Wearing & caring: Here's 10 sustainable fashion brands in Australia that won't break the bank

The sustainable switch is trending.

Nov 19, 2020 12:15pm
By Jess Pullar
Ah, that satisfying thrill of putting on a brand new pair of perfectly fitting jeans, that ever-flattering dress you've been eyeing up for weeks, or a freshly purchased crisp white shirt.
If you're anything like us, you'll be well aware of the tantalising appeal of shopping for new clothes - but it comes at a cost much greater than many of us realise.
As the world battles with a waste crisis, we're looking at a very slippery slope if we don't make changes to our shopping habits now.

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And while a brand new outfit might make us feel good for the interim, its long-term effects are much greater.
The fashion industry accounts for one of the highest rates of pollution than any other industry - with Australians alone putting more than 6,000 kilograms of textiles into landfill every 10 minutes.
Yes, it's incredibly concerning, and yes, now is as good a time as ever to make a change.
There is already some hope - a number of mainstream fashion brands are already hopping on board the sustainably-made train.
And while you might assume that extra sustainable steps might equate to higher production costs, and therefore higher shelf costs... think again.
We took a look at the fashion brands and companies who are winning in the sustainable fashion space while also ensuring their customers aren't paying an arm and a leg for it.
Before we crack into the list, feel free to peruse more of our sustainability stories below!
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Glassons

This beloved New Zealand & Australian brand is known for its multitude of staple styles that are both practical, and fashion-forward. At an affordable price bracket, the company has vowed to bring ethical and sustainable fashion to the forefront. By the end of 2020, Glassons aims to have 30 per cent of their range sustainably sourced, and by the end of January 2021, they will have eliminated 90 per cent of single use plastics within the business. Shop it online here.

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Vege Threads

Vege Threads is an Australian company with ethics and sustainability as its number one priority - their collections are manufactured 100 per cent in Australia with organic and eco-friendly maternials and dyes. Their designs are also made 100 per cent locally, with a main factory based in Melbourne. Shop it online here.

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Kathmandu

Kathmandu is a leader in sustainability, having long entrenched its ethos and practices in sustainable processes. It uses 100 per cent sustainable cotton, recycled polyester (made from things like plastic bottles, would you believe) and reducing its carbon emissions with an aim to become carbon zero by 2025. Shop it online here.

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Outland Denim

A favourite of Meghan Markle's, Outland Denim is a reputable Australian company not only offering some seriously chic denim styles, but also doing a hell of a lot of good for the earth. The company's ethos is entrenched in helping others - it works to provide careers for women who have been exposed to sex trafficking in Asia by providing jobs and assistance to them. They have now employed over 100 staff from different backgrounds of vulnerability, and given the fact they are the most affected by environmental degradation, the brand has many sustainable practices.

The creation of their denim uses up to 86 per cent less water and 57 per cent less energy and 83 per cent less chemicals in their Cambodian facilities. Shop it online here.

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Kow Tow

While Kow Tow isn't exactly on the cheaper end of the spectrum, we thought it was worth a mention given its quality and flawless design alongside admirable sustainable and ethical practices. The company is engaged with a slow production chain, meaning some of its collections take a whopping 18 months to design and hit the floor. But it's all in the name of the environment. With certified Fair Trade cotton and two single manufacturers in India, the company keeps things simple, yet significant. Shop it online here.

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The Iconic

Online shopping platform The Iconic is one of Australia's go-to destinations for any and every clothing item, and the company are paving a clear cut path towards a sustainable future. Its 'Considered' edit, launched in 2019, proves this case in point. Each item on the website which is either made from sustainable materials, or made in a location using a process that has a lower environmental impact is pin pointed and housed in an additional 'Considered' section on the site. Shop it online here.

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Boden

Originally gaining traction in the UK, Boden is now a much loved global brand - and it's moving towards a sustainable future. By 2025, the company is aiming to use 100 per cent sustainable viscose, as well as using more sustainable sources for its cotton. Its swimwear also includes styles made from ECONYL® regenerated fabric. This is made from nylon in oceans from things like discarded fishing nets. Shop it online here.

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H&M

Mainstream clothing giant H&M is known for being the go-to for anything cheap, fast and easy - three key elements adding to the worlds waste problem. But the company has taken some big steps forward in the sustainability space. Now with a full sustainable made range, and with every single one of their products being fully traceable (including the factories where they were made), the global giant continues to work towards better, more sustainable practices. Shop its sustainable range online here.

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Elk

Elk, a Melbourne born brand, is consistently working towards a sustainable future. Having won the Australian Fashion Laureate Award for Sustainable Innovation in 2019, its work in creating considered, simple and sustainable products sets a strong example for other fashion retailers. Among its sustainable innovations, Elk uses certified organic Fair Trade cotton. Shop it online here.

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DK Active

With chic designs that can be worn whether you're exercising or not, DK Active brings an ethical and sustainable approach to its products. Among its practices? Using all of its off cuts to minimise textile waste, as well as using renewable energy in its supply chain in order to reduce climate impact. Shop it online here.

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