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16 Jun

32 Clothing Brands From California Pioneering for the Planet

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California not only embodies the pioneering environmental spirit, but also that of innovation, sex appeal, and a love for the outdoors all in one. While we all have our own regional favourites, we’re here to explore 32 of our favourite conscious brands from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the greater California region for a more well-rounded look at conscious fashion.

Californians know good fashion

As many Americans can attest, California has always been at the forefront of the environmental movement, breaking ground when it came to fuel-efficiency standards, supply chain regulations, and all things environmental policy. This may not be surprising to some, considering the state has been feeling the effects of climate change for quite some time now, often experiencing extreme drought, water shortages, and fires.

Yet, for Californians, the ubiquitousness of the natural world seems to be coupled with what some would call an “appreciation for nature”, with many locals hiking, biking, and being more “outdoorsy” than many Americans. Cue the pinnacle of Californian consciousness and ecologically-minded fashion: Patagonia. And while we love Patagonia here at Good On You, we would also like to highlight other labels in the state that are working to positively impact garment workers, the planet, and non-human animals.

So, without further ado, we’re pleased to introduce 32 of our favourite conscious brands from California, divided up by region.

Los Angeles

 

Boyish

Rated: Good
Woman in dark wash ethical fringe trousers

Love the & Other Stories vibe, but hate their fast fashion business model? Boyish has all the quality, fit, and authentic washes that you could want without the harmful practices.

Find sizes 2XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Boyish @ Wearwell.

Shop Boyish @ Reve en Vert.

Shop Boyish.

Dazey LA

Rated: It's A Start
woman wearing logo yellow ethical tshirt by Dazey LA

Dazey LA is an art apparel and accessories brand that features hand drawn designs inspired by '70s posters and vintage graphic art.

Find most of the range in sizes S-2XL, or shop extended sizes up to 4XL.

See the rating.

Shop Dazey LA.

Groceries Apparel

Rated: Good
woman reclining in sustainable black and white striped turtleneck shirt by Groceries Apparel

Groceries Apparel is a California-based fashion brand that uses discarded food scraps, including carrot tops, pomegranate rinds, used coffee grounds, avocado seeds, onions skins, roots, plants, and flowers to create organic and non-toxic wardrobe essentials.

Find most items in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Groceries Apparel.

Sami Miro Vintage

Rated: Good
ethical velvet top by Sami Miro

''Pushing eco-conscious boundaries'' is the Sami Miro Vintage brand ethos. Made from vintage and recycled fabrics, Sami Miro Vintage is loved by celebrities and eco-conscious fashion lovers alike. With collection names like ''Ecoterror'' and ''Global Warming Is Not a Hoax'', the cool reconstructions are offset with a deeper meaning.

Sizes vary.

See the rating.

Shop Sami Miro Vintage.

KENT

Rated: Good

KENT is a US-based brand that creates timeless organic underwear, ensuring a quality fit and feel no matter what. It produces the first verified compostable underwear, made from organic cotton and designed to return to nature in 90 days when composted or planted, feeding the soil and growing new plants (or future pants).

Find most pants in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop KENT.

MATE the Label

Rated: Good

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.

Svala

Rated: Good

Svala creates luxury designer vegan handbags, purses, bags, and totes. Each bag is handcrafted responsibly in LA with high-quality, premium vegan leather PU, cork, and Piñatex.

See the rating.

Shop Svala.

Triarchy

Rated: Great

US-based Triarchy creates more sustainable jeans, skirts, shorts, jumpsuits, and jackets. The brand’s production system uses 85% recycled water by consistently reusing the "thick indigo laden sludge" that unmonitored factories dump into water systems.

Find most of the jeans in US sizes 24-32.

See the rating.

Shop Triarchy.

Shop Triarchy @ LVRSustainable.

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.

WAMA

Rated: Good

WAMA is pioneering the hemp clothing industry with premium hemp underwear. It uses a high proportion of more responsible materials including organic cotton and hemp, and is a PETA approved vegan company.

Find the range in inclusive sizes XS-4XL.

See the rating.

Shop WAMA.

LA Relaxed

Rated: Great
Someone in long sleeved top and dress by LA Relaxed.

"Simplicity, sustainability, style" is LA Relaxed's motto. The brand reduces its climate impact by using renewable energy in its supply chain. It also uses some lower-impact materials, including organic cotton and TENCEL Lyocell.

Find the collection in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop LA Relaxed.

Shop LA Relaxed @ Cerqular.

Purusha People

Rated: Good
woman in field of grass wearing ethical blue Purusha People unitard

Purusha People offers some gorgeous, dainty details on beautifully understated, earthy tones in its range of activewear. The organic plant-based pieces mean you can breathe (and buy) easy, wicking away sweat and keeping your practice that perfect amount of "chill".

Purusha pieces are stocked in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Purusha People.

Two Days Off

Rated: Great
woman wearing small gold hoop earrings

Two Days Off brings a sense of ease to your wardrobe and your mind. Prioritising deadstock and biodegradable materials, Two Days Off limited run pieces are longwearing and thoughtfully designed.

See the rating.

Shop Two Days Off.

SEEKER

Rated: Good
Man in sustainable thermal henley by SEEKER

Stay cosy all year round with this lovely lounge shirt by SEEKER. Made and designed in the US, this classic thermal is made from soft organic waffle cotton and features a slightly oversized boxy fit with contrast hemp details. Find the range in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop SEEKER.

Nightswim

Rated: Good
Woman in Nightswim conscious wrap crop

Nightswim is an emerging leisurewear brand made with care for the Earth and for her people. Find the collection in sizes S-L.

See the rating.

Shop Nightswim.

The Standard Stitch

Rated: Great
Pink and yellow eco-friendly t-shirts by The Standard Stitch.

The Standard Stitch was founded on the belief that the fashion industry should be shaken up. This loungewear brand makes size inclusive, more sustainably sourced, and responsibly-made apparel for all your lounging needs.

Find most items in sizes XS-5XL.

See the rating.

Shop The Standard Stitch.

Shop The Standard Stitch @ Wearwell.

Jade Swim

Rated: Good
Someone wearing a black chic Jade Swim bikini set.

Jade Swim is an LA-based swimwear brand that combines a minimalist aesthetic with innovative silhouettes, and unique design details. Sizes XS-XL are available.

See the rating.

Shop Jade Swim.

Reformation (Pre-Owned)

Rated: Good

LA-based Reformation creates killer clothes that don’t kill the environment. The brand also ensures that a large proportion of its suppliers pay a living wage.

See the rating.

Shop Reformation Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Galamaar

Rated: Good
Two people wearing black bikinis sustainably made by Galamaar.

Galamaar is an LA based brand that offers timeless swimwear for the contemporary woman. Founded in 2017 by designer Blakely Wickstrom, the brand embodies a balance of east and west coast style and sensibility. The swimmers are available in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Galamaar.

Come Back As A Flower

Rated: Good
Two people wearing tie dye white and blue shirts by CBAAF.

Come Back As A Flower is an LA based brand that makes high-vibrational clothing and objects. The brand’s cool, effortless streetwear vibe truly exemplifies the LA spirit. Sizes XS-2XL are available.

See the rating.

Shop Come Back As A Flower.

Savannah Morrow the Label

Rated: Good
A group of people wearing ethically made clothes by Savannah Morrow the Label.

Savannah Morrow The Label is a women's clothing brand that features beautiful dresses, skirts, tops, and more for the perfect California evening. The brand features elegant resort-wear, woven fabrics, and linens for night and day wear. Shop sizes 2XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Savannah Morrow the Label.

San Francisco

unspun

Rated: Great
image looking up at four people dressed in Unspun

unspun is an American brand, fostering a denim world that reduces global carbon emissions by 1% through a zero-inventory and anti-waste process.

Its product sizing is totally customisable to ensure you always find the perfect fit.

See the rating.

Shop unspun.

Shop unspun @ Cerqular.

Zuri

Rated: Good

Zuri is a San Francisco based brand that offers a range of womenswear produced in Kenya with a focus on exciting prints.

See the rating.

Shop Zuri.

Amour Vert

Rated: Good
A woman with curly hair and a blue top looking down.

Amour Vert creates beautiful, more sustainable staples in San Francisco, California. Its final stage of production is done in the US and it works closely with suppliers in all of its supply chain. The brand also uses lower-impact materials and promotes an anti-waste strategy.

The range is available in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Amour Vert.

Resellers

The Real Real

Founded in 2011 by Julie Wainwright, this San-Fran based reseller is an online and brick-and-mortar marketplace for authenticated luxury consignment. Based on the circular economy, The RealReal sells consigned clothing, fine jewellery, watches, fine art, and home decor.

Curtsy

Created in San Francisco, Curtsy is an application that seeks to bring thrifting fashion to the forefront by connecting millions of women across the US to resell and shop apparel with the goal of monetising their closets.

Fashionphile

Fashionphile is a San Francisco-based online platform that centres on ultra-luxury re-commerce. Since its inception in the late ‘90s, Fashionphile has become one of the world’s top resellers of pre-owned luxury and the exclusive re-commerce partner of Neiman Marcus.

Greater California

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.

Patagonia

Rated: Good

Patagonia is a brand that truly lives and breathes the great outdoors. It makes clothing for trail running, climbing, mountain biking, surfing, skiing, and snowboarding. Patagonia has "Good" labour practices, and uses recycled, rather than virgin, polyester. It has also committed to reducing its energy use and emissions.

The brand stocks sizes 2XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Patagonia @ LVRSustainable.

Shop Patagonia Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop Patagonia.

Pansy

Rated: Good
woman wearing sustainable lingerie by ethical US brand Pansy

Pansy is a California based basics brand that offers organic cotton underwear for all beautiful sizes.

Find products in sizes XS-5XL.

See the rating.

Shop Pansy.

The Tiny Closet

Rated: Great
ethical basic white shirt by Tiny Closet

The Tiny Closet is a line of simple, beautiful statement clothing. Each garment is made to order from deadstock fabrics to reduce waste, and designed to be worn for years to come.

See the rating.

Shop The Tiny Closet.

Sagebrush Surf Bags

Rated: Good
woman carrying surfboard in colourful upcycled surfbag by Sagebrush Surf Bags

Sagebrush Surf Bags is a brand that offers upcycled board bags built for adventures, surf trips, and daily beach goings.

See the rating.

Shop Sagebrush Surf Bags.

Industry of All Nations

Rated: Good

Since its inception in April 2010, Industry of All Nations has been a leader in research and development with a commitment to rethinking methods of production for consumer goods.

Find pieces in sizes 26-36.

See the rating.

Shop Industry of All Nations.

The North Face (Pre-Owned)

Rated: It's A Start

For more than 50 years, The North Face has made activewear and outdoor sports gear that exceeds expectations. The brand has good policies to eliminate hazardous chemicals in its supply chain and uses some lower-impact materials, including recycled materials.

See the rating.

Shop The North Face Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Seea

Rated: Good
person surfing in sustainable surfwear by Seea

Seea is a U-based surfwear brand that celebrates waterwomen all over the globe. It uses renewable energy in its supply chain to reduce its climate impact, and incorporates eco-friendly and recycled materials into its designs. Find the range in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Seea.

That’s all, folks. We hope this guide provided some insight on how to stay California cool without needing to sacrifice your morals in the process.

Editor's note

Feature image via Savannah Morrow the Label, 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. We love to recommend some of the best sustainable brands, rated “Good” or “Great”. We also encourage shopping pre-owned as another great way to reduce the impact of our fashion choices. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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