Ethical Fashion Options for Men
One of my best friends recently asked me to help him find some sustainable clothing options, and that’s when I realized…I follow and educate myself on 98% women’s brands and barely focus on the men’s side of things.
With a bit of research, I came up with a solid list of suggestions that I wanted to share whether you’re a male looking for sustainable solutions, or if you’re a gal looking for a present for someone! Below are my top seven picks and I included a little bit about each brand as well as one or two of my favorite items from the company. Without further ado…
Apparel
Brothers We Stand // This was a new discovery for me through my research, and I have to say, one of my new favorites. While many sustainable fashion companies err on the side of basics (sometimes read: boring), Brothers We Stand can be summed up in one word as…rad. They carry funky graphic sweatshirts, chinos, and accessories. But, my favorite part? Check out the “Footprint” tab on any product page. You’re provided with the factory information, supplier info, environmental impact, and areas of improvement. Talk about transparency!
Everlane // One of the brands I’ve been familiar with the longest, Everlane is based in San Francisco and sets the standard for transparency. Complete with a cost breakdown of the garment with materials and labor all the way down to duties, Everlane seeks to provide the consumer with all the details. Featuring products I love like cashmere hoodies, merino sweaters, and even all the great basics like solid t-shirts and underwear, I have always been impressed with Everlane’s ability to maintain a high level of quality, transparency, and assortment all in one place.
Patagonia // The pinnacle brand (in my opinion) of all things sustainable fashion. I’m sure it’s a brand you all know and love, but can we just take a moment to bask in the glory of all things Patagonia? Complete with the Footprint Chronicle depicting the route of the product and how it was made, Patagonia covers all the bases incredibly well, especially for a company of their size producing at the level of quantity that they are. I could speak to all my favorite products for days but I narrowed it down to the men’s Micro Puff Hoody or the Zemer Bomber Jacket.
Footwear
Nisolo // Ahh, the shoe company of my dreams. While I haven’t yet purchased a pair of shoes from Nisolo, I am pretty sure I’ve convinced half of my friends and coworkers to purchase their shoes! I can’t wait to one day visit their store in Nashville, to soak in all of the ethically crafted goodness. With factories in Mexico, Peru, and Kenya, Nisolo provides the supply chain information and an impact report on their website. Nisolo has quite the extensive selection of my favorite style of shoe for men, chukkas, as well as many other styles such as oxfords, Chelsea boots, and sneakers.
Matt & Nat // Vegan, cruelty-free and recycled brand Matt & Nat executes chic street style flawlessly in their collection of sleek, black boots and accessories like briefcases. After perusing through all of the Montreal-based company’s menswear footwear and accessories, I’ve definitely arrived at the conclusion that any man using their products gets a +10% added to his cool factor. 🙂 Some of my personal favorites though are the slip-on sneaker, or their sleek weekender bag.
Allbirds // Dubbed as “the world’s most comfortable shoe”, San Fran based Allbirds is a great option if you’re looking for ethically-made running shoes (not an easy feat). My personal favorite are the Mens’ Tree Runners in Fiddle Leaf! With one mission in mind – to make shoes in a better way, using natural materials – Allbirds is the perfect option for your go-to shoe for everyday wear.
Veja // A pair of these is on my birthday list but I just can’t narrow it down to exactly which pair I want most…help! With their extensive assortment of color combinations, you most likely will be in the same place as I am right now and find about 452 options that you can’t decide between! The Veja story is so cool. Per their website, Veja’s founders bought rubber from rubber tappers in the Amazon, despite its price being higher than that of synthetic materials, and made use of ecological cotton that was grown in ways that could return nutrients to the soil, rather than causing damage to it due to the usage of chemicals. Veja also utilizes recycled plastic bottles from the streets of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro by making a waterproof mesh for some of its sneaker models!
Those are some of the companies I wanted to share whether from previous knowledge or as a recent discovery! However, this is just the tip of the iceberg and I’d love to hear from you what your favorite sustainable menswear brands are. I would love to make additions to this post so it can act as a running catalog of men’s sustainable options for anyone’s reference. Feel free to drop a comment below or shoot me an email to give me your thoughts!
Much love,
Olivia