9 Affordably Chic and Sustainable Alternatives to Zara
Although fast fashion companies are starting to push green initiatives and tapping into the conscious consumer market, many of their campaigns show no proof of progress toward said sustainability targets. Zara is one of these fast fashion retailers. With over 2,000 stores worldwide and over 21 million dollars in annual revenue, the global impact of Zara is significant. Zara has made steps toward being more eco-conscious, such as implementing a clothing recycling program or working toward lower greenhouse gas emission targets, but the evidence in actual results from these campaigns is hard to verify. The majority of their production processes are done in Spain with loose labor laws, meaning workers may not be paid a living wage. There is definitely a long way to go in terms of holding the fashion industry to a higher standard. While fast fashion giants like Zara catch up to speed with the rest of the sustainable fashion industry, ourCommonplace does all the research for you with vetted brands that uphold high standards in sustainability and ethical production. From fashion and jewelry to home goods, we’ve listed a few of our favorite affordably chic and sustainable alternatives to Zara below!
FASHION
Alana Athletica
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free
An ethical activewear brand that empowers its workers and actively uplifts local communities.
Alana Athletica is an ethical activewear brand that empowers its woman-powered workforce with fair wages and humane environments and partners with humanitarian organizations to educate, employ, and empower women with private tutoring, job skills training, employment opportunities and self-defense training. Every garment sold supports women across these socioeconomic causes, helping them to survive and empowering them to thrive. Garments are made ethically in Sri Lanka in small production houses with a 100% women production workforce that receives food, fair wages, and a human environment.
Shop all Alana Athletica
Featured products: The Kickstarter Extra Hi-Rise Legging, The Traverse Bra, The Modern Renew Legging
Beatrice Bayliss
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
Chic affordable slow fashion and a sustainable alternative to Zara, made ethically in the UK with organic materials.
From recycled packaging to their ethical, local UK production processes, Beatrice Bayliss is a sustainable alternative that puts emphasis on transparency and care for the environment in all of their fashion pieces. To further minimize their carbon footprint, they’ve also partnered with Ecologi, which plants a tree for every purchase made. Fairly priced, buying chic, sustainable clothing doesn’t have to be out of budget.
Shop all Beatrice Bayliss
Featured products: Wrap Skirt, Dusty Pink Bandeau, Grey Ribbed Lounge Set
Oceanchild
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
Minimalist-inspired sustainable swimwear made from recycled plastic and old fishermen's nets, a perfect sustainable alternative for your closet.
A climate positive company, Oceanchild offset more carbon than they produce by supporting global climate projects. Designers work closely with production centers in Portugal to ensure each piece is made ethically and under good working conditions. Oceanchild is redefining how we think about our body and the environment with their confidence-boosting swimwear.
Shop all Oceanchild
Featured products: Moana Bottom – Cloud, Malia Wrap Skirt, Lanei Bra Top – Black
Knickey
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, Woman Owned
Raising the intimate-wear standard with organic fabrics free from toxins.
GOTS, Oeko-Tex, and Fair-Trade Certified, Knickey is female-founded and creates sustainable intimate apparel for the womxn who seek comfort, durability, and certified sustainability. Their organic production produces only a quarter of emissions from conventional cotton processes, helping the environment as well as giving their employees toxin-free working conditions. Not to mention, Knickey has its own recycling initiative to keep underwear out of landfills.
Shop all Knickey
Featured products: Mid-Rise Hipster, The Keyhole, High-Rise Brief
Paneros Clothing
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Woman Owned
Chic and sustainable, small-batch styles that embrace the wearer’s individuality.
Small-batch production, use of recycled and deadstock materials, and eco-friendly fibers, Paneros clothing creates timeless fashion pieces that can be worn year after year. They are committed to inclusive sustainability that emphasizes responsible manufacturing and minimizing environmental impact. Paneros’s ethical production standards make it so each piece can be traced back to the workers who created it.
Shop all Paneros Clothing
Featured products: Clarence Maxi Dress, Liv Crop Top, Olivia Mini Dress
Accessory
Brunna Co
ourCommonplace Values: Sustainable, Cruelty Free, Ethical, Woman Owned
Colorful, fashion-forward handbags dedicated to quality construction without the animal cruelty.
BrunnaCo represents local Balinese artisans, with each bag is carefully crafted without the use of animal products. Their vision empowers local talents to preserve Indonesian culture and inspires today's generations to preserve the environment through fashion.
Shop all Brunna Co
Featured products: Matta Blanc Handwoven Straw Clutch, AWAN Ruffle Bag, Borneo Sani Straw Tote Bag with Tassels
Jewelry
Hathorway
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Toxic Free, BIPOC Owned, Woman Owned
Edgy, yet elegant eco-friendly jewelry that is ethically sourced and produced responsibly.
Hathorway is a woman-owned, conscious fashion accessories brand focused on quality, sustainability, and women empowerment. Their brand is defined by geometrical and minimalistic silhouettes, and their items are thoughtfully designed and assembled in the San Francisco Bay Area using eco-conscious materials like ethically sourced buffalo horns that are traditionally handcrafted by artisans in Northern Vietnam.
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Featured products: Xuan Buffalo Horn Thick Oval Link Chain Ankle Bracelet, Buffalo Horn Crescent Ring, Tinh Buffalo Horn Minimalist Bar Earrings
Nisolo
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Woman Owned
Sustainable jewelry handmade from with upcycled materials by independent artisans in Kenya.
Nisolo is an ethical fashion brand that produces shoes and accessories for men and women. Their goal is to push the fashion industry in a more sustainable direction, where success is based on more than just offering the cheapest price––a direction that not only values exceptional design, but the producer and the planet just as much as the end consumer. Nisolo also advocates for fair trade wages; all Nisolo producers receive, at a minimum, beyond fair trade wages, healthcare, and a healthy working environment. They foster relationships with ethical factories and take a direct-to-consumer approach so they can offer a fair price to customers while ensuring producers in their supply chain are treated fairly.
Shop all Nisolo.
Featured Products: Huggie Hoop Earring, Wire Cuff Bracelet , Tiny Brass Bead Necklace
Home
Sunday Morning
ourCommonplace Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Cruelty Free, Woman Owned
Sustainable loungewear and eco-friendly bedding at honest prices, without compromising social responsibility standards.
Founded on the idea that consumers shouldn’t have to choose between high quality, great design, fair pricing, and ethical production, Sunday Morning is an affordably chic and sustainable alternative that is transparent in its sustainable production processes resulting in quality pieces for every home and body. All factories they work with have a close relationship with Sunday Best, and the materials used are durable to promote the product's longevity and ensure you can enjoy it for years to come.
Shop all Sunday Morning
Featured products: Marcel Linen Collection Set – Dove, Agnes Linen Top, Marcel Linen Pillowcases (Pair) – Storm/ Storm Stripe
With more independent brands on the rise, it's easier than ever to purchase more consciously as consumers. We hope you enjoyed this article on our take for sustainable alternatives to Zara. Leave your comment below if you have any suggestions on other Zara alternatives!
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zara_(retailer)
https://www.zara.com/us/en/z-commitment-mkt1390.html?v1=1243180