H&M is a Swedish clothing retailer that creates fast fashion for young women, men, and children. It offers trendy clothes and cute accessories but isn't the most ethical company.
The H&M fashion group owns several other clothing brands such as COS, Monki, & Other Stories, Weekday, and ARKET. But its supply chain has poor health and safety records.
More sustainable and affordable alternatives to H&M exist if you want to build an eco-conscious wardrobe with great style without breaking the bank.
Many apparel brands similar to H&M are more environmentally responsible, committed to being as eco-friendly as possible, and making sustainability efforts to protect people and the planet.
Check out our selection below of the best ethical and cheap alternatives to H&M that make similar beautiful and stylish garments under high standards.
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1. ABLE
Category: Basics, denim, knitwear, outerwear, bags, accessories, shoes, jewelry
For: Women
From: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Values: Organic, artisan craft
Prices: $50-$160
ABLE is a sustainable clothing brand working with worldwide communities to stop the cycle of poverty by producing slow fashion and paying a living wage to women.
The label makes beautiful, functional, affordable, sustainable alternatives to H&M. It uses eco-friendly materials such as certified organic cotton, lyocell, and linen for its collections.
ABLE believes in progress over perfection and aims to be transparent and accountable to end poverty in the fashion industry. It publishes on its website the lowest worker wages of its manufacturing partners.
SHOP ABLE
2. Kotn
Category: Basics, dresses, knitwear, loungewear, bags, accessories
For: Women, men
From: Toronto, Canada
Values: Organic, recycled, B Corp, give back
Prices: $30-$140
Kotn is a sustainable clothing brand that ethically and sustainably makes stylish apparel similar to H&M. It's committed to supply-chain transparency and give-back initiatives.
The eco-friendly label creates clothes around considered design, relentless quality, honest value, and positive impact. It aims to set the standard for conscious creation and consumption.
Kotn also uses cotton and no animal-derived materials. It's working with an Egyptian NGO to build schools and provide every child in its farming communities with safe, convenient, quality education.
SHOP KOTN
3. People Tree
Category: Basics, dresses, outerwear, knitwear, underwear, activewear, nightwear, accessories, jewelry
For: Women
From: Tokyo, Japan
Values: Organic, Fair Trade, recycled, artisan craft, give back
Prices: $20-$90
People Tree is a sustainable clothing brand making affordable and eco-friendly garments from environmentally-friendly materials, including Fair Trade, certified organic cotton, and recycled fabrics.
In 2013, it became the first fashion company to be awarded the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) product label, guaranteeing dedication and compliance with the principles of Fair Trade.
People Tree offers a wide range of stylish, chic, eco-friendly clothing similar to H&M. It also sells accessories and jewelry to dress up.
The ethical clothing brand is committed to working with disadvantaged farmers and workers to promote fairer trading conditions. It helps combat poverty and employs people in underserved communities around the world.
SHOP PEOPLE TREE
4. Frank And Oak
Category: Basics, denim, knitwear, loungewear, outerwear, shoes, accessories
For: Women, men
From: Montreal, Canada
Values: Recycled, organic
Prices: $50-$130
Frank And Oak is a brand of eco-friendly clothing, ethically sourced and designed for good living. The Canadian clothing label works to save the planet and offers more sustainable products to H&M.
Frank And Oak designs innovative products that reduce fashion's environmental impact through a lighter footprint and longer lifespan. It aims to slow down climate change with eco-friendly garments.
The Canadian clothing brand creates comfortable, lightweight pants and dresses from sustainable materials. It also uses eco-friendly fabrics made from regenerated fibers.
SHOP FRANK AND OAK
5. Threads 4 Thought
Category: Basics, denim, loungewear, sportswear, knitwear, shoes, accessories
For: Women, men, children
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Organic, recycled, give back
Prices: $20-$70
Threads 4 Thought is a lifestyle brand of everyday basics, loungewear, and other fashion produced responsibly. It creates ethical and cheap alternatives to H&M using regenerated fibers.
The clothing label supports sustainable initiatives to move the fashion industry towards a healthier future for all. It sets an example by exceeding industry standards through innovation in materials and production.
Threads 4 Thought manufactures its clothes in Guatemala and China. It ensures the best working conditions and sustainable production processes.
Threads 4 Thought uses eco-friendly materials to create stylish and comfortable clothes. It also partners with the International Rescue Committee to support in-need communities.
SHOP THREADS 4 THOUGHT
6. Tentree
Category: Basics, knitwear, loungewear, outerwear, bags, accessories
For: Women, men, children
From: Vancouver, Canada
Values: Organic, B Corp, recycled, give back
Prices: $30-$70
Tentree is an Earth-first fashion brand designing long-lasting womenswear like H&M for a healthy, sustainable world with recycled materials and organic fabrics such as cotton and hemp.
The sustainable fashion brand is B Corp certified and partners with global charitable organizations to plant trees and rehabilitate natural ecosystems.
Tentree aims to guide you on your journey and empower you to do your best for the environment. It planted over 61 million trees and restored land in over eight countries.
SHOP TENTREE
7. Reformation
Category: Basics, denim, knitwear, outerwear, swimwear, activewear, loungewear, underwear
For: Women
From: Los Angeles, California, United States
Values: Organic, recycled, Fair Trade, carbon-neutral, made in the USA
Prices: $10-$180
Reformation is a clothing brand that makes sustainable and affordable clothes similar to H&M. It offers a collection of stylish fashion for petite up to extended sizes.
The clothing retailer designs effortless silhouettes that celebrate the feminine figure with the most beautiful and sustainable fabrics possible. It pays attention to minimizing its social and environmental impacts.
Reformation uses sustainable materials such as organic cotton, recycled cotton, linen, and Tencel lyocell. It also makes some of its clothes with upcycled and recycled materials, such as regenerated nylon or deadstock fabrics.
Six of its suppliers have attained a social compliance certification like Fair Trade, SA8000, or WRAP. They are working to increase participation in social certification programs to ensure good working conditions.
SHOP REFORMATION
8. Everlane
Category: Basics, denim, knitwear, outerwear, activewear, underwear, bags, shoes, accessories
For: Women, men
From: San Francisco, California, United States
Values: Organic, recycled
Prices: $10-$110
Everlane is an ethical clothing brand creating modern and beautiful essentials, at the best factories, without traditional markups. It's a great destination to buy high-quality, affordable fashion like H&M.
The clothing retailer is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and sells primarily online. It uses a high proportion of sustainable and vegan materials such as organic cotton and recycled fabrics.
The apparel brand offers ethically made and designed-to-last clothing and accessories for women and men. It believes in exceptional quality to make a difference.
Everlane is widely known for its radical transparency. It educates consumers on its supply chain, factories, employees, and the price breakdown of each product.
SHOP EVERLANE
9. Made Trade
Category: Basics, knitwear, sportswear, loungewear, outerwear, swimwear, underwear, sleepwear, bags, accessories, shoes
For: Women, men
From: Portland, Oregon, United States
Values: Organic, Fair Trade, recycled, vegan, carbon-neutral, BIPOC
Prices: $10-$130
Made Trade is a fair trade retailer sustainably and ethically creates goods for the modern wardrobe and home, like H&M. It offers handcrafted apparel, accessories, and footwear for women and men.
Made Trade is committed to transparency and making a positive impact on the world. The well-curated online marketplace sells a great selection of ethical handcrafted products made with sustainable and natural materials.
Made Trade adheres to sustainable and Fair Trade practices that support both artisans and the Earth's natural resources. It strives to make the world a more beautiful place through higher ethical standards.
SHOP MADE TRADE
10. Christy Dawn
Category: Basics, loungewear, knitwear, outerwear, maternity, shoes, accessories
For: Women, girls
From: Los Angeles, California, United States
Values: Upcycled, made in the USA
Prices: $80-$360
Christy Dawn is a sustainable fashion designer that creates affordable, ethical, stylish clothing like H&M from organic and upcycled fabrics ethically crafted in Los Angeles.
Christy Dawn designs each style with longevity in mind. Every fashion piece is intentionally timeless and versatile and tailored to fit petite to extended sizes.
The fashion designer aims to make simple, easy-to-wear pieces that will become wardrobe staples. Its dresses keep you comfortable while preserving the integrity and beauty of the Earth and its people.
SHOP CHRISTY DAWN
11. Thought
Category: Basics, knitwear, outerwear, loungewear, underwear, sportswear, nightwear, accessories
For: Women, men
From: London, United Kingdom
Values: Organic, recycled, give back
Prices: $10-$60
Thought is a fashion label offering ethically-made and sustainable clothing similar to H&M. It creates stylish and affordable ready-to-wear for women and men with eco-friendly materials like Tencel.
Thought makes timeless pieces in a flattering shape and breathable fabric that work wherever you are. The organic brand offers many pure cotton and vegan options.
Thought is committed to responsible design, ethical sourcing, and fostering change. It aims to show there are more sustainable ways to live, dress, and be.
Thought supports TRAID, a UK charity that works to minimize, improve, and transform the environmental impact of clothing manufacturing. Send your clothes back to TRAID to support the people and places making your clothing.
SHOP THOUGHT
12. Amour Vert
Category: Basics, denim, loungewear, knitwear, outerwear, bags, accessories, shoes, jewelry
For: Women
From: San Francisco, California, United States
Values: Organic, recycled, made in the USA, give back
Prices: $90-$180
Amour Vert is a slow fashion brand that makes ethical and cheap staples like H&M in timeless colors like navy, white, black, heather gray, and more.
The sustainable brand creates fabulous clothes in limited quantities to contribute to a more eco-friendly future. Its clothing pieces are affordable, chic, comfortable, and better for the planet.
Amour Vert is committed to making fashion thoughtful, versatile, and sustainable. You'll want to keep its timeless pieces in your wardrobe forever.
The eco-friendly label has been planting trees in North America since it first opened its doors with its partner American Forest. It promotes sustainable practices and positive environmental impacts.
SHOP AMOUR VERT
13. PACT
Category: Basics, dresses, knitwear, loungewear, activewear, underwear, sleepwear, maternity
For: Women, men, children
From: Boulder, Colorado, United States
Values: Organic, Fair Trade, recycled
Prices: $20-$100
PACT is a leading sustainable fashion brand using organic fabrics and fair trade factories to design stylish essential clothing. It creates ethical and fashionable alternatives to H&M.
The fair trade clothing brand chooses the best ingredients, such as organic cotton and recycled materials, to make the best clothes. It promotes organic and ethical clothing for everyday use.
PACT considers the people who make the clothes as important as the people who wear them. It encourages people to care about what they put in their bodies and what they put on their bodies.
PACT designs fair trade clothes that are affordable, practical, comfortable, and effortless. It offers ethical alternatives that fit the lifestyle of conscious consumers because doing good should be easy.
SHOP PACT
14. Ralph Lauren
Category: Basics, denim, loungewear, outerwear, knitwear, bags, shoes, accessories
For: Women, men, children
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Organic, recycled, zero waste, give back
Prices: $50-$590
Ralph Lauren is a designer clothing brand that creates timeless and elegant luxury clothing, bags, shoes, and accessories similar to H&M.
Ralph Lauren believes in global citizenship and sustainability. It rethinks its impact on the environment and society by utilizing creativity, the power of design, and innovative technologies to drive change.
The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation has committed USD 10 million to help communities worldwide. It also donates 1.5 million clothing products to frontline workers and families in need.
SHOP RALPH LAUREN
15. ASOS Marketplace
Category: Clothing, bags, accessories, shoes, jewelry
For: Women, men
From: London, United Kingdom
Values: Vintage, artisan craft
Prices: $10-$40
ASOS Marketplace sells pre-loved clothing from independent brands and vintage boutiques online. It launched in 2010 with just 20 sellers and is now a leading online platform for thrift shopping clothing like H&M.
The marketplace represents over 800 boutiques from all over the globe. It offers a unique product range similar to H&M, from small brands to famous high-street names.
ASOS Marketplace sells vintage 90s clothing from popular clothing brands and new hippie-chic designs from international boutiques and skilled artisans.
SHOP ASOS MARKETPLACE
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About the Author: Alex Assoune
What We're Up Against
Multinational corporations overproducing cheap products in the poorest countries.
Huge factories with sweatshop-like conditions underpaying workers.
Media conglomerates promoting unethical, unsustainable products.
Bad actors encouraging overconsumption through oblivious behavior.
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