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10 Sustainable Brands That Are Just as Good as Zara

Who says eco-friendly fashion can't be stylish?

Last Updated on April 18, 2023

Love Zara’s designs but want a sustainable alternative?

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been looking for smaller alternatives to the high street giant in a bid to become a little more eco-friendly.

READ MORE: Is Zara Ethical and Sustainable?

I absolutely love Zara, but it gets pretty tiresome owning pretty much the exact same wardrobe as all my friends. Not only that, but when it comes to sustainability, the brand has a long way to go.

models wear Lucy & Yak rompers
Lucy & Yak

They might be working to improve their sustainability and ethics, but we all know that fast fashion can’t ever be good for the planet. Zara is not quite as damaging on our planet as Shein, but still.

The fashion industry produces an unbelievable 100 billion items of clothing every single year.

That goes some way to explaining how it accounts for an estimated 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 20% of wastewater.

Much of the clothing produced by fast fashion is made from polyster, as it’s cheap and easy to wash. However a shirt made from the fabric produces over double the carbon dioxide than the same item made from cotton, and 70 million barrels of oil are used to make polyester fibres in our clothes every year.

READ MORE: Does Zara Take Old Clothes? Everything You Need To Know About the Clothes Collection Programme

So what can we do? Making small changes is a good start, such as finding alternatives to your favourite fast fashion stores.

There’s an abundance of slow fashion brands popping up, and while they may cost you a little more than Zara, you can rest assured you’re getting good quality, durable and timeless pieces that will last you forever.

Looking for inspiration? Here are 10 sustainable fashion brands you’ll love just as much as Zara.

Wear Next may receive a small commission if you click a link from one of our articles onto a retail website and make a purchase.

Omnes

Start by supporting local businesses, such as Omnes. The brand has made a name for itself in the sustainable fashion industry for its über-stylish yet eco-friendly designs, designed right here in the UK.

They only work with fabric producers that have been approved by top environmental groups, so you can rest assured that you’re getting good quality pieces that don’t harm the planet.

omnes.com

Nova Tie Back Dress in Coral from Omnes

Nova Tie Back Dress in Coral, £85, Omnes – buy now

Cinnamon Relaxed Trousers in Navy from Omnes

Cinnamon Relaxed Trousers in Navy, £59, Omnes – buy now

Ambretta Top in Pink with Orange Trim from Omnes

Ambretta Top in Pink with Orange Trim, £39, Omnes – buy now

Molby the Label

Karina Molby’s made-to-order dresses have been worn by the likes of Holly Willoughby, Louise Thompson and Vicky Pattison, while influencers can’t get enough of them.

If you love colourful prints and feminine dresses, you’re going to love her designs too.

molbythelabel.com

Alice Dress in Ivory Lace from Molby the Label

Alice Dress in Ivory Lace, £245, Molby the Label – buy now

Stevie Dress in Embroidered Floral Tulle from Molby the Label

Stevie Dress in Embroidered Floral Tulle, £195, Molby the Label – buy now

Delilah Dress in Tangerine Wave from Molby the Label

Delilah Dress in Tangerine Wave, £145, Molby the Label – buy now

READ MORE: Meet The Maker: Karina Molby from Molby The Label

House of Sunny

With celebrity fans including Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid, House of Sunny is perhaps one of the most coveted sustainable fashion brands on the planet.

It all started with the now famous Hockney dress, which Kendall pretty much singlehandedly made famous.

There’s certainly no beige here. HoS don’t shy away from colour and patterns, so maximalists will love their pieces.

houseofsunny.co.uk

Sliced Lemons Skirt from House of Sunny

Sliced Lemons Skirt, £67, House of Sunny – buy now

Waterloo Peggy Vol.3 from House of Sunny

Waterloo Peggy Vol.3, £98, House of Sunny – buy now

The Aqua from House of Sunny

The Aqua, £110, House of Sunny – buy now

Lucy & Yak

Brighton-based brand Lucy & Yak specialise in dungarees and boilersuits in a bold array of patterns, but their range has expanded in recent years and there’s very little they don’t do now.

Their size range has expanded too and now their pieces are available up to size 32.

lucyandyak.com

Josy Vest Top in Alora from Lucy & Yak

Josy Vest Top in Alora, £23, Lucy & Yak – buy now

Riley Jumpsuit in Mid Wash Blue from Lucy & Yak

Riley Jumpsuit in Mid Wash Blue, £64, Lucy & Yak – buy now

Alexa Trousers in Black from Lucy & Yak

Alexa Trousers in Black, £39, Lucy & Yak – buy now

Asket

Prefer to keep it simple? Try Asket.

Rather than constantly creating more, they have a permanent collection of basics. Think tees, sweaters and jeans.

If your item gets damaged, they’ll repair it. If you’re done with it, they’ll buy it back.

asket.com

The Standard Jeans in Stone Wash from Asket

The Standard Jeans in Stone Wash, £125, Asket – buy now

The T-Shirt in White from Asket

The T-Shirt in White, £35, Asket – buy now

The Wool Cardigan in Brown Melange from Asket

The Wool Cardigan in Brown Melange, £155, Asket – buy now

Damson Madder

They might be the new kid on the block, but you’re about to see a lot more of Damson Madder.

Every item is made using organic cotton, recycled and re-purposed fabrics, and everything is ethically sourced.

While eco-friendly garments used to mean beige and bamboo, Damson Madder are doing things differently. Their bold retro prints have won them legions of fans already – me included.

damsonmadder.com

Pia Midi Dress In Pink & Green Floral from Damson Madder

Pia Midi Dress In Pink & Green Floral, £85, Damson Madder – buy now

Zadie Shirred Tie Shoulder Top X Hollie Mercedes from Damson Madder

Zadie Shirred Tie Shoulder Top X Hollie Mercedes, £45, Damson Madder – buy now

Quilted Tote Bag With Wiggle Edge In Leopard Print from Damson Madder

Quilted Tote Bag With Wiggle Edge In Leopard Print, now £50, Damson Madder – buy now

Reformation

Reformation needs no introduction, but we’ll try.

What started as a vintage brand has become one of the most popular sustainable fashion brands in the world.

Now they create feminine and versatile pieces using low-impact materials, rescued deadstock fabrics, and repurposed vintage clothing.

thereformation.com

Lilou Knit Dress in Citrus or Ochre from Reformation

Lilou Knit Dress in Citrus or Ochre, £200, Reformation – buy now

Lexi High Rise Wide Leg Jeans in Ivory from Reformation

Lexi High Rise Wide Leg Jeans in Ivory, £178, Reformation – buy now

Rayna Closed Toe Clog from Reformation

Rayna Closed Toe Clog, £335, Reformation – buy now

Pangaia

Loungewear just got a very stylish update.

If Pangaia’s tracksuits, tees and outerwear in colour pop hues weren’t enough to convince you to invest, perhaps their commitment to sustainability will.

pangaia.com

Organic Cotton Tailored Trousers in Pistachio from  Pangaia

Organic Cotton Tailored Trousers in Pistachio, £150, Pangaia – buy now

365 Sweatshirt - Pastel Tones in Sakura Pink from Pangaia

365 Sweatshirt – Pastel Tones in Sakura Pink, £115, Pangaia – buy now

Recycled Cotton Stripe Boxy T-Shirt in Navy Blue from Pangaia

Recycled Cotton Stripe Boxy T-Shirt in Navy Bluem £65, Pangaia – buy now

Stella McCartney

Yes, Stella McCartney will set you back more than Zara – but you know you’re getting good quality, long-lasting and considered clothing.

The designer doesn’t use fur, feathers, leather or animal skin – a commitment she made right from the brand’s launch in 2001.

stellamccartney.com

Frayme Ryder Medium Flap Shoulder Bag from Stella McCartney

Frayme Ryder Medium Flap Shoulder Bag, £1,095, Stella McCartney – buy now

S-Wave Tape Crop Top from Stella McCartney

S-Wave Tape Crop Top, £225, Stella McCartney – buy now

Skyla Chain Platform Sandals from Stella McCartney

Skyla Chain Platform Sandals, £805, Stella McCartney – buy now

Cro-che

Crochet is a huge hit this season, but it’s also a very impressive skill to have. Crocheting an item, whether it’s a dress or a blanket, takes a lot longer than you think, but it’s eco-friendly as there’s very little waste leftover in the process.

The UK-based brand Chro-che has won legions of fans for its colourful and retro designs, including none other than Dua Lipa.

chro-che.com

Reet Petite Dress from Cro-che

Reet Petite Dress, £205, Cro-che – buy now

Baby Love Dress in Green from Cro-che

Baby Love Dress in Green, £252, Cro-che – buy now

Winged Butterfly Top in Blue from Cro-che

Winged Butterfly Top in Blue, £65.50 – buy now

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