Fashion is dirty. That’s the conclusion that Stacey Dooley came to in her recent BBC documentary Fashion’s Dirty Secrets. And the facts speak for themselves. We saw that an entire sea had dried up due to the water being used to irrigate cotton farms leading to season change, illness and the loss of thousands of jobs. Yes, mass environmental devastation all to satisfy our insatiable desire for cheap clothing. But there are brands out there who are seeking to change the way clothing is made; brands who are tirelessly working to produce affordable ethical clothing in a way that is kind to our planet. And I’d love to share them with you.
But before I start, a few notes.
Good Design Is Paramount
As a self confessed fashionista, good design is paramount. So each brand I’ve selected has been chosen for producing affordable ethical clothing that I want to wear. Clothes that will put a smile on my face each morning and a skip in my step as I walk the children to school.
Ethical & Sustainable Clothing Will Cost You More
Ok ok, I know the title of this blog post is “affordable ethical clothing,” but I have to be honest with you. These outfits will cost you more and this is a good thing, please hear me out. Since choosing to buy only ethical and sustainable clothing, I have had to buy less. So each purchase has become more considered; I suppose you might call it mindful shopping. I’ve shopped less to fulfil an emotional need – you know – buying because you think it will make you feel better. And I’ve made more purchases based on need and longevity. And with Christmas coming up it’s a great time to invest in ethical clothing.
Ethical & Sustainable Clothing Will Last Longer
But the most important thing about these clothes for me is their quality. The difference is that, if well cared for, they will last far beyond next season’s trends. These are garments to love, wear and to keep: not garments to discard just because everyone’s wearing leopard print on Instagram.
So, here are some of my favourite affordable ethical clothing brands that I believe will truly make you want to ditch the high street:
Slouchy Jumper Mi Apparel | Vintage Mirrored Skirt Dilli Grey | Green Trainers Yatay | Blue Felt Bag Lux Felt London
My Favourite Affordable Ethical Clothing Brands
Dilli Grey
East meets West at Dilli Grey, a distinctive clothing and homeware collection inspired by founder Vicki’s travels. Traditional skills such as block printing and hand embroidery feature on her garments. She sources them from artisans in Rajasthan, helping local communities keep these ancient crafts alive. A fashion buyer by trade, Vickie understands the need to produce affordable ethical clothing. Her summer collections are always my go to for holidays and this autumn she’s added in some incredibly special pieces.
I fell in love this Vintage Ghujarati Mirrored Maxi Skirt from Dilli Grey’s Treasured Collection. Vickie works closes with antique dealers and artisan tailors to lovingly restore beautiful items. This skirt would have held a special place in its owner’s wardrobe and been worn to a wedding or religious festival.
If you scroll down you’ll see a brightly coloured zigzag cashmere scarf that’s also from Dilli Grey. It’s hand loomed in Kashmir and is made from 80% merino and 20% cashmere wool. It is delightfully soft and comes in this beautiful raspberry colour, mint green and blue.
Ethical how?
There is no middle man in Dilli Grey. Vickie works directly with her suppliers in India and takes regular trips there. She ensures her suppliers are paid a fair wage and in her own words ‘would not hesitate to open the doors of …[her] ateliers to the world’
Sustainable how?
A focus on using natural materials and a commitment to producing slow fashion pieces and restoring exquisite vintage garments.
Where to buy?
dilligrey.com prices £20-200
“each brand I’ve selected has been chosen for producing affordable ethical clothing that I want to wear”
slouchy Jumper Mi Apparel | Chevron Scarf Dilli Grey | Jeans People Tree | Jute Bag The Small Home | Shoes Miista
Yatay
These green trainers are not only green in every way possible, they are also the most comfy pair of shoes I have ever owned. They have bio-based PU soles, a solvent free lining, an organic cotton buttress and toecap and organic Italian hemp laces. They even come in a box made from five recycled plastic bottles. I warn you though, they are not cheap. But with their eco-credentials, incredible unisex style and comfort, I had to include them. At £220 for a pair they are the one exception to this blog post’s title!
Ethical how?
Made in Italy.
Sustainable how?
I think I’ve said everything above.
Where to buy?
Colourful striped Jumper Mi Apparel | Dungarees Lowie | Bag Carv London (Etsy) | Green Trainers Yatay
Mi Apparel
Mi Apparel is an online ethical and sustainable clothing and lifestyle boutique that I discovered earlier this year. Owner Kate has over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. And her disillusionment with fast fashion led her to create Mi Apparel.
This lady has an eye for trend, which is clear in her curation of some of the best designed ethical and sustainable garments available. However, she’s managed to keep her selection affordable. Kate stocks items with colour and personality: a wonderful antidote to the minimal aesthetic that has been so dominant. Expect brands such as Kings of Indigo, Armed Angels and Elvis and Crease who make bags from London Fire brigade’s decommissioned hoses. As I said, oodles of personality.
You may recognise the cream slouchy knitted jumper? It’s the one that Stacey Dooley wore on her documentary. It’s made entirely from recycled fibres and has 70% recycled wool, so is super warm. I love the oversized sleeves and the fact it is cropped so you don’t just feel like you’re wearing a huge jumper.
Further down the page you will spy a colourful striped jumper, that always brings a smile to my face. In fact, Laurie has a version too and together we are a cacophony of colour. It’s made from GOTS certified 100% organic cotton in Turkey.
Ethical how?
Mi Apparel only features brands that are transparent and ethical in their production. Both jumpers featured are made here in the E.U.
Sustainable how?
Kate selects only brands who use natural organic or recycled materials that are sustainably sourced. To read why I think buying organic fabrics is important please click here.
Where to buy?
miapparel.co.uk prices £42-360 (top end = 100% wool coat)
jumpsuit People Tree | Bag Alfie Douglas (old) | necklace Aurum | Shoes The Small Home
People Tree
Without a doubt People Tree are the forerunners of producing affordable ethical clothing that is also sustainable. In fact this year they celebrated their 27th Birthday. Since they started doing their collaborations with The V&A, they are my go to for gorgeous prints. The jumpsuit has a cherry print from the 1930s which is from the V&A’s print archive. It’s been revived for the 21st century by People Tree’s Fair Trade partner Creative Handicrafts.
This year People Tree launched their very first jean, made in Turkey from 100% organic cotton. It’s a high waist, straight leg jean and is slightly 90’s in style. They don’t have any stretch so they really hold you in, but they do give with a few wears. However, if you are thinking of getting a pair, note that I had to go up a size.
Ethical how?
People Tree are completely transparent and will tell you where each garment you buy is made. All suppliers are Fair Trade or Fair Wear Foundation certified.
Sustainable how?
They only use eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, TENCEL ™ Lyocell and 100% wool.
Where to buy?
www.peopletree.co.uk prices £8-£199
Cardigan Thought | T Shirt Mutha.Hood | Jeans Asos Eco Edit (old) |Green Trainers Yatay | earrings Little by Little
Thought
A true veteran in the world of sustainable style, Thought embodies the idea of slow fashion and create lovely affordable ethical clothing. Though they follow seasonal shifts, their clothing is timeless and beautifully made from eco-friendly materials.
I’ve surprised myself this year in choosing this wool cable cardigan. Whilst cardigans are one of the most useful items in my winter wardrobe, they’ve always felt slightly mumsy, (ironic perhaps!) But in this bright fox red, the cardi suddenly feels very relevant again as a shape.
The spotted jumpsuit below is such an easy one for dressing up for a date night with my husband or slumming it with the kids in trainers. Made from modal and bamboo, the fabric is essentially plant-based and is of course sustainable.
Ethical how?
Thought are founding members of the ethical fashion forum.
Sustainable how?
All Thought’s fabrics are natural, certified organic or recycled. Their dyes are Azo-free and certified by Oeko Tex®
Where to buy?
wearethought.com prices £5.95 – £150
“Thought embodies the idea of slow fashion and create lovely affordable ethical clothing”
Jumpsuit Thought | Bag Carv London (Etsy) | earrings & necklace Little by Little | Shoes Miista (old)
Little By Little
What happens when you mix a jewellery designer with a food editor? You get a beautiful collection of food inspired jewellery. Founders Annabel Cox and Georgina Fuggle have created contemporary, affordable jewellery with a commitment to transparency and ethical trading.
I’m wearing items from the pip collection, where the humble apple pip is for once in the lime-light. These items consist of navy enamel and 24 carat gold plate on sterling silver. The earrings can be worn two ways either as a single pip on its own or as an ear jacket. And the necklace is enamelled on both sides which means you never have your necklace on the wrong way around!
Ethical how?
All collections are designed here in the UK by founder Annabel Cox. They are then produced in Lima, Peru. The factory was set up to train people with no previous experience in the art of jewellery production and give them jobs. Little by Little have partnered with Action Against Hunger and, for each item sold, they pay for 3 days’ supply of therapeutic food to nourish a malnourished child back to health.
Sustainable how?
The factory uses local Peruvian silver, some of which is recycled. However, all the metals used come from companies with environmental certification that meet strict Labour standards and comply with human rights laws. Annabel and Georgina’s goal for 2019 is to find silver that is 100% traceable.
Where to buy?
littlebylittlejewellery.com £40-£200
A Final Note
Fast fashion isn’t sustainable; the very notion of seasons and trends creates a constant turn over of clothing and landfill. However, I don’t think the answer is to ignore trends altogether.
Trends are important and are being constantly fed to our senses, from the interior design magazine, the latest Netflix series to the clothes in stores. Through my experience as a fashion buyer, I would urge you to take a step back and look at the over arching themes that currently dominate our world. For me minimalism and monochrome have had their turn and colour and maximalism is popping through in every form. But this doesn’t mean you have to buy a whole new wardrobe. One or two brightly coloured items or fun prints will transform outfits you already own. Try a bit of colour clashing and go to town with prints. But above all, choose to buy from brands who are striving to be ethical and sustainable.
If you’re an affordable ethical clothing brand and would like to be featured on n4mummy, do get in touch as I’d love to hear from you, please click here.
This is a sponsored post, but I approached all the brands included and I chose and styled the garments myself. Samples have been gifted or borrowed for this shoot.
There are affiliates in this post, i.e. if you buy I make a small commission. Think of it as buying me a cup of pink tea 🙂
Loved all of your recommendations Karen’s I’ll definitely be looking at some of the other lovely brands and thanks for mentioning us and taking such beautiful pictures!
Author
My pleasure Vickie and thank you for producing such beautiful clothing & homeware and taking the time and effort to care about how it is made xxx
Love this post Karen! Some great brands in here…no reason to not shop sustainably x
Author
Thank you & that’s the conclusion I have come to too, that there are amazing brands out there xxx