Is Anthropologie ethical?
When I was in college, I had a Ph.D. student teacher who looked like she’d walked straight out of an Anthropologie catalog.
I was intrigued by her maturity, and her sophisticated yet quirky sense of style. And I wondered if I would be able to approximate her look by the time I was in my late 20s.
Well, here I am at 32 and, most days at least, I don’t look like a walking Anthropologie catalog. But I’m not mad about it.
Because I’ve learned that, while Anthropologie’s chic and eccentric garments may make you look like you’ve achieved the perfect dreamy yet professional lifestyle, the production process for the bulk of their brands is anything but carefree.
When it comes down to it, a lot of Anthro’s sourcing is a mystery, and they’re not required to note the country of origin on their online or catalog product listings. But as a member of the Urban Outfitters-Free People conglomerate, it’s safe to say that ethical sourcing is not a priority.
What’s more, they have been known to knock off independent and ethical designers, including, most recently, Orenda Tribe, a small, indigenous-owned company.
That’s not to say that they don’t carry sustainable and ethical brands, you just have to know what you’re looking for. Even better: support brands that source ethically from the start.
Below, I’ve listed ethical alternatives to Anthropologie that approximate the aesthetic without the ethical concerns.
9 Ethical Alternatives to Anthropologie
Contains affiliate links.
1 | National Picnic
XS-3X and Custom Sizes.
National Picnic is a longtime favorite of StyleWise. Betsy and her team sew items to order in their U.S. studio using limited edition and natural fiber textiles. They strive to make things as low-waste as possible. They offer t-shirts, wrap skirts, leggings, and more that blend timeless functionality with a unique point of view.
Wearing The Denim Apron Tie Skirt
2 | Made Trade
With a very similar aesthetic and range of products – from clothing to accessories to home goods – Made Trade offers fair trade, ethical, and artisan-made goods that combine Anthropologie’s elegance and eccentricity.
3 | Sezane
XS-2XL. A French brand known for its colorful and sophisticated collections, Sezane’s garments are produced with labor ethics, sustainability, and nontoxic processes in mind.
4 | Eva Franco
Sizes 0-12, some items offer plus sizes. Made in USA, feminine clothing with a twist.
5 | Passion Lilie
Sizes XS-2XL. Fair trade, woman owned featuring classic silhouettes and block printed cotton.
6 | Symbology
Sizes XS-3X. Fair trade, woman owned with a focus on feminine, hand printed dresses, caftans, and separates.
7 | Ash & Rose
Sizes XS-XL (depending on brand). A multi-brand boutique featuring fair trade, eco-friendly, and made in USA clothing with an artisanal, feminine point of view.
8 | Mata Traders
XS-2X. Feminine and vintage inspired with custom block prints and quirky hand-embroidered details.
9 | Fortress Shoes
Ethically made, with leather sourced from the small scale Peruvian meat industry.
For other brands with similar aesthetics, check out Ethical Alternatives to Madewell
Leah Wise is the founder of StyleWise Blog. She has been writing, speaking, and consulting on sustainable fashion, the fair trade and secondhand supply chain, and digital marketing for over ten years. An Episcopal priest, Leah holds a B.A. in Religion from Florida State University and an M.Div. from Yale Divinity School. When not working, you can find her looking for treasures at the thrift store.
Rebecca
Saturday 6th of March 2021
I always love these round ups! Thanks!
Pumulo
Tuesday 29th of September 2020
Reading this in 2020 is so eye opening. It goes to show how much they didn’t change!
MJ
Monday 6th of July 2020
The link to Eva Franco takes me to Athropologie’s website.
Leah Wise
Sunday 12th of July 2020
Thanks. It links to the Eva Franco section on Anthro's site.