I recently participated in a public interview for a virtual zero waste conference and thought I was ready for audience questions when one had me stumped. Where can men shop for sustainable clothing?
Things are changing now, but for a while the conversation around slow fashion and sustainable style left a lot of people out; Black people, people of colour, the LGBTQ community, people of different abilities and sizes, and I think we can add men to that list too. I’ve done a little digging to identify some sustainable and ethical clothing options for men and was pleased with what I found!
Shop Secondhand First
Of course, I can’t start a list about sustainable fashion without secondhand options. In my opinion, secondhand clothing is still my favourite sustainable clothing option for men and women because it is not using virgin resources and thus has a lower carbon footprint. Circular fashion needs to play a bigger role in how we create a sustainable fashion future so secondhand, vintage and thrift options are always my starting point.
This secondhand marketplace is perfect for athleisure and streetwear but you can also find some good basics and classics as well. And once you’re ready to move on from items in your own closet, you can sell them here too!
I have yet to purchase something from Asos Marketplace but there is always a bevy of great options on here. They’ve got a mens section! It’s contemporary and more street focused, and there is a wonderful curation of men’s vintage too.
I love shopping second hand on Vestiaire Collective and their men’s selection does not disappoint either. I love how you can really narrow down your search too – from watch mechanism to hat size. They clearly know their market.
Sustainable Clothing for Men
For basics made mostly in – you guessed it – cotton, this is an awesome sustainable Canadian fashion company and Certified B Corp. The cuts are simple and clean, colours are neutral and versatile. This is the first stop for your basics – I’m a big fan of their simple crewneck in this oatmeal colour.
This is a really cool Swedish brand that has been featured in Forbes, and I love their upscale basics – beautiful classic knitwear, chinos, and shirts – I also love their colour ways. They also share a very candid traceability for each of their products.
Another Swedish brand which I’ve loved for a very long time, Nudie jeans use organic cotton and are a cult-favourite for those who love raw denim. They’re the ultimate cool – like these pale blue skinnies, but what I love most about them is their robust disclosure of sustainability practices as well as offering repair services and kits, so you can continue to rewear and repurpose your jeans.
If raw denim isn’t your thing, check out Outland Denim. This Australia based company is a Certified B Corp with a holistic approach to making low-impact jeans while also making a positive impact on the people who work with them. I love these slim tapered in a deep Indigo – perfect for every occasion.
Thought clothing uses responsible sourcing and ethical practices to create pieces with more personality than basics. Here you’ll find prints and interesting cuts if you’re looking for ethically made clothing with a bit more punch!
I’m a sucker for good shoes, so this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning at least one shoe company. More slow fashion vs. eco-friendly, this Australian shoe company makes their goods to order and each pair is handcrafted. Their classic chelsea boots are a timeless menswear staple, in my opinion. There are repair services too so you can maintain and repurpose your shoes year after year.
This list really only scratches the surface, after a bit of research I was able to find MANY ethical and sustainable menswear companies. This is so heartening – the more people who are shopping with the planet in mind, the better. I hope you find this list helpful and thank you as always for reading!
