The Ultimate Guide to Recycled Materials in Clothing: What to Buy, How to Style It & Where to Shop (UK & USA)

By Tellar | July 2025

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As sustainability becomes a driving force in the fashion industry, recycled materials are no longer niche—they’re foundational to conscious wardrobes. Whether you’re shopping high street or designer, understanding which recycled fabrics are worth investing in (and how to style them) can drastically reduce your carbon footprint without sacrificing style. This comprehensive guide covers:

• The main types of recycled fabrics used in fashion

• Styling advice for recycled pieces

• Best UK and USA brands offering sustainable collections

• Where to shop recycled fashion on both ends of the budget

• And how Tellar.co.uk helps you find your perfect size—brand by brand, in real time.

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♻️ What Are Recycled Materials in Fashion?

Recycled fabrics are made by reprocessing existing materials—either post-consumer waste (e.g. used clothing, plastic bottles) or pre-consumer scraps (e.g. factory cuttings). They significantly lower environmental impact by:

• Reducing waste in landfills

• Using less water and energy than virgin materials

• Lowering greenhouse gas emissions

Common Types of Recycled Fabrics:

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🧵 Styling Recycled Fashion: Practical Advice

Recycled materials can be styled just as effortlessly as traditional textiles. Here’s how to integrate them:

🔹 Recycled Cotton Tees

• Style Tip: Layer under a blazer or pair with paperbag trousers for polished comfort.

• Fit Tip: Recycled cotton may be less stretchy—use Tellar's fit tools to find the right size.

🔹 Recycled Polyester Outerwear

• Style Tip: Go bold with puffers or windbreakers in colourblock styles.

• Wash Note: Always wash in a microfibre-catching laundry bag to prevent microplastic shedding.

🔹 ECONYL® Swimwear

• Style Tip: Use as bodysuits or layer under mesh skirts for festival looks.

• Brands to Try: Stay Wild Swim, Mara Hoffman, and Arket swim lines.

🔹 Recycled Wool Coats

• Style Tip: Pair longline wool-blend coats with wide-leg trousers and boots.

• Winter Layering: Choose wrap coats or belted silhouettes to suit fuller busts or hips.

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🇬🇧 Best Recycled Fashion Brands – UK

🛍️ High Street:

• Arket – Offers recycled wool, polyester, and cotton across timeless designs.

• H&M Conscious – Affordable basics in recycled blends (note: check % of actual recycled content).

• M&S Collection – Recycled polyester linings in coats and recycled fibres in knits.

• People Tree – Pioneers in sustainable fashion, using Fair Trade and recycled fabrics.

💎 Designer / Boutique:

• Stella McCartney – Industry leader in sustainable luxury, including recycled cashmere and nylon.

• Mother of Pearl – London-based designer blending style with ethics, often using recycled fibres.

• Ninety Percent – Minimalist designs and shared profits, many items made with recycled blends.

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🇺🇸 Best Recycled Fashion Brands – USA

 High Street:

• Everlane ReNew – Outerwear and accessories made from 100% recycled plastic.

• Patagonia – Nearly all fleece and down garments are made with recycled materials.

• Girlfriend Collective – Activewear made from recycled water bottles and fishing nets.

 Designer / Boutique:

• Mara Hoffman – Elegant sustainable collections, including ECONYL® swimwear.

• Reformation – Uses recycled cotton, viscose, and blends across dresses and casualwear.

• Eileen Fisher – Classic, versatile pieces made with recycled yarns and fabrics.

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🛒 Where to Shop Recycled Pieces

• ASOS Eco Edit – Curated section for sustainable pieces, including recycled fabrics.

• Wolf & Badger – Boutique platform for independent, ethical designers.

• MATCHESFASHION & NET‑A‑PORTER (Net Sustain) – Designer offerings with sustainability filters.

• Thrift+ and Vinted (UK) – Preloved options to extend garment life.

• ThredUp and Poshmark (US) – Excellent resale platforms for recycled or second-life fashion.

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Sizing Matters: Fit Can Vary in Recycled Materials

Because recycled fabrics may contain different fibre blends or behave differently from standard materials, accurate sizing is key—especially for tailored pieces or close-fitting items.

That’s where Tellar.co.uk changes the game:

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📏 How Tellar.co.uk Helps You Shop Smarter

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading free sizing tool, matching your body measurements to the correct size in 1,500+ brands in real-time—including those using recycled fabrics.

Here’s how it works:

• ➡️ Create your free profile at Tellar.co.uk

• ➡️ Enter your body measurements once

• ➡️ Use the Store Size Lookup to instantly get your exact size in COS, Reiss, Arket, Everlane and many more

• ➡️ Shop with confidence—no guesswork, fewer returns, and better sustainability

And it’s not just a tool—it’s a fashion knowledge hub. Explore thousands of expert-written posts on:

• Material guides

• Shape and body-specific style tips

• Brand comparisons

• Seasonal styling advice

🧭 It’s all honest, independent, and always free.

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📰 Explore Related Fashion Posts from Tellar:

• What material should I buy for skirts? The complete fabric guide

• The best style choices for summer clothes: cut, fabric, fit, and brand recommendations

• Best non-crease dresses: materials, styles & brands that stay flawless

• How to style a wrap dress: flattering fits, body shapes, best materials

• What material should I buy for shorts? A complete fabric guide

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🔗 Get Started with Tellar

Ready to build a more sustainable wardrobe that fits and flatters?

• Create your free Tellar profile

• Find your size now with Store Size Lookup

• Explore our Fashion Blog

No downloads. No fees. Just honest, expert-backed advice.

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📣 Follow Tellar for Daily Fashion Intelligence

Join our growing community of style-minded shoppers who value fit, sustainability, and independent fashion advice:

• Instagram: @Tellarsizing

• Twitter/X: @Tellar100

• Facebook: Tellar Sizing

• Pinterest: TellarUK

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“Find your size in 1,500+ brands—real-time. It’s free and easy.”

Tellar.co.uk: Smarter shopping. Less waste. More confidence.