Some of the most affordable and sustainable clothing brands come from New York City. Many New York-based apparel companies also make consistent efforts to become more ethical and eco-conscious.
Fast fashion is a worldwide phenomenon that has changed the clothing industry fundamentally. Consumers now buy more clothes than ever before.
It's time to choose mindful consumption over excessive consumerism and encourage sustainable fashion ethically made by people treated properly using responsible production methods and eco-friendly materials.
Ethical and fair fashion is necessary to limit climate change, pollution, clothing waste, cruel treatment of people and animals in the clothing industry.
As a consumer, you have the power to drive positive change in the global textile and apparel industry. You can protect the environment and help eradicate sweatshop labor by making conscious purchasing decisions.
I've done a lot of research and hard work for you so that you can buy from any of the below New York-based fashion companies, knowing that they make affordable garments under high social and environmental standards.
Panaprium is independent and reader supported. If you buy something through our link, we may earn a commission. If you can, please support us on a monthly basis. It takes less than a minute to set up, and you will be making a big impact every single month. Thank you!
1. Warp + Weft
Category: Basics, denim, outerwear, underwear, maternity, accessories
For: Women, men, children
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Organic, recycled
Prices: $80-$120
Warp + Weft makes size-inclusive clothing essentials that are good for you, the planet, and your wallet. The family-owned company from NYC has been in the denim industry for three decades.
Warp + Weft is committed to sustainable practices, fair wages,
reasonable hours, and ethical working conditions for all its people. It uses cotton, Lycra, and Tencel from the U.S., and quality European dyes.
Warp + Weft designs for all bodies, informed by customer data and specific needs. It fit-test each style on customers of all ages and sizes to create fabulous clothes for everybody.
2. Threads 4 Thought
Category: Basics, activewear, loungewear, shoes, accessories
For: Women, men, children
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Organic, recycled, give back
Prices: $20-$90
Threads 4 Thought is a New York-based lifestyle brand of everyday basics, workout wear, and other fashion produced responsibly. It creates affordable and cute workout shorts, leggings, sports bras, pants, tops, and more.
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, including organic cotton and recycled polyester. It also partners with the International Rescue Committee to support in-need communities around the world.
3. Arielle
Category: Basics, sportswear, loungewear, outerwear, accessories
For: Women
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Recycled, organic, Fair Trade, Zero Waste, made in the USA
Prices: $70-$120
Arielle is a sustainable fashion label made in NYC, committed to organic, recycled, zero-waste fabrics, local manufacturing, fair-trade operations, and plastic-free production.
Arielle uses recycled polyester to create durable anti-bacterial, odor-resistant, breathable, and comfy clothing, proudly produced in New York's Garment District.
Arielle maintains a good relationship with the people who make its clothes, supporting the local economy, and defunding unethical labor.
4. BHAVA
Category: Shoes, boots, flats, sandals, accessories
For: Women
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Natural, vegan, recycled
Prices: $120-$280
BHAVA is an innovative women's footwear brand founded in 2012 by designer Francisca Pineda in New York City.
The sustainable label manufactures vegan, ethical, and environmentally conscious shoes, sandals, flats, heels, boots, wedges, and accessories.
BHAVA uses natural rubber, cork, and REACH certified polyurethane from Italy to make quality ethical and vegan shoes in Spain and Mumbai.
5. Mara Hoffman
Category: Basics, knitwear, outerwear, swimwear
For: Women
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Organic, recycled, luxury, give back, made in the USA
Prices: $60-$430
Mara Hoffman is a premium designer brand that creates organic basics, knitwear, outerwear, and swimwear up to extended sizes out of hemp, recycled textiles, and other eco-friendly materials.
The ethical fashion brand is well-known for its sustainable luxury swimsuits made from pre and post-consumer waste. The designer label aims to reduce its impact and generate awareness.
Mara Hoffman offers stylish and unique alternatives manufactured responsibly by local, American, and smaller artisan groups under fair conditions.
6. Eileen Fisher
Category: Basics, loungewear, outerwear, denim, sleepwear, bags, accessories, shoes
For: Women
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Organic, recycled, Fair Trade, B Corp, artisan craft, give back
Prices: $50-$340
Eileen Fisher is a sustainable women's clothing brand selling wardrobe essentials, from casual clothing to timeless and elegant pieces, from the famous fashion designer of the same name, Eileen Fisher.
The luxury designer offers affordable, recycled, and organic wardrobe essentials that are also ethical and sustainable. It commits to sourcing eco-friendly materials and paying its workers a living wage.
Eileen Fisher ensures that all its workers have a voice, earn a fair wage, and are treated fairly in the workplace. It also supports women and girls through grants, events, and partnerships.
The clothing designer promotes inclusivity and diversity in the sustainable fashion movement and offers a wide range of sizes from petite to extended.
Eileen Fisher also operates an alternative supply chain supporting over 450 families in and around Arequipa, Peru, with higher Fair Trade wages and investments in the local community.
7. DL1961
Category: Basics, denim, outerwear, accessories
For: Women, men, children
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Organic, recycled
Prices: $80-$190
DL1961 is a premium denim brand on a mission to do things differently and committed to reducing its impact on the planet for future generations. It uses sustainable materials such as certified organic cotton, recycled cotton, and Tencel lyocell.
DL1961 makes quality, comfortable, and environmentally friendly denim for women, men, kids, and pets. The family-owned company from NYC uses sustainable manufacturing techniques to make its size-inclusive garments the best way possible for people and the planet.
Many A-list celebrities like Meghan Markle, Sienna Miller, Jennifer Lawrence, Gigi Hadid, Rihanna, Kendall Jenner, Halle Berry, and Reese Witherspoon wear jeans from DL1961.
8. Refashioner
Category: Basics, dresses, outerwear, shoes, bags, accessories, jewelry
For: Women, men
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Recycled, vintage, luxury, secondhand
Prices: $80-$200
Refashioner is a New York-based shared closet offering designer pieces and exceptional vintage from private collections of fascinating people and celebrities.
Refashioner invites you to meet the people who loved these clothes too much to discard or soullessly sell them. It's a closet sharing marketplace for prominent people that believe in a highly personal clothes trade.
9. Emilia George
Category: Basics, dresses, outerwear, maternity, accessories
For: Women
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Recycled, timeless
Prices: $10-$645
Emilia George is an American maternity and nursing wear brand founded by Elle Wang. Emilia is a girl's name she likes, and George is the name of her son.
She decided to make pregnancy even more special by creating sustainable and beautiful clothing. She also wants to avoid irritated, hot, and itchy skin.
Emilia George designs its clothes to shine for all motherhood stages: during and after pregnancy, at work, at home. Elle Wang never thought of going into fashion, and, more specifically, the maternity industry, until she was pregnant and annoyed with existing maternity wear.
10. GUNAS
Category: Bags, totes, purses, handbags, shoes, accessories
For: Women, men
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Vegan, recycled, give back
Prices: $130-$250
GUNAS makes handbags and purses for women and men using some recycled materials. It creates eco-friendly, affordable, and popular styles, including backpacks, toes, clutches, satchels, and more.
GUNAS helps you look good and feel good without harming other living beings. It supports some animal welfare groups and sanctuaries by donating and fundraising.
The brand sources and manufactures its bags and shoes using artisan and small-scale ethical manufacturers from various countries such as India, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil, and Hong Kong.
11. Veerah
Category: Shoes, boots, flats, heels, accessories
For: Women
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Natural, vegan, recycled, luxury
Prices: $140-$400
Veerah is a mission-driven designer brand that creates PETA Approved Vegan shoes and accessories. It leads innovation with compassion to make ethical, sustainable, and gorgeous footwear.
Sustainable luxury brand Veerah is based in New York City and was founded in 2014 by Stacey Chang.
Veerah carefully chose sustainable and eco-friendly alternative materials. It uses bio-based fibers such as Italian apple leather, organic cotton, and algae foam. It also uses recycled plastic and polyurethane produced under European REACH standards.
12. The Cotton Bride
Category: Bridal dresses
For: Women
From: New York City, United States
Values: Organic, local, made-to-order, made in the USA
Prices: $2,160-$2,775
The Cotton Bride is an NYC bridal studio specializing in luxurious, cool, organic cotton, and linen wedding dresses. It creates whimsical, chic, and classic bridal attire with the perfect fit.
The Cotton Bride designs wedding dresses with versatility, breathability, and ease of movement to make you look effortlessly stylish and cool. It believes in grace, simplicity, comfort, and beauty.
Since 2007, the fashion studio offers a wide selection of handmade, eco-conscious, vegan, and plastic-free bridal pieces for your sustainable wedding.
13. Hyde
Category: Basics, activewear, leggings, bras, pants, shirts, accessories
For: Women
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Organic, made in the USA
Prices: $30-$90
Hyde is an organic yoga wear brand making flattering activewear with organic cotton in the USA. It has been providing teachers and practitioners of yoga around the world with comfy, organic clothes since 2005.
Hyde wants you to never feel constricted or uncomfortable in any of its yoga pants, yoga shorts, or yoga tops. It designs all of its yoga apparel to make you feel comfortable, even in the most awkward positions.
14. Anjali
Category: Basics, sportswear, leggings, bras, shorts, accessories
For: Women
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Recycled, made in the USA
Prices: $40-$80
Anjali makes sustainable clothes locally in the USA whenever possible, to be ethical, environmentally, and socially responsible.
It selects fabrics that feel good against the skin and align with a lifestyle cultivated through yoga.
Anjali offers super comfy printed yoga leggings made from a blend of recycled polyester and spandex.
15. JADE Swim
Category: Swimwear, bikinis, one-pieces
For: Women
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Recycled, made in the USA
Prices: $70-$220
JADE Swim is a sustainable swimwear brand founded by former fashion editor and stylist Brittany Kozerski in NYC. It aims to be different, innovative, unique, meaningful, luxurious, yet simple with a classic edge.
JADE Swim designs its bikinis and one-pieces with multifunctional versatility in mind. Its styles can be worn from day to night, from beach to city, as swim or ready-to-wear.
The swimwear label stands for a minimalist aesthetic with innovative silhouettes and unique design details. It makes its swimsuits with regenerated nylon in Los Angeles.
16. Misha Nonoo
Category: Basics, loungewear, knitwear, outerwear, maternity, accessories
For: Women
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Organic, recycled, luxury, made to order
Prices: $70-$750
Misha Nonoo is a British-Bahraini fashion designer that creates sustainable ready-to-wear for women in NYC. She offers workwear, loungewear, and event pieces to build the ultimate capsule wardrobe.
Misha Nonoo believes that the future of the fashion industry will look radically different than it does today. She aims to help build that future by pioneering on-demand manufacturing practices.
Misha Nonoo is committed to sustainability and female empowerment. She invests in the power of community and personal connection.
17. Gabriela Hearst
Category: Basics, loungewear, sleepwear, knitwear, outerwear, bags, shoes, accessories, jewelry
For: Women, men
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Organic, recycled, luxury
Prices: $690-$9,900
Gabriela Hearst is an Uruguayan women's luxury ready-to-wear and accessories designer in New York City. She creates beautiful collections of sustainable luxury available at her official online store.
Gabriela Hearst designs luxury womenswear with longevity and sustainability in mind. She produces her fashion items in limited quantities and primarily sells through direct to consumer channels.
Gabriela Hearst has set a goal of eliminating the use of virgin materials by 2022. She wants to eliminate plastics and use recycled fabrics instead. She also produced the first-ever carbon neutral runway show in 2019.
18. Zero + Maria Cornejo
Category: Basics, denim, loungewear, knitwear, outerwear, shoes, bags, accessories
For: Women
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Organic, recycled, luxury
Prices: $170-$1,250
Fashion designer Maria Cornejo launched her conscious fashion house Zero + Maria Cornejo more than 20 years ago. She is a pioneering ethical luxury fashion designer based in New York City.
Maria Cornejo offers a more sustainable way to shop for luxury garments with beautiful and ethical collections made of organic and recycled materials.
She has won multiple awards and is passionate about making luxury fashion with a conscience, designed and produced in New York by women for women.
19. Zero Waste Daniel
Category: Basics, knitwear, sportswear, swimwear, bags, accessories
For: Women, men
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Zero waste, recycled, upcycled
Prices: $50-$290
Zero Waste Daniel is a sustainable, eco-friendly, and handmade in Brooklyn clothing brand by zero-waste lifestyle pioneer and fashion designer Daniel Silverstein.
He creates genderless clothing and accessories with pre-consumer waste sourced from New York City's garment industry and other hard-to-recycle materials.
His New York City atelier uses fabric scraps and discarded fabrics that other designers, costume departments, fashion studios, and garment factories usually send to landfills.
Instead, Daniel Silverstein creates stylish and unique pieces of upcycled fashion. He is pioneering circular fashion through upcycling, a more inclusive and regenerative way of producing clothes.
20. Miakoda
Category: Basics, sportswear, knitwear, loungewear, accessories
For: Women
From: NYC, New York, United States
Values: Organic, vegan, recycled, made in the USA
Prices: $50-$100
Miakoda makes vegan fashion and accessories, including affordable leggings, bodysuits, bralettes, cardigans, tees, sweatshirts, hoodies, joggers, and slouchy pants.
The clothing label aims to create change by treating the planet, animals, and each other better. It produces its clothes sustainably and ethically in the NYC garment district.
Miakoda uses certified sustainable fabrics, including organic cotton, lyocell, and other upcycled materials. It personally visits its factories multiple times during every season to ensure a clean, safe, and respectful work environment.
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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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