Best Ethical Fashion Brands in 2025
Vivian Wilson for Wildfang | Courtesy of Wildfang
Where to Spend When Washington Goes to War with DEI (and just about everything else): 2025 Fashion Edition
The brands below— all U.S.–based and spanning outdoor gear to avant-streetwear—prove that racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, climate action and even Palestinian solidarity are more than marketing copy. They’re business models. Spend accordingly.
Best Ethical Fashion Brands in 2025
1. Patagonia
Image courtesy of Patagonia
What they stand for: climate justice and Indigenous sovereignty
Receipts: In 2022, founder Yvon Chouinard transferred the entire company (and every future dividend) to a trust and nonprofit so “Earth is now our only shareholder.”
Why it matters in 2025: Lawmakers targeting ESG want brands to quit climate advocacy; Patagonia literally made permanent the opposite.
Shop their site: patagonia.com
2. Telfar
Image courtesy of Telfar
What they stand for: Black-owned economic equity, unisex fashion
Receipts: The cult “Bushwick Birkin” sold through the radically fair Bag Security Program—allowing unlimited pre-orders so bots can’t flip bags at gouge prices.
Why it matters in 2025: Proves inclusive pricing and profit can co-exist, unsettling luxury’s scarcity playbook.
Shop their site: www.telfar.net/
3. Brother Vellies
Image courtesy of Brother Vellies
What they stand for: Black entrepreneurship, ethical sourcing, sustainability,
Receipts: Brother Vellies emphasizes using vegetable-tanned leathers, recycled tire soles, hand-carved wood and floral-dyed feathers. The brand also prioritize fair labor practices, employing artisans from South Africa, Kenya, Mexico Morocco, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Italy, Haiti and New York City. In addition, Founder Aurora James notably started the “Fifteen Percent Pledge,” which pushes major retailers to dedicate 15 % of shelf space to Black brands; 2025 progress report shows billions redirected so far.
Why it matters in 2025: When DEI budgets get slashed, the Pledge keeps pressure on corporations.
Shop their site: https://brothervellies.com/
4. PaliRoots
Image courtesty of PALIROOTS
What they stand for: Palestinian solidarity, cultural preservation
Receipts: Over $3.4 million donated to Gaza food, water and medical relief; recent “Stand With Gaza” campaign funds children’s trauma care.
Why it matters in 2025: Few U.S. brands dare to be ‘pro-Palestine’, let alone do pro-Palestine work.
Shop their site: www.paliroots.com/
5. Reformation
Image courtesy of Reformation
What they stand for: carbon-neutral, circular fashion
Receipts: Climate Neutral–certified; publishes audited carbon, water and waste data every quarter and funds 100 % offsets.
Why it matters in 2025: Legislators attacking ESG scoring can’t erase transparent math—Ref scales profits while shrinking footprint.
Shop their site: www.thereformation.com
6. Girlfriend Collective
Image courtesy of Girlfriend Collective
What they stand for: size-inclusivity, recycled materials
Receipts: Active-wear up to 6XL made from post-consumer bottles; factory and wage info publicly posted.
Why it matters in 2025: Shows “inclusive + sustainable” isn’t a niche— it’s the fastest-growing corner of athleisure.
Shop their site: https://girlfriend.com
7. Outerknown
Image Courtesy of Outerknown
What they stand for: regenerative agriculture, worker welfare
Receipts: Pioneered U.S. supply chains using Regenerative Organic Certified cotton that repairs soil and lifts farmer income.
Why it matters in 2025: Climate bills are stalled, but shoppers can still bankroll farming that pulls carbon from air to earth.
Shop their site: https://www.outerknown.com
8. Wildfang
Image courtesy of Wildfang
What they stand for: queer expression, trans rights
Receipts: 2025 Pride capsule with trans model Vivian Wilson donates 100 % of tee profits to The Trevor Project and centers the slogan “Existing Shouldn’t Be Revolutionary.”
Why it matters in 2025: Amid record anti-trans legislation, Wildfang’s tailoring literally funds lifelines.
Shop their site: www.wildfang.com
9. Chromat
Image courtesy of Chromat
What they stand for: body diversity, trans joy, ocean-safe materials
Receipts: Gender-inclusive swim in sizes XS–5X, new line co-designed with trans activist Tourmaline, manufactured with regenerated fishing-net nylon in fair-wage factories.
Why it matters in 2025: Refuses to separate sustainability from liberation: protecting beaches and the bodies on them.
Shop their site: https://chromat.com
10. Automic Gold
Image courtesy of Automic Gold
What they stand for: queer-Indigenous ownership, size-inclusive fine jewelry
Receipts: Recycled-gold rings in sizes 2-16; founders openly champion trans and Indigenous rights across campaigns and donations.
Why it matters in 2025: In an industry still gate-kept by heteronormative marketing, Automic proves luxury can be radically inclusive.
Shop their site: https://www.automicgold.com
11: Francesca’s
What the stand for: Diversity, equity & Inclusion
Receipts: The apparel retailer’s CEO Andrew Clarke shared a LinkedIn post framing inclusion as a “human strategy,” crediting DEI for rescuing the brand from bankruptcy. “DEI is not an abbreviation—it’s a Human Strategy, and respect and inclusion are good for business,” the post said. “At Francesca’s, we’ve built a culture where employees feel free to be you in all senses.”
What it matters in 2025: With so many brands buckling under the pressure to ditch DEI, it’s hopeful to see some corporate stalwarts like Francesca’s.
Shop their site: www.francescas.com
Best ethical brands in 2025: How to Use This List
Audit your closet: Before buying new, repair, swap or resell. When replacement is necessary, pick from the roster above.
Check for ongoing campaigns: Many of these labels run limited-time fund-raisers tied to current crises. Sign up for email alerts so your purchase maximizes impact.
Push big retailers: If your favorite store carries none of these brands, ask why, citing the Fifteen Percent Pledge or similar benchmarks.
Share receipts: Post about the brand’s mission when you post the fit; UGC word-of-mouth is free advertising for values.
Know a brand that belongs on this list? Reach out to our editorial team and let us know.
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