10 Awesome but Cheap Ethical Clothing Brands for People on a Budget

Often, when I hear “ethical clothing” I immediately assume it will be expensive. While ethical clothing is pricier than cheap fast fashion, there are good reasons for that.

Fast fashion clothing is cheap because it focuses on quantity over quality and keeps profit margins high by using cheap labor and materials, but which come at a very real human and environmental cost.

These costs include, workers rights, health, and safety, and materials produced with little regard for conservation, the environment, and animal rights.

These things cost money.

But by shopping for ethical clothes, you are factoring in fair wages, environmentally and animal-friendly materials, and better working conditions.

You’re also paying more for companies to offset their carbon emissions or donate some of the profits to a good cause.

So, yes, ethical clothing isn’t as cheap as your average clothes, but  it doesn’t have to break the bank either. As more and more companies take on sustainable fashion practices, you can find items to fit almost every budget.

Remember, that quality clothing will last even longer with good care, saving you money in the long run. 

Here are some “cheap” ethical clothing brands you can check out.

PACT

PACT have revolutionized affordable wardrobe basics. Offering a wide selection of GOTS-certified, organic cotton apparel, it’s easy to get just what you need while protecting the earth.

On top of high-quality materials, PACT only uses fair-trade factories. This ensures workers are safe, healthy, and earn decent wages. The company also offsets carbon emissions, and only uses recyclable packaging. 

PACT offers a variety of clothing options—underwear, leggings, sweaters, and more—at great prices. From $20 tees to $50 dresses, PACT makes shopping for essentials economical and environmental. 

Reef and Ledge

Reef and Ledge is a sustainable clothing company with a flair for the sea. The brand is a great option for fun and casual tops. Its collection of beach vibe clothing is chemical-free, made in small batches in the US, and made with eco-friendly printing. 

The shirts start at just $18. And, with a variety of styles plus sun protection shirts, you’re sure to find something fun and casual for the summer season.

KOTN

KOTN’s simple, but timeless style includes tees, trousers, button-ups, and dresses. With everything under $100, and many pieces significantly less than that, KOTN is a great, affordable option. 

The company uses Egyptian Cotton, grown through partnerships with local family farms, and manufactures in Alexandria in factories, which promote fair and equal pay and ensure safe working conditions. 

As a certified B Corp, KOTN is a great option for ethical clothing at “cheap” pricing.

Outdoor Voices

Outdoor Voices is a US-based activewear company. Putting longevity and circularity at the forefront of their mission, the brand believes in making clothes that last and systems that repair than replace. Their clothes are functional and affordable, with high-quality tops and dresses costing $100 or less. 

They recognize that they still have a ways to go to make a truly sustainable company. But, by implementing recycled plastics and wools into their fabrics, and developing fabrics with the Better Cotton Initiative, they have already reduced their impact on the earth.

Outdoor Voices plans to have 50 percent Bluesign-certified fabrics by 2021, and has partnered with WWF and The Nature Conservancy to give back to nature. 

Standards & Practices

Standards & Practices believes that fashion and budget don’t have to contradict each other. Offering a great selection of dresses, denim, tops, and more, the brand will keep you looking eco-chic without the heavy price tag.

They pride themselves on being at the forefront of greener manufacturing ideas, such as the Ozone Technology, which greatly reduces water consumption while making denim. 

The prices are very affordable and comparable to other companies. Jeans start at $40 and up, depending on style and color. Dresses, from formal to casual with lots of different styles, average between $60 to $80, which is a decent price for a complete outfit! 

Warp+Weft

Warp+Weft believes in doing right for the people and the planet. This eco-friendly denim company uses Dry Ozone technology, creating a pair of jeans with less than 10 gallons of water! This all happens at their eco-friendly factory, where they constantly improve working conditions and always pay fair wage. 

Best of all, Warp+Weft jeans are size-inclusive, without a mark-up for bigger sizes. So, whether you’re a size 00 or a size 24, the brand has a style for you for less than $100.

Bella+Canvas

Another brand just for basics! Because no one can go wrong with cute tee shirts and hoodies. Bella+Canvas designs and makes all their clothes in Los Angeles. This ensures the best quality working conditions in their W.R.A.P-certified zero-waste factory. 

From tees to get you through summer, to sweatshirts and hoodies for the cool days of fall, Bella+Canvas has you covered. Plus, all their products are less than $60, which is already a steal in the ethical fashion industry!

Thought Clothing

Thought Clothing believes in sustainability as a core value. They have an extensive environmental policy that all manufacturers must adhere to. Its standards include using natural and organic fabrics wherever possible, never using wild-caught or endangered animals, and annually reviewing all factories to ensure the best practices. They are also part of the Ethical Trading Initiative, which supports worker’s rights. 

The clothes range in fabric type and style, but include fairly-priced vegan, hemp, and bamboo dresses and tops for under £80. With styles that are ready for work or a night on the town, Thought Clothing will save you money while saving the environment. 

Planet Warrior

Planet Warrior is a UK-based activewear company for women. They make all of their clothes using recycled plastic, keeping it out of our oceans and landfills. The cutely designed fabrics are sure to stand out, and the prices are cheaper than many other high-end, non-ethical active brands. 

Everything they sell is under £80, with tee shirts being far more affordable. Plus, they partner with Just One Tree, as they give back with every purchase by planting trees around the world, and reducing their carbon footprint. Currently, they only ship within the UK. 

Tentree

Tentree’s mission is simple: plant ten trees for every piece of clothing sold. They believe in simple transparency, long-lasting designs, and high-quality material.

The brand uses organic cotton, Tencel, hemp, and recycled polyester for their clothing to last. Plus, you can browse their factory ledger to know where and how they make their products. 

Almost all of their products are less than $75, with tees and tanks starting at $35. The clothes are cute, comfy, eco-friendly, and affordable! 

These ethical brands aren’t perfect; none are. But, each one is trying to do its part for the environment, the people, and the places that helped make the clothes. Whether it’s through using recycled materials, paying workers above fair wage, or giving back, these ethical clothing brands think about more than just profit!

These brands are generally on par (or even cheaper) with comparable non-ethical specialty brands. They’ll be pricier than fast fashion companies, but not by much. However, they still might be outside your budget. If that’s the case, thrifting will always be the best sustainable option for an ultra-tight budget. You never know what gems you might find!