Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe Brands

stack of clothing on white chair - Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe Brands

Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe Brands: A Guide

When I first published this post in 2017, capsule wardrobes had gone viral. Whether you were a longtime mommy blogger or newly-minted Instagram influencer, it was all anyone could talk about. But it could be heard to find sustainable capsule wardrobe brands in one place.

Of course, it was unclear what exactly a capsule wardrobe was. For some, like arguably the most significant blogger in the capsule movement, Un-fancy, it was a way of “encapsulating” seasonal aesthetics into micro-wardrobes.

For others, it was a way to get a handle on out-of-control purchasing, if not in actuality, at least in the way clothing was stored. For others who were more sustainability-minded, it represented a way forward, out of the realm of fast fashion and into the light of a pared-down closet.

Sustainable fashion costs more, so maybe a capsule is what is needed for the majority of consumers. We can’t buy as much, but we can, perhaps, buy better.

While I am skeptical of the ways “capsule wardrobes” have been used to marketing overconsumption, I can get behind the idea of careful analysis of lifestyle and personal style in order to make considered choices in our wardrobes. With that in mind, I have updated my Ethical Capsule Wardrobe list, below, for a new year of sustainable shopping.


Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe Brands: 20 Essential Pieces

WHERE TO FIND…

1. The Tee

Everlane | Cotton essentials in easy fits

Elegantees | Feminine tees in stretch cotton

American Giant | Classic, longer line v-necks, u-necks, and more

Miakoda | Easy lounge fits in soft sustainable fabrics

Fair Indigo | Soft, thick pima cotton tees and tanks

2. The LBD

Maven Women | Professional and classic fits for all body types

Reformation | Sleek, trend-forward and vintage-inspired pieces in deadstock fabrics

Everlane | Modern and minimalist cuts

Victoria Road | Feminine and embroidered pieces

3. The Jacket

ABLE | Americana, modern cuts

Eileen Fisher | Looser, longer cuts

Ode to Sunday | The perfect blend of tailored and drapey

4. The Jeans

Everlane | Made in a fair trade and sustainable factory in lots of classic cuts

ABLE | Made in a fair trade factory with more modern fits

Levi’s Waterless | Sustainable processes, American classics

More denim selections here.

5. The Statement Skirt

People Tree | Classic, custom prints, British

Ash & Rose | Flowy and feminine

Mata Traders | Vintage-inspired with hand done details

Mayamiko | Artisan fabrics and mod cuts

6. The Blazer

Everlane | Modern, menswear-inspired

People Tree | Classic cuts

Mm. Lafleur | Versatile, for the modern professional woman

Connecticut Country Clothing | A classic tailored fit

7. The Drapey Cardigan

Miakoda | Lounge-inspired in soft fabrics

Soul Flower | Hippie-inspired

EcoVibe Apparel | Flowy and easy

Synergy Organic Clothing | Stretchy, soft organic cotton

8. The Sandals

Nisolo | Classic and minimalist

Fortress of Inca | Sturdy and beautiful

Birkenstock | Comfortable and classic

Po-zu (vegan options) | European made with European flair

9. The Sneakers

All Birds | Super sustainable sneakers made with wool and bamboo

Saola (vegan) | Skater inspired

OESH (made in Charlottesville!) | Ethically made in China, suitable for athletic activity

Everlane Tread | Sustainably made fashion sneakers

Adidas Parley Collection | Made with ocean plastic, suitable for athletic activity

10. The Versatile Flats

Nisolo | Feminine and office appropriate

The Root Collective | Fun details, artisan made

Fortress of Inca | Menswear-inspired

Po-zu | Vegan options

black framed eyeglasses on white jacket and blue denim bottoms - Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe Brands
Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com

11. Boots

LL Bean (made in Maine varieties) | Bean boots!

Po-zu | My favorite

Bhava (vegan) | Beautiful sustainable vegan leather alternatives

12. The Cotton Undies

PACT Apparel | Classic cuts in organic cotton

Organic Basics | A simple collection in organic cotton and Tencel

Everlane | Pima cotton, very soft

13. The Leggings

PACT Apparel | Classic cotton leggings

Maggie’s Organics | Thicker cut, sustainably made

Fair Indigo | Full coverage

Miakoda | Soft fabrics

14. The Party Dress

Accompany | Artisan made luxury

Victoria Road | Beautiful embroidered pieces

Passion Lilie | Block printed, lots of summer styles

EcoVibe Apparel | Flowy and “younger” pieces

Reformation | Sleek and sexy styles made with deadstock fabric

15. The Black Pants

Brass Clothing | Ponte pants

Mm. Lafleur | Versatile

Everlane | Lots of nice essentials

16. The Socks

PACT Apparel | A variety of cuts and patterns

Maggie’s Organics | Classic socks, including wool hiking socks

19. The Button Down

The Fable | It’s their specialty

Kowtow | Tailored pieces with modern fits

Eileen Fisher | Flowy and artistic

Tradlands | Menswear-inspired classics

20. The Cold Weather Coat

Patagonia | Technical fabrics made sustainably

United By Blue | Sustainable and organic

Everlane | Made with recycled plastic

21. Classic Jewelry

Hannah Naomi | Super minimalist

Thicket | Nature-inspired

Fair Anita | Artisan made

See more Shopping Guides here.


Suggestions or questions?

Let me know in the comments.

A note on selection: I judged items by ethical labor standards, transparency, and eco-friendly advances while prioritizing fit, quality, price, and versatility. Many of these items are things I own myself.

Leah Wise

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.

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3 Comments

  1. Thank you! Love that all of these brands are sustainable and ethical. Have you tried any of the sustainable capsule wardrobe styling companies like Vetta and Veneka?

    1. I haven’t heard of Veneka. I haven’t ordered from Vetta because it doesn’t look like their pants and skirts are cut for “pear” shapes like mine. But I know that Kellie at https://wholeheartedwardrobe.com/ really likes them!

  2. Absolutely love this post! You’ve easily given great sustainable and ethical brands for all my needs. Thank you so much!

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