bold patterns. They make clothing as well as swimwear and some kids items. They use 100% compostable mailers or cardboard boxes for packaging.

thief and bandit 1.jpeg — Thief&Bandit clothing

Thunderpants USA- (XS-3XL) Originally based in New Zealand, Thunderpants opened a USA branch of the company based in Portland, OR. Thunderpants USA produces their underwear, bralettes, boxers and loungewear in a Minority Women owned factory 7 miles from their office and they are at the factory frequently, watching things be cut and sewn and ensuring an ethical and safe work environment for employees. They use Fairtrade certified and GOTS certified organic cotton. Their fabric is printed using water-based inks and dyes in Los Angeles, CA. “We only work with companies that pay living wages, treat their employees with dignity and respect, and minimize their environmental impact.”

Tome NYC-Ethically made high-end designer women's fashion. They value inclusivity and diversity as well as sustainability. They launched a philanthropic project in support of FREEDOM FOR ALL, a foundation based in NYC that fights human trafficking and modern day slavery globally known as the White Shirt Project. "The White Shirt is symbolic of a clean slate - a new start - like that experienced by the emancipated individual. An exclusive style is launched each season with a donation of 30% of profits to www.freedomforall.org. All WSP shirts are ethically and ecologically manufactured in eco cotton poplin by female first factories."

TomboyX- (3XS-6XL) This queer-founded brand is size and gender inclusive and offers loungewear, underwear, bras, socks and swimwear. They are dedicated to empowering the LGBTQ+ community year-round and advocating for equal representation and celebration of all people. Their fabrics are sourced sustainably, and they ensure their supply chain is ethical and mindful of creating the least waste possible. Their products are made in Asia and South America, and they are headquartered in ___. They use recyclable packaging, and their items are packaged in reusable and biodegradable bags. They use OEKO-TEX certified cottn and TENCEL modal.

Tonle- They are committed to creating beautiful clothing with zero waste, meaning "creative pattern making that uses 100% of a given material, and generating garments from remnant materials." They are also committed to producing their products ethically.

Tradlands- (XXS-5X) Their garments are built to last, and they truly care about a garment’s cost per wear. They also care about the working conditions for their employees. “We employ adults who are paid a living wage, work in bright, clean and airy environments, and choose to come to work. This includes US-based standards of working hours, paying over-time, and never allowing triple shifts. We perform compliance audits yearly to evaluate employee satisfaction and environmental conditions.” They use natural materials such as cotton, silk and Tencel and produce in small batches for reduced waste. They also utilize customer feedback to improve their designs every year. Additionally, they have a section on their website known as their Worn Well Exchange, where you can buy and sell pre-loved Tradlands items, extending the life of the garments.

Tuesday of California- (XXS-6X) A Los Angeles, CA based brand that prioritizes ethical labor and post consumer, vintage or California-produced materials. They use deadstock, vintage, and excess fabrics, and when they have leftover fabric they use it to make masks, scrunchies, napkins or donate it to Project Rope. They offset their carbon emissions from shipping by investing in forestry and alternative energy initiatives.

Two Days Off Clothing - (XS-4XL) Two Days Off is a Los Angeles-based, woman-owned, carbon neutral lifestyle brand making sustainable and ethical small batch clothing. They use locally sourced deadstock fabrics and North American suppliers for their linen collection. They prioritize the use of natural fibers including linen, cotton, wool, and hemp, and their products are plastic-free. Their packaging is reusable, recyclable and biodegradable.

“Two Days Off pieces are ethically made-to-order or in small batches here in Los Angeles, California. We choose to produce this way to avoid waste from overproduction of sizes and colors that don’t sell. This means the lead time for made-to-order garments is at least 4 weeks. During that time we cut, sew, and finish each garment with a close eye for detail and quality. For our small-batch runs, pieces are often limited edition, meaning just you and a few others will own it.”

Uniform- (XS-3XL, custom sizing available at no additional charge) All items are handmade to order by the owner and designer in Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada. They use sustainable materials such as linen, hemp and organic cotton and made to last. They create basics that are classic and seasonless.

Vivienne Westwood-A high-end designer whose mantra is "buy less, choose well, make it last", she is passionate about climate control and the impact of the fashion industry on climate.

Wasi Clothing - (Small-4XL, baby onesies in newborn-24 months) Based in Los Angeles, Wasi Clothing is a Brown-Latina owned Bolivian-American sustainable, ethical and slow fashion brand. They use vintage and deadstock fabrics, use fabric scraps to make other products such as masks and accessories, and produce in limited quantities to avoid overstock. Their packaging is recyclable and compostable. All employees are paid fairly and ethically and all items are locally produced.

Wayre- (XXS-3XL) This Los Angeles, CA based company makes apparel from reclaimed plastic waste. “From raw fiber Made from our Bluesign certified (aka no toxic stuff), eco-friendly woven blend of reclaimed post-consumer plastic bottles collected from landfills in Taiwan and spandex.” Their eco-efficient process uses less water than traditional methods they use recycled and recyclable materials for packaging, and are working on becoming climate neutral. They manufacture their clothing in a sustainable and ethical factory in Taiwan that is SA8000 certified where workers are paid a fair wage.

Wilde Mode- (XXS-6XL) A size- and gender-inclusive brand based in Dundee, Scotland making fun and colorful undies, bras, loungewear, reusable pads, period pants, reusable wipes, ostomy stoma bag covers (SO cool to see a brand doing this!), socks, masks and accessories. Everything is made to order, and their items are all tag-less and seamless. Wilde Mode donates offcuts of fabric, and all waste is either recycled or upcycled, including stationary, personal items and day-to-day waste. They have a 100% carbon neutral footprint and for every cardboard box they use, a tree is planted. Trees are also planted for every sale made using Ecologi, and they use the search engine Ecosia, which plants trees in some of the harshest places on Earth. No need to ever “Google” anything again when you can fight climate change with every search!

As I mentioned in this post about fast fashion brands stealing independent designers products, Wilde Mode has been on the receiving end of Shein stealing their designs. They fought back and WON! You can learn about the lawsuit here.

Wray- (2XS-6XL) New York, NY-based brand with clothing ethically made at fair-trade operations in India, Hong Kong and Peru. They partner with responsible factories, utilize closed loop production and source environmentally conscious materials including using recycled fabrics and compostable packaging. Their website has an overview of each of the factories they work with and details how they treat their employees. In Shanghai, for example, they work with a woman-owned factory who offers paid sick days and maternity/paternity leave as well as living wages and 40 hour work weeks. In India, the factory they work with sources all fabrics locally to cut down on their carbon footprint.

What are some of your favorite colorful and sustainable, ethically made or eco-friendly women's apparel brands? Comment below and I will update the list periodically to include more awesome brands who prove that fashion doesn't have to be fast to be fabulous!

Stay tuned for future posts featuring brands from categories including footwear, swimwear, underwear, bags/accessories, jewelry, athletic wear, maternity/nursing wear, baby goods (apparel and home), menswear and home goods!