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sustainable accessories
18 Sep
sustainable accessories

The Ultimate Guide to More Sustainable Accessories

Our editors curate highly rated brands that are first assessed by our rigorous ratings system. Buying through our links may earn us a commission—supporting the work we do. Learn more.

 

Some may say they don’t really matter; we say they can make or break an outfit. Here’s our ultimate guide to accessories by better brands, from hats and hair accessories to scarves and jewellery.

The power of accessorising

“I get more compliments on accessories than anything else. I think they’re kind of like herbs and spices. They give zest and zing to an outfit,” fashion icon Iris Apfel once said. Regardless of which camp you fall in, accessories you love—especially more sustainable ones—can be hard to find.

Keep reading to discover some of our favourite more sustainable accessories to help make that search just a bit easier, so you can do good while looking great. Whether you’re on the market for scrunchies or hats, the perfect transseasonal scarf, or convenient card holders, we’ve got you covered. Remember that using what you have is the best first step, followed by searching for second hand options that do the trick. But if you must buy new, supporting better brands rated “Good” or “Great” by our world class methodology is your next best option as a conscious consumer.

Hair accessories and hats

OhSevenDays

Rated: Good
scrunchies from ohsevendays

Pack of Three Scrunchies – Ships worldwide from Turkey

OhSevenDays was started by Australian-Canadian Megan Mummery to promote slow fashion and the ‘power of circularity.’ Based in Istanbul, the brand reclaims end-of-roll fabrics from the city’s garment factories and creates sharp, everyday womenswear that’s as wearable as it is ethical. These adorable scrunchies were upcycled from workshop scrap fabrics to make the ultimate hair accessory.

See the rating.

Shop OhSevenDays.

Shop OhSevenDays @ SlowCo.

Sustain by Kat

Rated: Good

Plant-dyed Silk Scrunchies – Ships internationally from the US

Sustain by Kat produces timeless organic women’s  and children’s clothing, dyed with plants. This is a brand that really cares about the environment. It uses more responsible materials, including GOTS certified organic cotton, and uses only lower-impact, plant based dyes, like in these cute scrunchies, which is better for you and the planet.

See the rating.

Shop Sustain by Kat.

tentree

Rated: Good

Tree Wave Sasquatch Tencel Peak Hat – Ships worldwide from Canada

tentree’s Sasquatch Tencel Peak Hat is a daily reminder to step outside your comfort zone and into the outdoors. tentree is a lifestyle apparel company that is doing just that with a tree planted for every item purchased. The brand uses a high proportion of lower-impact materials including organic cotton. It uses renewable energy in its supply chain to reduce its climate impact.

See the rating.

Shop tentree.

Plant Faced Clothing

Rated: Good

Plant Faced Beanie – Ships internationally from the UK

Offers

People wearing hoodies, tops and accessories by Plant Faced clothing.

Plant Faced Clothing – Sale

More sustainably and ethically made vegan apparel. Shop street-inspired t-shirts, long sleeved tops, sweaters, crop tops, tote bags, and more. Enjoy up to 25% off sale. (Ends: 18 MAR)

Shop now

Streetwear without the sweatshops, that’s the motto of this British 100% vegan and cruelty-free streetwear apparel brand that is all about promoting a new wave of consciousness that supports the non-harming or exploitation of any beings in fashion production. Plant Faced uses all vegan materials as well as some lower-impact materials, including organic cotton, and it creates high-quality, long-lasting products. Rock this classic super comfy AND vegan beanie on cooler days knowing you are doing no harm to our animal friends.

See the rating.

Shop Plant Faced.

TAMGA Designs

Rated: Good

Eden Scarf – Ships Worldwide from Canada

TAMGA Designs is out to prove how colourful and exciting more sustainable fashion can be, serving up gorgeous, flowy designs that will guide you into warmer weather with poise and grace. The playful Eden scarf adds a touch of romance and charm to any outfit. Wear it around the hair, tie it on your neck, or loop it on a bag for a pop of colour.

See the rating.

Shop TAMGA Designs.

PANGAIA

Rated: Good

Pre-Owned PANGAIA Bucket Hats – Ships internationally

PANGAIA designs products for living in any situation, sustaining your basic needs with smart technology and using recyclable elements wherever possible. Grab one of their bucket hats pre-owned on Vestiaire Collective to match most ‘fits.

See the rating.

Shop PANGAIA Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop PANGAIA.

Discover our favourite hats and hair accessories

Scarves

Unrecorded

Rated: Good

Wool Scarf – Ships internationally from the Netherlands

Unrecorded is an independent clothing brand from the Netherlands that represents a new wave of unisex brands that are rebelling against the nature of fast fashion. Unrecorded is passionate about style, and produces apparel using more responsible materials. This wool scarf is the perfect addition to your winter wardrobe.

See the rating.

Shop Unrecorded.

Opera Campi

Rated: Good
A person wearing a dark green knitted scarf by Opera Campi.

Sciarpa – Ships internationally from Spain

Founded in 2017, Italian brand Opera Campi creates premium quality garments from locally-sourced raw materials, like this hemp scarf. By using a balanced approach to sustainability, the brand makes more conscious choices throughout its supply chain and donates 4% of its profits to social causes.

See the rating.

Shop Opera Campi.

Mila.Vert

Rated: Great
woman wearing checked cream white and black vegan scarf by Mila.Vert

Knitted Checked Pattern Scarf – Ships internationally from Slovenia

Offers

People in clothing available for pre-order by Mila.Vert.

Mila.Vert – Pre-orders

Pre-ordering with Mila.Vert helps to avoid overproduction. Find your favourite styles for less. Enjoy 30% off pre-orders. (Ends: 15 MAR)

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Mila.Vert offers timeless, minimal, and chic clothing, adding sophisticated details that give the garments a modern feel. Our editors love this stunning rectangular scarf with clean edges and a unique two-colour knitting scheme.

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Shop Mila.Vert.

Citizen Wolf

Rated: Great

Zero Waste Scarf – Ships internationally from Australia

Citizen Wolf uses revolutionary technology to give you high-quality custom fit t-shirts and accessories. Wear your values loud and proud with Citizen Wolf’s Zero Waste Scarf, handmade from the offcuts of the brand’s t-shirt production.

See the rating.

Shop Citizen Wolf.

Looking for more scarf inspo? Head over to our guide

Sunglasses

Afends

Rated: Good

Super Haze – Ships internationally from Australia

Born in Byron Bay, Afends is a 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 and accessories, like these sunglasses, through innovation, action, and positive change. As true hemp advocates, they purchased 100 acres of farmland called Sleepy Hollow to grow their own hemp crops and ignite the hemp revolution.

See the rating.

Shop Afends.

Kampos

Rated: Good

Round Sunglasses – Ships internationally from Italy

Kampos is a luxurious Italian brand that believes in creating a world with integrity and conscience now and for future generations. The brand aims to raise awareness of over-fishing and marine pollution and offers consumers unique sunglasses that are made of recycled plastic bottles, fishing nets, and other lower-impact materials.

See the rating.

Shop Kampos.

Colorful Standard

Rated: Good

Sunglasses – Ships internationally from Denmark

Colorful Standard is a Danish clothing brand that makes organic fashion essentials for men and women. The brand doesn’t care much for seasons or trends, instead, it creates timeless and long-lasting products to avoid the downward spiral that is over-consumption. These classic and colourful sunglasses are made from plant-based materials and are biodegradable.

See the rating.

Shop Colorful Standard.

Elk

Rated: Good

Dorsi Sunglasses – Ships internationally from Australia

A pioneer of independent Australian design, Elk was founded in Melbourne in 2004. Elk creates biannual collections that are informed by a design ethos where simplicity and sustainability meet innovation. If you’re looking for more sustainable sunglasses then we recommend you check out these original tortoise shell sunglasses.

See the rating.

Shop Elk.

Discover the best more sustainable sunglasses

Belts

NAE

Rated: Good

Black Vegan Belt – Ships internationally from Portugal

NAE is a Portuguese footwear, bags, and accessories brand using innovative materials to create goods with “No Animal Exploitation”. Its lower-impact materials include recycled PET from bottles, OEKO-TEX certified microfibres, recycled car tyres, natural cork, recycled thermoplastic, and even vegan leather, like in this classic belt.

See the rating.

Shop NAE.

Shop NAE @ Staiy.

Shop NAE @ Urbankissed.

E.L.V. Denim

Rated: Good
black belt by ELV denim

Black Denim Belt with Silver Buckle – Ships worldwide from the UK

E.L.V. Denim takes stocks of old discarded denim and transforms them into modern, sophisticated jeans. Similarly to the brand’s jeans, E.L.V. creates belts made from spare denim. In line with its zero-waste ethos, the brand finds new meaning in leftover material. E.L.V. works with Tura London for leftover leather and hardware to match with the denim to make belts.

See the rating.

Shop E.L.V. Denim.

Elvis & Kresse

Rated: Good
red upcycled belt by elvis kresse

Upcycled West End Belt – Ships worldwide from the UK

The belt you will never take off your favourite pair of jeans. The West End is a great unisex belt, made with a classic West End buckle, and is 4cm wide. It is available with an antique brass buckle and eyelets or silver finish buckle and eyelets. Elvis & Kresse makes bags, belts, and wallets from upcycled fire hose and military parachute silk. All items are made from reclaimed materials.

See the rating.

Shop Elvis & Kresse.

Shop Elvis & Kresse @ Brothers We Stand.

Unbelts

Rated: Good

Unbelst Classic – Ships internationally from the US

Unbelts was founded with two goals in mind: helping you feel great in your jeans, but also creating quality jobs for every single person along the supply chain. Unbelts creates stretch belts that make pants fit perfectly without bumps or gaps.

See the rating.

Shop Unbelts.

Jewellery

FUTURA Jewelry

Rated: Great

Sole Double Twisted Stacking Ring – Ships internationally from the US

FUTURA Jewelry is a New York based responsible jewellery brand. Each piece of FUTURA Jewelry is handcrafted with mercury-free 18kt Certified Fairmined Ecological gold. The brand’s gold, including the one in this stacking ring, comes from the three certified Fairmined mines in the world that mine for gold without the use of toxic chemicals.

See the rating.

Shop FUTURA Jewelry.

Bario Neal

Rated: Good
gale bracelet in yellow gold by Bario Neal

Gale Bracelet in Yellow Gold – Ships Worldwide from the US

Bario Neal is a responsibly custom jewellery designer that creates handmade fine jewellery with conflict-free diamonds and other gemstones. The brand uses more responsibly sourced materials, like reclaimed 14kt yellow gold in the Gale Bracelet, to bring to life each of its uniquely designed pieces.

ARTICLE22

Rated: Good
silver hoop earrings by article22

Virtuous Circle Mini Hoop Earrings – Ships worldwide from the US

Inspired by the brand’s favourite shape: the circle, these lightweight hoop earrings evolved from its virtuous circle shape and are sure to look good with any outfit. Each piece gives back to support traditional Laotian artisan livelihoods, village development, community endeavours, and further demining efforts.

See the rating.

Shop ARTICLE22.

Théla

Rated: Great
someone wearing earrings by Thela

Long Drop Anafiotika Earrings – Ships worldwide from Greece

Offers

Close up of small handbag responsibly made from plastic waste by Thela.

Théla – Site-wide

Shop everyday backpacks, tote bags, crossbody bags, and pouches thoughtfully handcrafted from plastic waste. Exclusive 20% off with code THELA20. (Ends: 4 APR)

Checkout code: THELA20
Shop now

Greek brand Théla handcrafts pieces using lower-impact materials working with partners from disadvantaged communities, and its entire range is vegan. More responsibly made in India using upcycled plastic, the long sterling silver drop Anafiotika earrings are the perfect addition for an understated, elegant look.

See the rating.

Shop Théla.

Read our ultimate guide to more ethical and sustainable jewellery

Wallets and card holders

Sandqvist

Rated: Good
black card holder by sandqvist

Fred Card Holder – Ships worldwide from Sweden

Sweden’s Sandqvist makes a range of stylish, everyday bags from backpacks to handbags. It uses organic cotton and recycled fabrics and is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation. The exclusive Fred card holder is crafted from full grain aniline-dyed Scandinavian leather. It features five card slots, and is a perfect practical addition for the minimalists out there.

See the rating.

Shop Sandqvist.

Shop Sandqvist Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

O My Bag

Rated: Good
Someone showing off vegan apple leather wallet by O My Bag.

Sonny Wallet – Ships worldwide from the Netherlands

Offers

Square tote bag by O My Bag.

O My Bag – Site-wide (US, NL, BE, DE)

Shop ethically made bags and accessories made from more sustainable materials, changing the world one bag at a time. Free shipping on all orders over €100 (Available in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany), and on orders over $200 (Available in the US). (Ends: 17 MAR)

Shop now

Elegant, sophisticated, and 100% vegan, the Sonny Wallet is the perfect all-rounder. Born out of a love for design and a commitment to the Earth, O My Bag creates vintage-inspired, rugged-chic bags made from lower-impact, high quality materials.

See the rating.

Shop O My Bag.

GROUNDTRUTH

Rated: Good
grey wallet by groundtruth

RIKR Range Travel Wallet – Ships internationally from the UK

UK-based GROUNDTRUTH grew from three sisters’ shared belief in the power of collaboration, and their drive to protect people and nurture the planet. Together, they saw the opportunity to design problem-solving travel goods, like this cool travel wallet, that drive positive change: reducing plastic pollution and improving people’s lives.

See the rating.

Shop GROUNDTRUTH.

Svala

Rated: Good

Mia Card Holder – Ships internationally from the US

Svala creates luxury designer vegan handbags, purses, bags, and totes. Each item is handcrafted more sustainably LA with high-quality, premium vegan leather PU, cork, and Piñatex. Travel light with this mini wallet or use it as an organiser for your evening purse or mini bag.

See the rating.

Shop Svala.

Parker Clay

Rated: Good

Meskel Square Zip Wallet – Ships internationally from the US

A wallet that helps save lives? You got it. Parker Clay is an American based brand looking to create a future without exploitation by bettering lives and communities in Ethiopia. The brand has partnered with Ellilta Women at Risk program, fighting to bring women out of prostitution by providing a more stable income and safe working environment.

See the rating.

Shop Parker Clay.

Bags

Mashu

Rated: Good

Sophia 2 Pistachio – Ships internationally from the UK

Mashu is a British more sustainable vegan accessories label specialising in handbags. Mashu’s environmental rating is “Good”, crafting its exterior with vegan leather alternatives while its interiors feature vegan suede made from recycled polyester, ensuring you never have to sacrifice your morals for style again. The Sophia 2 is the updated version of the brand’s best-selling Sophia mini bag, with handcrafted braided cord handles.

See the rating.

Shop Mashu.

BEEN London

Rated: Good

Milais Bag – Ships internationally from the UK

BEEN London is a London-based brand turning waste into timeless accessories you’d want to use every day. All their products are made of materials that have been something else in a previous life, including recycled leather offcuts, like in the brand’s Millais Bag.

See the rating.

Shop BEEN London.

Shop BEEN London @ Cerqular.

HYER GOODS

Rated: Good

Canvas Cinch Bucket Bag – Ships internationally from the US

HYER GOODS is an NY-based, leather goods label that curates handmade products including handbags, wallets, and accessories. By upcycling “trash” it eliminates the massive energy footprint needed to cultivate land, livestock, crops, and fertilisers, while simultaneously reducing the amount of waste being sent to landfill. This bag is made from leftover leather scraps and can be worn as a shoulder bag or crossbody.

See the rating.

Shop HYER GOODS.

BEDI

Rated: Good

CHE Backpack – Ships internationally from Canasa

Canadian-brand BEDI creates handmade bags, knits and outerwear driven by a creative ethos to wear a better tomorrow. It promotes circularity with its careful selection of lower-impact materials, from upcycled airline seat leather and fish nets, to vegan cactus leather and more sustainably grown cotton. Driven by a slow fashion ethos, its pieces, like this practical backpack, are grounded in utility and constructed for life, intended for you and beyond.

See the rating.

Shop BEDI.

Discover our favourite bags

Editor's note

Feature image via tentree, 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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