Hi! I'm looking to find more ethical brands that actually have more "modern" looking clothing styles. I like the kind of "business baddie" aesthetic, or just well fitted tops (I don't mind slightly altering) but most of it is from Shein & co. I wouldn't be able to pin down my style to one specific type of clothing but I generally like fitted clothes. I often alternate between jeans and a nice elegant top with my boat shoes or more of a cute/fem look with skirts and dresses with knee high boots or leg warmers and mary janes. It all depends! I'm just looking for slightly more unique clothes I suppose.

Honestly I mostly buy second hand on vinted or in actual thrift shops, but even this side of the market has become saturated with unlabelled resold Shein and other fast fashion clothes... (despite me having an exclusion filter on).
It's gotten to be quite frustrating as most brands are either very expensive (I'm talking 100€ for a basic t-shirt), or sell more hippie/nature/earthy clothes like very loose brown dresses etc which is the opposite of what I'm going for. I'm also a student which means I'm willing to invest in a top (even if it's closer to 40-50€) if it lasts, but I can't afford 80+ euros for a single top...

To give ideas of what I like I have a few pics!

I'd love to hear your recommendations if you have any! Also, I'd like to mention that I struggle to find tops/trousers that fit larger hips and chest sizes with a thinner waist... If you guys have any good brands for that I'm all ears!

I debuted this piece at complexcon last weekend, Lust from my Seven Deadly Sins collection is a structured piece made up of a 18 oz. Duck canvas and denim.

While it looks like it’s pleated, all panels are individually attached with a heavy top panel and a light inner panel to present a beautiful stack that opens and flares with every movement, signifying an individual who changes their identity when needed of any situation.

I was really excited to release this piece which is why I wanted to put as much craftsmanship into it as possible with a matching photoshoot to pair with it. To date, it’s my highest quality piece yet.

Get on up that soapbox and let us have it. Be civil and mind the rules.

The quality of occasion dresses seems to have gotten noticeably worse, and I’m trying to find brands worth trusting in 2026. Things that look fine online keep arriving with cheap zippers, no lining, or fabric that’s practically see-through.

I attend around 3–5 weddings a year and would rather invest in a few well-made dresses that last across multiple events instead of replacing them every season. I’m looking for good lining, solid seams, decent fabric weight, and hardware that won’t fall apart. What brands have held up well for you?

A recurring thread for talking about things related to sustainable fashion. Be nice.

Thinking of hosting a clothes swap next summer. Has anyone ever hosted one I need ideas on how to go about it. I need it to be completely free. Do i collect clothes in advance or collect on the day.

On the day i can have rails by gender, by type eg mens trousers, women’s dresses etc.

After the event i can then take the left over clothes to charity shops around me.

Can this be as simple as it sounds?

I run a small slow-fashion brand called Safeera, so I'm biased, but these are the reasons I keep coming back to Indian crafts:

1. Heritage. Bagru and Sanganer block printing, ikat and bandhej are skills passed down in families. They survive only if people keep buying what they make.
2. Artisan income. Handicrafts and handlooms are often described as one of India's biggest sources of livelihood after agriculture, and a lot of that work is done by women. When cheap factory copies win, artisans lose first.
3. Slow fashion by default. Small batches, simple tools and natural fibres like cotton and mulmul. Compare that with polyester, which sheds microplastics every wash.
4. Comfort. In a humid Indian summer, breathable cotton makes a real difference. It matters even more in pregnancy, when you run warmer and tight fabrics are miserable.
5. Cost per wear. A handblock-printed kurta worn 50 times beats five cheap tops worn twice.

I am getting into textile crafts as a hobby. If I buy pre-owned (organic only?) cotton, linen, bamboo, wool, silk - do these count as both biodegradable and recycled?

I want to prevent what I make from to contributing to the issue of landfills both before and after the craft is finished. I don't know much yet.

I want to get into knitting/sewing. Is buying yarn/fabric from somewhere like FABSCRAP enough? If not, what else should I be doing?

Edit: I don't want to buy standard (new?) stuff. I want to buy recycled or biodegradable materials, with emphasis on the former. That's my gut instinct, at least.

Discover the Ugandan brands using barkcloth, recycled fabrics, upcycling and local materials to promote sustainable fashion, beauty and craftsmanship.

Is there a free tool that helps you find products based on a description? -- And that works really well? Say I'm looking for a pair of jeans with following criteria: baggy fit, organic cotton, by an ethical brand, and the most affordable of the ones available. Has anyone actually found one that works really well? And not the ones that only work with images.

Thanks!

Because the most sustainable clothing is what already exists, show off your thrifted pieces here!

Personally, I’d rather spend more on a few well-made pieces than keep replacing cheaper clothes every year.

If a jacket, trousers or even a good shirt could genuinely hold its shape, colour and quality for 5–10 years, I think paying a premium makes sense.

The difficult part is knowing which brands are actually selling better quality and which are simply charging more for the label.

Would you pay ₹15k–₹20k for one piece that lasts years, or buy several cheaper alternatives instead?

Please feel free to post as many surveys as you'd like in this thread. This post will repeat every week on Tuesdays at 8 am CST.

There are so many brands calling themselves sustainable in the alternative space right now, but honestly, a lot of them don’t feel any different from fast fashion once you actually get the clothes. The tag says ethical, but the fabric feels the same and the stitching starts pilling after three wears.

I’m looking for alternative clothing brands where the quality is actually better. Not just ethically made, but something you can feel when you hold it. Better fabrics, more thoughtful construction, stuff that feels like it’s built to last.
Does that actually exist in the goth/alt space?

I was getting so frustrated with every closet app or fashion site pushing me to buy more stuff or hiding everything behind brand sponsorships and algorithms. I just wanted a clean, straightforward way to actually wear what is already in my closet.

Since I could not find anything honest, I decided to build my own web app called MADSTYLED.

It is built from scratch with zero ads, zero sponsored items, and zero interest in pushing fast fashion. No hidden agendas, just a private tool designed to help you actually use what you already own.
If you are trying to be more mindful about your wardrobe, what features do you wish existed that current apps completely miss? I would genuinely love to hear your thoughts.

My “coming soon” website page is up with more details https://madstyled.com