Eco-friendly fashion is definitely a growing trend but it is still difficult to find local stores or even department stores that carry a good selection of ethically made garments. For the green fashionista the best bet remains the web. Most ethical fashion designers have their own e-shops, but often they are not easy to find without knowing the name of the brand, therefore multi-brand e-commerce sites are the best starting point to browse several designers and products categories without scouring Google’s search results.
Here is my shortlist of the best eco-friendly fashion sellers on the web, with my own personal scorecards based on:
- Merchandise selection: criteria used to evaluate include: the variety of selection in terms of products and categories, quality of products.
- User Experience (UX): the score keeps in consideration: site design, ease of navigation, product information and shipping policies.
ETHICA
If you are looking for stylish modern classics Ethica is a good place to start both for basics and trendy items.
Based in the US, free shipping to US on orders $75+.
- Merchandise categories: womenswear, accessories, beauty
The romper is one of the must-have pieces for the season, and this gorgeous red silk jumpsuit by Kamperett is perfect to heat up any holiday event. Wide legged and with an adjustable waist, it will be a great fit for any body type. Available at Ethica.
ECO-CRED
100% Made in California with materials from ethical factories.
MAISON DE MODE
Maison de Mode is the Net-A-Porter of eco-fashion featuring a well curated selection of top quality products all ethically manufactured from around the world. Designers available on this site include, among the others, Brazilian uber-cool designer Osklen, British floral print queen Beautiful Soul and LA eco-denim pioneer Industry Standard.
Based in the USA. Beware: return policy depends on the item/brand, read before you buy.
- Merchandise categories: womenswear and accessories.
For this winter my favorite piece on Maison de Mode is this amazingly tailored wrap coat by Shipper. The wrap is always a very chic, feminine silhouette, and I especially love the layered detail on the front. The classic navy blue color is also a welcome change from the sea of black and grey that usually fills the streets in the cold season. Available at Maison de Mode.
ECO-CRED
Shipper is a partner of Nest, a non-profit organization that promotes sustainability and fair trade practices by connecting brands with artisans in developing communities worldwide.
MODAVANTI
From blouses and shoes to yoga mats and men’s grooming products, Modavanti definitely offers the widest selection of products for a high quality eco-friendly and ethical lifestyle. The site is very easy to navigate with lots of easy product categories, including the possibility to pre-select the products’ eco credentials.
Free US shipping for orders $ 100+, for international orders flat fee is $ 15
- Merchandise categories: womenswear, menswear, activewear, accessories, home, beauty
Ultramodern, feminine and practical, the Ally Down Pullover by NAU is a stylish choice for a running errands around the city as well as for a weekend hiking in nature. Available here.
ECO-CRED
Outer fabric from recycled fibers.
ZADY
Zady’s signature mood is minimal understated elegance for urban professionals. The e-commerce enterprise founded by slow fashion pioneers Maxine Bédat and Soraya Darabi offers mainly apparel from its own label, including a few basic menswear items, and a very limited selection of accessories from other designers and brands. The site navigation is very minimal so you have to scroll the products to see what you want or enter it in the search box.
Free shipping and returns on all US orders.
Merchandise categories: womenswear, menswear, baby clothes, accessories, home
This oversized gray wool sweater was love at first sight for me! Chunky and thick cable knits have always been among my favorites and I’m happy they are climbing the trendy scale again this year. Get it here
ECO-CRED
Designed to last, fair work and trade practices, low pollution technologies.
GATHER AND SEE
The favorite style of this ethical fashion e-commerce is casual elegance with a good mix of classic and edgy pieces. The brands available include Kowtow, Riyka and MUD.
UK based, international orders ship with a flat fee of $18, free shipping for orders over $180.
Merchandise categories: womenswear, accessories, lingerie
This silk crepe dress by Osei Duro is one of those easy elegant pieces that can be used over and over. The traditional batik technique has been applied to create a bold pattern with a very contemporary taste. Upstyle it with patent high heels, or combine it with flats and a jeans jacket for a more casual look. Available at Gather + See
ECO-CRED
Fair Trade: Osei Duro works with independent tailors, a unionized factory and two batik houses where fabrics are dyed and printed using traditional Ghanaian artisanal techniques.
REVE EN VERT
Rêve en Vert features a curated selection of high-end eco-friendly designers and brands. The mood is contemporary chic with a polished combination of modern classics with a European flavor and a few “wow” pieces, all produced with luxury quality materials -ethically sourced of course! I just wish the “New arrivals” section wasn’t so literal, that is in perfect chronological order, but a little more edited to feature new pieces from all categories.
Shipping policy: free shipping on all orders internationally over £250.00, £5.00 for all deliveries in the U.K., £8.00 for all deliveries within the E.U., £10.00 for all international deliveries.
- Merchandise categories: womenswear, activewear, lingerie, beauty, accessories
My pick from Rêve en Vert current selection are these fabulous high waisted wide legged pants by Fonnesbech. With their extra-large pleats they are a great modern take on a classic silhouette made famous by Katherine Hepburn in the 1950s. Available on Rêve en Vert
ECO-CRED
100% organic wool, sustainably produced in Denmark.
MOD + ETHICO
Mod+Ethico style is contemporary classics with an edge. This ethical e-store features modern silhouettes and statement pieces, without falling into the trap of fickle, and therefore disposable, trends. The selection of clothing brands is limited, but it also carries a large selection of activewear and swimwear.
Free shipping and returns on all US orders.
- Merchandise categories: womenswear, activewear, swimwear
My choice from their current selection is another item on the hottest list this season: the bomber. Mod + Ethico offers an original take on this classic piece of any casual wardrobe with the Galatea jacket by Suki + Solaine. Named after the greek myth it retains some its magic by updating any outfit thanks to its bold modern graphic in very wearables muted colors. Available at Mod + Ethico
ECO-CRED
100% Made in USA. Fabric (92% Polyester, 8% Spandex) from France.
MADEFAIR
Affordable quality fashion is MadeFair’s focus. This means that 99% of us can purchase items from their good selection of contemporary styles, with some ethnic accents, without worrying on how to get to the next paycheck.
Free first class shipping in the US for orders $100+.
- Merchandise categories: womenswear, shoes, accessories, home.
Thanks to its versatility in terms of styling and weather, the Lily Page leather boots by Fortress of Inca are a precious addition to any fall/winter ethical wardrobe, especially in this wonderful whisky hue. You can purchase these ethically made leather boots here
ECO-CRED
Fair wages, locally sourced material made in Peru.
ECOHABITUDE
EcoHabitude is different from the previous e-commerce sites in that it is a “marketplace”. Designers and manufacturers can open their own account and sell their products directly. Thanks to this mechanism, EcoHabitude can offer a wide variety of products from small emerging brands, on the cons side the quality of the products offered varies widely.
Shipping and returns policies vary according to the seller.
Kimono tops are up and coming, if you like to be ahead of the crowd go for this elegant wool jacket by Only Child. Available on EcoHabitude
ECO-CRED
Slow fashion: small batch production made in the USA using overstock fabric.
THE REAL REAL
Even if the top fashion houses are not onboard with ethical fashion yet, we can shop their runaway looks sustainably on The Real Real, a luxury fashion consignment e-store. If you love fashion, this is the candy store and you can shop designer brands without so much guilt. Navigation is easy and all products are well presented, and that’s not a small feat considering the variety of items and their conditions!
- Merchandise categories: womenswear, menswear, art, furniture, accessories, shoes
I hope you enjoyed my list and if you have suggestions for other quality eco-fashion ecommerce sites, just give me a holler in the comments or on my social channels.
In Peace & Soul!
