Choosing “slow fashion” (as opposed to fast fashion) and avoiding sweatshop-made products is easier said than done when you’re shopping for clothing. For several reasons, it can be tougher than you might expect to buy clothing made under U.S. labor and environmental laws or purchase items ethically produced in other countries.
As of 2023: If you’re hunting for eco-friendly clothes to wear to work, check out major brands like Boden, Eileen Fisher, H&M Conscious, Karen Kane, L.K. Bennett, Theory, Hobbs, and Ted Baker — Nordstrom also has a big section devoted to sustainable style! You can also check out smaller eco-friendly workwear brands like Aday, Amour Vert, Cuyana, Everlane, Emerson Fry, Grana, Reformation and Wallis Evera.
Wondering where to find eco-friendly suits for women? H&M has affordable options in their Conscious line. Theory has a number of options, and NET-A-PORTER has some expensive options like Another Tomorrow in their NET SUSTAIN section.
Eco-friendly plus-size workwear can be even harder to find! As of 2023, these are the ones we know about — you might also want to check our roundup of made-to-measure clothing.
- Alice Alexander (up to 4X)
- By VinniK (up to 7X, more casual but fun tops)
- Cooper Union (up to 7X, definitely more casual)
- Eileen Fisher
- Elizabeth Suzann (up to 5X)
- Girlfriend Collective (basics)
- Hours
- H&M (Conscious line)
- Loud Bodies (up to size 10X)
- MadeTrade
- NooWorks (up to 5X)
- Pinecone Row (up to 7X)
- Pomp (Power Of My People)
- Poplinen
- Selkie (up to 7X, more weekend)
- Treasure & Bond
- Tuesday of California (up to 7X)
- Smart Glamour (up to size 15X!)
- Treasure & Bond
- Ulla Popken
- Wray (up to 5X)
Why Slow Fashion is Complicated
- Of the clothing and shoes sold in the U.S. today, more than 97% is made overseas.
- It can often be difficult or impossible to find out where a certain item of clothing is made by looking at a company’s website. Clothing brands are all over the map in terms of policies and transparency.
- Even for items produced in the U.S., the fabrics and other raw materials may have been imported.
- Fair Trade certification can be granted by more than one organization. Each has a slightly different definition of the term.
- Ethically produced products often cost a lot more than “fast fashion” items.
{related: where to recycle, donate, or sell your work clothes}
Where to Find Slow Fashion Brands for Work
Looking for workwear brands that are responsibly produced and sweatshop-free? We have good news: We’ve already done the research so we can save you time. Pictured.
Our series of posts on slow fashion can help readers find the following categories of clothing:
- Post #1: brands that are made in the U.S. — mostly independent labels and startups
- Post #2: bigger, mainstream brands whose workwear is entirely, mostly, or partially made in North America or Europe (plus a few more from category 1)
- Post #3: fair-trade-certified brands, as well as clothing without the fair trade label that’s produced more responsibly or ethically than the average brand
- Post #4: slow fashion workwear brands, mostly independent labels
{related: stylish vegan shoes for the office, brands for the stylish vegan professional}
Quick Shopping Tips
Do you just want to quickly and easily buy something with a Made in U.S.A. label? Here’s an Easy Mode: At Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus just type in “Made in U.S.A.” in the search box.
Don’t forget to check out other Corporette shopping guides!
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Clothing rack images via Stencil.
