01 Apr

11 Ethical and Sustainable Alternatives to Uniqlo

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While Uniqlo may be a slight step up from some of the other fast fashion giants, there are alternatives that might better meet your morals and your needs.

More sustainable alternatives to Uniqlo you’ll love

We get the appeal of Uniqlo, we do—this Japanese chain store has taken off in recent years and now boasts more than 1,300 stores worldwide. Unlike so many other mass-producing fast fashion giants, Uniqlo ditches the ‘new styles every week’ mindset and opts instead for more timeless, classic staples that appeal to a wide range of people. But does that absolve it of all guilt for people, the planet, and animals? Is it okay to buy from this brand as a conscious consumer, or should we look for sustainable alternatives to Uniqlo? Let’s discuss.

Uniqlo has taken some steps in the right direction for the planet and animals. Its use of some eco-friendly materials and encouragement of longevity with a repair and reuse program is positive. It also gets a thumbs up for banning the use of fur, angora, shearling, and karakul and for committing to eliminate other animal products like mohair. However, it still has a long way to go on the labour front—for such a large, successful company, paying a living wage should be a top priority. To make matters worse, the brand has been caught up in an ongoing worker’s rights case for years, and owes Indonesian garment workers $5.5m worth of severance pay. Uniqlo must take responsibility for the people in its supply chain before it can be considered an ethical company—and it can certainly afford to do so.

Overall, we rated Uniqlo ‘It’s A Start’ based on our team’s research here at Good On You. We know this rating can bring up some questions, especially when applied to such large brands. ‘It’s A Start’ means just that—the brand is making a start. Uniqlo is already ahead of comparable brands by creating timeless staples that don’t go out of fashion nearly as fast. And if your options are Uniqlo or a brand like SHEIN that is making little to no effort for people, the planet, and animals, Uniqlo is a clear winner. Progress over perfection!

You can also reach out to brands who you think need a nudge in the right direction. If enough customers demand change, brands that genuinely care about their impact will have no choice but to respond in kind. Check out the ‘Your Voice’ function on the app, or slide into Uniqlo’s DMs on social media to let them know what you think.

That aside, if you’re after stores like Uniqlo that are making a solid effort across the board for sustainability and ethics, we have good news. There are ‘Good’ and ‘Great’ sustainable brands you’ll love more than Uniqlo out there, and we have rounded up 11 of our favourites for you below.

LANIUS

Rated: Good

Offers

Someone in dress by LANIUS.

LANIUS – Site-wide (EU)

Discover timeless one-off pieces from last years' collections with up to 40% off. Up to 40% off (Available in the EU only). (Ends: 21 MAY)

Shop now

“Love Fashion, Think Organic, Be Responsible” are the maxims of LANIUS. The German brand uses more eco-friendly materials, like GOTS certified cotton. All LANIUS facilities are SA8000 certified and it is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation.

LANIUS' clothes are available in EU sizes 34-44.

See the rating.

Shop LANIUS.

Shop LANIUS @ Curate.

A.BCH

Rated: Great

A.BCH is a Melbourne-based, Australian-made fashion label for individuals who care about garment provenance. It utilises renewable, organic, and recycled materials.

Find the range in sizes XS-XL, or customise to fit you.

See the rating.

Shop A.BCH.

ASKET

Rated: Good

ASKET has been creating timeless wardrobe essentials since 2015 with revolutionary sizing and fair pricing. The brand disregards seasonal collections, cuts out all the middlemen, and only sells directly to you—putting its entire focus on building a single permanent collection.

Find the range in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop ASKET.

Honest Basics

Rated: Good

Honest Basics is a GOTS-certified basics brand based in Germany. It's on a mission to make sustainable fashion accessible to everyone, by keeping prices low, making quality basics that everyone has in their wardrobe, and constantly improving the sustainability of its products and supply chain.

The range is available in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Honest Basics.

Mila.Vert

Rated: Great

Mila.Vert offers timeless, minimal, and chic clothing, adding sophisticated details that give the garments a modern feel. The Slovenia-based brand wants to make desirable clothing, avoiding the ethical and environmental issues that the fashion industry represents.

Find the garments in sizes XS-XL, or make a custom fit order free of charge.

See the rating.

Shop Mila.Vert.

Knickey

Rated: Great

Made in a Fair Trade Certified factory, Knickey’s organic cotton underwear sets are some of the best in the sustainable market. Taking it a step further, the brand has also partnered with an NYC non-profit to recycle old undergarments, turning the fibres into insulation and rug pads. Sending in your old undies will not only help cut down on the amount of fibres that wind up in the landfill, but it’ll give you the freedom to buy new, responsibly-made sets.

Find most items in sizes 2XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Knickey.

Sense Organics

Rated: Great

Sense Organics is an established German brand that has been dressing kids in its colourful organic cotton range for 18 years. We give it a ‘Great’ rating for its commitment to eco-friendly materials and its treatment of garment workers, including ensuring suppliers pay a living wage. Find clothes for kids aged 0-10!

See the rating.

Shop Sense Organics.

CHNGE

Rated: Good
3 images of CHNG's latest collection

CHNGE is a US-based sustainable fashion brand using 100% organic material, built to last a lifetime while making a statement.

Find CHNGE's inclusive clothes in sizes 2XS-4XL.

See the rating.

Shop CHNGE.

Outerknown

Rated: Good

Founded by surf champion Kelly Slater, Outerknown is a responsible brand that aims to blend style and function with the protection of natural resources. The brand is Bluesign certified and has partnered with the Fair Labour Association.

Find the range in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Outerknown.

Shop Outerknown @ Wearwell.

Shop Outerknown @ Good.

MUD Jeans

Rated: Great

Dutch denim brand MUD Jeans is all about sustainability. Not only does it offer a repair service, but it also provides a rental service where you can lease a pair of jeans for up to a year. MUD Jeans uses a combination of GOTS certified organic cotton and post-consumer recycled cotton.

MUD Jeans are available in a range of sizes, usually from W25 L30-W33 L32 for women and W28 L34-W36 L34 for men.

See the rating.

Shop MUD Jeans.

Dorsu

Rated: Great

Based in Cambodia, Dorsu creates everyday basics and key signature favourites that form the core of any conscious wardrobe.

You can find the full range in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Dorsu.

Shop Dorsu @ Wearwell.

Editor's note

Feature image via Uniqlo, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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