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Sustainable Fashion On A Budget

Updated: Jul 1, 2020

Whether you’re a student or just plain broke, it can seem impossible to shop sustainable without breaking the bank, right? WRONG!


There are a plethora of options out there for those of us who just can't afford a €50 plain white t-shirt, but it's hard to find them! It seems the most popular brands are the most expensive and for a lot of people that's just not attainable. Sustainable fashion should and can be an option for everyone no matter what your budget.


I have compiled a huge list of brands who do sustainable/ethical pieces as well as Depop/Vintage shops! I’ve only included brands operating at the highest standard. Either based on their rating on Good On You or if they're not on there, my own research based on their transparency and just a bit of my own insight & judgement. I didn't include any brands I wasn't 100% sure about - if I couldn't find information to prove their sustainable/ethical practices they got the cut! NO GREENWASHING HERE PLEASE!


Additionally, as this list is focused on budget sustainable fashion I tried to keep it to brands who I thought were offering pieces at an affordable price range. This is based on my opinion so of course what might seem affordable to me may not be the same for everyone, however do keep in mind that of course brands who are operating sustainably and ethically are going to end up slightly more expensive than fast-fashion brands due to the materials they're using and the fact that they are paying workers a living wage. Some shops do have more expensive items but if I included them it is because I saw at least a few items on there that seemed like a bargain to me. I based a lot of my opinion about whether they were affordable or not on brand's basics like t-shirts - with prices as low as €14.



MY TOP TIPS

Before we get into all the shops, I'd like to share my tips for shopping sustainably on a budget!



#1 DON’T BUY

I know this is easier said than done but if you can’t afford to buy sustainably, just try not buying clothes for a while! Upcycled bits in your own wardrobe and give them a new lease of life. If you’re lucky enough to have friends around the same size as you have a little swap shop - or attend ones held by Sustainable Fashion Dublin, Swap Shop Sundays etc. once they’re back on!


#2 CHARITY SHOPS

Definitely the most cost-effective and most sustainable way to pick up some new clothes, I will always vouch for a good charity shop crawl - you just have to be dedicated and you’ll defo find some gems.


#3 PERSONAL DEPOPS

I haven’t included any of these on my list but people’s personal Depop accounts can have some real gems for a really good price! Again like the charity shops it’s a lot of searching though as people tend to tag items on Depop with everything under the sun :/



MOST IMPORTANTLY JUST TRY!

100 people trying imperfectly beats 1 person being perfect every time.

For once it's about quantity not quality!


Right without further ado, lets get into it!



General Clothing


By Laura Ella

All Things Fionalily

Know The Origin

People Tree

Grown

Brothers We Stand

Rapanui

Sanchos

Aff & Jam

Lucy and Yak

  • https://lucyandyak.com/

  • Independent, handmade and ethical dungarees, boilersuits, organic tees and more.

  • Note: Slightly debatable about how sustainable/ethical they really are, however as their overall rating on Good On You was 4/5 I decided to include them.

  • Rating

Shelf Lyfe

By Megan Crosby

  • www.bymegancrosby.com

  • Fun and colourful handmade pieces from organic, deadstock and sustainable fabrics.

  • Some pieces on the more expensive side but oh so gorge!

Smart Squid

By Eln


Swimwear


Slow Garments

  • https://www.depop.com/slowgarments/

  • Handmade recycled plastic swim wear from €16-€50

  • UK

  • I've personally bought from this brand and Tiff made me a custom size on request - was gorgeous and so well made!

Tide and Seek

Jeans


MonkeeGenes

Accessories


IUBI Design

Bigger The Hoop

MaiseyMade

Anna’s Hoops

We Are Plop

Little Sister

Crann

Erin O'Leary Design


Underwear/Socks


Thought Clothing

Depop shops/Vintage



Guse

Spice Vintage

Dublin Vintage Factory

Nova Vintage

Tola Vintage

Nine Crows

Year 3000 Vintage

Luda Vintage

Six Cotton

Dora’s Designs

Little MissDemeanours

Sun and Shanti

Vintage Revamp

Eliza’s Depop

Recut

Wild Child Clothing

Vintage Van Goths

Sugar and Spice Vintage

The Doyle Twins

Stella Antoinette

Teez Teez Teez

Baby Doll Vintage

Isca Bird

The Wild Eire

The Vintage Factory

Vint Room Clothing



That's everything! It's a pretty long list but I wanted to make sure I included as many options as possible. This obviously isn't a completely exhaustive list - especially in regards to vintage shops, but this is what I found through my own research and other people's suggestions.


Hopefully, you found something you liked - I know I did!


Love,






Disclaimer: I just wanted to say, that although I really encourage trying to make the change over to shop sustainably I never want to shame anyone. Sometimes people are living in poverty and from paycheck to paycheck and can't afford more than a pair of €2 Penneys knickers. Essentials like underwear, work clothes etc. just have to be bought and it's not your fault that the only thing you can afford is fast fashion - that's down to the system. However, a new dress from Boohoo for every night out is not essential, and the reason those prices are so low is because of the cost to the person making it. So next time you're doing a haul from your favourite fast-fashion site, maybe ask yourself: "is someone else's suffering worth this?"

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