Fast fashion is notorious for its flimsy ethics. But that doesn’t mean sustainable clothing can’t be affordable, and here are the UK’s best brands to prove that.
Yes, fast fashion is bad. Between the human rights abuse cases and the animal testing scenarios, you’d be forgiven for forgetting about the fashion industry’s environmental impact with the toxic chemicals in its production processes and polluting supply chain practices.
Buying sustainable is always better, of course. But one major criticism of eco-friendly clothing brands is that they’re on the pricier side. While sustainability can be costly, as can be seen in the eco-friendly arms of larger brands like Stella McCartney, it doesn’t always have to, and here are some of the best affordable sustainable clothing brands in the UK that prove that.
Finf out whether Primark deserves its ethical fast fashion question mark.
People Tree
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A pioneer in sustainable fashion, People Tree has been producing ethical and eco-friendly clothing for 30 years. Founded by social entrepreneur Safia Minney, the Tokyo- and London-based brand is a flag bearer in fairtrade fashion, partnering with farmers, producers and weavers to ensure people living in the developing world have access to fair opportunities. 93% of its cotton was Global Organic Textile Standard Certified Cotton (GOTS), which is the gold standard for sustainable cotton accreditation for fashion brands.
While much of its range is priced on the higher side of the spectrum, People Tree’s Essentials and Underwear lines are quite affordable. People Tree’s leggings retail for £25 and vests for £24. Its underwear starts at £9 and bras are priced from £18. It also has a vegan-friendly collection that uses sustainable organic cotton.
Lucy & Yak
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Ethical dungarees, anyone? Lucy & Yak, based in the UK but with company roots around the world, has got you covered. With its manufacturing process being carried out in an Indian factory, workers’ rights is an issue close to the brand’s heart. It’s a living wage employer and a champion of fair pay, and the team is very open and transparent about all its operations.
Lucy & Yak’s unisex dungarees can be found for as low as £27, and they make for great street-style wear. Apart from dungarees, the brand also does bottoms, tops, boilersuits, dresses, skirts, socks, accessories and more. It also has a zero-waste line, with items like a DIY vegan food wrapping kit, organic cotton mesh grocery bags and soaps made from oatmeal and coconut milk, to name a few.
Pico
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Pico manufactures high-quality essentials and everyday goods that are ethically sourced and traceable. It produces organic and fairtrade cotton underwear and towels for men and women, with fully vegan materials and a Small Producers International certification.
The minimalist sustainable clothing brand has divided its work into three projects. The first was for the underwear, made in a small factory in southern India. The second looked at indigenous Indian cotton, working with a cooperative in western India to produce bath sheets and hand towels. The third project is currently in the research stage, focussing on the British fibre industry and working with British sheep and wool.
Underwear starts at £16, and it offers has a reusable face towel for £8.
TOMS
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This is for the shoe fanatics. With many vegan and affordable options, TOMS is one of the UK’s most sustainable and ethical clothing brands, and has B-Corp certification. For every shoe sold, it donates a second pair to someone in need. Its impact report showed that it has given over 95 million shoes in 85 countries, and committed $6.5 million in impact grants.
TOMS makes eco-friendly shoes for women, men and kids. Both men’s and women’s shoes start at £36, while the kids’ shoe range is priced from £24. It also has sandals, flip-flops and slippers.
Bibico
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Bibico came about when designer Snow became disillusioned with the fast fashion industry after years of designing for high street brands. The company emphasises its disregard of cheap synthetic materials, instead relying on natural ingredients to make its fabrics and garments. It also recognises the environmental impact of the fashion industry, especially with the number of toxic chemicals pumped out, and therefore has introduced an organic cotton collection.
It produces high-quality sustainable women’s clothing in two Indian fairtrade women’s cooperative factories. But the best part about it is how affordable it is, especially given the timelessness of its range. Trousers start from £69, and it also offers accessories like scarves, slippers, socks, beanies and gloves.
Baserange
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“Modern basics”, “clean lines” and “easy silhouettes” is how Baserange describes itself. The brand develops high-quality fabrics and textile from natural fibres and recycled materials, and believes committing to clean fashion would have a positive environmental impact.
The basics it mentions include sustainable lines of underwear, swimwear and loungewear. The brand only uses natural and biodegradable ingredients like cotton, bamboo, wool and linen (which is derived from the highly sustainable flax plant). Its underwear line is priced from £25 and tops start at £50. It also manufactures socks, bottoms, pants, dresses, jumpsuits and accessories like scarves and face masks.
