Ethical fashion is everywhere right now. It’s on Forbes, Huff Po, and The New York Times. Everywhere you look there’s talk about how to make fashion more sustainable. And for good reason. To meet consumer demand, brands are changing their practices and new brands are being created every day. I’ve created a roundup of 11 resources and brands for ethical jeans for every budget, style, and body type.

Though I’d love to go into the reason why we need to shift the industry towards sustainable practices, I’d like to save time.

Others have written on this topic in depth so. Here’s a great article if you’re interested. Let’s dive into the resources now.

1.) Thrifted $

• Size: unlimited
• Fit: unlimited
• Pros: you can find a wide range of brands, styles, and sizes for a few dollars
• Cons: you can’t always find what you want when you want it; have to love the hunt

The #1 best alternative to going out and buying a pair of jeans that are new is to find a pair at the thrift store.

If needed, you can have them tailored to fit you in all the right places. Not everyone wants to do this or has the time. So if this is you, taking a look at some of the brands below will really help you out.

But if you do have the time and the commitment, I promise you can find some of the most amazing things at the thrift store, consignment shop, or online.

And if you’ve been reading my work for any length of time then you know that I will always encourage you to shop second hand!

2.) Custom Made $$ – $$$

• Size: unlimited
• Fit: unlimited
• Pros: you can create exactly what you want
• Cons: you have to find a reputable person to create a custom garment for you and must also attend fittings, because of this the price can be high

Obviously, this may seem way out of your budget at first glance but in fact, you can find several seamstresses in your area who can create an incredible pair of custom made jeans. This is a step up from the thrift store where you might have something altered to fit you.

Having something custom made means that you can choose the fabric and all the wishlist items you can’t seem to find when shopping.

Because trends in the fast fashion industry change from week to week, you may not be in love with the high-waisted mom jeans or ripped to shreds look. If that’s the case, when you work with a tailor they can make something to suit your exact measurements and style.

3.) RE/DONE $$$$

• Size: 23 – 32 waist for women
• Fit: classic
• Pros: tailoring done for you
• Cons: limited quantities with a hefty price tag

The cool thing about RE/DONE denim is that they are not a denim company. They are a company devoted to bringing old pairs of denim back to new life. They take apart every pair of jeans they source, stitch by stitch, to alter the cut and fit, making a completely updated style.

I love this concept so much! But the price of this expert reconstruction is a bit on the high side. If you can find a local seamstress with this kind of knowledge and expertise, then you could easily create your very own “redone” pair of jeans.

4.) Imogene + Willie $$$

• Size: 23 – 32 waist for women
• Fit: classic fits from the 30’s – 70’s
• Pros: incredible quality and comfortable fit with limited variations
• Cons: you can’t always find what you want when you want it; have to love the hunt

Along the lines of tailoring, we come to Nashville/ Los Angeles based clothing brand Imogene + Willie. In the first stages of their company, they were known for creating exquisitely well-fitting jeans that you would then have custom fit in the shop. They’ve since grown but still produce high quality, ethically made denim.

Though they are a higher price point, you can get a great pair on sale a couple of times a year usually in October and in the Spring.

I recommend joining their email for inspiration and for alerts on killer deals.

5.) Bliss and Mischief $$$$

• Size: 25 – 32
• Fit: classic
• Pros: 100% cotton, made in the USA
• Cons: you can’t always find what you want when you want it; have to love the hunt

Bliss and Mischief is a really fun brand for women that combines a love of workwear with the southwest desert/California dreamer. I love this brand for their playfulness and sturdy, basic pieces.

They recently launched a line of denim inspired by the classic fits from the 60’s and 70’s. Bliss is committed to promoting a positive body image for women which I love.

6.) Cheap Monday $$

• Size: 24 – 32
• Fit: high-waisted, skinny, straight leg, extra long lengths
• Pros: made with organic cotton
• Cons: none that I can think of

Cheap Monday is a Swedish brand that was made famous for creating the first unisex fit. They did this to reduce waste and has since been committed to ethical and sustainable practices. Much of their denim is 100% cotton and runs are limited.

7.) Reformation

• Size: 23 – 31
• Fit: classic, straight, wide leg
• Pros: prices range from under $100, tracks impact of each garment on environment
• Cons: limited quantities in larger sizes

Reformation is a Los Angeles based denim and clothing company committed to reforming the fashion industries manufacturing and production practices while still making beautiful products with a fraction of the impact.

I believe they’re quite affordable as well in the grand scheme of things. Especially for some of their styles, cuts, and shapes and when compared to some of the other brands listed. Here.

8.) Levis $$ -$$$

• Size: 24 – 32
• Fit: unlimited
• Pros: heritage brand with over a hundred years of fit knowledge
• Cons: still contributing to the overproduction of new denim

Levi’s was the first denim company to manufacture women’s jeans! And they were one of the first manufactures to tackle the issue of waste. Their program, Water<Less has saved 1 billion liters of water since its inception.

They are committed to reducing the environmental impact and are planning to have 80% of their products made ethically.

9.) Vivian Ramsay $$$$

• Size: 25 – 30
• Fit: classic straight leg
• Pros: 100% cotton, highest quality tailoring
• Cons: the price is a heartbreak

These are perhaps the most ethical jeans listed so far. Vivian Ramsey, who formerly worked for Levi’s, sources all of the materials for her garment dyes by hand. Her studio is located in the Philippines where everything is carefully handcrafted in a completely vertical manufacturing stream.

She also makes swoon-worthy undies…hey a girl can dream can’t she?

10.) American Apparel $$

• Size: 28 – 36
• Fit: unisex
• Pros: affordable
• Cons: not sure how long they’ll stick around, sexualization of women in advertising

Oh, American Apparel how I love you. You’re naughty and have been in some hot water recently but I believe in you. Here’s why. Everything is made in the USA. How rare is it to find a denim company or clothing company where everything is made in America?

Pretty dang hard. That’s why I hope this brand makes it.

I also really appreciate their wide range of offerings in the line itself.

11.) Everlane $$

• Size: unlimited
• Fit: unlimited
• Pros: You can find a wide range of brands, styles, and sizes for a few dollars
• Cons: Pay for returns and short inseams

If you haven’t heard of Everlane by now, you’ve been missing out. They are America’s fastest-growing apparel line.

All their denim is produced in a LEED-certified facility that recycles 98% of its water. When the average pair of denim wastes up to 1,500 liters of water, it’s nothing short of phenomenal that Everlane has managed to reduce its water waste to only .4 liters of water.

In conclusion

I hope you continue to explore your options for ethical and sustainable denim and clothing. This really is an important issue and yet we have the power to make a difference just by choosing a stylish alternative. I believe that as demand grows and manufacture and labor rights become more mainstream, we will see the cost of ethical and sustainable denim decrease. But that will take more people like you and me voting with our dollars!

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Now I want to hear from you. Do you know of an ethical line that I didn’t mention? What do you think about the brands I’ve listed here? Let me know in the comments below.