1. Pact: Best Overall
2. Subset: Best for Underwear
3. Organic Basics: Best for Basics
4. Iron Roots: Best for Activewear
5. MATE the Label: Best for Premium Essentials
6. Yes Friends: Best for Affordability
7. Nudie Jeans: Best for Ethical Denim
8. Outerknown: Best for Sustainable Menswear
9. Harvest & Mill: Best for USA Made
10. Happy Earth: Best for Colorful Prints

Organic clothing refers to garments made from natural fibers that are grown and produced according to organic principles. Cotton, hemp and wool are the most common fabrics used in organic clothing. Organic clothing is free of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms that are used in conventional farming. It’s also free of harmful microplastics, phthalates, PFAs, flame retardants, and dyes commonly used in synthetic or non-organic clothing. Most organic clothing certifications, such as GOTS, OCS, and OEKO-TEX® also cover the chemicals used during the manufacturing process, labor rights, working conditions, and water and energy consumption.

–> What is Organic Clothing: Our Quick Guide to Organic Fashion

Switching to organic clothing is a win-win for your health and the environment. Most conventional clothing is made from synthetic materials like polyester, which is essentially plastic. These fabrics release microplastics into the water every time they’re washed, contributing to ocean pollution and harming marine life. Synthetic clothing production also involves the use of many toxic chemicals, which can be absorbed into your skin, causing all sorts of health issues. The factory workers who make these clothes are also exposed to these harmful substances.

Environmentally, organic farming reduces pollution, conserves water, and enhances soil health. For example, organic cotton requires about 90% less water than non-organic cotton. You’ll also find most organic clothing brands are more ethical across the board. They tend to commit to Fair Trade practices, offset carbon emissions, have recycling programs, and use sustainable packaging.

Wearing organic clothing is much more than a fashion statement. You’re making a stand for your health, the environment, and the wellbeing of the people who make your clothes. It really makes a difference.

We spent ages researching brands to create this list. While any “best of” list is subjective, all of these organic clothing brands had to meet certain criteria, including:

Price: $$$

Pact is an American organic clothing company that actually walks the talk — and they don’t hold back on the talk. Pact claims to be “Earth’s Favorite™” clothing company and they back it up with a gold standard GOTS organic certification, Fair Trade certification and a commitment to being carbon neutral.

They have an extensive range of men’s and women’s organic cotton clothing, including basics, tees, dresses, shorts, pants, hoodies, sleepwear, and more. They also have organic cotton sheets and bedding, towels, and  A vast majority of online reviews are positive, but some customers have had issues with the quality, durability and longevity of some items, particularly the more lightweight (“featherlight”) stuff.

Most of Pact’s clothing is manufactured in India, which is where most of their organic cotton is grown. They say it makes sense, economically and environmentally, to have their clothing made where the cotton is harvested. This makes sense to us, too, especially with robust fair trade practices in place. In our opinion, Pact is doing all the right things. Aside from occasional quality and sizing issues, we think Pact is one of the best organic clothing brands out there.

Random 5-star review: “Lightweight and airy. Great for the hotter days. They transition easily from work to play or brunch with the ladies.” (Women’s Double Gauze Wide Leg Pant)

Random 1-star review: “I really like how soft these t-shirts are but it got a hole in it around the belt line after the 1st wear!” (Women’s Softspun V-neck Tee)

Overall rating: 8.5/10

Price: $$$$

Subset (formerly Knickey) is a women-led organic cotton clothing brand based in the United States. They focus on creating sustainable, ethical underwear (they call it “innerwear”), such as women’s bras, thongs and bikinis, and men’s boxers. They also do loungewear and basics such as tees, shorts, pants and robes. GOTS-certified organic cotton comprises 95% of their portfolio. Other fabrics used in their clothing (most underwear requires additional fabrics like elastic or spandex) are certified under the OEKO-TEX® standard, which means they’re free from harmful substances.

Subset has a “fit first” philosophy and, based on a deep dive into online reviews, customers generally find the fit to be true to size, functional, and “flattering” (which is what you want with innerwear!). Overall, customers are really impressed with Subset’s quality. We think the limited range probably helps to keep quality high as they can focus more energy on getting the small details just right.

Subset’s clothing is manufactured in a Fair Trade-certified factory in India, which is where their organic cotton is grown. We really like that Subset publishes an annual Impact Report on its website, which covers their sustainability goals and progress. This is the kind of transparency we like to see. We also like that Subset has a recycling program through Supercircle, creating a circular system for their clothing. 

Overall rating: 9/10

Random 5-star review: “I really love the Organic Cotton Scoop Bralette! It is very comfy and the soft cotton fabric feels wonderful on my skin. The wide shoulder straps don’t slip and the elastic band stays in place. I’m glad I bought more than one.” (Organic Cotton Scoop Bralette) 

Random 1-star review: “Maybe these just don’t work for my body, but they are very uncomfortable and ride up in places other thongs don’t for me! Disappointing because I decided to spend more money than usual to try and support an ethical business.” (Organic Cotton Low-Rise Thong)

Price: $$

Organic Basics is an organic clothing company founded in Denmark in 2015. Despite the name, they don’t only use organic fabrics. GOTS-certified organic cotton makes up about 90% of the materials they use, but they also use recycled nylon and semi-synthetic Tencel™ in some products, all of which are OEKO-TEX® Standard certified.

Organic Basics has a huge range of men’s and women’s organic clothing, from everyday “basics” like t-shirts, tops, pants and underwear to cotton knitwear, bodysuits and pajamas. Some people have expressed concerns about Organic Basics being acquired by Delta Galil in 2022. They also lowered their prices around the same time, raising questions about quality standards. However, one of the founders is still CEO and the brand said the pricing change was about making sustainable clothing more accessible.

Overall, the product reviews on Organic Basics’ website and elsewhere online are positive, with customers frequently praising the comfort, quality, and sustainability of the clothing. However, some customers have complained about the sizing and quality of some items, as well as colors not always matching the photos online. Organic Basics has suppliers and manufacturers all around the world.

One thing we love about Organic Basics is they actually list all of their factories on their website. Very few brands are this transparent so credit where it’s due. The absence of 1-star reviews on the website is a bit suspicious. We suspect they’re censoring customer reviews, which results in a one point penalty on their scorecard.

Overall rating: 8/10

Random 5-star review: “The fit, color, and length of this top is amazing! Perfect tank basic, love the neckline and the material feels awesome on the skin. Overall very happy, I see myself getting it in different colors.” (Women’s Flex Tee)

Random 1-star review: “I bought a pack of four underwear in December 2023. Not even half a year later, each of them has some damage by the elastic around the hips: one with a hole, the rest with part of the stitches that came off.” (From Trustpilot, couldn’t find any on the website)

Price: $$$

Iron Roots is a sustainable activewear brand based in The Netherlands. While they don’t only use organic cotton in their clothing, we still think they’re one of the most ethical sportswear brands around. As well as GOTS-certified organic cotton, Iron Roots uses sustainably sourced hemp, Tencel™ (made from wood fibers), and recycled polyester.

Their mission is to create natural athletic apparel or “healthy sportswear” that’s free from plastics and harmful chemicals found in 90% of activewear. This is a big challenge as activewear needs to be lightweight, breathable, flexible, and moisture-wicking, but Iron Roots is proving it’s possible.

Their activewear looks and fits great and performs how you need it to. Iron Roots’ product reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Customers are pleased with the brand’s eco-friendly fabrics, quality, and functionality, however there has been some constructive feedback around improving mobility in some garments. Manufacturing is done in GOTS and SMETA certified factories in Europe where staff are paid a living wage. We love that Iron Roots has a Sustainability Policy, but would like to see an Impact Report going forward.

Activewear is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to toxic chemicals in clothing (PFAs, phthalates, BPA etc). Iron Roots is proving that it doesn’t have to be that way.

Overall rating: 8/10

Random 5-star review: “Great shirt. Does not smell at all after a good workout.”

Random 1-star review: None available 

Pricing: $$$$

MATE is an organic clothing brand based in Los Angeles. They make a wide range of sustainable clothing, from basics and underwear to activewear and dresses. While they mostly focus on women’s organic clothing, they have been expanding their menswear range.

MATE’s style is best described as minimalist, featuring clean lines and neutral, earthy tones. MATE predominantly uses GOTS-certified organic cotton, but also uses natural linen, semi-synthetic Tencel™ lyocell, and a small amount of spandex. Most of MATE’s manufacturing facilities are located within 17 miles of their LA headquarters, aside from one factory in Peru, which is a remarkable achievement.

Mate The Label is expensive, even for organic clothing, but considering the sustainable fabrics, local manufacturing, and excellent quality, we think the pricing makes sense. We like that MATE publishes an in-depth Impact Report and we were pleasantly surprised by the brand’s “Detox Your Closet” campaign where they help you recycle your old clothing (any brand) and they give you $20 of store credit to start your sustainable clothing journey. As they say in Australia, “Good on ya, MATE.”

Overall rating: 8.5/10

Random 5-star review: “These shirts are perfect. I’ve tried them all and MATE makes the softest, most flattering cuts. I wish they made this in a v-neck!” (Organic Cotton Classic Tee)

Random 1-star review: “They are so soft and so comfortable. I love the bone color but they are completely see through. I even sized up thinking if they weren’t stretched much it would help… I guess they will be my inside lounge pants now.” (Organic Stretch Midi Leggings)

Pricing: $

Yes Friends is an organic clothing brand based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2021, their mission is to make high-quality sustainable clothing more affordable. Yes Friends currently has a limited range of everyday essentials, including men’s and women’s organic cotton t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, shorts, and underwear.

One thing that sets Yes Friends apart in the sustainable fashion industry is their affordability. They say they keep prices low by ordering large quantities from their factories. But they’re not cutting any corners when it comes to worker’s rights and fair pay. Yes Friends has even implemented a bonus scheme for workers that produce their clothing and is the first UK brand to let customers directly tip garment workers. We think this is so cool. Most of their clothing is manufactured in a fair trade-certified factory in India, which is where they source their GOTS-certified organic cotton.

We’re really impressed by Yes Friends’ honesty and transparency on their website. It’s a young company and it feels like they’re bringing customers on the journey with them. They even let customers vote on which garments they’d like Yes Friends to make next (it looks like organic denim might be on the cards!). If you’re looking for affordable organic clothing, Yes Friends may just be your new best friend.

Overall rating: 8.5/10

Random 5-star review: “The heavyweight shirts are a great feel. They are more heavy duty than the regular shirts, but not so thick that you melt. All the nice feel and look of the regular t-shirts with a little more heft to them.” (Men’s Organic Premium Heavyweight T-Shirt

Random 2-star review: “Not what I expected. A bit too thin and with a very thick collar, not one for me so will be returning, sadly.” (Women’s Yes Friends Organic T-Shirt)

Pricing: $$$$

Nudie Jeans is an organic clothing brand from Sweden that predominantly deals in sustainable denim jeans and jackets. We are seriously impressed by what Nudie Jeans has created. Jeans have become one of the most polluting garments in the world. But Nudie Jeans is showing that it doesn’t have to be that way. They’re creating organic cotton jeans that are setting new standards for sustainability and transparency in the fashion industry. More than 95% of the materials they use are sustainable, a majority being GOTS-certified organic cotton. Their goal is to make that 100% in the coming years.

–> See our full guide to the best sustainable jeans brands

Nudie Jeans’ Sustainability Report is the most impressive we’ve seen. The document spans 112 pages and goes over the business with a fine-tooth comb. Nudie Jeans makes premium quality jeans and denim jackets. They say every pair they make is designed to be your “forever jeans”. And they back that up with free repairs for life. They also have a “take back” scheme where you can trade-in your old pair and they’ll recycle them and give you a discount on a new pair. The brand’s working closely with Advanced Clothing Solutions (ACS) to create a circular system.

Overall rating: 9/10

Random 5-star review: “I’m a total convert to Nudie jeans: at long last, ethical jeans with a full range of size options, coupled with fantastic quality of materials, design and manufacture. Couldn’t ask for more!” (Rowdy Ruth Blue Angel Jeans)

Random 1-star review: “Did not last more than eight weeks when cycling 15km/day.” (Grim Tim Indigo Myth Jeans)

Pricing: $$$-$$$$

Outerknown is a sustainable clothing brand co-founded by professional surfer Kelly Slater and designer John Moore in 2015. The brand uses a lot of organic fabrics in its clothing, such as GOTS-certified organic cotton, but also uses polyester and spandex made from recycled waste products in some items.

The overall sustainability of Outerknown is excellent, especially considering the massive range of men’s and women’s clothing they have, including swimwear, activewear, jeans, and dress shirts. As of writing, Outerknown uses 95% “preferred fibers” in its clothing. They have a strong focus on fair labor and supply chain transparency, but it would be great to see this quantified in an Impact Report at some stage.We really like the brand’s Outerworn marketplace for pre-loved clothing, which demonstrates their commitment to circular fashion.

Outerknown is expensive, which will be prohibitive for many people, and this is reflected in some customer reviews. However, overall Outerknown’s customers are positive, noting the quality, comfort, and sustainability of the clothing. If you’re after premium quality, sustainable clothing that goes beyond the basics, Outerknown gets a big “shaka” from us.

Overall rating: 8/10

Random 5-star review: “These are so great, they’re a closet staple. Fabric is very soft, cut is just right, and a small chest pocket keeps the glasses in check when not in use. Highly recommend.” (Men’s Sojourn Pocket Tee)

Random 1-star review: “I really like the style, but the color is very different from the photo. It’s really muted and doesn’t look great. Unfortunately this was a final sale item.” (Women’s Blanket Shirt)

Pricing: $$$

Harvest & Mill (not to be confused with the other H&M) is an organic cotton clothing brand that’s unique in the fact that 100% of its supply chain — from the farmers to the sewers — is located in the United States. So while they don’t have some of the third-party certifications that other brands have, Harvest & Mill is subject to US laws and regulations around organic farming and labeling and worker’s rights. This makes Harvest & Mill a rare gem in the clothing industry. The brand claims to be “Beyond Sustainable”, we just wish they had a Sustainability Report to back up their claims (not that we don’t believe them!).

Harvest & Mill focuses on beautiful basics and loungewear, including men’s and women’s organic cotton tees, shorts, pants, and socks. They don’t have customer reviews on their website, which is a shame, but we did find this review of their organic cotton joggers on Reddit: “These are super comfortable and durable and fit great. So much better than all the name brands!”

We love that Harvest & Mill creates 100% dye-free clothing by using heirloom cotton varieties that have natural pigmentation (they use natural dyes in some items). Overall, we think Harvest & Mill is at the cutting edge of organic and sustainable clothing, pushing the limits of what’s possible — and they aren’t afraid to flaunt it. 

Overall rating: 9.5/10

No reviews available

Price: $$

Happy Earth is an organic clothing brand based in the United States. Founded by two scientists in 2016, Happy Earth is as much about environmentalism as it is about fashion. The brand has an extensive range of 100% organic clothing, including men’s and women’s tees, loungewear, sweatshirts and hoodies, pants, dresses, shackets, socks and activewear.

Happy Earth works with suppliers and factories in India that are certified organic to the teeth (GOTS, OCS, BCI, Fair Trade, Cradle to Cradle). They’re also carbon neutral and have several initiatives to “give back” to the planet, such as tree planting and rubbish clean-ups.

We really love that Happy Earth doesn’t settle for understated, minimal basics and, instead, creates colorful, vibrant apparel often adorned with creative patterns.

We’re seriously impressed by the PlantTec™ fabric used in their activewear range, which is made from 95% organic cotton (with 5% elastane for the stretch that activewear needs).

Customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive. As with most brands, there are some issues with sizing and fit. Happy Earth uses an “all gender fit”, which means that clothing items tend to be a little looser for women and a little more snug for men in their typical sizes. We think it’s fair to say that earth should be happy that Happy Earth exists.

Random 5-star review: “This is hands down the softest and most comfortable sports bra I’ve owned that isn’t made of plastic materials. Did I mention it’s reversible? It also doubles as a tank top or wear underneath your clothes as a sports bra. The color goes with everything and it’s a staple item now in my closet! Thanks Happy Earth for making sustainable and HEALTHY options for clothes!” (PlantTec™ Reversible Tank)

Random 1-star review: “I originally ordered a Large which was too tight and too short. I wear a large in the other brands I buy. I exchanged the shirt for an extra large. It was extremely wide and still too short. Definitely not flattering. I loved the design and materials it was made from but won’t purchase shirts again unless they change their sizing dimensions.” (Rainbow Mountains Pocket Tee)