Many people simply can’t afford the higher prices of organic and ethical clothing. You could try locally owned charity shops, but if you want new clothes, here are some brands designed to be more affordable:
Earth Wardrobe (Edinburgh) makes it a mission to make ethical clothing affordable to all. Orders are shipped from their super-efficient warehouse without need for plastic bags or unnecessary packaging. But they never compromise on ethics, to reduce prices.
Goose Studios is a brand of organic cotton clothing, designed to be affordable, so that anyone can wear sustainable t-shirts and sweatshirts. Founded by friends Sam and Rich, they want you to buy quality clothing that lasts and is easy to repair, even if it means them making a little less profit. After reading a book about a different way to do business, they wished to encourage people to become ‘conscious consumers’. So they worked for brands that did things diffrently, and then focused on creating a fashion brand that focuses on organic, ethical and durable clothing. Mostly reasonably-priced organic clothing that can be worn for years to come.
Their clothes are not as as cheap as the trashy goods on the high street. But they are made from quality biodegradable materials (so don’t deposit microplastics in your washing machine) and last for years (and a good for the planet). So in the long run, they cost less for everyone. Only using 100% organic GOTS-certified fabric, everything is sent in biodegradable packaging and made to Fairwear standards (this is way beyond Fair Trade) and it’s all vegan-friendly too. Their motto is: buy less, buy better. And when you buy from them, you not only save yourself a few pennies – but you also do your bit to save the planet!
Carbon-Neutral Organic Cotton Clothing
Altid Clothing is a brand that is passionate about changing the fashion industry. As well as offering nice organic cotton timeless essentials, the company offsets carbon used. The clothes are also made to last. The clothes are made with sustainable materials and all packaging is plastic-free. The emphasis is on selling clothes that outlast fashion trends for years, then biodegradable back to the earth. The range includes:
- T-shirts
- Sweatshirts
- Hoodies
If possible, it’s always best to buy clothing made from biodegradable materials like cotton (preferably organic), hemp or linen (from the flax plant). This is because not only is it good for the planet and wildlife, but at end of life, the clothes naturally break down, rather than sitting on landfill for hundreds of years. Synthetic fibres (like polyester and nylon) are made with plastic, and this also breaks microplastics off in the washing machine, when you launder your clothes, unless you use a microplastic catcher (which still does not catch all of them).
