9 Zero Waste Clothing Brands Moving Circular Fashion Forward Image by Whimsy + Row #zerowasteclothing #zerowasteclothingbrands #zerowasteclothes #zerowastefashion #zerowastefashionbrands #whatiszerowastefashion #sustainablejungle
Image by Whimsy + Row
9 Zero Waste Clothing Brands Moving Circular Fashion Forward Image by Sustainable Jungle #zerowasteclothing #zerowasteclothingbrands #zerowasteclothes #zerowastefashion #zerowastefashionbrands #whatiszerowastefashion #sustainablejungle
Image by Sustainable Jungle

9 Zero Waste Clothing Brands Moving Circular Fashion Forward

Jenny Bell


Our parents were right when they told us not to be wasteful. 

If only someone could scold the entire fashion industry because textile waste is staggering. 

Fortunately, there are some good kids in the zero waste fashion world—namely brands that are using circular practices to create zero waste clothing (and avoid the one-way street to landfill).

Everything we recommend to you on Sustainable Jungle is independently researched and we ask all brands to confirm their claims. To avoid waste, we test products on an as needed basis. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about why we do this here.

The Top Zero Waste Fashion Brands For Circular Style

Hernest Project offers some of the best clothes for conscious comfort. They keep fabric waste to a bare minimum and recycle 100% of it.

Malaika New York employs zero waste fashion techniques and reclaimed fabrics to create their super stylish minimal waste clothing.

Pre-consumer textile waste becomes sexy, low-impact lingerie thanks to Anekdot’s commitment to circularity.

If you don’t have a second to waste, see how we scrapped together these closed-loop clothing brands at the bottom.

The Full List Of Zero Waste Design Fashion


1. Hernest Project

9 Zero Waste Clothing Brands Moving Circular Fashion Forward Images by Hernest Project and Sustainable Jungle #zerowasteclothing #zerowasteclothingbrands #zerowasteclothes #zerowastefashion #zerowastefashionbrands #whatiszerowastefashion #sustainablejungle
Images by Hernest Project and Sustainable Jungle

About Hernest Project

Price Range: $49–$159

Combining “her” and “nest”, Hernest Project is a fitting name for a brand that makes some of the coziest sustainable sleepwear and loungewear for women.

Their button-down tops, cardigans, crewnecks, joggers, pants, shorts, tanks, and tees are ideal for lounging at home or popping to your local zero waste grocery store. 

Snuggle up in the Caroline Cardigan. Featuring a soft fleecey inside, raglan shoulders, wooden buttons, and spacious pockets, its relaxed yet stylish aesthetic makes it an easy all-season favorite. 

Hernest Project’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

How do you make zero waste fashion?

If you ask Hernest Project, it’s with either fully compostable or compostable AND recycled natural fabrics.

You’ll find recycled cotton, GOTS-certified cotton, TENCEL™, recycled lyocell, and a small percentage of recycled elastane. 

All fabrics bear OEKO-TEX certification and feature bluesign® approved dyes—not to mention we’ve tested them and find them suuuuper comfy!

Supply chain & labor practices:

Hernest’s zero waste clothes are made by a family-owned and female-run operation in Portugal (SM Senra) and the accessories are made by a social enterprise in Canada (The Cutting Edge).

The brand has a comprehensive Supplier Code of Conduct and aims to map all of its tier 3 and tier 4 suppliers by 2025. 

Carbon commitments & green practices:

SM Senra employs computer technology to keep fabric waste to a minimum. 100% of production waste is recycled, like being turned into zero waste accessories.

They’re focusing their sustainability efforts on 12 of the UN’s SDGs, the details of which can be found in their Sustainability Roadmap.

They also partner with Green Story for carbon offsetting and aim to be carbon positive by 2030. 

Inclusivity:

With inclusive sizing (XS-4XL) and a handy visual size guide, Hernest ensures its closed-loop clothing fits all bodies. 


2. Malaika New York

9 Zero Waste Clothing Brands Moving Circular Fashion Forward Images by Malaika New York #zerowasteclothing #zerowasteclothingbrands #zerowasteclothes #zerowastefashion #zerowastefashionbrands #whatiszerowastefashion #sustainablejungle
Images by Malaika New York

About Malaika New York

Price Range: $65–$299

Danish brand Malaika New York offers “unique zero waste garments for the contemporary minimalist”.

Think stylish asymmetrical designs, boxy t-shirts, and effortlessly chic black shift dresses created using zero waste fashion design techniques. 

For a go-to black dress, Malaika’s LBD with Pockets ticks all the right boxes. Made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, it features a boat neckline and side pockets and is designed for a flattering, loose fit.

Malaika New York’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

The zero waste fashion brand uses deadstock fabrics (20%) and upcycled materials, including fabric offcuts and old bike tubes for appliqués.

They also use ECONYL® yarn and cotton is either OEKO or GOTS-certifed.

To ensure maximum recycling potential, each garment is made from just one material when possible. 

Supply chain & labor practices:

Malaika works with Kopenhag Studio in Izmir, Turkey, where a sustainable production process and a safe and healthy work environment are top priorities. 100% of textile waste is reused or recycled. 

Koepenhag also supports traditional craftsmanship by partnering with small ateliers. Everyone receives living wages. 

Carbon commitments & green practices:

Malaika’s rectangular zero waste patterns reduce the amount of clothing waste produced to 15-20% instead of the 30% fashion industry average.  

Malaika’s studio is powered by renewable energy, samples are created in-house to reduce CO2 emissions, and Rewear by Malaika helps keep their clothes in circulation longer. 

They currently use biodegradable bags for 70% of their products and are working to reach 100%. 

Inclusivity:

The range of sizes each garment covers varies, but most styles cover the size range XS-XL or XS-XXL. 


3. Whimsey + Row

9 Zero Waste Clothing Brands Moving Circular Fashion Forward Images by Whimsy + Row #zerowasteclothing #zerowasteclothingbrands #zerowasteclothes #zerowastefashion #zerowastefashionbrands #whatiszerowastefashion #sustainablejungle
Images by Whimsy + Row

About Whimsey + Row

Price Range: $36–$398

For zero waste clothing USA, Whimsey + Row offers plenty of stylish designs, including dresses, tops, bottoms, underwear, and sustainable wedding dresses.

Garments are created in small batches and textile waste is either repurposed for accessories or sent for recycling. 

We love Whimsey + Row for their linen offerings, including the super versatile Sydney Dress

Featuring a smocked bodice, detachable puffed sleeves, and detachable tie straps, this mid-length 100% linen dress achieves three different looks for the price (and impact) of one. 

Whimsey + Row’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

You’ll find organic cotton, linen, eco-friendly viscose fabric, TENCEL™, Cupro, and deadstock fabric.

Supply chain & labor practices:

The zero waste fashion brand works with several small manufacturing partners, most of which are located in Downtown Los Angeles. 

They also partner with a knitting manufacturer in Missouri and a social enterprise in India. 

Carbon commitments & green practices:

Limited runs mean less clothing waste and leftover fabric scraps are turned into accessories like scrunchies. 

Wear It Again Whimsey is their resale platform for pre-loved Whimsy + Row pieces, helping to support a closed-loop fashion future.

They partner with Carbonfund.org for carbon offsetting and use recyclable materials for shipping. 

Inclusivity:

With an extended sizing collection outside their regular XS-XL range, Whimsey + Row is one of the best places to find plus size zero waste clothing. 

Community & charitable giving:

Whimsey + Row donates to a range of charitable organizations and takes part in monthly volunteer days. 


4. Anekdot

9 Zero Waste Clothing Brands Moving Circular Fashion Forward Images by Anekdot #zerowasteclothing #zerowasteclothingbrands #zerowasteclothes #zerowastefashion #zerowastefashionbrands #whatiszerowastefashion #sustainablejungle
Images by Anekdot

About Anekdot

Price Range: $45–$235

Berlin-based Anekdot turns high-quality waste fabrics into beautiful lingerie, loungewear, and swimwear. 

You’ll find lace bras and bralettes, knickers, panties, silky robes, and silk lingerie all made from pre-consumer textile waste combined with regenerated and recycled synthetics. 

Add some frilly flair to your sleepwear with the Cayenne Flutter Knickers made from surplus polyester from Italy. The crotch is made from 95% organic cotton and 5% elastane from fabric offcuts. 

Anekdot’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

Fabric sourcing for their sustainable lingerie comes first for this “upcycle brand” and they source their pre-consumer textile waste from various places—like factory surplus silk.

They also use ECONYL® regenerated nylon.

Supply chain & labor practices:

Anekdot’s garments are made in Berlin or Poland by small, women-owned companies. 

Carbon commitments & green practices:

They keep textile waste to a minimum and anything they can’t use is donated, sold, or given new life as accessories. 

Orders are-shipped plastic free using recycled paper packaging, paper tape, and compostable mailers. 

Inclusivity:

Sizing runs XS-XL. If you’re buying a set and need the top and bottoms in different sizes, drop them a note at checkout. 

Community & charitable giving:

Anekdot supports and organizes local community events such as clothes swaps for #FashionRevolutionWeek, open studio events, and IG live.


5. MUD Jeans

9 Zero Waste Clothing Brands Moving Circular Fashion Forward Images by Mud Jeans #zerowasteclothing #zerowasteclothingbrands #zerowasteclothes #zerowastefashion #zerowastefashionbrands #whatiszerowastefashion #sustainablejungle
Images by Mud Jeans

About MUD Jeans

Price Range: $90–$169

Champions of the circular economy, fashion brands MUD Jeans want to add some denim to your zero waste wardrobe with PETA-approved sustainable jeans made from organic and recycled cotton. 

Whether you like them cropped, flared, loose, relaxed, skinny, straight, or high-waisted, MUD Jeans designs ethical jeans for everyone, along with jackets, shirts, shorts, skirts, and accessories. 

The Mams Tapered offers a classic high-waist mom fit with tapered legs and comes in four colors: Berry, Chocolate, Forest, and Bio Bleach.

You can also lease your jeans instead of buying them, with a one year of free repairs. 

MUD Jean’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

You’ll find GOTS-certified cotton, GRS-certified post-consumer recycled cotton (up to 40% per pair, with a goal of 100%), hemp fabric, and a maximum of 2% of elastane in stretch designs. 

They use Cradle2Cradle-certified indigo dye. 

Supply chain & labor practices:

All clothing is made in Tunisia by Yousstex International, an ethical manufacturer that uses innovative eco-friendly production methods. 

Old jeans are recycled into new fabric in Spain. 

You can read all about this Certified B Corp’s supply chain partners on their website

Carbon commitments & green practices:

95% of the water used during the production process is recycled and shipping emissions are carbon offset. 

You can send back old jeans of any brand (provided they’re made of <96% cotton) recycling.

Read more in their latest Sustainability Report

Inclusivity:

Women’s sizes run 25–33″ for waists and men’s sizes 28–38″. Leg lengths vary depending on the style. 

Community & charitable giving:

Not only are their women’s and men’s clothes zero waste, they also help the brand give back.

Each Earth Day, MUD employees are given a day off to spend supporting local projects. 

Voices For Good is the brand’s platform showcasing environmental and social changemakers, and they host a monthly Zoom webinar on circular business practices.


6. Christy Dawn

9 Zero Waste Clothing Brands Moving Circular Fashion Forward Images by Christy Dawn #zerowasteclothing #zerowasteclothingbrands #zerowasteclothes #zerowastefashion #zerowastefashionbrands #whatiszerowastefashion #sustainablejungle
Images by Christy Dawn

About Christy Dawn

Price Range: $55–$598

Christy Dawn makes women’s zero waste clothes that are beautiful, bohemian, and way better for our planet.

Their vintage-inspired pieces include tops, bottoms, dresses, loungewear, overalls, outerwear, maternity clothes, and sustainable boots and sandals

The dreamy Dawn Dress, the brand’s first ever piece, remains a best-seller. With its classic v-neck and drawstring waist, this endlessly versatile dress is ready for a multitude of occasions. 

Christy Dawn’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

Brands like Christy Dawn give us life with their use of deadstock fabrics.

Everything in the Deadstock Collection is made from fabric or natural leather that would otherwise end up in a landfill. 

Their non-recycled fabrics include only regenerative cotton sourced from the Oshadi Collective in India, and regenerative alpaca wool.

Supply chain & labor practices:

Some garments are made in LA, where they source most of their deadstock fabrics. 

Others, including the pieces in their Farm-to-Closet collection, are ethically made in India. 

Carbon commitments & green practices:

The Farm-to-Closet initiative supports regenerative agriculture, and you can  “grow your own dress” with Christy Dawn’s land stewardship program. 

Inclusivity:

General zero waste dress sizing runs XS-XL, but they also offer an Extended Sizing (1X – 3X) and a Petite Sizing collection. 

Community & charitable giving:

In addition to their work with the Oshadi Collective, Christy Dawn supports environmental and social initiatives in their local LA community.


7. RE/DONE

9 Zero Waste Clothing Brands Moving Circular Fashion Forward Images by RE_DONE #zerowasteclothing #zerowasteclothingbrands #zerowasteclothes #zerowastefashion #zerowastefashionbrands #whatiszerowastefashion #sustainablejungle
Images by RE_DONE

About RE/DONE

Price Range: $85–$2,496

Zero waste fashion company RE/DONE is all about “vintage made better”.

They start with the original, vintage garments and take them apart to mix and match certain portions, making one-of-a-kind pieces. 

To date, they’ve prevented more than 225,850 garments from entering landfills.

Upcycled clothing make up half of their sales volume, but they also offer a non-upcycled selection of stylish clothing for men and women, including jeans, shorts, skirts, tees, pants, sweaters, shoes, and accessories. 

RE/DONE’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

Upcycled materials (from Levi’s and Hanes) make up the majority of the garments in the RE/DONE collections. 

For their non-upcycled clothing and shoes they use a number of materials, including organic cotton, recycled cotton and leather from LWG-certified tanneries.

Supply chain & labor practices:

RE/DONE’s upcycled clothes are mostly made in an ethical factory in Los Angeles, though some come from sustainability-minded manufacturing partners in Mexico and Turkey.

Carbon commitments & green practices:

The Mexico factory is Cradle2Cradle certified and an Alliance For Responsible Denim member. 

Both factories use water-saving manufacturing methods and in Mexico, the pumice stones used for washing are recycled into thermal “eco-blocks” used for housing. 

The brand has opened a European warehouse to save on the carbon emissions involved in shipping from LA to Europe. 

Inclusivity:

Sizes tend to run on the smaller side (mostly XS-L and jeans 23”-30”), but ver 50% of RE/DONE’s models are BIPOC. 

Community & charitable giving:

RE/DONE donates to several organizations and proceeds from partner collabs help fund environmental causes like the Rainforest Alliance and PathWater. 


8. zero waste daniel

9 Zero Waste Clothing Brands Moving Circular Fashion Forward Images by Zero Waste Daniel #zerowasteclothing #zerowasteclothingbrands #zerowasteclothes #zerowastefashion #zerowastefashionbrands #whatiszerowastefashion #sustainablejungle
Images by Zero Waste Daniel

About zero waste daniel

Price Range: $79–$340

NYC-based zero waste daniel believes “good design does not create waste”.

The non-binary brand includes tops (shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, etc.), bottoms (joggers, sweatpants, etc.), jackets, swimwear, and accessories. 

With colorful patchwork sweatshirts like the mixed print ‘all-over reroll’ sweatshirt and bottoms to match, you’ll find plenty of fun pieces to freshen up your zero waste wardrobe. 

zero waste daniel’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

What does zero waste daniel use to make clothing?

Mostly locally sourced pre-consumer textile waste from the NYC clothing industry, partner brands, and recycling non-profits.

Supply chain & labor practices:

Garments are made by several NYC-based partners, including their fair trade compliant Brooklyn workshop. 

Carbon commitments & green practices:

100% of the material they use is repurposed from fabric waste and they create 0% fabric waste themselves thanks to their “ReRoll” technique that stashes fabric scraps until they find a reuse.

They use a closed-loop production system that reuses water and solvents and many of the items are made-to-order (further reducing waste). 

Orders are shipped in recycled and recyclable materials. 

Inclusivity:

Between XS-XXL sizes, garments designed for all bodies and all gender identities, and a diverse range of models, zero waste daniel may be zero waste, but the brand is ALL inclusive.

Community & charitable giving:

ZWD regularly supports social organizations like Black Lives Matter and Color of Change.


9. Beyond Retro

9 Zero Waste Clothing Brands Moving Circular Fashion Forward Images by Beyond Retro #zerowasteclothing #zerowasteclothingbrands #zerowasteclothes #zerowastefashion #zerowastefashionbrands #whatiszerowastefashion #sustainablejungle
Images by Beyond Retro

About Beyond Retro

Price Range: $2–$355

Of all circular fashion brands UK readers have, Beyond Retro is the best bay to go beyond boho.

For decades, this second hand store (shoppable online and in London) has been a leader in repurposed vintage and rare designer pieces. 

Their treasure trove of vintage delights spans the 60s to the 00s so whether you’re looking for a 60s shift dress, a 90s floral playsuit, or some retro Nike, this is the place to go. 

They have plenty of zero waste clothing for men, too. 

Beyond Retro’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

In addition to the OG type of zero waste fashion (vintage clothes), the Beyond Retro Label is their in-house line of unique clothing and accessories created from reclaimed fabrics. 

Supply chain & labor practices:

The zero waste clothing UK brand processes 93 million pounds of secondhand clothes every year (the equivalent of 60 Olympic size swimming pools worth!).

The magic happens in the brand’s own factory in northwest India, where workers experience healthy and safe working conditions and are paid fair trade wages. 

Carbon commitments & green practices:

These self-proclaimed “data nerds” use real-time intelligence and proprietary cloud-based technology to sort through secondhand clothes and only provide vintage pieces that are relevant and timeless.

Anything that the brand doesn’t use can be distributed locally to be recycled in another way.

Inclusivity:

They provide a helpful Sizing Guide but expect to mostly see XS-XL for men and UK 6-20 (US 4-18) for women. They do have some plus-size items.


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What Is Zero Waste Fashion?

So what is the zero waste fashion concept?

When you look at your closet, you likely don’t see waste. But waste happens at nearly every stage of that t-shirt’s journey. 

There’s normally excess fabric in the manufacture of any garment, but the problem extends far beyond the cutting room.

At the retail stage, fast fashion dictates that stores adhere to artificial seasons and microseasons—and we’ve all heard about what happens when garments don’t sell.

They either get shipped off to developing countries to (possibly) be recycled, or head to a landfill or incinerator as quickly as something becomes “last season” (or rather “last week”).

If they do make it to your dresser drawers, they might be worn a handful of times, then chucked in the trash or donated. Even there, the chance of resale is slim (10-20% slim) so their ultimate destination becomes a landfill (or overseas recycling center) anyway.

That’s a lot of waste—92 million tons every year, to be exact. 

Hence, the importance of zero waste fashion that aims to cut down, if not eliminate, textile waste from one or all of these steps.

What is an example of zero waste fashion?

  • Producing minimal or no textile (and other) waste
  • Using textile waste (like offcuts and deadstock fabric) to create upcycled clothing
  • Creating timeless designs 
  • Limited collection runs
  • Selling pre-loved clothing 
  • Recycling clothing 

Ultimately, it’s about changing how we do fashion by valuing all the resources that go into our favorite clothes, creating high-quality clothes that last, embracing season-less fashion, employing circular practices, and not producing any material waste. 

It’s a form of slow fashion, and it’s the way (fashion) forward.

One of the best zero waste clothing choices you can make is to make the most of the clothes already hanging in your wardrobe. 

Don’t buy new clothes, unless you need to, and check out your favorite local or online thrift store first—thrifting is a great way to do fashion, zero waste style. 

Fashion rental is another great option with plenty of sites offering clothing and dress rental online. It’s perfect for those special occasions or simply trying out a new style. 

Finally, if you’re wondering “how do you dispose of sustainable clothes?”, think about how you can prolong their use for as long as possible. 

You could arrange a clothes swap, donate to charity, or any of these other ideas for what to do with old clothes.

 


How We Chose These Zero Waste Clothes Brands

Zero waste is an increasingly critical component of sustainable and ethical fashion.

So, what is a zero waste fashion brand?

Hint: Being zero waste is actually just one part of the equation.

Here’s everything we look for in the best circular, closed-loop brands:

Materials: 

There’s a resounding NO for new fabrics in zero waste fashion design—unless they’re sustainable fabrics.

Instead, brands seek out pre-consumer textile waste, upcycle vintage clothing, and use recycled fabrics. 

Supply chain and labor practices: 

Fair wages and safe working conditions are a must. If clothing isn’t produced in-house, we ideally want to see third-party manufacturing certifications to back up ethical manufacturing claims. 

Green business practices: 

Compostable or reclaimed materials are an important part of the equation, but truly circular fashion brands will also provide an option to properly dispose of old garments for you, ideally through a company take-back program.

Other green practices included shipping clothing zero waste, machine-free techniques, closed-loop processes, water and energy conservation, renewable energy, small supply chains, and carbon offset programs.

Inclusivity:

Zero waste fashion should be accessible and available to everyone. Whilst there’s still room for improvement, an increasing number of brands are offering more inclusive sizing. 

Community & charitable giving: 

Many of these brands donate to nonprofit organizations and/or take part in local community events. 


Final Thoughts On Zero Waste Clothing Stores

OMG, did you see what she’s wearing?!

It’s soooo zero waste. 

Buying from fast fashion alternatives is a great way to green up your get-up, but buying from zero waste fashion designers is an even better one. 

Why is zero waste important in fashion?

Because Gaia knows the fashion industry has plenty of waste to go around that can be turned into something stylish. 

We absolutely cannot wait until sustainability becomes the only trend we care about. It’s getting there, but it could use your help.

Talk up these brands, consider how you can better support wardrobe circularity, and pass along this article to encourage your friends to adopt zero waste, sustainable clothing choices, too.

 

Pin these:
9 Zero Waste Clothing Brands Moving Circular Fashion Forward Image by Mud Jeans #zerowasteclothing #zerowasteclothingbrands #zerowasteclothes #zerowastefashion #zerowastefashionbrands #whatiszerowastefashion #sustainablejungle
9 Zero Waste Clothing Brands Moving Circular Fashion Forward Image by Christy Dawn #zerowasteclothing #zerowasteclothingbrands #zerowasteclothes #zerowastefashion #zerowastefashionbrands #whatiszerowastefashion #sustainablejungle

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