What are the best places to buy sustainable clothing online? Learn more
- This guide breaks down the top places to buy sustainable clothing online, including Patagonia, Quince and Everlane.
- From secondhand options to luxury clothing, there's various storefronts to shop that feature sustainable clothing.
We only have one planet, and our closets aren’t always that kind to Mother Earth. From synthetic materials to shady production practices, it’s more important than ever to know where, how and what our garments are made from.
As much as we might think a cheap $10 shirt from a trendy shop is fun for our style and easy on our wallets, it’s actually not that budget-friendly. These fast fashion garments aren’t as well-made and typically have a higher cost per wear, since their overall quality doesn’t last beyond a couple of outfits. Shopping sustainably also helps protect us from impulse buys, since we might need to think about a higher-priced item, which drives down our consumerism tendencies and helps us actually save money in the long run.
Sustainable clothing means a few different things in the fashion industry and can refer to materials, labor practices, packaging, resale and take-back programs, or all of the above. So, when looking for the best places to buy sustainable clothing, it helps to have an idea of what to look for.
Considering third-party certifications is a great starting point, since labels like OEKO-TEX and Fair Trade can signal a brand’s standards. Looking at the fabric content of an item also helps ensure you buy a piece that is higher quality and will last (or even get better) over time. Garments made from synthetic materials are also not nearly as breathable or temperature-regulating as natural fibers like cotton, linen and wool, and don’t typically maintain their quality after a few wears.
Ahead, find our top picks for the best places to buy sustainable clothing online, including some secondhand options, as well as a brand that specializes in luxury-quality clothing for less.
Best Places to Buy Sustainable Clothing Online
- Best overall sustainable clothing retailer:Patagonia
- Best for affordable, sustainable basics: Quince
- Best for size-inclusive sustainable fashion:Universal Standard
- Best for sustainable denim:Everlane
- Best for sustainable activewear:Girlfriend Collective
- Best for secondhand and resale:ThredUp
- Best for luxury sustainable fashion:The Real Real
Best overall sustainable clothing retailer: Patagonia
Patagonia is known for its high-quality, durable technical outdoor clothing that is constructed with sustainability top of mind. The brand uses upcycled materials and organic cotton in its garments, but beyond that, it’s known as an environmental steward, with a focus on investing in pieces that will last years and years.
It’s also a certified B Corp, uses 100% reusable energy and has programs dedicated to repairing and recycling garments.
Best for affordable sustainable basics: Quince
One of the best ways to shop more sustainably is to look at the fabric content in your clothing. While 100% cashmere and wool items usually have a high price tag, Quince breaks from the norm, offering affordable pieces made from high-quality fibers, including organic cotton, linen, wool, cashmere and more.
Additionally, Quince has a factory-direct model to reduce waste and also works with smaller and more ethically responsible factories to produce its garments.
Best for size-inclusive sustainable fashion: Universal Standard
Universal Standard is an inclusive brand known for its size range from 00 to 40. They also make high-quality and durable pieces that are meant to be worn over and over again, making them a more sustainable option when shopping for garments.
It’s an excellent choice for women looking for wardrobe staples that are versatile enough to swap with different looks, whether they’re headed to the office or on vacation.
Best for sustainable denim: Everlane
Everlane is known for being transparent about how its garments are made, including disclosing the factories used to make the clothes, the ethical production practices, the cost of labor and more.
It’s a fantastic pick for shoppers with a more minimalist style who want well-made, durable items that are ethically made and priced fairly for these standards.
Best for sustainable activewear: Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective is focused on creating high-quality, durable and supportive activewear pieces that are constructed from recycled materials.
Most garments are made from fabric that is constructed from plastic water bottles, using a method where bottles are washed, cut into flakes, melted, and spun into fiber.
Compared to polyester, this emits fewer greenhouse gases while also using less energy and water, making it a more sustainable approach to garment making. In addition to its fabrics, the brand also has an inclusive size range from 2XS to 6XL.
Best for secondhand and resale: ThredUp
ThredUp is an online platform for buying and selling secondhand clothing, shoes and accessories. With millions of secondhand items sold, it promotes a circular fashion economy, which reduces carbon emissions, water use and other resource waste associated with clothing production.
ThredUp makes it super easy to get money for your clothes, too. All you have to do is order one of the closet clean-out bags, fill it up, send it back, and the brand will take care of the selling for you. You can also donate garments for free.
Best for luxury sustainable fashion: The RealReal
The RealReal is another online resource for secondhand shopping, focusing on luxury consignment. This means you can shop authentic secondhand designer fashion, jewelry, handbags and home goods with ease.
As a secondhand store, The RealReal ensures a more circular economy—this minimizes textile waste and helps lower demand for new production while also saving water and energy.
What should you look for when shopping for sustainable clothing online?
Sustainability can mean a few different things. First, brands that use natural fibers (preferably organic) or recycled materials are considered more sustainable. Natural fibers are renewable and biodegradable, while petroleum-based synthetic fabrics (such as polyester or nylon) can release microplastics into the environment and take hundreds of years to break down.
Durability is another sustainable factor, since this ensures you can actually wear your clothing over and over again without it falling apart or losing its overall integrity. While durable garments made from high-quality sustainable materials can be more of an investment, they’re actually better for your wallet, since the cost-per-wear over years and years is significantly less compared to synthetic, cheaply made items that only get a few wears.
When shopping sustainably, also look for third-party certifications and supply chain clarity. This transparency helps prevent the “greenwashing” that is all too common in the fashion industry, and is used as a marketing ploy rather than an actual indication of sustainable fashion. And, of course, taking proper care of your clothing can be more sustainable, since it ensures they last longer. Be sure to check out the care instructions for your garments to prevent any mishaps.
What certifications actually matter (and what do they mean)?
Third-party certifications are helpful signals of a brand’s sustainable practices. While they are not a full confirmation of how garments are made, they can help point you in the right direction. Look for certifications such as Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), OEKO-TEX, Fair Trade, Bluesign and Responsible Wool Standard.
- GOTS: This certification is the processing standard for organic fibers, ensuring textiles are produced sustainably from farming to the finished product.
- OEKO-TEX: This independent certification covers both textiles and leather, ensuring that garments made from these materials are not produced with harmful substances. Its Standard 100 label guarantees that raw materials and finished products are free of harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and pesticides.
- Fair Trade: This certification ensures everything from produce to clothing meets social, economic, and environmental standards, guaranteeing fair wages, community development, and environmental protection.
- Bluesign: This is another certification that looks at how textiles and clothing are manufactured. A garment with this certification ensures it was made without harmful chemicals in safe working conditions.
- Responsible Wool Standard: This certification is given to companies by the Textile Exchange and promises ethical practices in wool production, including animal welfare and social welfare. With this certification, you can also trace the wool from the farm to the final product.
Is sustainable clothing always more expensive?
Because of high-quality textiles and practices used to create sustainable clothing, it can have a higher price point. However, this upfront investment is actually better for your wallet in the long-run. Since cheaper brands and synthetic materials can lose their integrity over time, these garments might be cheaper upfront, but you ultimately spend more money replacing them. A sustainable clothing item can last years—even decades—and have a much lower cost-per-wear. These items also have a higher resale value, so should you find yourself cleaning out your closet, you can actually get some money back on your purchase.
To make sustainable less expensive upfront, take advantage of sales, shop secondhand or consider curating a capsule wardrobe—this will not only ensure you shop more sustainably but also free up some clutter in your closet. It’s also worth investing in basics that you can wear over and over again with a variety of different outfits, and look for more timeless styles that will withstand the ever-changing trend forecast.
How do you avoid greenwashing?
Greenwashing is, unfortunately, all too common in the fashion industry and is used as a marketing ploy to capture our attention and make us think we are investing in high-quality garments. To avoid greenwashing, you’ll need to do some extra research while shopping and look for specifics such as factory lists, material breakdowns and impact reports. It’s also worth looking out for vague buzzwords and, when a brand uses one, double-checking that it actually means what it says.
What’s the most sustainable way to shop for clothes?
The most sustainable way to shop for clothes is to invest in garments with high-quality garments made from natural or recycled materials and rewearing or repairing these items as needed. You can also thrift, resale, and even participate in clothing swaps, which are all better for the planet and your wallet.
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