Here’s a small list of shopping sites, designers, and brands for men and women that uphold at least one of the following: domestically produced, produced overseas with fair working conditions, uses sustainable materials, and/or has a corporate commitment to supply chain transparency/environmental care. Links include small-scale companies and larger retailers, all at accessible price points.
I’m only adding links that I have looked into myself and would consider buying from. Hit me up with your recommendations: stephanie at fashionatliberty.com.
Online Shopping Sites:
ASOS Africa – A collaboration between ASOS.com and SOKO Kenya produced entirely in Africa to support sustainable business.
Ethica - A curated selection of conscious clothing and accessories brands.
Everlane – Luxury brand focusing on quality and fit without the high markups. Company discloses factory information and production costs. Sample price: $80, Silk Blouse
Fashion-Conscience.com - Designer fashion, ethical and fair trade clothing, vegan shoes.
Future:Standard - Online shopping for ethical apparel and accessories.
Modavanti - Growing list of designers and brands focused on a wide range of sustainability criteria.
Of a Kind - Limited edition runs from up-and-coming fashion designers.
Try searching “Made in USA” wherever you shop online to find thousands of domestically produced options. (Tip from Elizabeth Cline’s Shopping Directory.)
Clothing:
Alas - Australian based sleepwear made from organic cotton without harsh chemicals. Sample price: $54, Maria Maxi Nightie
Alternative Apparel - Casual options for men and women. Strong commitment to social responsibility. Sample price: $38, Short Sleeve Drape Top
American Apparel - 100% produced in LA; wide range of basics at reasonable prices.
Amour Vert - Women’s eco fashion made in San Francisco. Sample price: $169, Joan Color Block Dress
Apolis Global Citizen - Menswear brand that empowers people through opportunity. Sample price: $124, Oxford Button Down
Arbor - Handmade in USA apparel for men and women using organic cotton. Sample price: $54, Pacifica Dress
Brooks Brothers - Quality apparel and accessories for men and women with corporate commitment to supply chain transparency. Sample price: $398, Classic Single-Breasted Blazer
Carrie Parry - Womenswear made in NYC with environmentally conscious materials. Sample price: $285 for Sleeveless Belted Dress
Emerson Fry - Womenswear company run by New Hampshire-based designer, Emerson and husband Ryan. Largely made in NYC. Sample Price: $235, Bib Shirt Dress
Feral Childe - Womenswear made in NYC featuring original prints using water-based silk screening and low impact dyes. Sample price: $198, Deacon’s Blouse
Forgotten Shirts - Fair trade t-shirts and socks that provide jobs for African farmers and textile workers. Contact them for custom and wholesale prices.
Heidi Merrick - Womenswear made in LA. Sample price: $290 for Ash Dress
Honest by - High-end vegan line that boasts 100% transparency in their cost breakdown and production processes. Sample price: $138, Asymmetrical Organic Cotton Jersey Top
Karen Kane - LA-based; 80% produced in the U.S. Plus sizes available. Sample price: $158 Stripe Notch Collar Motorcycle Jacket
Kristinit - Designed by Kristina Lenss, made in LA with organic fabrics and fair trade practices. Sample price: $385, Black Silk Mairenbad Dress
Loomstate - USA made tencel dresses, organic cotton tanks, and t-shirts. Sample price: $40, Organic V-Neck Tee
One Mango Tree - Very reasonably priced dresses, tops and accessories made in Uganda by skilled artisans. Sample price: $34, Ikat Mini Skirt
Nanette Lepore - Well-known womenswear designer supporting domestic production. Sample price: $368, Lightshow Dress
Nau - High quality urban and outdoor apparel brand that considers the entire product life cycle. Sample price: $70, chino inspired Prose Short
Nicole Miller - High-end womenswear largely made in New York City’s Garment District. Sample Price: $255, Felicity Jersey Dress
Olga Road - Washington-based designer who upcycles old leather jackets into new designs. Sample price: $229, The Waldron
Patagonia - Outdoor clothing and accessories company upholding supply chain transparency, sustainable materials and practices. Sample price: $79, Women’s Cotton Cardigan
Pendleton - Quality heritage brand manufacturing in part out of Oregon state. Corporate commitment to social responsibility. Check the label for Made in USA options. Portland Fall 2013 collection debuts in September.
People Tree - A UK-based fair trade clothing company that sells youthful clothes at reasonable prices. Sample price: $35, Women’s Triangle Tee
Rag & Bone - On-trend apparel and accessories for men and women largely manufactured in NYC. Check the label for Made in USA options. Sample price: $85, Men’s Perfect Stripe Tank
Schott NYC - Classic, motorcycle inspired outerwear for men and women made in USA. Sample price: $320, Women’s Lambskin “Cafe” Jacket
Stewart+Brown - Womenswear brand that uses sustainable fibers including tencel and hemp jersey with non-toxic textile processes. Sample price: $102, Water Front Blouse
The Podolls - Womenswear handcrafted in the USA with sustainable practices. Sample price: $262, Classic Shirt Dress
Accessories/Footwear:
Cri de Coeur - Vegan shoes and accessories. Sample price $160, Adelaide Back Zip Bootie
Duluth Pack - Quality bags made in Duluth, Minnesota. Sample price: $195, Laptop Scoutmaster Pack
Melissa - Shoes created in designer collaborations, sustainably made from recyclable plastics. Sample price: $149, Melissa No. 1 + Pedro Lourenco
New Balance - Athletic footwear; one out of every 4 pairs is manufactured domestically. Check the label for Made in USA options. Sample price: $57, New Balance 442
Nisolo - Stylish shoes made by talented craftsmen in Peru. Sample price: $148, Bolivar Wedge
Noah Marion - Bags and leather goods out of Austin, TX. Sample price: $250, The Everyday Tote
Novacas - Shoes made from environmentally friendly materials in worker-friendly factories. Sample price: $159, Chad
Oliberte Footwear - Shoes and accessories thoughtfully crafted in Africa. Sample price: $190, Domo Pullup
Olsenhaus – Cruelty-free vegan shoes and accessories with fair trade and ethical business practices. Sample price: $225, Eternity-Black
Osborn - Small capsule collection of shoes designed in Brooklyn, made by skilled cobblers in Guatemala. Sample Price: $115, Dust Oxford
ReMade USA - Brooklyn-based designer, Shannon South, creates handbags out of old leather jackets. Sample price: $250, Ashland Tote
Roma Boots - Rain boots and flip-flops made in a fair trade factory in China of 100% natural rubber. Sample price: $84 (these are %50 off), Glossy Navy Rain Boot
Timberland - Quality footwear and outerwear that uses recycled, organic, and renewable materials in their Earthkeepers line. Sample Price: $90, Men’s Newmarket 7-Eye Chukka Boot
Topo Designs - Colorful and practical outdoor bags and gear made in Colorado. Sample price: $69, Mini Duffel Bag
Veja - High quality french brand offering a variety of sneaker styles made with ecological leather, fair trade cotton, and latex. Sample price: $207, Women’s High Top
Denim:
Agave Denim - Designed in Portland; handcrafted in California. Sample price: $196, Paraiso
Imogene + Willie - Based in Nashville, TN; made in USA. Sample price: $225, Imogene Rigid
J Brand Jeans - Made in the USA. Sample price: $169, Mid-rise Skinny Leg
Levi Strauss - Men’s jeans domestically produced in Greensboro, NC; selections from their Water<Less Collection. They also have a Waste<Less collection made from recycled plastic bottles. Sample prices: $102-129, Men’s Made in the USA
Nicholas Schmidt USA - Madison, WI based custom denim and accessories. Sample price: $360-410, Womens’ Custom Jeans
Nudie Jeans - Sweden-based, Italian made company promoting reuse and fair working conditions. Their Backbone line of everyday men’s garments is made with organic, fair trade cotton. Sample price: $299, Thin Finn
Raleigh Denim - Small runs produced in downtown Raleigh, NC. Sample price: $235, Men’s Jones Light Grey
SkinnyJeans - Made in LA. Sample price: $149, LiteWeights
More Options, Please:
Elizabeth Cline’s Shopping Directory - Many of the brands I’ve listed here and tons more. Read her book, Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion.
Fashioning Change - Excellent site that provides consumers ethical alternatives to top brands.
Save the Garment Center List - Long list of brands that maintain at least part of their manufacturing in America.
The American List - Made-in-the-USA brands compiled by A Continuous Lean.
