08 Sep

18 More Ethical and Sustainable Brands to Achieve the Ultimate Streetwear Look

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Streetwear is bold, playful, and cool. But we know some popular streetwear brands may not be doing right by people, the planet, and animals. You can still get the style with these more ethical and sustainable brands doing streetwear better.

Self-expression in streetwear

Fashion isn’t just about keeping warm—it’s a matter of self-expression. That’s one of the key reasons it’s hard for many people to commit to ethical purchases, as they aren’t sure they’ll find what they’re looking for. It’s easy to “trade sideways” into an ethical pair of white trainers, or black trousers, or a grey t-shirt, given that basics are well covered by ethical brands. But we want to throw a spotlight onto brands that cater for wilder tastes. When you start buying ethically, it’s just as possible to dress with flair and express yourself.

One of the recent fashion evolutions is the rise of streetwear. Although the subculture’s been around for decades, it has resurfaced in recent years, pushed forward by the spread of street culture via Instagram. Influenced by hip-hop and skate, streetwear is often associated with logo-heavy sweatshirts, graphic tees, and grandpa sneakers. Edgier brands Supreme or Gosha Rubchinskiy are particularly popular, thanks to their carefully distributed products (the famous “drops”).

Streetwear cannot be defined by one single look. It’s a blend of a variety of styles, from informal leisurewear to the more tailored workwear and can often include thrifted pieces (yay, sustainability). A prime example of the current Zeitgeist, the spirit of our times, streetwear is a reflection of a more profound cultural shift, where every trend is mixed and matched. Examples of this hybridisation of styles include Virgil Abloh’s collaboration with luxury house Louis Vuitton and his own brand, Off-White, or Demna Gvasalia’s Vetements.

There’s no doubt that the less-ethically minded streetwear brands know how to produce inspiring and bold design, and do well at supplying a market hungry for style that feels creative and energetic. But how can we rock the streetwear style more sustainably and ethically?

We have done the hard work for you and put together this list of “Good” and “Great” streetwear brands so you can rock your style while doing good for people, the planet, and animals. Here are some of our favourite companies that have style and attitude without compromising on ethics.

Ecoalf

Rated: Good
Red recycled polyester puffer jacket by Ecoalf.

Berat Women’s Jacket – Ships internationally from Spain

Ecoalf speaks directly to the challenge of finding ethical clothes you’d want to buy on the high street, with a mission to make recycled clothes “with the same quality and design as the best non-recycled”. Its urban relaxed style is accessible and contemporary, and in the mix it has a number of statement styles, like this bright red quilted coat. It’s made of 100% recycled polyester. Find it in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Ecoalf @ Farfetch.

Shop Ecoalf.

WAWWA

Rated: Good
person standing in front of brick wall wearing shirt and cargo shorts by WAWWA

Ezra Sky Camo Shirt – Ships internationally from the UK

WAWWA aims to make clothing that puts the Earth and its inhabitants first by creating organic, fairtrade, and vegan friendly clothing with a positive social impact. Each of these sky camo shirts are individually dyed so every shirt will have it’s own unique pattern. Find them in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop WAWWA.

Afends

Rated: Good
Black recycled nylon puffer pants by Afends.

PALA Unisex Recycled Puffer Pants – Ships internationally from Australia

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people standing on a beach in clothes by Afends.

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Afends is a Byron Bay based fashion brand leading the way in organic hemp fashion. We love these unisex recycled nylon puffer pants with handy zip-up front and back pockets. You can find the full range in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Afends.

Plant Faced Clothing

Rated: Good

Eat Plants Goth Flames – Ships internationally from the UK

Streetwear without the sweatshop. Plant Faced creates 100% plant-based, ethical, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free streetwear, aiming to make sustainability fashionable. Hello, oversized shirts, like this “eat plants” flamey number. Available in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Plant Faced.

REER3

Rated: Good
two images of people in sweatshirt and jogger by REER3

“Good For” Natural Sweatshirt  – Ships internationally from Germany

REER3 stands for slow fashion streetwear in a reduced design, produced sustainably. It uses natural colours, eco-friendly materials such as organically grown, GOTS certified cotton and recycled polyester, and it’s 100% vegan. Wear the message proudly with this “Good for” slogan sweat set. Find the range in XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop REER3.

Nudie Jeans

Rated: Great
A brown organic cotton jacket with colourful patches designed by Nudie Jeans.

Carson Chore Jacket Camping Khaki – Ships to Australia, the US, Canada, and Europe from Sweden

Nudie Jeans is a company you can believe in. Apart from its highly eco-friendly “dry denim” jeans, it also sells tops, jackets, and more which also come from a sustainable starting point. This fun chore jacket made in moleskin organic cotton fabric is adorned with souvenir patches. The brand also offers a free repair service, resells second hand products, as well as recycles worn out items. That’s the kind of drops we like. Find the range in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Nudie Jeans.

Shop Nudie Jeans @ Farfetch.

Shop Nudie Jeans Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Stella McCartney

Rated: Good

Skinny Boyfriend Jeans – Ships internationally from the UK

Apart from all the famous collaborations, Stella McCartney is big on sustainability and ethical production. The range crosses from more glam to more street- and sport-inspired styles. These tapered jeans have a striking colour panel blazing down the leg, and are available in sizes 25-27.

See the rating.

Shop Stella McCartney @ LVR Sustainable.

Shop Stella McCartney Kids Pre-Owned @ Retykle.

Shop Stella McCartney Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop Stella McCartney.

Veja

Rated: Good
Purple ultraviolet vegan sneakers in ethical streetwear by Veja.

Condor 2 Alveomesh Purple Ultraviolet – Ships internationally from France

Veja, who has brought ethical trainers into the mainstream, is putting out more styles with bold colours and street-style looks, alongside its better-known and safer classic white styles. The shoe selection now encompasses a range of more lightweight, more rugged, and more sporty styles, including these flashy ultraviolet vegan sneakers. Find them in EU sizes 36-47.

See the rating.

Shop Veja.

Shop Veja @ LVR Sustainable.

Shop Veja @ thegreenlabels.

Shop Veja @ Outerknown.

Shop Veja @ Threads 4 Thought.

Womsh

Rated: Good
white sneakers by womsh

Vegan Wave Black White – Ships internationally from Italy

Fashion and sustainability can go together and Womsh is the brand that proves it. Its shoes (including these vegan wave sneakers) are entirely designed and manufactured in Italy, and its clothing range is made from eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton. Find most shoes in EU sizes 35-42, and clothes in XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Womsh.

VENIM

Rated: Good
two images of shorter washed black jacket with black foil by Venim

Shorter Washed Black Jacket with Foil – Ships internationally from the US

US-based VENIM is a denim brand that is making timeless pieces for the next generation of consumers. The founders’ partnership is rooted in a shared passion for impeccable craftsmanship, ethical manufacturing, and unapologetically individualistic designs, as exemplified by this hand-dyed black metallic foil denim jacket. Find it in sizes 1-3 (XS-2XL).

See the rating.

Shop VENIM.

RÆBURN

Rated: Good
Upcycled fabric green Raeburn bomber jacket.

Anti-G Bomber Jacket – Ships internationally from the UK

If you’re looking for a true statement piece, Raeburn combines high concept and wearable style, with a focus on surplus fabrics and recycling. Check out this wild bomber jacket made from repurposed anti-g suits combined with bivouac sacks. Available in sizes S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop RÆBURN @ LVR Sustainable.

Shop RÆBURN @ Farfetch.

Shop RÆBURN.

ID.EIGHT

Rated: Good

Hana White Crinkle – Ships internationally from Italy

ID.EIGHT is an Italian brand that was born from the meeting between Dong Seon Lee and Giuliana Borzillo, both come from the world of footwear, where they worked and met. Together they have created a more ethical and sustainable collection of sneakers with a refined design. The shoes are made in Italy with low environmental impact materials from food industry waste such as apple peels, grape stalks and seeds, and pineapple leaves, as well as recycled cotton and polyester. The neon yellow and silver colour pops in the Hana sneakers make it the perfect addition to a responsible streetwear ‘fit. Find the shoes in EU sizes 36-46.

See the rating.

Shop ID.EIGHT.

Katharine Hamnett

Rated: Good
A white organic cotton t-shirt with bold black writing saying

Be Anti-Racist Charity T-Shirt – Ships internationally from the UK

Made in Italy, Katharine Hamnett is committed to ethically and sustainably sourced materials and production. The brand’s utilitarian and unisex yet chic pieces are made using eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester, like in this “Be anti-racist” charity tee. Find most of her pieces in sizes 2XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Katharine Hamnett Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop Katharine Hamnett.

Outerknown

Rated: Good
A marigold yellow blanket shirt ethically made by Outerknown.

Chroma Blanket Shirt – Ships internationally from the US

Founded by surf champion Kelly Slater, Outerknown is a sustainable 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. Its best-selling Blanket Shirts come in bold colours for a warm bit of ethical streetwear in your wardrobe. Find the range in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Outerknown.

Shop Outerknown @ Wearwell.

Shop Outerknown @ Good.

Bethany Williams

Rated: Good
White art printed bell tent jeans by Bethany Williams x Magpie for ethical and sustainable streetwear vibes.

Bell Tent Jeans – Ships internationally from the UK

Bethany Williams offers an alternative system for fashion production, aiming to find innovative design solutions to sustainability. In collaboration with Magpie, Bethany Williams presents these Bell Tent jeans. This pair merges a utilitarian aesthetic with current streetwear trends, arriving in structured canvas and covered with bold, vivid graphics. Available in sizes S-L.

See the rating.

Shop Bethany Williams @ Farfetch.

Balenciaga (Pre-Owned)

Rated: Good

Pre-owned streetwear by Balenciaga – Ships internationally

Balenciaga is a luxury fashion house founded in 1919 by Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga in San Sebastián. The Kering-owned brand has been making some efforts to reduce its environmental impact, setting targets to reduce its direct and indirect emissions, and implementing initiatives to reduce water use.

See the rating.

Shop Balenciaga Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Napapijri (Pre-Owned)

Rated: It's A Start

Pre-owned Napapijri – Ships internationally

Napapijri was born in 1987 in the shadow of Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc, where an Italian manufacturer of travel bags gave outdoor apparel a new meaning by combining innovative materials and close attention to style. The brand has made a public commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and uses a few eco-friendly materials.

See the rating.

Shop Napapijri Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

The North Face

Rated: Good

Pre-owned The North Face jackets – Ships internationally

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 eco-friendly materials, including recycled materials.

See the rating.

Shop The North Face Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop The North Face Kids Pre-Owned @ Retykle.

Some final words of advice

Remember, streetwear is a culture which finds inspiration within a diverse mix of styles, so don’t hesitate to mix newer pieces with second hand finds and vintage treasures.

Keep your eye out for the other articles in this series that look at Colour, Patterns & Prints, and Wild & Wonderful options.

Editor's note

Feature image via Ecoalf, 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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