10 Sustainable & Ethical Capsule Wardrobe Brands to Love

It’s no secret that fast-fashion is not good for the environment, the planet, and our people. Organizations, activists and scientists have lifted the veil on the fast fashion industry and what they’ve uncovered is truly shocking. Fashion is among the top contributors to climate change and the greatest exploiter of women. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the industry’s effects including: pollution, inhumane treatment of garment workers and farmers, and constant over consumption that leaves us feeling drained.  

So here’s the verdict: fast fashion is out. Sustainable capsule wardrobe clothing brands are in. Let’s say goodbye to brands that promote trends and overproduction, use materials that are ridden with toxic chemicals, and cheap labor that leave garment workers in a cycle of poverty and unsafe working conditions.

Thankfully, consumers are looking to support impactful businesses, and spend their time and resources on responsible brands that do good. Brands are also becoming more mindful of sustainability and ethical production. Sustainable capsule wardrobe brands prioritize organic and recycled materials, as well as natural and low-impact dyes. Ethical clothing brands create mindful designs, pair fair and livable wages to workers, and produce in small batches - also known as Slow Fashion. 

We want clothing that empowers us, our planet and garment makers. Capsule wardrobe brands that allows us to look good and do good. And we want a high-quality closet that saves us time and mental energy. We prefer one exciting, go-with-everything jacket that's crafted to last and uplifts women across the world, instead of five average pieces that will keep people in poverty. That's why we exist. We're on a mission to give women back their time and resources while building a better future. We curate ethical, sustainable and cruelty-free treasures styled in a capsule wardrobe just for you.

Here's why sustainable and ethical capsule wardrobes are the next big life hack, and a must-have in your daily routine. Whether you're a busy new mom, rising entrepreneur, freelancing female, tech warrior, non-profit maven, creative doer or everything in between - a sustainable and ethical capsule wardrobe will empower your life and help you build the world you want to live in. Sustainable and ethical capsule wardrobe brands across the world are helping shape this new reality.

Our capsule wardrobes are thoughtfully curated selections of up to 12 sustainable and ethical clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create exponential outfits. A typical capsule wardrobe includes tops, skirts, pants, dresses and jackets that can easily be dressed up or down with accessories for any occasion.  

Capsule wardrobes are versatile and timeless, plus they save us so much time, energy, and resources. A capsule wardrobe can save up to 15 minutes every morning getting dressed. That’s nearly 100 hours a year. It’s time to embrace easy and effortless mornings, and a capsule wardrobe that represents your lifestyle and values. 

Our personal stylists understand your style, current closet and lifestyle to curate the perfect sustainable and ethical treasures for you. Also, check out our article on How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe: The Complete Master Guide. Or if you’d rather work with another personal stylist to build your timeless capsule wardrobe, be sure to read Looking for a personal stylist or shopper? Read this first. 

We spend hours researching each capsule wardrobe brands' environmental and social claims. Here are our top 10 favorite sustainable and ethical brands that are worthy of your capsule collections. Our stylists curate using the affordable capsule wardrobe brands below, and many others. These brands were selected due to their impact, craftsmanship, clothing styles, accessories and much more. 

Located in: Toronto, Canada 

Sustainable & Ethical Practices: Certified B corporation, Oeko-Tex certified, low-impact dyes, organic & sustainable fabrics

Capsule-Worthy Styles: Women’s apparel, outerwear, accessories, capsule wardrobe Kits

Style: Minimalist, business casual, workwear, loungewear, work from home, travel friendly, versatile pieces

Price: $$ - $$$

Impact Snapshot: Female founded, made in Canada, ethical, sustainable, capsule wardrobe specialists

More About This Brand: Encircled is a female-owned Certified B Corp, which means they meet the highest standards of social and environmental impact. Their treasures are made ethically in Canada and within 20 miles of their headquarters. Their sustainably sourced, ultra-soft fabrics are free of pesticides and harmful chemicals, and they can back up this claim with their Oeko-Tex Standard 100® Certification. For a decade, Encircled has been specializing in innovative, high-quality and classic treasures with multi-wear designs to maximize the wearability of each piece. They're also deeply committed to diversity and inclusion. Encircled is known for creating versatile capsule wardrobe pieces that can be worn many different ways, and they're among the best capsule wardrobe brands out there. Plus, they're known for their eco friendly blouses, which are among our best-sellers, making Encircled among the best capsule wardrobe kit brands on the market.

Located in: New York & Germany

Sustainable & Ethical Practices: Ethical and tracable factories & practices, GOTS certified organic cotton, certified B corporation

Capsule-Worthy Styles: Women’s apparel, basics, outerwear, loungewear, business capsule, capsule wardrobe worthy

Style: Modern, elevated everyday, business casual

Price: $$

Impact Snapshot: Organic, renewable and biodegradable materials, certified, sustainable factories, female founded

More About This Brand: Nue Nomads is an ethics-first fashion brand created by industry veterans who craved timeless pieces. Their ethically manufactured clothing uses plant-based and low impact fabrics, like Tencel, organic cotton and recycled materials. They favor non-toxic dyes and zero waste packaging. They adhere to a strict code of ethical conduct and their supply chain is transparent. Their timeless, versatile styles make them one of the best capsule wardrobe worthy brands. 

Located in: Michigan 

Sustainable & Ethical Practices: Organic & natural material, recycled materials, Oeko-Tex certified fabrics, women-owned and operated factory, ethical production & fair wages, carbon offsetting

Capsule-Worthy Styles: Women’s apparel, clothing for capsule wardrobes

Style: Modern, minimalist, elevated casual, 

Price: $$ 

Impact Snapshot: Organic, recycled, female founded, BIPOC, made in USA

More About This Brand: Sonderlier crafts an unexpected twist on timeless, capsule wardrobe silhouettes. They use biodegradable, recycled and organic fabrics that are Oeko-Tex certified, which means they're free of chemicals harmful to human health. Their capsule wardrobe treasures are made in a women-owned and operated factory in Ohio where, depending on skill level, seamstresses earn a living wage that's up to 75% above minimum wage. ⁠For every piece sold, Sonderlier plants a tree to offset their carbon footprint. 

Located in: California 

Sustainable & Ethical Practices: GOTS certified organic cotton, eco-friendly packaging, charity & clothing donation program, traceable and ethical supply chain

Capsule-Worthy Styles: Women’s apparel, capsule wardrobe basics, loungewear, casual

Style: Modern, Californian, Casual, Basics

Price: $ - $$ 

Impact Snapshot: Organic, Made in USA

More About This Brand: Graceful District is a slow fashion brand that makes impactful capsule wardrobe clothing from GOTS certified organic cotton and sustainable materials. Their garments are locally made in Los Angeles. Born out of hope and thankfulness, they incorporate timeless and foundational, capsule clothing designs with quality that lasts beyond seasons and trends with purpose and gracefulness. They're perfect for minimalist clothing, essential basics and seasonless staples. 

Located in: California 

Sustainable & Ethical Practices: Fair labor, less water & energy consumption, Bluesign certified, eco-friendly packaging, ethical and transparent 

Capsule-Worthy Styles: Women’s apparel, basics, capsule wardrobe denim, elevated everyday

Style: Elevated casual, vintage inspired, denim

Price: $$-$$$ 

Impact Snapshot: Organic, recycled, vegan, Made in USA, female founded, 

More About This Brand: Etica is a leader in denim sustainability and ethics, making them perfect for capsule wardrobes. They provide living wages, health benefits, free meals, and ability-inclusive opportunities to their factory employees. Their factory uses washing techniques that reduce water waste by 90% and energy consumption by 63%. Etica uses plant-based dyes and recycles their used water. They also use either organic or low-impact fabrics from Bluesign certified factories, or upcycle deadstock fabric. They craft timeless pieces as well as fashion forward designs.

Located in: San Francisco

Sustainable & Ethical Practices: Upcycled & deadstock fabric, fairtrade, naturally dyed, sustainable packaging, community driven

Capsule-Worthy Styles: Women’s apparel,  accessories and ethical jewelry, zero waste, lounge, basics

Style: Boho, capsule wardrobe basics

Price: $-$$ 

Impact Snapshot: Female founded, zero waste, circular fashion, upcycled, vegan, fair trade

More About This Brand: Tonlé’s founder spent two years living in Cambodia figuring out how to take discarded fabric cuttings from fast fashion factories and recycle them into new garments. Tonlé is not only zero-waste, they’re also ethical and Fairtrade. Their prices make them one of the best capsule wardrobe brands for those seeking lower prices and among the more affordable ethical dress brands out there. Their capsule collections help women create timeless wardrobes. They also sell ethical women's products like jewelry, handbags and accessories. 

Located in: California 

Sustainable & Ethical Practices: Natural fibers, GOTS Certified organic cotton, free-range alpaca, low-impact dyes, fair trade, artisan made

Capsule-Worthy Styles: Women’s apparel, outerwear, accessories, handwoven knitwear, lounge

Style: Minimalist, boho, capsule wardrobe basics

Price: $$ - $$$ 

Impact Snapshot: Organic, fair trade, artisan made, cruelty-free

More About This Brand: Indigenous has been committed to sustainable and fairtrade fashion for over 20 years. They're among the most respected ethical womens apparel makers. Each treasure is hand-made by artisans in Peru who are empowered with fair pay, zero interest loans, free skills training, access to clean water and more. They partner with family-owned farms to source supersoft organic cotton and humanely-sourced, free-range alpaca wool. Annually, Indigenous saves 48M liters of water, keeps 400 lbs of pesticides away from land, and so much more. Their fabrics are ultra soft, making them perfect timeless wardrobe essentials for your own capsule.

Located in: Denmark

Sustainable & Ethical Practices:  Sustainable fabrics and materials, ethical manufacturing, recycled metals, circular design, recycled packaging

Capsule-Worthy Styles: Women's apparel, accessories, handbags 

Style: Minimalist, timeless pieces

Price: $$-$$$

Impact Snapshot: Recycled and sustainable materials, low-waste, vegan 

More About This Brand: 1 People is a Danish sustainable luxury brand that designs effortlessly timeless pieces for conscious-minded women. They're among the best capsule wardrobe brands. Their styles are meticulously handcrafted by artisans, offering simplicity and versatile pieces. Their capsule styles with sustainable materials are minimalist and classic. 

Located in: Chicago

Sustainable & Ethical Practices: Sustainable materials, low impact fibers, ethically made, mindful packaging

Capsule-Worthy Styles: Women's apparel

Style: Modern, minimalist, boho

Price: $$-$$$

Impact Snapshot: BIPOC founded, vegan, recycled

More About This Brand: Valani is a sustainable fashion brand dedicated to capsule wardrobe styles that are timeless and eco-friendly. Their plant-based fabrics are dyed with low impact, non-toxic dyes and are handmade in Chicago and India by GOTS certified tailors. Valani's capsule wardrobe clothes bridge the gap between sustainability and feminine, flowy pieces. The brand is inspired by nature and the strength of women. Plus, Valani plants a tree for every garment sold. 

Located in: India

Sustainable & Ethical Practices: Sustainable and low impact fabrics, slow fashion, ethical labor

Capsule-Worthy Styles: Women's apparel

Style: Modern, minimalist, business casual 

Price: $-$$

Impact Snapshot: Female founded, BIPOC, vegan, ethical

More About This Brand: Reistor is a capsule wardrobe brand committed to sustainability. Their capsule collections are made of hemp, organic and recycled cotton and safe dyes. Their denim is made from Tencel and sustainable regenerated cellulose fiber. Their packaging uses reusable garment bags and home compostable courier bags with seed tags for planting. All these materials help reduce environmental impact while providing capsule wardrobe clothes and timeless styles.