Best Sustainable Zara Alternatives: Slower, Kinder, Stylish

Despite being a fast fashion pioneer, this brand is widely perceived as being better than most high-street chains. After all, there’s even a sustainable Zara collection, right?

And yet, it scored even lower than Primark in the KnowTheChain report, which looks at transparency and forced labour. 

So, if you want to make your wardrobe more ethical without compromising on style, here are some of my favourite sustainable Zara alternatives. 

But first things first:

The solution isn’t to replace it with hauls from sustainable alternatives to Zara

Many brands and influencers are pushing the idea that, as long as clothes are made with kind materials, it’s fine to give in to overconsumption (in fact, it’s my biggest problem with fast fashion brands launching “sustainable collections”). 

In reality?

• We’d still be fuelling waste
• We wouldn’t be wearing those clothes long enough (at least 30 times) to justify their production’s environmental impact)
• We’d stay trapped in the vicious cycle of always needing to buy new items to feel happy, trendy, and worthy 

So, before focusing on sustainable Zara alternatives, I highly recommend shifting your mindset around ethical fashion, shopping and (re)wearing your clothes mindfully:

• Embrace self-expression and find your own style. Then, only buy clothes that match it and that you can see yourself happily rewearing for years (not someone else’s trends!)
• Get creative: pair up the same items in different ways to create new outfits
• When looking at these sustainable Zara alternatives, prioritise clothes that go well with the ones already in your wardrobe

Sustainable Zara alternatives for the same budget (or even lower)

Before showing you my favourite ethical brands with Zara vibes, let’s not forget that… adding to your wardrobe doesn’t necessarily mean “buying brand new clothes”!

Buying second-hand Zara clothes

Okay, I need to be honest: buying second-hand isn’t always as sustainable as we’d like to think.

Most of the items donated to charity aren’t actually sold: they are shipped to developing countries where they damage local economies and contribute to waste colonialism. Also, many Vinted and Depop sellers are literally fuelling overconsumption by buying fast fashion clothes, only wearing them a couple of times, and reselling them. 

However, if you do it mindfully and occasionally (not as hauls), it’s still better than buying new fast fashion clothes: you won’t support those brands directly, and you’ll reduce waste by extending the life of an existing item.

So, you could look for second-hand Zara clothes (and second-hand items by other brands too, of course).

Renting clothes 

This is ideal for occasionwear and the kinds of pieces you’d only wear a couple of times.

Instead of popping into Zara or other fast fashion brands, rent them from platforms like By Rotation, Hurr, or Rent the Runway.

Swapping clothes

Friends wearing clothes in your same size, peer-to-peer platforms (I’ve been using—and loving—The Clothing Loop), attending or organising clothing swap events…

By embracing community fashion instead of individual consumption, we can feel part of a shared mission and save money! 

Best sustainable Zara alternatives: 6 ethical brands with a “similar” vibe

“So, what brands are like Zara but better quality and eco-friendly?”

Getting there, but I want to make sure you have the right expectations when it comes to pricing: ethical brands (including these sustainable Zara alternatives) are going to be more expensive. Why?

• Unlike most fast fashion brands, they don’t rely on sweatshops, child labour, or garment workers trapped in modern slavery conditions: they pay fair wages
• They choose eco-friendly fabrics, materials, and processes rather than cheap and widely available options with a dreadful environmental footprint 
• Because of these reasons, they have lower margins, and since they don’t encourage constant overconsumption, they need higher price-tags to be profitable (and many are already struggling as it is!)

But here’s another good news of consuming clothes mindfully instead of replacing them with hauls from sustainable alternatives to Zara: you’ll save money in the long run. Think of the cost per wear:

• Let’s say you buy 6 random Zara items just because they’re trendy or you’re used to doing hauls (2 x €25 trousers, 2 x €20 dresses, and 2 x €10 tops = €110), and therefore, you only wear them a couple of times. Your cost per wear is going to be pretty high (€110 ÷ 2: = €55), and you’ll probably buy new ones after a few weeks… and those lower price-tags add up! The average consumer spends over €500 on clothing every year
• Instead, you choose 3 sustainable items (€90 trousers, €100 dress, and a €40 top). That’s €230. But because they match your style and go with the garments you already own, you don’t feel the need to buy new ones after a few weeks. Instead, you re-wear them over 30 times. Cost per wear: only €7.66

So, if you’re ready to embrace this shift instead of looking for “sustainable” Zara alternatives with the same price-tags, here are some cool brands.

Thinking Mu

They offer a wide range of both versatile pieces and unique ones, bound to become conversation starters. 

Plus, their clothes are the definition of transparency: they come with QR tags showing you their story, environmental footprint, and how they were made. 

Chillax

They reduce waste through small collections made with care.

As well as minimalist pieces, they offer plenty of patterned and colourful ones in styles that are perfect as sustainable Zara alternatives.

Jyoti Fair Works

This brand prioritises organic cotton. They also offer several statement pieces, but they’re particularly perfect for staples and versatile ones (the kinds you can then use to create various outfits).

C by Stories

While they don’t always use eco-friendly materials, this brand reduces waste and emissions by producing locally, in small quantities, and using leftover materials whenever possible.

Gaâla 

They also offer various luxurious casual wear and holiday clothing, but when it comes to sustainable Zara alternatives for workwear… look no further!

Mon Col Anvers

Think French flair and Scandinavian minimalism.

I also love how this ethical Zara alternative prioritises natural fabrics.

Find more sustainable Zara alternatives on Project Cece

Choosing ethical clothes is now easier than ever.

At Project Cece, we brought hundreds of fairtrade brands in one place and added filters to simplify your choices (like Material and Price).

So, you’re bound to find the right sustainable Zara alternative for your style, preferences, and budget!

Start shopping