Ethical and sustainable basics are the perfect foundation for your conscious wardrobe. The responsibly-made essentials from these brands are not only made from fabrics you can feel good in and practices you can feel good about, but they’re made with attention to quality and detail, ensuring they’ll be go-to pieces in your closet for years to come.
Many of the brands included in this guide use:
- TENCEL™: a fiber made from sustainably-sourced wood pulp
- Organic cotton: a fiber cultivated without harmful pesticides as conventional cotton typically is
- Hemp: a sustainable wonder fiber that requires far less water than cotton and no pesticides or fertilizers to grow
- Recycled cotton: another more conscious alternative to conventional cotton!
Note that there are partners and affiliates in this guide. As always, all brands included meet high standards for sustainability and are brands I truly believe in!
1. tentree
tentree offers a versatile range of basics that are timeless enough to wear for years to come. From printed t-shirts to solid tank tops and breezy shorts to cozy joggers, you’ll find yourself returning to these pieces more often than you’d prefer.
Made from conscious materials like TENCEL™ Lyocell, organic cotton, and recycled polyester, these basics are bound to be the workhorses of your wardrobe.
Price Range: $-$$
Size Range: XS–XL
Explore tentree (CA)
2. Harvest & Mill
Harvest & Mill’s organic cotton pieces are all completely made in the U.S. — from fiber to final stitch. The earth-minded brand sources U.S.-grown organic cotton that is spun and knit domestically as well. The transparent brand also uses natural dyes, low-impact dyes, or no dyes at all.
Size Range: S – XL
Price Range: $ – $$
3. PACT
With simple sustainable basics at affordable prices, PACT is the perfect place to find everyday essentials you’ll wear day in and day out. PACT has GOTS-certified organic cotton tees, tanks, and more maternity wear that is all made in Fair Trade Certified factories.
The eco-friendly basics brand also has underwear, bras, and socks.
Size Range: XS – XL
Price Range: $
Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off
4. Organic Basics
Organic Basics uses lower impact fabrics like organic cotton and TENCEL™ as well as recycled materials for their eco and ethical basics. They also source from factories that have implemented green practices like fabric scrap recycling and water efficiency techniques to reduce water use.
Size Range: XS – XL
Price Range: $ – $$
5. Patagonia
Sustainable outdoor brand Patagonia has a collection of basics that can take you from lounging on the couch to a trip to the gym. Patagonia’s selection varies from performance gear to yoga wear to leisurewear, but they all have something in common: sustainable fabrics. You’ll find organic cotton, hemp, and recycled fibers in the mix — and maybe even a regenerative organic cotton tee or two.
Patagonia also uses many Fair Trade Certified factories and is a founding member of 1% for the Planet.
Size Range: XXS – XXL
Price Range: $ – $$
6. Amour Vert
Amour Vert has chic, sustainably-made essentials that will be the ultimate foundation for your conscious wardrobe. The eco-friendly brand uses materials like modal produced from responsibly-harvested beechwood trees, organic cotton, recycled cotton, and TENCEL™.
This is one of my favorite brand’s for finding fashionable sustainable fashion — I absolutely adore their dresses and blouses — and they do not disappoint on basics with their flattering fits and super soft fabrics.
Size Range: XS – XL
Price Range: $ – $$
7. Eileen Fisher
Eileen Fisher specializes in elevated, minimalist essentials that will last the test of time with their exceptional quality and timeless design. The slow fashion label and certified B-Corporation uses earth-minded fabrics like organic cotton, organic linen, hemp, and TENCEL™ and sources from factories with responsible and transparent practices.
Size Range: XXS – XL; also has plus sizes
Price Range: $$ – $$$
8. Alternative
Alternative Apparel has a diverse selection of basics, including many made from organic cotton. Their organic cotton is GOTS-certified and OEKO-TEX Certified. Not all of their pieces are organic, so just be sure to double-check the product description!
Size Range: XS – XL
Price Range: $ – $$
9. Kotn
Kotn is a well-loved favorite in the slow fashion community for their ethical basics and minimalistic clothing. The brand traces their entire supply chain and publishes it for all of their customers to view, too.
They do not use traditional middlemen when sourcing their cotton and instead work together with hundreds of small-holder farms providing subsidies and guaranteed pricing, protecting these farmers from the fluctuations of the cotton market.
Size Range: XS – XXL
Price Range: $
10. No Nasties
All of No Nasties’ all-vegan apparel is made responsibly with 100% organic, Fairtrade™ certified cotton. Their cotton is sourced from a farmers’ co-operative and their garments are made in a Fair Trade factory.
No Nasties also uses plastic-free packaging, shipping their garments in reusable cotton drawstring bags and recycled cardboard boxes.
Size Range: XS – XL
Price Range: $
You May Also Want to Check Out:
30 Affordable Sustainable Fashion Brands
Conscious Loungewear & Pajama Brands
Organic & Eco-Friendly Underwear Brands
