The Ultimate Guide to Ethical Womenswear (UK & USA)
Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar
Date: 2025
Honest. Unbiased. Independent. Free. We promise.
We will never be influenced by brands - just the perfect Fit, Size & Style for you. Search thousands of honest posts for free, written by our stylists - your own personal shopper.
Best High Street & Designer Brands | Sustainable Styling Tips | Fit Help from Tellar.co.uk
In a fashion world that’s moving faster than ever, ethical womenswear has emerged as a powerful counterbalance to disposable trends and overconsumption. Today’s consumers want clothing that reflects not only their personal style but also their values—whether that’s fair wages, eco-friendly production, or cruelty-free materials. But understanding what qualifies as “ethical” and how to navigate between high street and designer options can be challenging.
This guide breaks down the essentials of ethical fashion in the UK and USA, with practical advice on styling, brand recommendations, and how Tellar.co.uk ensures your sustainable fashion purchases fit perfectly the first time.
♻️ What Is Ethical Womenswear?
Ethical womenswear refers to clothing that is produced in ways that prioritise human welfare, animal rights, and environmental protection. It overlaps with terms like sustainable fashion, slow fashion, and conscious fashion, but focuses specifically on people and process.
Key Features of Ethical Clothing:
-
Fair labour: Safe working conditions, fair wages, and no child labour.
-
Sustainable materials: Organic cotton, Tencel, linen, recycled fibres, or certified wool.
-
Low-impact production: Reduced water usage, closed-loop dyeing, carbon offsetting.
-
Transparency: Full visibility into supply chains and manufacturing partners.
Some brands are ethical but not eco (e.g., paying fair wages but using conventional fabrics). Others prioritise circularity or vegan principles. Always check what ethics mean in their terms.
👚 Best Ethical Womenswear Brands – UK & USA
✅ High Street & Affordable Ethical Options
People Tree (UK)
A pioneer in sustainable fashion. GOTS-certified organic cotton, Fair Trade production, and flattering basics with a modern, minimalist edge.
Thought (UK)
Natural fibres like bamboo and hemp, relaxed silhouettes, and size inclusivity make Thought a go-to for everyday conscious dressing.
FatFace (UK)
Increasingly ethical. Now includes recycled fabrics and responsible production, with accessible price points and versatile basics.
Everlane (USA)
“Radical Transparency” in pricing and production. Clean, classic styles using organic cotton, recycled cashmere, and traceable supply chains.
ABLE (USA)
Employs and empowers women globally, with a strong emphasis on fair wages and transparent factories. Stylish denim and workwear staples.
💎 Luxury & Designer Ethical Brands
Stella McCartney
A leader in high-end ethical fashion. No leather, no fur, recycled polyester, and organic cotton. Tailoring, outerwear, and elevated essentials.
Mara Hoffman
Sustainable practices meet high fashion. Recycled fabrics, ethical factories, and a commitment to diversity in design and representation.
Eileen Fisher
Timeless, minimalist pieces with circular design. Offers take-back programmes, organic and recycled textiles, and certified dye processes.
Mother of Pearl
A UK brand known for beautiful tailoring and a serious commitment to responsible sourcing and innovation in low-impact fabrics.
👗 Styling Tips for Ethical Wardrobes
Building an ethical wardrobe doesn’t mean sacrificing style or versatility. In fact, ethical pieces often come in more timeless silhouettes that can be styled endlessly.
Style Building Blocks:
-
Start with neutrals: Invest in high-quality core colours (black, white, beige, navy).
-
Buy for your body shape: Choose trousers, dresses, and blazers that you’ll wear on repeat.
-
Prioritise versatility: A shirt dress can be worn buttoned, layered, or open over trousers.
👉 Explore:
📐 Ethical Doesn’t Mean One-Size-Fits-All—That’s Where Tellar.co.uk Helps
Sizing inconsistency is one of the biggest causes of waste in fashion. If you're buying consciously, you want every piece to fit perfectly from the start.
Tellar.co.uk eliminates guesswork by matching your body measurements or known brand size to sizing charts from over 1,500 brands in real-time.
🔍 How Tellar.co.uk WorksInstruction on Posts
-
Measure once, using bust, waist, hip—or input your size from a brand you already wear.
-
Use the Store Size Lookup Tool to get your exact size in ethical brands like Everlane, Reiss, COS, Arket, and more.
-
Shop with confidence—no guesswork, fewer returns, smarter shopping.
-
100% Free—no app, no download, just open your browser and go.
🧠 The Free Tellar Fashion Hub
Every shopper using Tellar gains access to thousands of free, stylist-approved posts and guides, including:
📏 Universal Sizing & Fit Guides
👖 Fit-Specific Posts
👚 Style & Tailoring Guides
🌿 Building an Ethical Wardrobe: Key Takeaways
-
Start small: Replace fast fashion basics with organic cotton tees, Fair Trade knits, or recycled denim.
-
Choose core silhouettes: A well-fitting ethical pair of trousers or a blazer can be styled 10+ ways.
-
Think longevity: Always consider fabric, care needs, and timeless design.
-
Get the fit right: Use Tellar.co.uk to reduce return-related waste and get the sizing perfect on first try.
📲 Follow Tellar for Daily Styling, Fit Science & Fashion Intelligence
-
Instagram: @Tellarsizing
-
Twitter/X: @Tellar100
-
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
-
Pinterest: TellarUK
✅ Final Word
Ethical womenswear isn’t about being perfect—it’s about making better choices, one garment at a time. Whether you’re just getting started or already committed to a sustainable wardrobe, make sure your fit is flawless with Tellar.co.uk.
Honest. Unbiased. Independent. Always Free.
Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.