One of the most common obstacles I hear about buying ethical fashion is that the price tag is too hefty for many budgets.
It’s easy for bloggers to ‘loose touch’ about how expensive clothes are when we often have bigger-than-normal budgets for clothing and are often gifted items through brand collaborations. The problem with that in the ethical fashion blogging space is that we (I) start presenting ethical fashion as something that may not always seem attainable for everyone.
While I do love following (often higher-priced) independent designers with a passion, I do believe ethical fashion is accessible to many budgets. There are many roads to an ethical closet, including loving and wearing what you already own, and shopping secondhand. But there are times you might be on the hunt for something new, or specific. I share a lot of Everlane on the blog; they’re known for their sleek designs and accessible prices. It’s no secret they’re a favorite of mine (you can see my picks here). But today I wanted to share some items from other brands that I’m loving too.
1 // Mylene V-Neck in Spice, Amour Vert, Made in the USA. $68 – Beautiful and drapey in the most gorgeous color.
2 // Sorrento Earrings, ABLE, Made in Nashville, TN, USA. $48 – I’m a sucker for a simple statement earring. I love the color these would add to an outfit, especially my favorite staple, a white t-shirt.
3 // The Clara Blouse in Peach Bloom, Suunday, Made in LA. $86 – I have had this top in my cart more than once. I am a sucker for gauzy fabric and this color.
4 // En France Tee, Loup, Made in NYC. $55 – This would be super cute with wide leg pants, or tucked into a long, casual skirt.
5 // Fawcett High Waist Crop Jeans, Reformation, Made in the USA. $76.80 – These remind me of a pair of jeans I have and love from Able (which are no longer available). The combo of the high waist and the wide leg is hard to beat!
6 // Francoise Stretch Jersey Top, Amour Vert, Made in the USA. $78 – Love this top so much. I plan to buy it when my thrifted version wears out.
7 // Clark Tee, Reformation, Made in the USA. $58 – This is a slightly more hip take on the classic striped tee, with a nod to the ’90s.
8 // Vie 3/4 Sleeve Top in Spice, Amour Vert, Made in the USA. $98 – Love the soft drape (and color!) of this top.
9 // Crop Jeans, Reformation, Made in the USA. $58.80 – I have these and wear them all the time! They are soft and stretchy with a bit of a vintage vibe. The large leg opening is my favorite part; it creates a modern look with anything it’s paired with! Looks super cute with boots tucked underneath.
10 // Varsity Sweatshirt Shell, Tradlands, responsibly made in Shanghai. $69 – This looks cozy and incredibly versatile. Think: paired with vintage jeans for weekend soccer games, casual hiking, or out to brunch.
11 // Rose Sandal, ABLE, responsibly made in Brazil. $98 – Slip on shoes in the summer are my favorite thing. These would look super cute with faded jeans, any sort of white dress and, of course, cut-offs.
12 // Sweet Thing Tee, made in the USA. $55 – I’ve been loving subtle graphic tees lately, they are a fun way to add an extra level of interest to basic items in my closet.
This list barely begins to scratch the surface of what’s out there. This compilation is inspired by colors, tones and shapes that I love. For further shopping see my Where to Shop page. Or check out my friend Leah’s.
This post is not sponsored, but it does contain affiliate links. This means if you see something you like and decide to make a purchase, Seasons + Salt will make a small commission at no extra charge to you.
This is a great post; thanks so much for rounding these up! I am just dipping my toes into ethical fashion, but am on a pretty tight budget, so this is a great guide!
Yeah! I’m so glad to hear this Kathryn. I will try and make this a regular thing!
Ah!! Thank you so much! I’ve been so bummed when I’ve clicked through on some of your gorgeous pieces only to be confronted with a single item that’s my whole grocery budget for the month haha! Keep up the good work and happy Tuesday!
Oye, I am sure you’re not the only one Jessie. Sometimes I don’t even know if I am my own ‘target audience!’ I am always extremely grateful for the sartorial opportunities this blog brings me. But I also want to keep more than one budget in mind. I might try sharing something like this quarterly if I can!
I second that–thank you for the more accessible options! (If anyone wants my two cents, it also helps to bookmark/low-key stalk items that you like at more expensive brands, as some of them–like Amour Vert–have good sales. I just got a jumpsuit at Amour Vert that I’d been eyeing for AGES for like 60% off during their sample sale!) Also, I appreciate your efforts to avoid losing touch with your readers. (TBH, if I had a nickle for every time a blogger, ethical or otherwise, said that a piece they were gifted is “worth the price,” I would have enough money to buy all the Elizabeth Suzann I wanted.)
OMG, the last part of your comment made me laugh out loud! >< That is a great tip, 'stalking' items. Love it!
I love that so many of these are Made in USA! Great job, Andrea!!–they are still pretty expensive, but I love the idea of supporting jobs and fashion made here at home. Thanks!!
I find lots of great deals searching “Made in America” at Nordstrom Rack*… Your website is a pleasure! Thanks!
*I’ll double check that the company operates responsibly before purchasing, and sometimes they do mark clothes incorrectly, but they have easy returns.