Discover the Future of Sustainable Fashion
In recent years, the sustainable fashion industry has witnessed an explosion of eco-friendly and ethical clothing brands. In this increasingly crowded market, it can be challenging to identify the brands that are genuinely committed to making a positive impact on the world. The truth is, the fashion industry grapples with an alarming waste problem, with each American discarding over 75 pounds of textiles annually—a staggering 750% increase since 1960. Achieving sustainability is a journey that takes years of careful planning, responsible supply chain management, and a willingness to invest in organic, recycled, regenerated, and innovative materials. In this guide, we introduce you to 19 sustainable fashion brands leading the way in 2023.
1. Levi’s: Redefining Denim Sustainability
Leading the Way in Sustainable Denim Levi’s, an iconic denim brand, is on a mission to transform the traditionally wasteful denim industry. By 2025, Levi’s aims to fulfill several commitments, including the exclusive use of sustainably harvested cotton, renewable energy in all Levi’s-owned facilities, and a substantial 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across their supply chain. Levi’s is also an early adopter of high-performance sustainable materials, such as cottonized hemp. The brand’s commitment to worker well-being is evident through initiatives that promote financial empowerment, health, family well-being, equality, and acceptance, with 80% of employees already participating in these programs.
2. DL1961: Denim with a Minimal Carbon Footprint
Pioneering Responsible Denim Production DL1961.com sets a new benchmark for responsible denim manufacturing. To produce a single pair of jeans, they use fewer than ten liters of water, a remarkable contrast to the industry standard of 1,500 gallons. By managing every stage of production in-house, from yarn spinning and fabric weaving (utilizing certified cotton and low-impact biodegradable fibers like Modal and Lyocell) to garment cutting and stitching, DL1961 significantly reduces its carbon footprint. The brand also employs Jeanologia machines, which utilize air and laser technology to create signature garment washes without water.
3. Cuyana: Timeless Fashion in Small Batches
Elevating Fashion through Small-Batch Production Cuyana is dedicated to producing timeless, high-quality designs in small batches through collaborations with local, family-run enterprises. The heart of Cuyana’s philosophy lies in creating products that customers will cherish and use for many years. In keeping with their commitment, Cuyana has introduced a traceable, single-origin cashmere collection, with plans to achieve 100% sustainability by 2022.
4. Naadam: Direct-to-Consumer Ethical Fashion
Empowering Herders and Promoting Fair Trade Naadam, a direct-to-consumer business, eliminates intermediaries by directly negotiating with herders in the Mongolian desert to source cashmere. This approach allows them to offer high-quality goods to consumers at a more affordable price without compromising quality. Naadam places a premium on providing fair wages to all workers, including herders, and reinvests significantly in their communities. Transparency is a core value for Naadam, as evidenced by their comprehensive Social and Environmental Impact Report, which details their 2025 objectives and current progress.
5. Girlfriend Collective: Size-Inclusive and Eco-Friendly Activewear
Eco-Friendly Activewear with a Focus on Inclusivity Girlfriend Collective is at the forefront of size-inclusive, budget-friendly activewear. Their clothing is crafted from recycled plastic bottles, fishing nets, and other reclaimed materials, with a unique low-impact dye process. The brand goes a step further by recycling the resulting dye mud into sidewalks and roads through a nearby pavement factory. Transparency is a hallmark of Girlfriend Collective, from the materials and processes they use to their commitment to worker safety, highlighted by the accreditation of their Vietnamese factory.
6. Outerknown: A Commitment to Sustainable Lifestyle
Striving for Circular Fashion Outerknown, co-founded by creative director John Moore and 11-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater, is a California lifestyle brand dedicated to sustainability. In 2020, the brand made a bold commitment to achieve full circularity by 2030, focusing on minimizing waste and promoting the reuse of resources. Outerknown’s mission is to create essential clothing items, such as sweatshirts and outerwear, designed to serve multiple purposes, reduce environmental impact, and empower the people involved in their production.
7. Adidas: Pioneering Sustainable Athletic Apparel
Championing Eco-Friendly Athletic Wear Adidas has been a front-runner in eco-friendly athletic apparel for years, with a primary goal of combating plastic pollution. They collaborate with Parley for the Oceans, incorporating recovered plastic waste and certified textiles into their collections. Currently, half of their collections are crafted from recycled polyester, and by 2024, they plan to transition entirely to recycled materials. The brand has also maintained a longstanding partnership with sustainable fashion icon Stella McCartney.
8. Nisolo: Ethical Direct Sales and Positive Work Environment
Direct Sales with a Focus on Ethical Workspaces Nisolo differentiates itself by selling products directly to customers while emphasizing a positive work environment and fair compensation for workers. While their social commitments are well-known, details about their environmental sustainability are more limited, although their impact report highlights efforts to enhance the quality of the raw materials used.
9. Veja: Sustainable Sneakers Loved by Royalty
Eco-Friendly Footwear with Royal Approval Veja’s white tennis-style sneakers have garnered the admiration of Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton for good reason—these shoes have a minimal environmental impact. Veja sources organic cotton and wild rubber directly from their original farms. Recognized as a B Corporation, Veja meets stringent social and environmental performance standards, ensuring that working conditions are constantly monitored to prevent child labor and discrimination.
10. Mara Hoffman: Ethical Swimwear and Resort Wear
Reducing the Ecological Footprint of Resort Wear Mara Hoffman has been committed to reducing the ecological footprint of her swim and resort apparel since 2017. Her one-pieces and bikinis are crafted from recycled polyester and nylon, with a strong focus on eco-friendly fabrics like hemp, organic cotton, and linen for her vacation-ready dresses, shirts, and knits. The Mara Hoffman Full Circle program promotes the purchase and resale of products, ensuring that nothing goes to waste in a landfill. This initiative is excellent news for anyone looking to part ways with a piece or shop from the brand secondhand.
In Conclusion
These sustainable fashion brands for 2023 are leading the way towards a more eco-friendly and ethical fashion industry. From reimagining denim production to pioneering eco-friendly athletic wear, these brands are setting the standard for sustainable fashion practices. Be sure to explore these brands and their commitment to a greener future.
