Eco-friendly fashion
If you value sustainability and want your purchases to adhere to ethical production standards, your wardrobe is a great place to start. Shopping for sustainable apparel made by companies committed to eco-friendliness and transparent manufacturing may seem daunting, but if you know which companies share your values, it’s easier to find shoes, coats and clothing you love.
What is sustainable fashion?
“Sustainable” can mean a lot of things, but in general, sustainable fashion may be defined as shoes and clothing produced with a goal of minimizing environmental impact. This may come at any point in the process. For example, a product may be made with an organic fabric, or solar power may be used in its production.
Sustainable clothing brands
The following brands are featured in this roundup because they offer a quality product that’s also sustainable in some way. Note that some brands mentioned here do not exclusively make sustainable goods.
Adidas
Blowfish
Boody Body
KEEN
Nothing New
Patagonia
Sanuk
TOMS
Features of sustainable clothing
To find brands that fit your values, look for items made by companies that have publicly declared their commitment to sustainability. Many of these companies participate in initiatives such as the United Nations Global Compact or the Leather Working Group. Materials commonly used by companies that focus on sustainability include bamboo, hemp, jute and recycled plastic.
Vegans should note that not all “sustainable” items are free of animal products. This includes clothing items made of leather, wool and silk.
Cost of sustainable clothing
Because it costs more to produce products ethically and sustainably, expect to see price tags anywhere from 20-100% higher than usual. For example, you might be able to buy a pair of sneakers for under $20 that contain mixed materials (including plastic), but you would need to pay closer to $40 or more for a pair of ethically sourced shoes.
Best sustainable shoes for women
Best of the best women’s sustainable shoes
Sanuk Donna Women’s Slip-On Hemp Shoes: available at Kohl’s
Our take: Sanuk has committed to conducting business with the utmost respect for human rights, fair labor standards and responsible environmental practices. These casual shoes feel a lot like sandals and are appreciated by eco-conscious consumers, despite some sizing concerns.
What we like: Made from vegan hemp, these are casual flats with a stylishly distressed upper. The footbed is cushioned for comfort. Buyers can choose from a range of colors.
What we dislike: It may take some trial and error to find the right size. Some say the shoes require a lengthy break-in period.
Best bang for your buck women’s sustainable shoes
TOMS Classic Canvas Shoes: available at Amazon
Our take: TOMS focuses on sustainability, and for every pair of shoes bought, the company donates a pair to a needy child. These flats work well in both casual and semi-formal situations.
What we like: Available in numerous colors. Cute inner lining complements stylish exterior. The shoes are easy to put on and don’t cause blisters for most people. Great for walking if you don’t require a lot of foot support.
What we dislike: The soles are not ideal for those with fallen arches.
Best sustainable shoes for men
Best of the best men’s sustainable shoes
KEEN Men’s Newport Sandals: available at Amazon
Our take: A flexible, breathable leather sandal made by a company that uses leather certified by Leather Working Group, an organization dedicated to improving the environmental impact of the leather industry.
What we like: Stylish and appropriate for a number of scenarios, from outdoor games to casual get-togethers. Known for durability and a tendency to last several years.
What we dislike: These leather shoes are not an option for wearers interested in vegan footwear.
Best bang for your buck men’s sustainable shoes
TOMS Men’s Deconstructed Alpargata Sneakers: available at Amazon
Our take: Made with cotton, rubber and a vegan heel pull-tab to align with TOMS’ ideal of sustainability.
What we like: These affordable, breathable slip-ons have a hint of cushioning and are great for casual wear.
What we dislike: It may take a few days or weeks for the shoes to fit just right; some say they’re tight at first.
Best sustainable sneakers for women
Best of the best women’s sneakers
Cariuma Women’s Low Top Off-White Canvas Sneaker: available at Cariuma
Our take: Brazil-based company Cariuma uses sustainably made cork and sustainably extracted bamboo, and it uses mostly recycled plastics.
What we like: Classic, stylish look that’s versatile to wear with many outfits. 100% vegan insoles made from organic mamona oil and cork. Handmade.
What we dislike: The shoes may not be effective for high-impact activity.
Best bang for your buck women’s sneakers
Blowfish Malibu Women’s Marley Sneaker: available at Amazon
Our take: Slip-ons with a sneaker-like appearance from Blowfish, a company with a 4Earth campaign to lighten its footprint on the planet.
What we like: Distressed casual look with lots of colors to choose from. Contrast stitching adds a fun pop of style. Shoes are vegan.
What we dislike: Some wearers complain about fit issues, including narrow toes.
Best sustainable sneakers for men
Best of the best men’s sneakers
Adidas Men’s Ultraboost 20 Shoes: available at Adidas and Amazon
Our take: This eco-friendly pair of shoes from Adidas has responsive cushioned midsoles that give energy return with every step.
What we like: Made of 100% recyclable materials and available in 11 colors. The fitted knit upper is made of high-performance recycled material containing ocean plastic harvested from the shorelines of islands, beaches and coastal communities.
What we dislike: The shoes have a snug, sock-like fit, which may be uncomfortable for some wearers.
Best bang for your buck men’s sneakers
Sanuk Vagabond Slip-on Sneaker: available at Amazon
Our take: A casual and affordable sneaker for men from an eco-conscious company.
What we like: The extra-wide design is the fit some men have been looking for. Vegan. Made of natural materials.
What we dislike: They’re not as rugged as some other sneakers with a similar cut and style.
Best sustainable leggings for women
Best of the best women’s leggings
Patagonia Women’s Centered Tights: available at Backcountry
Our take: These leggings are Fair Trade Certified and designed for easy movement. Recycled polyester comprises 85% of the material.
What we like: Soft material wicks away moisture and grants the flexibility needed for yoga and similar activities. Patagonia’s comprehensive sizing chart ensures you get a good fit.
What we dislike: The label “tights” can be misleading. These are footless, form-fitting workout pants that function as leggings.
Best bang for your buck women’s leggings
Boody Body EcoWear Women’s Leggings: available at Amazon
Our take: Boody Body crafts its activewear primarily from bamboo and is extremely transparent about its manufacturing and production processes. The material of these leggings is infinitely renewable.
What we like: The leggings wick away sweat and have a comfortable high-rise waist. They’re breathable yet warm, so many find them suitable for warm-weather and cold-weather workouts.
What we dislike: Somewhat sheer.
Best sustainable jackets
Best women’s jacket
Patagonia Women Frozen Range 3-in-1 Parka: available at Backcountry
Our take: A champion of sustainable fashion, Patagonia presents this versatile jacket with a 4.1-ounce stretch GORE-TEX outer shell and a water-repellent finish. The liner is filled with recycled down.
What we like: Sleek and warm; not bulky. The shell and liner can be worn separately or zipped and snapped together. In addition to using recycled materials, the coat is Fair Trade Certified.
What we dislike: It’s expensive, even in the world of top-shelf Patagonia jackets, and it contains down, which some will dislike.
Best men’s jacket
Patagonia Men’s Down Sweater Jacket: available at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Our take: Recently updated with a longer hem, this attractive and packable jacket from eco-conscious Patagonia is windproof and resists water. It’s a great choice for hiking and other outdoor adventures.
What we like: Warm and flexible with interior pockets for storage. Hem includes an adjustable drawstring. Several eye-catching colors available.
What we dislike: The coat contains goose down, which will be a deal-breaker for some.
Melissa Nott is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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