Thing fair trade fashion = frumpy? Think again! These ethical fashion brands are proving that there’s no need to sacrifice style or your ethics with their responsibly-made apparel, accessories, shoes, and more.
What is Fair Trade Fashion?
A fair trade fashion brand is one that either has earned a fair trade certification from a third-party, or one that meets high ethical labor standards verified using other methods and reporting.
How We’re Vetting These Fair Trade Fashion Brands:
World Fair Trade Organization Guarantee: While some other fair trade certifiers focus on certifying a particular ingredient, product, or element of the supply chain, the WFTO Guarantee System assesses the entire business, which includes the company’s structure and business model, operations, and supply chains. Learn more here.
Fair Trade Federation Member: “The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is a community of verified businesses that are dedicated to holistic fair trade.” Learn more about FTF Verification here and FTF’s Principles here.
Remake’s Seal of Approval: Remake is a nonprofit dedicated to ending fast fashion, encouraging people to “wear their values”, and turning fashion into a force for good. The Remake Seal of Approval process is among the most in-depth (and unbiased, as it’s not funded by corporations) reporting available to the public. They rate brands on traceability and transparency, maker wellbeing, environmental sustainability, sustainable raw materials, along with leadership, diversity, and inclusion. Check out Remake’s Brand Directory here.
Good On You: While not as in-depth as Remake’s reporting, Good On You is another resource for diving into a brand’s efforts on people, planet, and animals. And as Good On You’s ranking system has been around longer, they have more brands in their system at the time of writing. Check out Good On You’s directory here.
Now that you have some background on fair trade fashion, check out this list of our favorite fair trade clothing, footwear, and accessories brands!
Note that this guide include affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission on qualified purchases made through these links that helps me run this blog. Thanks for your support!
1. ABLE
As a fair trade fashion brand and the creator of the Lowest Wage Challenge, ABLE is leading the way when it comes to ethical clothing and accessories production. The company even offers tours of their jewelry workshop in Nashville which I’ve personally visited!
Credentials: Remake Approved Brand, Scores 5/5 in “People” on Good on You
Categories: Apparel, Bags, Jewelry, Shoes
2. Nisolo
Another brand offering unprecedented transparency into their supply chain with the publishing of their lowest wages is Nisolo.
Credentials: Remake Approved Brand, Scores 5/5 in “People” on Good on You
Categories: Accessories, Shoes (Men’s and Women’s sizes), and Jewelry
3. PACT
Underwear and basics brand PACT has affordable ethical fashion made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and only made in Fair Trade-certified factories. The brand has eco-friendly clothing for women, men, and kids, plus home essentials like organic bedding.
Credentials: Fair Trade-Certified Factories, Rated “Good” on Good On You
Categories: Apparel, Accessories, Outdoor Gear
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4. Outerknown
With the highest score Remake has given to any of the 400 brands they’ve (thoroughly) vetted to date, Outerknown is an ethical fashion brand dedicated to fair and environmentally-conscious production at every stage in their supply chain — and they’re committed to continual improvement as well.
Credentials: Remake Approved Brand, Rated “Good” on Good on You
Categories: Apparel and Accessories (Men’s and Women’s)
5. No Nasties
Creating comfy everyday apparel, No Nasties is an eco-friendly, vegan, and fair trade clothing company following high standards for both people and planet. No Nasties uses only 100% certified-organic cotton and 100% Fairtrade-certified factories for their entire production.
Credentials: Rated “Great” by Good on You, Fairtrade-certified
Categories: Apparel (Women’s and Men’s)
6. Organic Basics
European underwear brand Organic Basics is a leader when it comes to both ecological sustainability and social responsibility. The brand publicly discloses their environmental and social impact annually and provides transparency into their factories and the certifications they hold.
Credentials: Remake Approved Brand, Rated “Great” on Good On You
Categories: Apparel, Accessories, Underwear
7. Raven + Lily
Raven + Lily’s artisanal accessories, jewelry, and lifestyle goods are not only beautifully designed, but transparently and ethically made too. The women-led fair trade fashion brand follows and goes much beyond fair trade standards paying living wages, offering benefits, and following environmentally-friendly production practices.
Credentials: Remake Approved Brand, Fair Trade Federation Member, B-Corp
Categories: Bags and Jewelry
More Fair Trade Fashion Brands:
Etiko: Shoes
Known Supply: Apparel and Accessories
Symbology: Apparel
Soluna Collective on Made Trade: Apparel
Mata Traders on Made Trade: Apparel
Nudie Jeans: Denim
You May Also Want To Check Out:
Fair Trade Artisan-Made Jewelry Brands to Love
Affordable Ethical Fashion Brands
