Are you on the hunt for the best fair trade clothing brands on a mission to change the industry? We curated a fair trade fashion brands list chock full of sustainable companies that deserve your support, below.
Fair trade certified clothing and fashion is a dance of harmony between design and conscience. It’s about celebrating the artistry of artisans and the intricate craftsmanship that goes into every piece. With each purchase, you’re supporting a sustainable ecosystem that nurtures local communities, preserves traditional techniques, and celebrates cultural diversity. In other words, men’s and women’s fair trade clothing brands inspire us to embrace our own unique style while embracing a greater purpose. So without further ado, let’s get into our list of the best fair-trade fashion companies in 2023.
What is fair trade clothing?
Fair trade clothing refers to fashion that is produced and traded under specific social and environmental standards aimed at promoting fair and ethical practices throughout the supply chain. The concept of fair trade focuses on ensuring that garment workers, often in developing countries, receive fair wages, safe working conditions, and other essential rights. Certification bodies such as Fairtrade International, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) play a vital role in verifying and ensuring compliance with fair trade principles. These organizations set criteria and conduct audits to certify brands and products as meeting the required standards.
Why fair trade clothing brands are so important?
Fair trade clothing brands prioritize ethical and sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. These fair trade certified clothing brands ensure that garment workers receive fair wages, safe working conditions, and other fundamental rights. By supporting fair trade fashion companies, consumers can contribute to reducing exploitation in the fashion industry, promoting social justice, and fostering environmental responsibility. Ultimately, fair trade fashion brands in usa and abroad play a crucial role in transforming the fashion industry into a more ethical and sustainable one.
How to shop for fair trade clothing?
Firstly, look for sustainable fashion brands that are certified by reputable fair trade organizations such as Fairtrade International or World Fair Trade Organization. These certifications ensure that the brand meets specific social and environmental standards.
Look for transparency regarding their supply chain, production processes, and worker empowerment initiatives. The best fair trade fashion brands use sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, organic bamboo, linen, hemp, wool, or recycled and upcycled materials to create eco-friendly wardrobe staples.
In addition to “fair trade”, look for other certifications that back up the company’s ethics. GOTS, Organic Content Standard (OCS), USDA-Certified Organic, Bluesign, the Better Cotton Standard, and OEKO-TEX® 100 are only some examples most premium and affordable fair trade clothing brands aim for.
Best Fair Trade Clothing Brands Changing the Fashion Industry
1. Patagonia
Price: From $55
Sustainable Materials: Recycled poly and nylon, organic cotton, hemp, recycled content, wool
Patagonia, the trailblazing eco-warrior of the sustainable fashion world, has been at the forefront of environmental ethics since the dawn of time (well, the dawn of the industry). The Certified B Corp is the mecca of outdoor clothing ideal for trail running, climbing, mountain biking, surfing, skiing, and snowboarding. Much like most of our favorite fair trade clothing brands, they’ve teamed up with factories right here in the good ol’ USA, from the wild landscapes of Texas to the charming corners of North Carolina.
Their materials of choice?Recycled fishing nets, organic cotton, hemp, recycled content, wool, and more. In addition, the fair trade fashion brand Patagonia offers a Worn Wear collection. It’s basically a treasure trove of pre-loved goodness, giving clothes a second chance at adventure while keeping the planet happy.
2. Pact
Price: From $12
Sustainable Materials: Organic cotton
Next up, Pact, one of the best fair trade clothing brands for sustainable basics. The slow fashion company is seriously socially conscious, going to extraordinary lengths to ensure that every step of their supply chain is as squeaky clean, and responsible as possible. From the moment the organic cotton sprouts its little leaves to the final stitches on your favorite tee, Pact leaves no stone unturned in their quest for sustainability. In addition to using premium quality GOTS-certified organic cotton, Pact also has a stellar donation program for used clothes. Plus, the Earth’s Favorite™ Clothing Company creates ethical apparel for women, men, kids, and babies with more than 50% certification as Fair Trade.
3. Reformation
Price: From $38
Sustainable Materials: Organic cotton, linen, and hemp, or recycled materials
Get ready to swoon over Reformation’s trend-driven sustainable lineup! Lauded as one of the best men’s and women’s fair trade brands clothing in 2023, the company is based in the vibrant city of Los Angeles and knows exactly how to make sustainability a fashion statement. Every single product they create is crafted from sustainable and upcycled materials, giving a whole new meaning to “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” And it gets even better! They’ve built a fair wage environment where creativity and fairness go hand in hand.
You’ll find all the deets about their dedication to eco-friendly production, presented in a style that’s as fearless as your fashion choices. Oh, and here’s the cherry on top—each item comes with its very own environmental footprint description. We absolutely love affordable fair trade clothing brands that thrive on being transparent.
4. Sézane
Price: From 110€
Sustainable Materials: GOTS & OEKO-TEX certified organic & sustainable materials,
If you are on the hunt for the best fair trade certified clothing brands Europe has to offer, Sezane should definitely be on your radar. This sustainable fashion company is all about keeping it real and green, starting with their online presence. But that’s not all! Sézane takes zero waste production to the next level, making sure every stitch and fabric scrap finds a purpose. Waste? Non, merci! Sézane has got you covered head to toe with leather goods, knitwear, denim, shoes, and jewelry. It’s like stepping into a treasure trove of beauty and quality, designed for those who appreciate the finer things in life. Overall, we love this B-certified corp’s timeless elegance that somehow feels very fresh and modern.
5. Tentree
Price: From $20
Sustainable Materials: Tencel, Recycled Polyester, Organic Cotton, Hemp
Touted as one of the best fair trade clothing brands women, men, and kids swear by, Ten tree are pros at creating Earth-first essentials that make the whole family feel like champions of sustainability. For every item you purchase, tentree plants not one, not two, but a whopping 10 trees! They’ve already planted over 73 million trees and they’re not stopping there. Their goal? A billion trees by 2030! Their assortment includes cozy sweat sets to t-shirts, cardigans, dresses, and jackets– the fair trade fashion company crafts them responsibly in Canada in WRAP, BSCI, SA8000, or Fair Trade certified factories.
6. Kotn
Price: From $20
Sustainable Materials: Authentic Egyptian cotton
KOTN’s ultra-soft basics are ethically crafted from the finest Egyptian cotton, promising to take your comfort levels to cloud nine. In fact, their cotton tees are built to last for a whopping 30 years and beyond. From the farms to the factories, they’ve built a haven where fairness and safety reign supreme. We absolutely love fair trade-certified clothing brands that need no middleman!
And that’s not all—they’re even helping their suppliers transition to organic practices within the next five years. Talk about a game-changer! Plus, the B-certified corp has already made a massive impact in Egypt, touching over 100,000 lives by building schools and funding more than 2,000 farms. Now that’s what we call fashion with a purpose!
7.Fair Indigo
Price: From $40
Sustainable Materials: 100 % Organic Prima Cotton Interlock, safe dyes
Moving on to Fair Indigo, the slow fashion brand that’s all about creating clothes that go the distance. We’re talking clothes that can stay by your side for a glorious five years and beyond, like their legendary Forever Organic Tees (they come in all sorts of styles and mind-blowing earth-friendly dyes). Fair Indigo’s fair trade clothing are made with the finest organic Peruvian Pima cotton. Actually, the raw materials are grown on a family farm, where each precious fiber is hand-harvested with love and care. Ultimately, if you’re on the lookout for affordable fair trade clothing basics and artisan-made accessories, Fair Indigo is your go-to shop.
8. Girlfriend Collective
Price: From $28
Sustainable Materials: ECONYL®, Recycled PET, Recycled Nylon, Cupro
When it’s time to slay those workouts, rock those compression leggings, and conquer the world in functional skorts, there’s one name that reigns supreme—Girlfriend Collective! This fair trade fashion brand is on a mission to make sustainable athletic wear accessible to all, with sizes that go up to 6X (they’ve even got maternity activewear, folks!). Talk about inclusivity goals! But here’s the real game-changer—nearly all of their pieces are crafted from recycled plastic bottles. When you’re done rocking those leggings or skorts, you can recycle them once again through Girlfriend Collective’s take-back program. It’s like a never-ending cycle of sustainability! In other words, it’s one of the most amazing fair trade clothing brands in 2023!
9. Mate The Label
Price: From $70
Sustainable Materials: Organic cotton, tencel, lien
Known as one of the best fair trade fashion brands in USA, Mate The Label is on a mission to make dressing clean a breeze and trust us, they’ve got this down to an art. Whether you’re on the hunt for a cozy sweat set or a stunning maxi dress, MATE’s got your back. Each piece is cut, sewn, dyed, and sent off in eco-friendly packaging, all happening right in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. On top of that, the fair trade certified clothing brand is a climate-neutral superhero, and they’re not afraid to show it. Plus, they give back to environmental causes, because saving the world is always in style.
10. Outerknown
Price: From $40
Sustainable Materials: ECONYL, Organic Cotton
Last, but not least, on our fair trade fashion brands list, Outerknown. This sustainable clothing company knows that being truly conscious means considering both people and the planet at every step of the way. From the pre-production planning to the final post-production moments, Outerknown has got you covered. They work hand-in-hand with global partners who believe in fair wages and sustainable production practices. And you know what’s even cooler? They spill all the tea about their partners on their website, so you can see the magic happening behind the scenes. And let’s not forget about their California-cool aesthetic that knows no boundaries when it comes to gender. They even have a secondhand shop, because being sustainable never goes out of style! To put it simply, they are one of the best fair trade clothing brands for men and women who cherish ethics above all else.
About Author
Konstantina Antoniadou
Freelance sustainability and fashion writer with an ongoing curiosity to explore new innovative technologies, and report on trends in “green” industries.
