Woman in sustainable trousers by A.BCH
05 Jul
Woman in sustainable trousers by A.BCH

The Ultimate Guide to Ethical and Sustainable Pants and Trousers

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Culottes, linen pants, joggers, or jeans. Pants or trousers come in many shapes and forms, and we’ve rounded up our favourite responsible brands making them responsibly to give your wardrobe an upgrade when you need to buy new.

Pants and trousers by better brands

After spending so long inside, we know it can be hard to get out of your pyjamas. And sometimes you just want to wear something other than jeans! So, where does that leave us? Whether it be culottes, linen pants, or lounge pants, bottoms can come in all shapes and sizes and are the literal ‘other half’ of a classic top-and-bottoms fashion combo. Our normal became silky lounge pants or trackies during the pandemic, but our needs may have changed as in-person activities and work resume. That’s where sustainable pants and trousers come in!

Whether you’re petite or tall, prefer menswear, womenswear, or unisex clothes, finding good ‘bottoms’ can be especially tricky. Aside from coming in pretty much any material under the sun, some brands also don’t account for most body types, making the shopping experience particularly tiresome. Fortunately, we’re here to help!

To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of sustainable pants from ‘Good’ and ‘Great’ brands that will help you dress for anything that might come your way. Below you can find effortlessly cool unisex trousers by A.BCH (AU), silky couch-perfect lounge pants by TAMGA Designs (CA), sexy, Spanish-style linen pants by Whimsy and Row (US), and a whole lot more.

With that, Good On You hopes to help you meet your needs—both old and new—all while keeping you and our planet healthy and happy. Let’s get to the bottom of this!

A.BCH

Rated: Great
Woman in khaki sustainable trousers by A.BCH

A.18 – Semi-Tailored Linen Trousers – Ships internationally from Australia

Looking for the perfect summer work trouser? A.BCH has got you covered. These unisex, vegan tailored linen trousers are made from 100% GOTS linen, are ECA accredited, and feature a biodegradable elastic waistband. The brand is Melbourne-based and has an ethos for individuals who care about garment provenance. Find the range in sizes XS-XL, or customise to fit you!

See the rating.

Shop A.BCH.

Afends

Rated: Good
Sustainable trousers by Afends

Maisie Hemp Corduroy Flared Pant – Ships internationally from Australia

Offers

people in essentials by Afends.

Afends – Essential Sets

3 is better than 1. Essentials made from hemp and organic cotton, in styles to suit you. Classic, baby, oversized and more. Buy 3 Essentials for $150 on Afends Essential Sets. Minimum spend $150. Sale items excluded. (Ends: 27 SEP)

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Someone wearing denim jeans by Afends.

Afends – Men’s Denim

Laid back or loosened up. Reworking denim staples, with worn washes and utilitarian details. Made from organic cotton and hemp. Find your fit for denim that never dies. Buy 1 pair of jeans, get 1 free Men's Denim. (Ends: 30 SEP)

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Someone sitting on denim jeans wearing womens denim jeans by Afends.

Afends – Womens Denim

Pick your go-to player with our must-have high rise jeans, classic 90-inspired flared jeans or low rise baggy fits. Find your fit for denim that never dies. Buy 1 pair of jeans, get 1 free Women's Denim. (Ends: 30 SEP)

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Afends is an Australia-based fashion brand leading the way in organic hemp fashion, using renewable energy in its supply chain to reduce its climate impact. The Maisie Flared Pant is following this ethos, but with an iconic ’70s flare, coming in hot with a super high-waisted silhouette with an exaggerated flared leg. Crafted from the brand’s sustainable hemp and OCS certified organic cotton eight wale corduroy, these lightweight, sustainable pants are buttery soft, rich in texture, and begging to be worn all year-round. You can find the full range in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Afends.

Altar

Rated: Good
Woman in sustainable lounge pants by Altar

Ronnie Lounge Bottoms – Ships internationally from the US

The perfect work-from-home pants. These cozy, sustainable pants are made from Tencel and wool and have fantastic stretch and recovery. They feature pockets, an elastic waistband, and a drawstring. Altar is a US-based boutique that specialises in alternative and custom fashion, apothecary, and gifts. The brand celebrates independent manufacturers and artists from across North America, focusing on the stories that are woven into their work. The brand serves size gradations from size S to 6XL.

See the rating.

Shop Altar.

Nina Rein

Rated: Good
image of beige linen trousers and image of bottom half of person in trousers by Nina Rein

Wide Linen Pants – Ships internationally from Germany

Offers

Someone in jumpsuit by Nina Rein.

Nina Rein – Site-wide (EU)

More sustainable and fair fashion for women by women. Comfortable, elegant fit in bold and eye-catching colors. Catch your compliment. Exclusive €20 off with code NR&GOY20. Minimum spend €150. (Available in the EU only) (Ends: 29 SEP)

Checkout code: NR&GOY20
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Nina Rein is a German brand that creates sustainable business clothing in Europe under fair conditions. The brand’s aesthetic is clean, feminine, and colourful, and each piece includes little details everyone loves. Feel good in these pleated, wide-cut beige trousers made of 100% certified organic linen.  You can nail that smart casual look, easily taking you from work to the weekend. Find it in sizes 34-44.

See the rating.

Shop Nina Rein.

Armedangels

Rated: Great
Slim ethical trousers in khaki by Armedangels

Chino made of Organic Cotton Mix – Ships internationally from Germany

Versatile, timeless, and made from organic cotton, these chinos are nothing less than outstanding. Germany’s Armedangels gets a ‘Great’ rating overall from us. The brand covers all the basics for women, men, and kids. The brand also adopted the Fair Wear Foundation Code of Conduct to protect its workers abroad. Its products are available in sizes XS-XL. Neat!

See the rating.

Shop Armedangels.

Shop Armedangels @ Veneka.

Shop Armedangels @ Earthkind.

tentree

Rated: Good
woman wearing khaki sustainable joggers by tentree

Colwood Jogger – Ships internationally from Canada

Comfy? Check. Cute? Check. Panel pockets? Check check check. These sustainable joggers by tentree are made from 100% TENCEL Lyocell and come in six colours (good luck deciding!). tentree is a Canadian sustainable lifestyle brand that plants 10 trees for every item purchased. The certified B-Corp brand has already helped to remove tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere and reforested over 5,000 hectares of land (that’s equal to 12,000 football fields). But its commitment to sustainability extends way beyond trees. Using recycled, organic, and circular fabrics, tentree cuts down on huge amounts of waste and water usage with every piece. We love it for its super comfy fabrics and easy wardrobe staples that are typically available from XS to XL.

See the rating.

Shop tentree.

Dorsu

Rated: Great
Sustainable wide-leg pants by Dorsu

Culottes in Black – Ships internationally from Cambodia

Classic culottes for a day in the office or at home. These signature pants by Dorsu are perfect for all heights, even for folks with petite frames, with flat front pockets that give the waist a tailored look. Based in Cambodia, Dorsu creates everyday basics and essential signature favourites that form the core of any conscious wardrobe. You can find the full range in XS to XL.

See the rating.

Shop Dorsu.

ISTO.

Rated: Good
Man in ethical trousers by ISTO

Chinos – Ships internationally from Portugal

Offers

Three pairs of ISTO. organic cotton blend socks in grey, navy blue, and burgundy.

ISTO. – Cotton Socks

70% organic cotton (GOTS), 28% recycled polyamide (GRS), 2% elastane: the perfect mix of comfy, soft, and stretchy. €8 off the Cotton Socks 3-Pack. (Ends: 8 OCT)

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A close up of three organic cotton t-shirts by ISTO. in black, navy blue, and white.

ISTO. – Classic T-Shirts

Get your hands on ISTO.'s 100% organic cotton (GOTS certified) short-sleeved Classic T-Shirts. €6 off the Classic T-Shirts 3-Pack.   (Ends: 9 OCT)

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Tailored to perfection. Made from 340 grams per square metre of carefully sourced organic cotton, ISTO.’s chinos are an absolute, sustainable pant must-have. Not too rigid, not too loose, the collection comes in various colours, including olive green, khaki, and off-white. ISTO’s mandate is simple: create clothes to transcend the seasons and work as staple items in your wardrobe all year round. This range is doing just that and can be found in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop ISTO..

Mila.Vert

Rated: Great
Ethical straight leg trousers by Mila.Vert

Straight Corduroy Trousers – Ships internationally from Slovenia

Offers

people in tops, sweaters, skirts and dresses by Mila.Vert.

Mila.Vert – Site-wide

Enjoy further sale reductions on existing stock with new pieces added, as it makes way new changes to be even more sustainable. Up to 50% off. (Ends: 26 SEP)

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Sleek, sexy, and professional. Strut to work or the store in these sleek corduroy trousers made from 100% organic cotton. 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.

Luna + Sun

Rated: Good

Ananda Linen Pants – Ships internationally from Australia

Luna + Sun is an Australian, cruelty-free fashion line creating gorgeous feminine designs. Its factory is certified by Ethical Clothing Australia, and its products are OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified.

Find the clothes in AU sizes 6-18.

See the rating.

Shop Luna + Sun.

TAMGA Designs

Rated: Good
Woman in flowy floral ethical pants by TAMGA Designs

Magnolia Wide Pants – Ships internationally from Canada

Looking for a bit more fun and flare? Make a statement while elevating your look. Made from lightweight LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fabric, these flowy high-rise pants are perfect for comfy days at home or weekend outings with the girls! TAMGA Designs is out to prove how colourful and exciting sustainable fashion can be, serving up gorgeous designs and versatile styles. You can find the full range of this Canadian brand in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop TAMGA Designs.

Tasi Travels

Rated: Good
Woman in sustainable wide leg silky pants by Tasi Travels

The Lost Pant Moss – Ships internationally from Australia

An elevated take on working from home. Handcrafted in Australia from 100% Lenzing Tencel™, these silky pants feature a pull-on waist and relaxed fit, with a wide leg pant that has been specially designed to drape beautifully and effortlessly. Garments come in sizes XS/S, S/M, and M/L.

See the rating.

Shop Tasi Travels.

Unrecorded

Rated: Good
Man in ethical drawstring trousers by Unrecorded

Drawstring Trousers in Black – Ships internationally from the Netherlands

If you’re looking for a more unisex, casual look, Unrecorded is serving that and more. These drawstring trousers can be found in black and khaki and are cut with a relaxed, straight fit. Made from 100% organic cotton, these sustainable pants are great for warmer months. Unrecorded prides itself on craftsmanship and ensures that the cotton it uses is grown on soil free of toxic pesticides and fertilisers. What’s more, the brand dyes without the use of heavy metals or allergenic disperse dyes. Its range is available in sizes XS-2XL. Nice!

See the rating.

Shop Unrecorded.

Whimsy + Row

Rated: Good
Woman in ethical linen pant by Whimsy + Row

Valentina Pant in Linen – Ships internationally from the US

Don’t you just love linen? While it may only seem suitable for warmer months, linen is perfect for most temperatures because it absorbs moisture while also being anti-bacterial (unlike harmful synthetics)! Whimsy’s Valentina Pant is classic and features sexy side slits, perfect for spicing up your daily wear. By limiting each garment to short runs, the brand utilises deadstock fabric, reduces packaging waste, and takes care of precious water resources. Find most products in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Whimsy + Row.

Shop Whimsy + Row @ Earthkind.

Opera Campi

Rated: Good
Man in sustainable trouser by Opera Campi

H-Pant 2 – Ships internationally from Italy

Where tech meets fashion. Opera Campi’s H-Pant 2 is a biotech pant made of the most natural technology: Herotex, or stretchy hemp. Aside from its innovativeness, the H-2 is also sleek and effortless. Founded in 2017, Italian brand Opera Campi has been using a balanced approach to sustainability. The brand makes conscious choices throughout its supply chain and donates 4% of its profits to social causes. Find most garments sized inclusively from 3XS-3XL. Love that!

See the rating.

Shop Opera Campi.

Sorella Organics

Rated: Good
woman wearing black loungepants by Sorella Organics

Boardwalk Day Pant – Ships internationally from Australia

How comfy do these black organic cotton loungepants look? Sorella’s certified organic sleepwear range includes tops, pants, wraps, nighties, as well as maternity wear. The label’s founder Anna McGregor has a background in international human rights work. This is obvious with her use of Fairtrade certified cotton, and it ensures strict social standards are met in production and trading. Best of all, purchasing the clothing won’t make you cry over your bank balance! Find the range in sizes S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Sorella Organics.

The Ethical Silk Company

Rated: Good
Woman in ethical silky pants by The Ethical Silk Company

Mulberry Silk Lounge Pants – Ships internationally from Ireland

Silky soft for the at-home busy bee. The Ethical Silk Company is taking loungewear to new heights. The brand’s silk lounge pants are printed by hand using artisanal block printing techniques, creating slight imperfections in colour and patterns. These irregularities are celebrated as a sign of the garment’s handmade beauty and originality. You can find most pieces in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop The Ethical Silk Company.

The R Collective

Rated: Great
Sleek sustainable trousers by The R Collective

Bermondsey Pants in Houndstooth Upcycled Wool – Ships internationally from Hong Kong

The Bermondsey Pants are the epitome of timeless style. This limited edition piece is made using rescued textile waste and is beautifully crafted from monochrome houndstooth, which blends British heritage and modernity. It also features a belted high waist to define your silhouette and give you a sleek look. The R Collective always ensures the payment of a living wage in its supply chain, which is why we rated it ‘Great’! The garments are offered in two sizes: XS-S and M-L.

See the rating.

Shop The R Collective.

People Tree

Rated: Great
Sustainable Emerson Trousers by People Tree

Emerson Trousers – Ships internationally from the UK

Feeling drab from the constant dull shades of clothes? These vibrant, jade coloured straight-leg trousers are sure to remedy that! Made from 100% organic cotton, the Emerson Trousers feature a high-waisted, fitted style that slightly flares out along the leg. People Tree is pioneering sustainable pants and trousers. If these are too bright, no problem. The brand has a wide variety of trousers to choose from in UK sizes 6 to 18.

See the rating.

Shop People Tree UK.

Shop People Tree EU.

éclipse

Rated: Great
Woman in soft palazzo pants by éclipse

Palazzo Pants – Ships internationally from the US

éclipse’s palazzo pants are elegant, comfortable, and all wrapped up in an ultra-versatile style that goes with pretty much everything. No zippers, buttons or adjustments to make! éclipse creates climate control UPF 50+ clothing essentials and accessories to help keep the whole family sun safe. It manufactures locally to reduce its carbon footprint, and its entire product range is vegan-friendly! Products are stocked in sizes S-XL. Neat!

See the rating.

Shop éclipse.

LANIUS

Rated: Good
Ethical striped LANIUS trousers

Marlene Trousers with Stripes – Ships within Europe from Germany

Like linen, but different. Of course, we had to include another lightweight staple, except these trousers are made from hemp and organic cotton. Cotton and hemp are skin-friendly, temperature-regulating materials that create a firm, opaque woven structure when mixed. The look becomes an eye-catcher as a set with the matching striped blouse, but it also looks fantastic with any linen shirt of your choice. All LANIUS facilities are SA8000 certified, and it is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation. The brand’s pieces are available in EU sizes 34-44.

See the rating.

Shop LANIUS.

Jyoti – Fair Works

Rated: Good
Man in ethical trousers by Jyoti

Trousers BHUMI Pinstripes – Ships within Europe from Germany

Sometimes you just need a comfy sustainable trouser. These lightweight men’s trousers are loose-fitting and feature elastic waist and ankles for ultimate comfort. Whether in the office or in your free time, Jyoti’s range of trousers can be optimally combined for any situation. Truly embodying ethical fashion practices, this German company provides employment for marginalised or disadvantaged groups in India. Sizes available are S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Jyoti.

Näz

Rated: Good
Breathable pants by NAZ

Peniche Culottes – Ships worldwide from Portugal

Made ethically in Portugal, these sustainable pants are truly a hidden gem! The Peniche Culottes are made from 80% GOTS certified organic cotton and 20% linen and feature a high-waisted cut. Find hidden side pockets, as well as an elastic on the back to fit all body types. Most garments available in sizes S-L.

See the rating.

Shop Näz.

Seek Collective

Rated: Good
Sustainable billowy pants by Seek Collective

Savista Pants 2.0 in Cirrus Stripe – Ships worldwide from the US

Pandemic who? The Savista Pants by Seek Collective are bringing all the fun energy back to our wardrobes. Sustainably made in India using naturally dyed yarn, these breezies can be worn with a plain tee or the matching Megan Shirt. Find most products in XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Seek Collective.

Organique

Rated: Good
someone in straight leg trousers by Organique

Straight Leg Trousers – Ships worldwide from Portugal

Exclusively using plant-based, organic fabric these Straight Leg Trousers are the ultimate of style and comfort. For your work out, casual and lounging needs, these soft and natural pants are a perfect addition for your capsule wardrobe. Organique is a Portuguese athleisure brand made for the contemporary woman. It is entirely produced in a high-end local atelier and promotes slow fashion by designing with longevity in mind. Find the range in sizes S-L.

See the rating.

Shop Organique.

Stella McCartney

Rated: Good
Woman in sustainable fake leather pants by Stella McCartney

Fake Leather Straight Leg Pants – Ships worldwide from the UK

For our vegan friends or cruelty-free fashion lovers, these fake leather pants are sure to impress. If you’re looking for an edgier look without the ethical costs, Stella McCartney is here to deliver. A member of the Ethical Trading Initiative and Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Stella McCartney has set some excellent environmental standards across the luxury fashion industry. Stella uses some eco-friendly materials, including recycled polyester and organic cotton, and has a strategy to reduce waste across its entire supply chain. Find the collection in UK sizes 4-10.

See the rating.

Shop Stella McCartney @ LVR Sustainable.

Shop Stella McCartney @ Labell-D.

Shop Stella McCartney Kids Pre-Owned @ Retykle.

Shop Stella McCartney Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop Stella McCartney.

Well, that’s all, folks! We hope this guide provided some helpful hints on how to nail your ideal version of sustainable trousers and pants without needing to sacrifice your ethics in the process.

Editor's note

Feature image via A.BCH, 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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