Best UK Ethical Fashion Brands: Guide & Inspo (No Brexit Fees)

Looking to make your wardrobe more sustainable and support local businesses?

The good news is that there are so many wonderful UK ethical fashion brands. Because they’re smaller and with a much lower budget than fast fashion giants, though, you might not have heard of them. And if you don’t know where to look, they can be tricky to find.

So, to get you started, here are some of my current favourites.

Benefits of buying from local sustainable fashion brands as a UK consumer

Let me be clear: you can find plenty of brilliant ethical fashion brands in mainland Europe and beyond too, and they could also do with your support (so, if you already have a couple of trusted online stores, don’t abandon them).

As an eco-conscious UK consumer, though, the benefits of buying from British ones are:

• Lowering your carbon emissions – Even though they might outsource parts of their production to other countries, local brands = reduced transport miles
• Avoiding Brexit surprises – You currently need to pay import duties on EU orders over £135 (and while some online stores tell you at checkout, in some other cases… you might only find out when you actually receive the parcel!)
• Supporting local brands that really need it – From tiny marketing budgets to competing against fast fashion stores with unsustainably low prices, things were already difficult for small ethical brands, and Brexit made things harder. Over the past few years, I’ve seen so many close down, including the UK branch of the iconic People Tree. So, your purchases can make a big difference!

9 of the best UK ethical fashion brands (and how to choose)

These small brands are scattered all over the internet. So, instead of wasting hours jumping from one open tab to the next, start here.

1. Komodo 

Established in 1988, Komodo is an iconic slow fashion pioneer. 

What makes this UK ethical fashion brand sustainable

They prioritise organic and natural fabrics and recycled synthetic options, reducing waste. 

Komodo also uses renewable energy whenever possible, avoids single-use plastics in their packaging, and supports various charities. 

Best for 

Casual everyday pieces with a free-spirited and street-inspired flair 

2. Baukjen 

With their wide range, you’re spoilt for choice. 

What makes this UK ethical fashion brand sustainable

They’re really transparent about their supply chain and produce most of their clothes within Europe to reduce their carbon footprint. 

They also prioritise kind materials (like recycled polyester, organic cotton, and mulesing-free wool), and they support various charities for women and children.

Best for 

A contemporary mixture of versatile staples and statement pieces 

3. Neem London 

Ethical menswear can be harder to find. Neem London basically said “Not anymore!” 

What makes this UK ethical fashion brand sustainable

From offsetting their emissions to making kinder choices (like using recycled, regenerative, and renewable materials), they’re working towards carbon-neutral collections. 

For example, their shirts use 40% less energy and CO2 than standard ones.

Best for 

Stylish ethical menswear 

4. Fanfare Label

Fast fashion tells you “keep buying more clothes, binning them, and starting again”. This brand focuses on circularity.

What makes this UK ethical fashion brand sustainable

They promote circularity by saving materials from landfills, designing durable pieces, and encouraging consumers to never think of their clothes as “throwaway”. 

In fact, if you send back an item that’s reached the end of its time with you, they will reuse or recycle it! 

Fanfare Label also keeps its production local and sources most of its materials from Europe.

Best for 

Timeless but distinctive and eclectic garments, including tailored pieces

5. Lavender Hill Clothing

Who said that style and comfort can’t go together? Certainly not Lavender Hill Clothing!

What makes this UK ethical fashion brand sustainable

They prioritise natural and biodegradable fabrics like linen, cotton, and merino wool and kind options like modal.

They also produce around 60% of their collection in the UK and visit their factories regularly.

Best for 

Timeless everyday staples with a polished, elevated feel (and understated luxury, overall)

6. Pitod 

Comfort meets inclusivity. 

What makes this UK ethical fashion brand sustainable

They’re very transparent about their supply chain, and they use GOTS- and OEKO-TEX-certified organic cotton as well as recycled polyester. 

Best for 

Unisex and casual clothes blending comfort and style 

7. RubyMoon 

This is a swimwear and activewear brand with a small range but a big impact.

What makes this UK ethical fashion brand sustainable

Most swimwear is terrible for the planet, especially the sea. 

Instead, RubyMoon reduces its impact through innovative materials like Econyl, made by turning ocean waste into durable fabrics.

Best for 

Swimwear and activewear 

8. Silverstick 

Did you think you had to pick between practicality and style, during your adventures in nature? Think again!

What makes this UK ethical fashion brand sustainable

They use kind materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton.

They also visit their main factory in Turkey regularly and produce their accessories in the UK.

Best for 

Ethical outdoorwear 

9. Elvis & Kresse 

Once you have your main outfits sorted, don’t forget to accessorise them.

What makes this UK ethical fashion brand sustainable

They save waste materials from landfills and turn them into premium accessories. 

They also donate 50% of the profits from their handcrafted pieces to charity.

Best for 

Luxury accessories

Find more UK ethical fashion brands on Project Cece

These were just some of the best sustainable clothing brands in the UK but I’ll be honest: it was hard to narrow them down!

Maybe you’ve already fallen in love with one. Perhaps you’re still looking to get inspired.

Fret not: on Project Cece, we brought hundreds of fair trade brands in one place, with filters to simplify your choices (and this includes Store Location, perfect to focus on sustainable fashion brands in the UK).

Start shopping mindfully

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