No one wants to wear dirty clothes, but you might be doing it without even knowing.
I’m not talking about spaghetti stains or sweat marks – I’m talking about the toxic pesticides and chemicals used to grow cotton that then becomes the shirt on your back.
The negative impacts these chemicals extend far beyond our closets; they impact our health, the well-being of the farmers who cultivate these crops, and the fragile balance of our environment
Luckily, we have a better option available – organic cotton. Cultivated without the use of harmful chemicals, organic cotton offers a sustainable solution to the soft, comfortable clothing we all cherish.
As conscious fashion gains momentum, more brands are embracing the virtues of organic cotton. Drawing from personal experience, customer feedback, and an in-depth exploration of each brand’s ethical and sustainable practices, I’ve curated a selection of my favorite brands prioritizing this eco-friendly material.
The 7 Best Organic Clothing Brands in 2024
1. MATE the Label
Activewear, Intimates, and Loungewear
MATE the Label was started by founder Kayti O’Connell Car who, after learning of the harmful impacts of fast fashion and poor quality materials, decided to dedicate her brand to high quality, organic cotton wardrobe staples. MATE the label focuses on comfortable, sustainable basics and are one of the best organic clothing brands today.
Key Benefits
- Soft, durable pieces
- Classic styles
- Made with non-toxic, organic materials
Price Range
$38-$138
2. Pact
Basics, Intimates, Sleep & Loungewear
Pact balances high-quality, organic cotton clothing with affordability. They offer a wide variety of underwear, bras, and comfy clothes, all made from GOTS certified organic cotton. Their pieces are easy to care for, soft, and well made and made using Fair Trade labor.
Key Benefits
- Wide variety of colors, patterns and styles all made with non-toxic materials and dyes
- Wide range of apparel, from athleisure wear to casual streetwear
- Also offers organic bedding and towels
Price Range
$20-$150
3. Harvest & Mill
Basics, Loungewear
Harvest & Mill is an organic cotton sustainable clothing brand that works with farmers, mills, and factories that are entirely located in the USA. Being closer to their supply chain means they can keep a closer eye on the quality of their products as well as the ethical and sustainable impacts of their production. They also use 100% organic cotton, and prioritize the use of natural dyes, making them one of the best organic clothing brands.
Key Benefits
- Minimalist styles
- Matching sweat sets
- Soft color options
Price Range
$30-$105
4. Nudie Jeans
Jeans, Casual Wear
This Swedish brand has been pioneering sustainable fashion since 2001. Their high-quality denim uses organic cotton, and is made to be your “forever jeans.” I purchased my pair of Nudie jeans two years ago and am including them on this list for a reason – though they are definitely an investment piece with a higher price tag, the quality of these denim jeans is unparalleled.
Key Benefits
- High-quality, premium organic cotton products
- Numerous repair shops to get your pair mended when needed
Price Range
$150-$200 for jeans and apparel (excluding outerwear)
5. LA Relaxed
Women’s wear
LA Relaxed offers a variety of comfortable, boho-inspired organic cotton clothing that is comfortable and chic. They embrace a number of sustainable fashion principles in addition to using organic materials, such as local sourcing and using a limited run business model that limits overproduction, therefore minimizing waste.
Key Benefits
- Chic yet comfortable styles
- Ranging variety of casual/ formal styles
Price Range:
$50-$150
6. Organic Basics
Undergarments & basics
Organic Basics creates essentials, like organic cotton underwear, tank tops and leggings, out of eco-friendly and organic materials. They also prioritize manufacturing methods that are low waste and low-impact. Organic Basics are designed in Copenhagen and produced through ethical partnerships with factories that are carefully chosen to ensure their practices align with Organic Basic’s values of fair pay and fair treatment of their garment workers.
Key Benefits
- Soft yet supportive bras
- Relaxed and cozy lounge styles
- Gender neutral options
Price Range:
$20-50
7. Yes Friends
T-shirts, fleeces and sweatshirts/hoodies
This ethical label was started by a small team who had a dream of creating ethical clothing that was also affordable. With community being a central value to their brand, they’ve prioritized getting feedback from consumers to create products that truly resonate. Today, they sell organic cotton t-shirts, tank tops, fleeces, sweatshirts, hoodies, beanies and underwear, all made in a factory that is fair trade, solar powered, and prioritizes fair wages to workers.
Key Benefits
- Affordable
- Easy to care for
- Classic fit and styles
Pricing Range
$15-55
FAQ
How do I know that it’s really organic?
Not all products labeled “organic” are created equal. If a brand simply lists that it is “made with organic materials,” there’s a good chance that only a small percentage of the garment’s fibers are organic, and the rest are conventional.
GOTS Certification
To ensure you’re buying from the best organic clothing brands of the highest quality, look for the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) Certification, which ensures:
- At least 70% of the garment is made from organic materials (this allows for use of synthetic materials like elastic which are often necessary)
- The company adheres to ethical principles,
What sustainable alternatives to organic clothing?
Since “organic” refers to how the fiber was treated in the growing process, only natural fibers can be considered organic, such as cotton, hemp, or linen.
Synthetic or semi-synthetic materials, such as bamboo lyocell, though sometimes made from natural materials, undergo chemical processes to be made into a textile, and therefore cannot be considered “organic.” But, that doesn’t mean these fabrics must be skipped all together.
Often, these synthetic or semi-synthetic fabrics are used in athletic wear and swimwear to provide benefits like stretch and water resistance. While synthetic materials, such as polyester or nylon, are typically made from crude oil and are not environmentally friendly, there are synthetic options that are better than others. For example, bamboo lyocell is a semi-synthetic material that is made using cellulose from bamboo, and offers many of the same benefits of typical synthetics.
Wrapping Up
Making the switch to organic clothing is a small yet impactful step towards a more sustainable and responsible fashion industry. By choosing organic clothing, you not only enhance your wardrobe but also contribute to a brighter and cleaner future for our planet.
