Sustainable fashion means different things to different people.
For some, it's about choosing natural, organic fibers. For others, it's about giving discarded materials a second life, protecting the people who make our clothes, or simply buying fewer things and wearing them longer.
We believe all of these approaches have something valuable to contribute.
At Fair Indigo, we've spent years pursuing our own vision of sustainable clothing: exceptionally well-made garments, thoughtfully designed to last, using organic Peruvian Pima cotton and produced by people treated with dignity and respect.
Naturally, we're a little biased. We believe the clothing we make is among the very best examples of what sustainable fashion can be. But we're hardly alone in trying to make the apparel industry better.
1. Fair Indigo — For natural-fiber clothing, made to last
We believe the most sustainable piece of clothing is one you'll love wearing for years. That's why we focus on timeless designs, exceptional organic Peruvian Pima cotton, and ethical manufacturing. From the farmers who grow our cotton to the skilled people who sew our garments, we believe everyone deserves to be treated fairly. Our goal isn't to convince you to buy more clothing. It's to help you buy better clothing that lasts longer.
2. Patagonia — For a modern take on an old-school idea - repairing your clothes
Patagonia has long challenged the idea that clothing should be disposable. Through its Worn Wear program, the company encourages customers to repair, reuse, and trade in their gear rather than replace it unnecessarily. Patagonia also supports environmental activism and continues working to improve its materials and manufacturing practices. We especially admire a company willing to tell its customers that sometimes the best purchase is no purchase at all.
3. Allbirds — For rethinking shoes
Making shoes sustainably is no small challenge. Allbirds has helped rethink traditional footwear by incorporating materials such as wool, tree fibers, and sugarcane-based components into its designs. The company also examines the environmental impact of manufacturing, transportation, and product care. We appreciate its willingness to question the materials that have traditionally dominated the footwear industry.
4. Girlfriend Collective — For giving plastic a second life
What if discarded plastic could become something useful? Girlfriend Collective has built its activewear collections around recycled materials, including post-consumer plastic waste. Its leggings, sports bras, and other performance essentials demonstrate one approach to reducing demand for virgin synthetic fibers. While we personally favor natural fibers for everyday clothing, we appreciate the effort to rethink the materials used in performance apparel.
5. Subset — For better everyday underwear
Underwear may be one of the smallest items in our wardrobes, but it presents some big sustainability challenges. Subset specializes in organic cotton intimates and has developed a recycling program to help keep worn-out underwear and other textiles out of landfills. Its 2025 impact report says the company has surpassed two million items recycled. We admire its focus on making everyday essentials more responsibly, from the materials they're made with to what happens when they're no longer wearable.
6. PACT — For making organic cotton more accessible
PACT has helped bring organic cotton clothing to a wider audience, offering everything from underwear and everyday basics to dresses and loungewear. With an emphasis on GOTS-certified organic cotton and Fair Trade Certified manufacturing, the brand demonstrates that environmentally and socially responsible clothing can be accessible to more people. We appreciate PACT's commitment to making organic cotton a mainstream choice rather than a niche alternative.
7. Cotopaxi — For turning leftover fabric into something beautiful
One of our favorite examples of creative sustainability comes from Cotopaxi. Its colorful Del Día bags are made from leftover fabrics that might otherwise go unused. The result? One-of-a-kind backpacks and accessories that celebrate individuality while reducing textile waste. We love the idea that sustainability doesn't always require inventing something new. Sometimes it's about finding a better use for what already exists.
8. tentree — For connecting clothing with reforestation
Canadian apparel brand tentree has built its identity around a simple idea: plant ten trees for every item purchased. Beyond its tree-planting initiatives, the company emphasizes more responsibly sourced materials and environmental accountability. We appreciate its efforts to connect everyday purchasing decisions with broader environmental restoration, while recognizing that planting trees is only one part of building a sustainable apparel industry.
9. EILEEN FISHER — For giving clothing another life
EILEEN FISHER has been an influential voice in sustainable fashion for decades. One of its most interesting initiatives is Renew, a program that takes back previously worn EILEEN FISHER clothing, then resells, recycles, or transforms those garments. It's a practical demonstration of an idea we strongly believe in: well-made clothing should have a long life, potentially with more than one owner.
10. MATE the Label — For putting cleaner materials first
MATE the Label believes that what we put against our skin matters just as much as how our clothing looks and feels. The California-based brand emphasizes organic and regenerative fibers, safer dyes, and thoughtfully made everyday essentials. From organic cotton activewear to cozy sweats, MATE is helping raise awareness about the chemicals and synthetic materials commonly found in clothing. We admire its commitment to making cleaner, more natural clothing a priority for both people and the planet.
A more sustainable wardrobe starts with thoughtful choices
No clothing brand is perfect, including ours. Every garment requires resources to produce, transport, and care for.
But we believe progress matters.
Whether it's choosing organic fibers, supporting fair working conditions, recycling discarded materials, or simply making clothing that lasts longer, each of these brands is contributing something worthwhile.
And perhaps the most sustainable choice of all is also the simplest: buy thoughtfully, choose quality, and wear what you own for as long as possible.