Where to buy affordable sustainable fashion

[Vee124]

I totally get that fast fashion brands like Shein can be hard to resist because of their attractive prices, even though they're terrible for the environment and often treat workers unfairly. I've tried looking for sustainable brands, but many of them seem way out of my budget. Any suggestions for affordable, eco-friendly fashion brands that I can check out?

Try spending a morning going round local charity shops - you’d be surprised what you can find plus it’s cheap AND you are re-cycling. It’s the ‘new’ sustainable way to clothes shop.

I really like Everlane. Especially their basics. They’re not the cheapest but the quality is fantastic. https://www.everlane.com/?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google-brand&utm_campaign=16486400135&utm_content=586004030045&utm_term=kwd-299004661882&adgroup=132799339863&device=m&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_KzeweWHggMVr4FQBh36WQXCEAAYASAAEgKrdPD_BwE

Learn to mend clothes.
Basic things like sewing on a button that’s come loose, and hemming trousers so they don’t get caught under your feet/shoes makes a big difference to the longevity of clothing. You could also learn how to patch elbows neatly, and resew a seam that’s starting to come undone.
Choosing as many clothes as possible in 100% natural fibres helps the environmental cost for three reasons. Firstly, when they are too worn out to be of use they will decay or compost. Secondly it’s easier to recycle clothing made of a single fibre type (eg 100% cotton or 100% wool). And lastly, natural fibres don’t leach microplastics into the environment with every wash.
It’s not practical for all clothing (I like my socks and underpants to stay up and I absolutely need elastic in my bras). Stuff like shirts and jumpers and jeans don’t need elastic.

Like others have said really depends on budget/what ethical importance you want to prioritise. I buy a lot less and look out for sales some places/brands I shop/look at as out of my budget but might be in yours

Lowie
Community clothing
rapanui
69b boutique
smallable
Komodo
Thinkingmu
faithrowanleeves (small batch)
the walker and walker
Made by sjp (small runs from old fabric)
Asket
Ninety percent
kowtow

also to help you to think about your ethics priorities, has lots of brand recommendations
https://goodonyou.eco/

to the second hand convo, on Vinted I look for the brands I like that have strong quality and true vintage, the best quality no point buying fast fashion second hand imo

Last month's WI magazine had a feature on sustainability & fighting fast fashion. Some sites they suggested were:
goodonyou.eco - ethical fashion brand ratings (I see @Rebella mentioned this one above)
onescoopstore.com
thrift.plus

I've never rated Everlane apart from the handbags which are excellent.

I buy from Passenger etc in the sales. They are outdoors type clothes and fabulous

Just want to thank @Rebella for the really excellent list of sources. I was only properly aware of three of them, so it’s been very helpful!

Interesting article here. (No personal association!)

https://consciousfashion.co/guides/slow-fashion-balance-affordability-responsible-production?utm_campaign=later-linkinbio-consciousfashion&utm_content=later-38539992&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkin.bio

Another vote for Baukjen. It's not cheap but they often do big reductions on some items.

I buy second hand, it's taken me a few years but I think about 90% of my clothes (not underwear) are now second-hand. I am also gradually adding some hand made items but it is definitely not cheaper to make your own clothes! I mostly buy from charity shops, I have a specific list of 'need/wants' and wait for the right item. It does take time, but don't forget that some charity shops also sell online.

If I am buying new Seasalt is a favourite, they use organic cotton. Even then I often look at their EBay outlet where ends of ranges are sold more cheaply. I'd love to buy from Community Clothing, but there's no gaps in the wardrobe at present, I really like the ethos of their clothes.

Second hand?

I am trying to keep clothes as long as possible, even if they are fast fashion

I then donate to charity

@CaptainBarnaclesandthevegemals is right.

Choose classic clothes that you know you will wear for years, in natural fibres, look after them well, and you'll achieve most of your objectives. Keep an eye on your local charity shops for bargains as well.

Quality is much more important than brand. This summer I realised I wore wool/linen shorts that pre-date my ds (15) and two linen dresses bought in about 2000.

I think the problem is that there is so little good quality clothing sold any more. Most high street clothing is cheaply/badly made out of low-quality materials. Even at the higher end of the high street. Likewise much second hand clothing is now lower quality, as this is what people are buying and recycling. I am trying to buy very few new things of higher quality, but I can’t bring myself to spend £80 on a t-shirt that might shrink in the wash or get lost. Similarly for socks etc. I don’t know what the answer is. Maybe there is a gap in the market to be filled by eg Sheep Inc and similar companies.

I agree with others, there are plenty of clothes in the world already. We don't need anyone to be making any more, regardless of whether they are made sustainably or not. I would look on Vinted. I buy everything except underwear on there. I reckon that about 1-2 items in every 5 don't fit or aren't right but I send them to charity. Overall, it's still cheaper and much more sustainable than buying new.