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The Best Certified Fair Trade Fashion Brands for Ethical Clothing
How can you spot a fair trade fashion brand?
The truth is that in the age of greenwashing and ethics-washing, it can be difficult to know which claims stack up.
While there is a whole lot to consider when it comes to an ethical supply chain and certifications are *certainly* not perfect, I do think certifications from third-parties (not the fake certification-looking badges that companies add to their own products) can be an added layer of assurance when shopping for ethical fashion.
What is Fair Trade Fashion Anyway?
First off, “fair trade” is not a protected or regulated term like “organic” typically is. Clothing brands can claim to be “fair trade” on their website without actually having any type of certification or even being all that ethical.
On the flip side, there are small ethical fashion brands going even beyond fair trade certification standards that are doing incredible work but may not be able to afford to pay for fair trade certification. (I know — it’s complicated!)
For the sake of this guide, I am focusing on fair trade certified brands, or brands using fair trade certified factories only. (For ethically-made fashion in general, check out this Ethical Brand List.)
When it comes to certifications, it can get… complicated. The most important thing to know is that there are several levels of certifications.
- Company-wide fair trade memberships
- Fair trade certifications for factories
- Fair trade certifications for ingredients or components (like cotton)
World Fair Trade Organization Guaranteed Member: The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) Guarantee System assesses the entire business, which includes the company’s structure and business model, operations, and supply chains. Learn more here.
Fair Trade Federation Member: The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) also verifies businesses for their holistic commitment to fair trade practices. Learn more about FTF Verification here and FTF’s Principles here.
Fair Trade Certified
Fairtrade Certified Cotton: You may have seen the Fairtrade label from Fairtrade International on your coffee, tea, or bananas. The Fairtrade organization also has a certification for cotton to improve the livelihoods of cotton farmers. Learn more about Fairtrade cotton.
Now that you have some background on fair trade fashion, check out this list of our favorite fair trade clothing and accessories brands.
Note that this guide include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission on qualified purchases at no additional cost to you.
The Best Certified Fair Trade Fashion Brands
1. Mata Traders
Credentials: Fair Trade Federation Member
Categories: Dresses, Pants, Blouses
Price Range: $$
Women-founded and run fair trade fashion brand Mata Traders partners with co-ops of women artisans across India and Nepal. Mata Traders, along with their artisan partners, crafts colorful modern cotton and linen clothing using heritage craft techniques like blockprinting and traditional embroidery. The Chicago-based fair fashion label is also a member of Chicago Fair Trade.
2. Anchal Project
Credentials: Fair Trade Federation Member
Categories: Clothing, Bags, Scarves
Price Range: $$
Crafted from GOTS-certified organic cotton, Anchal’s intricate pieces are hand embroidered with geometric designs in north India with exceptional attention to detail. In addition to the brand’s fair trade shirts, Anchal offers patchwork jackets, colorful tote bags, and unique home goods made ethically in partnership with their skilled artisan partners.
3. Known Supply
Credentials: Partners with Fair Trade Certified
Categories: Gender Neutral Tees & Basics, Dresses & Jumpsuits, Accessories
Price Range: $$
With the tagline “we are humanizing the apparel industry”, KNOWN SUPPLY is committed to a fully transparent supply chain with an extensive “Meet the Makers” section on their website. The ethical apparel company ensures fair wages for the individuals across its supply chain through working with certified Fair Trade factories and creating direct trade partnerships. The company is also a certified B Corporation and uses certified organic cotton.
4. Maggie’s Organics
Credentials: Fair Trade Federation Member, World Fair Trade Organization Guaranteed Member
Categories: Loungewear, Leggings & Activewear, Basics, Accessories & Socks
Price Range: $$
Maggie’s Organics has been making organic fair trade clothing for over 30 years. While the ethical fashion brand is a member of fair trade organizations, Maggie’s Organics wanted to go beyond these standards, creating their Real Fair Trade Pledge to level up the industry with complete transparency, community giving, and long-term partnerships. This impressive fair trade label is even on a journey to becoming employee owned!
5. PACT
Credentials: Made in Fair Trade Certified
Categories: Women’s, Men’s, and Kids’ Basics, Loungewear, Sleepwear, Dresses & Everyday Apparel
Price Range: $
Founded as an organic basics brand, PACT has affordable ethical fashion made from GOTS-certified organic cotton in Fair Trade Certified
6. Terra Thread
Credentials: Uses Fairtrade-Certified Cotton, Made in Fair Trade Certified
Categories: Bags, Basics
Price Range: $$
Founded after realizing there was a dearth of genuinely sustainable backpacks on the market, Terra Thread goes above and beyond in ethical and eco-friendly production. The brand’s ethical bags and apparel are made with Fairtrade Certified Organic Cotton in a Fair Trade USA Certified Factory. Plus Terra Thread’s products are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified and the brand is Regenerative Organic Certified®!
7. No Nasties
Credentials: Made in Fairtrade-Certified Mill
Categories: Women’s and Men’s Basics and Elevated Apparel
Price Range: $
Creating comfy everyday loungewear along with work-ready button-up shirts, No Nasties is an eco-friendly, vegan, and fair trade clothing company following high standards for both people and planet. Based in India where their clothes are also made, No Nasties uses only 100% certified-organic cotton and Fairtrade-certified factories for their entire production.
8. Patagonia (most products)
Credentials: Fair Trade Certified
Categories: Women’s, Men’s, and Kids Activewear, Outdoor Gear, and Basics
Price Range: $$ – $$$
Patagonia is known for its’ climate and sustainability commitments, but what’s lesser known is that the majority of the company’s products are also Fair Trade Certified
9. Manos Del Uruguay
Credentials: World Fair Trade Federation Organization Guaranteed Member
Categories: Sweaters, Shawls, Scarves & Ponchos, Accessories
Price Range: $$$
For over 50 years, Manos del Uruguay has been committed to improving the livelihoods of rural women in Uruguay.
Today the fair trade fashion brand and nonprofit organization partners with thousands of craftswomen in the country across 12 cooperatives. In addition to crafting their own luxury products from natural materials like merino wool and linen, the nonprofit has collaborated with leading brands like Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, and Coach.
10. Passion Lilie
Credentials: Fair Trade Federation Member, Fair Trade International Member
Categories: Dresses, Pants, Jackets, Button-Up Shirts
Price Range: $$
Using natural materials materials like linen and cotton (including some GOTS-certified organic cotton), Passion Lilie creates breathable dresses and other garments in partnership with artisans in India. The fair trade fashion brand’s colorful garments are made with techniques like hand-screen printing.
You May Also Want To Check Out:
Fair Trade Artisan-Made Jewelry Brands to Love
Affordable Ethical Fashion Brands
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The Best Certified Fair Trade Fashion Brands for Ethical Clothing