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person wearing outfit from whimsy and row (1)
12 Oct
person wearing outfit from whimsy and row (1)

Better Brand Edit: 10 More Sustainable Alternatives to Zara

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Zara turns 50 years old this October and, unsurprisingly, has released a collection to celebrate the milestone. But the brand still isn’t doing enough for people, the planet, and animals, so we thought we’d mark its half-century by sharing some brands working more responsibly—and who didn’t pioneer a business model that is destroying the planet. Introducing 10 more sustainable alternatives to Zara.

More accessible? Yes. Responsible? Not quite

Many people credit Zara with perfecting the fast fashion model. It is a pioneer of super-fast turnaround times from design, manufacture, order, and distribution. Its twice-weekly drops of new lines that quickly sell out—creating a sense of urgency to buy—got many consumers hooked on shopping for entertainment’s sake. Zara has been a key driver of the massive, wasteful, polluting, exploiting, and unsustainable fashion industry we have today: not exactly a legacy to be proud of.

Zara gets a rating of “It’s a Start” from us. It has introduced some measures to put its business on a better path, like opting to use some lower-impact materials, providing training and mechanisms for dealing with harassment to workers in its supply chain, and supporting organisations that are addressing the impacts of microplastics. On the other hand, it’s still using polyester—a key depositer of microplastics, it doesn’t state that everyone in its supply chain is paid a living wage, and it still promotes overconsumption with its fast fashion business model, which will never be sustainable.

That’s why we’re sharing a few of our favourite “Good” and “Great” brands that, between them, cover all bases in terms of wardrobe go-to items that you might find in Zara—all while respecting the planet, animals, and the people who make their clothes. Here are 10 more ethical brands you’ll love more than Zara.

More sustainable alternatives to Zara

MATE the Label

Rated: Great

MATE the Label creates clean essentials made with GOTS certified organic fabrics and lower-impact dyes. Its goal is to offer women everywhere a clean product that is just as beautiful as it is responsible. It is proudly female-founded and is predominately operated by women. This US brand also manufactures locally to reduce its carbon footprint.

Find the range in inclusive sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop MATE the Label.

Harvest & Mill

Rated: Great
Harvest & Mill sustainable socks pack in ivory

Harvest & Mill pieces are grown, milled, and sewn exclusively in the US, supporting American organic cotton farmers and local sewing communities. The brand makes basics for everyone, always ensuring they are not dyed or bleached, greatly reducing the use of water, energy, and dye materials. Even better, by cultivating different varieties of cotton, the brand is able to bolster biodiversity, which is essential for ensuring healthy ecosystems and keeping our planet resilient in the face of climate change.

Shop the range in sizes S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Harvest & Mill.

Dedicated

Rated: Good
People in colourful, contemporary styles by responsible brand Dedicated.

If you love a great graphic print, Swedish label Dedicated has you covered. Dedicated is a responsible streetwear brand for men, women, and children. All cotton used in its clothes is 100% organic, and most pieces are Fairtrade certified, which means that you don’t have to sacrifice your ethics to dress in style.

Find the clothes in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Dedicated.

Shop Dedicated @ Earthkind.

Shop Dedicated @ Shop Like You Give a Damn.

Afends

Rated: Good
Someone on roof wearing clothes by Afends.

Born in Byron Bay, Australia, Afends is a more responsible brand leading the way in hemp fashion. Drawing inspiration from the environment, streetwear, and surf culture, Afends’ mission is to create more sustainable clothing through innovation, action, and positive change. As true hemp advocates, it purchased 100 acres of farmland called Sleepy Hollow to grow its own hemp crops and ignite the hemp revolution.

Find most of the range in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Afends.

Tripulse

Rated: Great

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Tripulse is a Swedish activewear brand on a mission to create high performing activewear that protects our planet and its people. The brand believes that fitness, both physical and mental, is the foundation for a good and healthy life and gives people the courage to live the life they dreamed of, become their best selves, make bold moves, and change the world for the better.

Find most items in sizes XS-6XL.

See the rating.

Shop Tripulse.

Flamingos’ Life

Rated: Good
Someone putting on sneakers by Flamingo's Life.

Flamingos’ Life creates sneakers that are free from animal-derived materials for everyone. The brand uses lower-impact and PETA approved vegan materials, including upcycled materials.

Find the range in sizes 36-46.

See the rating.

Shop Flamingos’ Life.

Whimsy + Row

Rated: Good

Whimsy + Row is a US-based lifestyle brand born out of a love for quality goods and responsible practices. Since 2014, its mission has been to provide ease and elegance for the modern woman. Whimsy + Row utilises deadstock fabric, and by limiting each garment to short runs, the brand also reduces packaging waste and takes care of precious water resources.

Find most products in XS-XL, with an extended sizing range up to 3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Whimsy + Row.

Shop Whimsy + Row @ Earthkind.

MUD Jeans

Rated: Great
A man wears navy jeans and a blue top

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.

Shop MUD Jeans @ Shop Like You Give a Damn.

Toad&Co

Rated: Good
back views of person in red knit sweater and blue jeans, person in checked shirt and white jeans, and person in cream and striped long cardigan and skinny blue jeans by Toad&Co walking with linked arms

Toad&Co is a US brand working in a more socially and environmentally minded way. Its women’s and menswear is equally suited for the rigours of the trail or the tavern.

Most items are available in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Toad&Co.

Kotn

Rated: Good
two models in Kotn clothing

Certified B Corp Kotn is based in Canada and works with local NGOs on the ground at the Nile Delta to provide every child in their farming communities with quality education, and to help close the gap of low literacy rates amongst communities. With every purchase, not only will you get a beautifully made garment, but you’ll also help fund school infrastructure, materials, and salaries for teachers.

Find Kotn in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Kotn.

Learn more about Zara’s rating

Editor's note

Feature image via Whimsy & Row, 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.

We updated this article on 7 October 2025. Our editors frequently make updates to articles to ensure they’re up to date. We updated our copy to reflect Zara’s December 2024 rating and refreshed our selection of alternatives to ensure we’ve got brands with recent ratings.

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