10 High Quality Clothing Brands That Are Affordable Too
The Good Trade editors endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here.
We’ve researched and tested our favorite sustainable fashion brands for the best quality clothing at the most affordable prices — these are our top picks.
Fast fashion is easy for consumers because it’s just that: Fast and inexpensive. Lasting for only a season or so, it’s easy for us to end up with clothes that tatter and rip after a few wears. And when it comes to ethical and sustainable fashion, we know the price tags for quality pieces can be daunting. But while these brands are ‘more affordable,’ sustainable fashion still costs more than fast fashion because of sustainable fabrics, fair labor wages, and a slower, higher-quality approach across the entire supply chain. Check out our article to understand more about why sustainable fashion is so expensive.
Why do sustainable materials and production practices mean better quality?
Clothing made with sustainable materials is more durable and of higher quality than clothing made from non-sustainable fabrics. For example, organic cotton is known to be a lot stronger than conventional cotton, meaning you might find your organic cotton shirt keeping its integrity well throughout its wears and washes! You may also notice that garments made with sustainable, high-quality fibers retain their color and don’t pill as easily. Sustainable manufacturing processes usually involve better craftsmanship of each clothing item, which can reduce these instances of wear and tear and prevent clothes from being sent to the landfill.
And what if a clothing item does gets damaged and needs some extra care? Sustainable fashion items are often easier to mend and repair due to their use of premium fabrics. You might even find some brands will repair the item for you for free or a small fee!
Can sustainable clothing lead to a more polished look?
Yes! Timeless and versatile designs are prioritized so that each garment can be worn for a variety of seasons and settings. Attention to detail in the design and construction of sustainable clothing also leads to a better-tailored fit, a luxe feel, and finer details and stitching throughout each piece, adding to the overall appeal and sophistication of sustainable clothing. With high-quality fabrics and styles that never go out of style, sustainable clothing will keep you looking your best for less.
That’s why we’re sharing sustainable clothing brands that make shopping for ethical clothing a more affordable experience. Buying fewer, more quality items is ultimately a more affordable and sustainable option. With a little planning, this kind of thoughtful spending can go a long way in supporting sustainable fashion that makes us feel and look good without breaking the bank in the long run.
Our criteria:
Our editors have personally tried multiple garments from all of the brands we’ve included — as well as dozens of other sustainable fashion brands. We’ve selected the brands below because they’re sustainable, high-quality, and affordable, based on our research and wear. We regularly include new favorite brands when they meet the following criteria.
- HIGH QUALITY | Each one of these brands uses quality materials and manufactures items that are made to last and look great during wear.
- SUSTAINABLE | The brands on this list use thoughtful labor and production practices and prioritize recycled and natural ingredients, leading to a better overall product.
- AFFORDABLE | All the brands below offer fair pricing while maintaining the integrity of their sustainable production processes. We look for brands that offer products starting below $50, and have a much lower price per wear because of their durability.
These are some of the best affordable clothing brands out there and some of the most ethical ones, so you can feel good about what your dollars are supporting.
For even more affordable and sustainable clothing options, check out our guide to vintage and secondhand clothing shops online. And if you’re making the shift to a completely ethical wardrobe, add a few responsibly made shoes, vintage jewelry, and eco-friendly purses, too!
Best Overall | Most Size-Inclusive | Most Sustainable
1. Pact
Best For | Adult basics (tees, undies, maternity)
Size Range | Women’s XS – 3XL, men’s S – XL
Price | Women’s tees starting at $24, men’s tees starting at $28
If you’re on the hunt for super-soft basics that are also fair trade, look no further than Pact. The brand sells organic clothing for everyone in the family, toddlers and babies included. Plus, they’re universally comfortable and made for layering, ideal for year-round wear. Given the affordable price point, high quality, and eco-friendly packaging, a purchase from Pact is sure to be a win — and when you’re done, you can send it back to Pact to give to those in need with its Give Back Box® program.
Our Editor’s Review | “Pact’s leggings are tight, the way the best kind of hug makes you feel safe and calm instead of squeezed and breathless. They are super soft, like baby skin soft, which means I want to wear them for my morning run, the walk to the dog park, the carpool, the grocery store, sitting at my desk, making dinner, and lounging on the sofa. I’m hard-pressed to find a reason why I should ever take them off. The colors don’t fade with washing and don’t lose elasticity. They don’t sag or bag or clench or smoosh; they hold and shape without being see-through or overly revealing, and yes, I think they even make my butt look good.” – Trinity Wilbourn, Contributing Editor [Read our full review.]
2. Quince
Best For | Elevated basics
Size Range | Women’s XS – XL, men’s XS – XXL
Price | Women’s tees starting at $15, men’s tees starting at $40
Quince believes everyone should be able to afford the best, so the brand has set out to make luxurious pieces at accessible price points. The team responsibly sources sustainable materials like organic cotton, Mulberry silk, and cashmere to create stylish designs that last. Quince transparently shares about its partner factories, including wages and working conditions, and is BSCI and Bluesign® certified.
Our Editor’s Review | “If you want to create a responsible, minimalist wardrobe without spending thousands of dollars, Quince is the shop for you. Their price point can’t be beat when looking for sustainable essentials even if they might not last forever.” – Courtney Jay Higgins, Contributing Editor [Read our full review.]
3. Everlane
Best For | Modern essentials (casual, workwear, outerwear, denim)
Size Range | Women’s XXS – XXXL, men’s XS – XXL
Price | Tees starting at $30
Making a positive impact through fashion isn’t easy — fortunately Everlane is paving the way by creating high-quality, timeless pieces sourced from ethical factories worldwide. The brand prioritizes transparency throughout their supply chain by sharing the true costs behind their products, and in turn, cutting out traditional retail markups so you can enjoy sustainable fashion at reasonable prices. With a commitment to fair wages and eco-friendly practices, Everlane aims to make supporting sustainable fashion as easy as reaching for your favorite t-shirt.
Customer Review | “Everyone should have a few white t-shirts, correct? This is better than the ones in your wardrobe right now…enjoy!” – ChrisB06405 (Read all reviews.)
4. Reformation
Best For | Occasion dresses and denim
Size Range | Women’s XS – 3X; denim 23 – 31
Price | Women’s tees starting at $45
Reformation is tackling denim waste and prioritizing sustainable and ethical practices, including safe and fair working conditions as part of its efforts. The brand is making affordable denim (with some options made in the USA) available to everyone — and it’s doing so with only a third of the water used by comparable companies. With dozens of styles, this is the place to find sustainable and fashion-forward jeans for your capsule wardrobe. (See more sustainable jeans here).
5. Boden
Best For | Workwear, dresses, investment pieces
Size Range | Women’s XS – XL
Price | Women’s tees starting at $28
Boden is one of the most-loved sustainable British brands. The company, which was founded more than 30 years ago, is renowned for its ethical and expansive sustainable clothing collection. With fair trade production following the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code, customers local and abroad can shop for the whole family. Boden offers worldwide shipping options for its adult, children, and baby apparel. The clothes even ship in recycled (and recyclable) packaging. Say hi to your new favorite pieces.
Customer Review | “I’ve searched, long and hard, for a t-shirt that fits my petite frame. I’m delighted with this purchase. The scoop neckline is perfect as it isn’t too low, sleeves are a nice length and fit is ideal. Nice quality material too.” – Chris3366 (Read all reviews.)
6. tentree
Best For | Graphic tees, activewear, outerwear
Size Range | Women’s XS – XXL, men’s S – XXL
Price | Tees starting at $40
tentree is rooted in the belief that we have a responsibility to protect and preserve the world we live in. This earth-first apparel brand celebrates its commitment to our planet with ethically crafted and sustainably designed products, all while planting 10 trees for each item purchased. With a motto of ‘buy one, plant ten,’ tentree believes that you don’t have to be a hardcore environmentalist to make a difference. The brand has now planted over 100 million trees around the world and is well on the way to its goal of planting one billion by 2030.
Our Editor’s Review | “The first thing I thought when I pulled this set out of the bag was how silky and soft the pieces were. They feel thin yet durable…Because of their size, I wouldn’t workout in these. Instead, I’d rather wear them for hiking and walking — and will definitely wear them often for those activities!…Overall though, I love the color and the lightweight softness that’ll be great for summer.” – Courtney Jay Higgens
The Good Trade Partner
7. Yes Friends
Best For | Fair Trade basics
Size Range | 3XS – 4XL
Price | Tees starting at $16
Yes Friends Fair Trade basics are not only high-quality and sustainably made, they’re highly affordable! With tees starting at $16 and hoodies at $40, you’ll be able to buy quality premium clothes without hurting your wallet. Even better, each piece is made using organic cotton in ethical and sustainable factories. Yes Friends is able to keep their costs low while still paying their workers more than a living wage through their pioneering bonus program and large-quantity purchases. A win-win!
Customer Review | “Amazing quality, amazing service, thank you so much for providing ethical and sustainable fashion items! Thanks to the whole staff for their awesome job !!❤️🤍“ – Leila E. (Read all reviews.)
8. Girlfriend Collective
Best For | Size-inclusive activewear
Size Range | Women’s XXS – 6XL
Price | Women’s tees starting at $36
We love Girlfriend Collective for its line of inclusive, sustainable, and affordable activewear. With sizes ranging from XXS through 6XL, the brand offers bras, shorts, leggings, and more made out of recycled materials — like old water bottles and fishing nets. This brand makes its clothes in Vietnamese factories, where workers are given safe conditions, fair wages, and standard working hours. GC also launched the ReGirlfriend initiative to recycle old pieces and you’ll receive site credit as a thank you. We’re on board!
Our Editor’s Review | “The first Girlfriend Collective set I got years ago is still one of my top go-tos. It makes me feel cool and supported while working out. For this review, I wanted to try my first-ever workout unitard: The Black Scoop Unitard. You could wear this baby for just about any workout and feel like everything is held in place. But, I ordered a small and I wish I’d sized up. The bust is a bit tight on me and feels a little tight on the shoulders. I’m hoping with some more wear it’ll stretch and form to my body a more. The thick, moisture-wicking fabric is great for high-intensity training and sweating.” – Courtney Jay Higgins, Contributing Editor
9. Kotn
Best For | Loungewear
Size Range | XXS – XXL
Price | Tees starting at $38
Known for its soft and remarkably breathable Egyptian cotton apparel, Kotn makes some of our favorite wardrobe staples in a fair and safe environment. Working directly with farmers, the brand pays fair prices for cotton and assists suppliers in making the switch to BCI certified organic, while giving back to Egyptian communities. With affordable basics and cozy loungewear (we love the classic white tees and ribbed bottoms), Kotn is crafted with quality and comfort in mind. So long, ratty tees. 👋
Our Editor’s Review | “Kotn feels like a well-kept secret of the sustainable fashion world. Before this review, I’d seen a fashion-forward friend donning palazzo shorts and structured tanks, and wondered — where does she shop? and could I pull off that look? Well, it was all available for me at Kotn, and at really accessible prices for how considered the designs and materials are.” – Ashley D’Arcy [Read our full review.]
10. Organic Basics
Best For | Organic loungewear & intimates
Size Range | Women’s XXS – XXL, men’s S – XXL
Price | Tees starting at $30
Headquartered in Copenhagen, Organic Basics is all about creating Earth- and people-friendly basics. They focus on using recycled, organic, and plant-based materials, ensuring their products are as sustainable as possible, while also being inclusive in sizing and pricing. By partnering with like-minded factories and donating 1% of every order to environmental initiatives, Organic Basics makes sustainability a part of everyday fashion. Pro tip — shop their last chance sale for quality basics at affordable prices!
Customer Review | “Such a great place to buy new basics with a good feeling knowing you support fair trade and organic production in all ways! 🙂” – Zenia L. (Read all reviews.)
Featured image is by Courtney Jay Higgins wearing Quince.
