Are Your Clothes Toxic? A Guide to Non Toxic Clothing Brands and Sustainable Apparel

What springs to mind when you hear the word “toxic”? Is it the image of poison; harmful fumes; landfill sites? Or did you think of something more abstract, like toxic relationships and behaviours? Regardless of the specifics, we all associate “toxicity” with something that threatens our well-being, something to be avoided or eliminated from our lives. While we may not realise this, many of us often take steps to minimise toxicity in our lives. Maybe this is through limiting your screen time; or perhaps distancing yourself from someone you realise is toxic; or, possibly, choosing cleaner, healthier lifestyles by drinking filtered water and eating organic food. At some point in our lives, we all choose to eliminate the infiltration of toxicity in our lives. But what if the very clothes we wear every single day we’re working against these efforts? 

The truth is, the toxicity of clothing is undeniable. That’s right, your clothes could contain multiple toxins at concerning levels that pose serious health risks every time you wear them. From issues with fertility, and disruptions of brain development, to causes of cancer, the adverse health effects of toxic chemicals in our clothing are beyond doubt. Take a moment to think about how harmful this is; these are the clothes we wear every day against our skin, the pyjamas we snuggle up to for hours at night, the garments we change our children into day-in-and-day-out, and the fabrics we put into direct contact with our most sensitive areas. It’s time we recognise that “toxic” isn’t just about what we eat, drink, or consume; it’s also about what we wear. We owe it to ourselves to be aware of these risks and take action to protect our health.

Why is non-toxic clothing important?

But clothes only touch the skin; surely that’s harmless, right? Unfortunately, that’s far from the truth. Research has shown that our skin can absorb chemicals directly from the fabrics we wear, a process known as dermal absorption. Scarily, the same research shows that, when it comes to children, dermal absorption can even be a more significant route of exposure than inhalation or ingestion. Take it from us, the skin’s absorption of toxic chemicals is a very real thing and, therefore, an extremely important consideration when buying clothes.

But there’s something else to consider: ultimately anything that affects the environment will eventually affect human health…

The Harmful Impact of Toxic Chemicals on the Environment

The environmental impact of toxic chemicals used in textile production, alone, is a major reason to stay well away from brands that rely on them. From farming to finishing, these chemicals contribute significantly to climate change and water pollution. How? Well, chemicals – particularly in the production of synthetics (we’ll delve into this later) – contribute to greenhouse gases. In regard to water pollution, toxic chemicals leak into our oceans, rivers, and groundwater systems, killing fish and other aquatic life, contaminating drinking water, and – when linked to plastics – contributing to microplastic pollution. 

What are the effects of chemical polluted water?

1. An inability to effectively treat contaminated water leads to decreased accessibility to safe drinking water.
2. Research shows chemical polluted waterways cause lower oxygen levels in the water. This threatens the survival of aquatic organisms and severely damages the ecological and economic health of the impacted areas. 
3. Toxic chemicals eventually make their way into the food chain. In other words, chemicals make their way up into the food we consume as humans. This includes birds, small mammals, insects, fish, and other aquatic species that are often exposed to chemicals – whether that’s through consumption, secondary poisoning, or indirect contamination.

So, even without dermal absorption as a primary concern, humans are still at risk of exposure to the food they eat. Toxic chemicals don’t just pollute our water – they end up on our plates.

From Formaldehyde to Dye, what are the Issues of Chemicals in Fast Fashion?

The list of toxic chemicals that are detrimental to the environment (and, therefore, humans) would be endless. So, let’s name the toxic substances that are especially prevalent in the textile industry, and explore how they pose a threat to our health through dermal absorption.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is commonly used in home-building products and for the preservation of corpses. However, its presence in the textile industry is as pervasive and even more alarming. In the production of clothes, formaldehyde is used for bleaching, preventing mould, fixing dyes, and making fabrics wrinkle-resistant. While the high risks of formaldehyde are associated with inhalation, nevertheless research shows its contact with the skin through clothing still subjects us to health risks associated with sensitive skin, including dermatitis, eczema, allergies, and sensitization.

Individuals with conditions like Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) can experience severe allergic reactions to chemicals like formaldehyde. Samantha Devlin, featured in an article by the Daily Mail, recounted a time her POTS became particularly apparent, opening a pack of new t-shirts which triggered a reaction where her throat closed up, her eyes stung, and the acrid odour made her nose tingle. Samantha’s experience highlights the invisible but serious health risks of formaldehyde exposure. She notes, “People don’t realize how this chemical pervades their lives. And while small amounts in one product might not cause a reaction, they should consider the cumulative effect when everything, including the clothes on their backs, is saturated with it.” Samantha’s story is a harsh reminder that formaldehyde exposure is no trivial matter.

But the dangers of formaldehyde get worse. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies formaldehyde as a Group 1 carcinogenic, meaning it is known as a cancer-causing agent in humans. While inhalation is the primary route of exposure leading to cancers, such as myeloid leukaemia and rare cancers of the sinuses, nasal cavity, and nasopharynx, studies have found links between dermal absorption, formaldehyde, and increased cell proliferation in melanomas. Think about this for a second: from the workers who manufacture these garments to the consumers who wear them, formaldehyde’s toxic legacy is affecting lives to even cancerous degrees; and all just to prevent a few wrinkles in your shirt – really?!

Now, I don’t mean to incite you with panic over the clothes you wear. Thankfully, global regulations have been established to limit the use of toxic chemicals, like formaldehyde, in textiles. Whilst these regulations are designed to protect our health, our safety isn’t guaranteed. Why? Well, remember not all companies will abide by these regulations. An investigation led by The US Government Accountability Office shed light on these transgressions with the discovery of 5.6% of textile samples exceeding the formaldehyde safety limit of 75 parts per million (ppm) for non-baby clothes. Some of the samples tested showed levels between 75.4 and 206.1 ppm. Shockingly, other studies have detected formaldehyde levels in clothing as high as 1,391 ppm and even 3,172 ppm – a whole 42 times over the safety limit.  

It’s unsettling to think that some of the brands we trust and love could be exposing us to dangerous levels of formaldehyde. So, take the time to put yourself and your health first, and find the non-toxic materials and brands that give you the quality you deserve (don’t worry, we’ll cover how to do that soon). 

Phthalates

Phthalates are a group of chemicals widely used in the textile industry as plasticisers to increase softness, enhance the durability and flexibility of garments, and stamp designs and plastisol prints. However, the widespread use of phthalates comes with serious health concerns.

Why are phthalates an issue? Like formaldehyde, phthalates are classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as possible human carcinogens. Equally, concerning, some studies show that phthalates disrupt the endocrine (hormone) system, leading to serious reproductive health issues. These findings include health effects such as premature delivery in pregnant women, ovarian failure, and decreased sperm quality in men. While, again, inhalation is a common route of exposure, expert Natalia Aldegunde-Louzao – who examined 120 studies on phthalate content in clothing and textiles – have confirmed that skin contact with phthalates can also pose significant health risks. 

Flame Retardants

Flame retardants are a variety of chemicals applied to materials to prevent them from catching fire. They are widely used in the textile industry; yet, there is one particular category where flame retardants are most especially used: children’s sleepwear. Designed with safety in mind, surely this measure is alarmingly counterproductive? Think about it – children are especially vulnerable to the effects of toxic chemicals due to their developing brains, yet these toxic flame retardants are specifically applied to very clothes that are directly pressed upon their skin all night long?! And as if it couldn’t get any worse, an effect of flame retardants is the disruption to the brain’s capacity. That’s right, studies have proven how flame retardants have neurological thyroxin-disrupting capabilities which could ultimately stop a child from reaching their full IQ potential. Surely the dangers stop there? Nope. Like phthalates, research links flame retardants to reproductive and hormonal issues and even cancer. In fact, the UK Parliament has described the elimination of flame retardants as a pressing “need” due to the significant health risks they pose.

Other Toxic Chemicals

Beyond formaldehyde, phthalates, and flame retardants there are a load of other toxic chemicals that often lurk in the very materials we wear. This includes perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) which are widely used for water repellency. So, that waterproof coat that you grab for a rainy day? Yes, that will probably contain at least some PFCs! But why are PFCs an issue? They join the rest of the toxic chemicals that cause cancer. Recent reports have shown that certain perfluorinated toxic compounds, such as PFOS and PFOA, can migrate from textiles, posing both direct and indirect risks of human exposure. Looking for waterproof materials that are free from PFCs might be hard but not impossible (we’ll get onto that later).

Another common toxic chemical is p-phenylenediamine (PPD). Often used in black clothing and leather dyes PPD is notorious for causing allergic reactions and dermatitis. Remember Samantha Devilin who suffered from POTS? Well, PPD was also to blame for her dermatitis and allergic reactions. Samantha told the Daily Mail about the time she was even hospitalised and forced to quit her job as a hairdresser because of this: ‘It was then a nurse told me that I should change career. She said that if any PPD got into my bloodstream I could suffer anaphylactic shock and that if I stayed in hairdressing I could be dead by the age of 21.’ Take this in for a second; some of the very dyes used in our clothes are the same dyes that have hospitalised and nearly killed some individuals, like Samantha. At this point, ‘unsafe’ is an understatement.

But the toxicity of the dyeing processes doesn’t stop there. Trace metals, like lead and chromium, are used in dyeing processes to stabilise the colour. So, that bright, vivid synthetic top of yours? Well, that’s probably due to the use of lead and chromium materials. And why is this an issue? Take a wild guess; this also has been linked to cancer and contact dermatitis. 

The use of toxic chemicals sometimes begins right at the source – the farming of fibres. Inorganic cotton, for example, is grown with a heavy reliance on pesticides to protect crops pests and diseases and maintain fibre quality. However, these pesticides are yet another class of chemicals that pose serious risks to human health. Research has found links between pesticides and infertility, hormonal disruption, foetal deaths, and various cancers. But research shows that the health risks aren’t limited to humans – pesticides also endanger small mammals, insects, birds, and aquatic species. 

Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) are another series of toxic chemicals that lurk in our clothes. Used as detergents in textile processing, NPEs raise some scary red flags even at low levels. NPEs are considered harmful to both human health and the environment, with some studies suggesting a possible link to the progression of some cancers. Whilst NPEs are banned in the EU, the uses of Trichloroethylene (TCE) in dyeing and finishing processes are only restricted. But, like NPEs, TCE is also a known human carcinogen. Odd, isn’t it, that the restrictions differ? But even with these bans and restrictions, we’re still not entirely safe… 

Loopholes in Chemical Regulation

From Formaldehyde to PFAs, the threat of all toxic chemicals still manages to ween their way through regulations, posing an ever-considerable risk to consumers. But how so? 

Most fast-fashion manufacturers are located outside of the EU and the USA with their reliance on producing high volumes of clothing at high speeds and low prices. Unfortunately, this comes hand-in-hand with a number of loopholes that enable these chemicals to evade regulations that protect consumers. The De Minimis Loophole is an example of this, where goods under $800 are exempt from tariffs and many safety regulations when entering the U.S. Think about this for a second; the current U.S law supposedly implements strict regulations that ‘protect’ consumers from toxic chemicals, but at the same time they have quite literally chosen to create a backdoor for fast-fashion to enter the market without facing the same regulatory scrutiny as more expensive imports. Sorry, what??? 

Unfortunately, this means all toxic chemicals remain a threat to consumers. This is why it’s so important to shop with brands that prioritise certifications, like OEKO-TEX® and GOTS (we’ll get onto this later), providing transparency, trust, and a guarantee that products meet strict safety and environmental standards. 

But, what sets apart the brands that prioritise certifications from the brands that claim their efforts to reduce chemical usage? Two words: outsourcing traceability. Outsourcing makes it especially difficult to ensure your clothes are socially, environmentally, and health-responsible, often enabling the shift of accountability for immoral production processes and environmental impacts away from the brand. How? Well, when a brand lacks traceability it struggles to fully grasp the real effects of their production processes on both the environment and consumers’ health, limiting the amount of accurate information a company can provide. So, while some fast-fashion companies claim to be reducing harmful chemicals, they often have little control or oversight over outsourced operations. In other words, outsourcing combined with poor traceability creates a convenient loophole for feigning commitment to social responsibility. So, take their promises with a pinch of salt – they probably don’t know the full picture themselves.

Understanding the breadth of the health effects of these toxic chemicals is essential to making informed choices about the clothing we wear. After all, it’s not a matter of one toxic chemical perhaps lurking in our clothes but a cocktail of chemicals that possibly exceed regulation limits to alarming levels. Whilst the question with clothes will always be about their comfortability or stylishness, we also need to question whether they are safe for our health and the environment.

What to Look Out for to Avoid Health Hazardous Clothes 

It’s an unsettling realisation that your clothes likely contain multiple toxic chemicals. You might be wondering, “How on earth can I figure out if my clothes are harming my health? What are the signs of toxic chemicals in my clothes?” Unfortunately, manufacturers aren’t required to disclose the chemicals used on clothing labels, making it a whole lot harder to know exactly what potential toxins are hidden in your clothes. However, there are certain things to look out for that will help in figuring out if your clothes are toxic or not. Let’s name some of the things to look out for

Slick Surfaces and Strange Smells

Have you ever been met with a pungent, plasticky smell as you opened your package of new clothes? Perhaps it was from a faux leather jacket or a pair of rubbery shoes. This smell is a major red flag, often indicating the presence of toxic chemicals. Moreover, the texture of the garment can also give you a clue: if the fabric feels slick, like a raincoat, or rubbery, like wellies, it’s likely been treated with chemicals. The unnatural sheen of some items is also a suspicious sign of toxic chemicals. And let’s think about it, could it be a coincidence that ‘Shein’ and ‘sheen’ sound so similar, or is there more to it?

On the other hand, garments that contain formaldehyde may present you with a different type of smell. Have you ever experienced a bitter, pickle-like smell when unpacking new clothes? Well, that’s probably formaldehyde – the chemical that caused Samantha Devlin’s allergic reaction when opening a fresh pack of t-shirts. We’ve been conditioned to associate the “new clothes” smell with excitement, but in reality, it’s the harmful chemicals dancing around in your nostril hair.

But here’s the catch: even if your apparel possesses no strange odour or suspicious texture, its safety is still not guaranteed. In other words, while sensory signs can offer clues, they unfortunately are not foolproof. However, there are alternative ways of deciphering if your clothes are potentially smothered in chemicals. By checking the label you can find two important things that can help you figure out if your clothes are toxic: 1 – the material; 2 -the brand. 

Fabrics to Avoid

Your clothes’ material is a great way of assessing the likelihood of their toxicity. While some fabrics are practically guaranteed to be non-toxic (we’ll cover these soon), others are more prone to harmful chemicals. The culprits? Synthetics. Fast fashion brands often use synthetic materials for their durability and low cost, but these are some of the biggest offenders when it comes to toxicity. Let’s break down the common culprits. 

Polyester

Common use: outdoor clothes, gym gear, trousers, socks, blankets, and belts.

Often contain: dyes, PFAs, and phthalates.

Conventionally Produced Cotton

Common use: t-shirts, sweatshirts, underwear, jeans, dresses, hoodies, socks, leggings, shirts, jackets, and sleepwear.

Often contain: pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, and GMOs (we’ll get into what this means later).

Nylon

Common use: underwear, swimwear, and activewear.

Often contain: PFAs, dyes, and flame retardants.

Acrylic

Common use: sweatshirts, hoodies, and gloves as a wool alternative.

Often contain: formaldehyde, phthalates, and flame retardants.

In summary, wearing synthetics isn’t the most health-conscious choice. While regulations mitigate the threat of synthetic clothing for consumers, they offer no protection for factory workers and nearby communities who face constant exposure to harmful chemicals during production.

With this in mind, it’s only right to add viscose (alternatively known as Rayon) to our list of common problematic synthetics. The production of viscose relies heavily on toxic chemicals like sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide. Though viscose may pose minimal health risks by the time it reaches consumers in the form of dresses, blouses, or trousers, the story is very different for factory workers. Research shows that those involved in viscose production are at high risk of irreversible damage to their brain’s nervous system. So even if you feel unbothered about the minimal, yet potential, health effects of viscose and other synthetics, it’s worth considering the devastating impact their production has on the lives of factory workers and their communities. Does that truly sit right with you? 

Brands to Boycott

Many fashion brands use chemicals in their production, yet with the (minimal) effort to reduce their usage to some extent. However,  brands such as Shein, Temu, Ali-express, Zaful, and Forever 21 are notorious for their continued reckless reliance on toxic chemicals. These companies have shown not even the slightest consideration for eliminating hazardous chemicals. In other words, they actively endanger both their workers with long-term, irreversible health risks and expose their customers to potentially harmful levels of toxins.

When you buy from these brands, you’re not just funding their careless practices –  you’re also risking exposure to unsafe levels of chemicals. In May 2024, Seoul authorities investigated the popular global brand Shein and discovered dangerously high levels of phthalates in their products, far exceeding safety regulations. Among the findings were bags containing 153 times the legal limit of phthalates, and a pair of shoes that tested at an alarming 428 times above the permitted levels. Scary, right?

For your own safety, it’s essential to stop shopping with brands like Shein, Ali-Express, Temu, Zaful, and Forever 21. While a majority of clothing brands aren’t chemical-free, these are the companies that have been repeatedly caught violating safety regulations over chemical levels. Their disregard for consumer safety is blatant. Why support the growth of brands that prioritize profit over your well-being, potentially exposing you to chemicals that could harm your health or even shorten your life? Make informed choices, and avoid these brands at all costs.

What are the Non-Toxic Certifications in the Fashion Industry?

You have the signs, materials, and brands linked to toxic fashion – but perhaps this might feel all a bit confusing? Maybe even misleading and ambiguous at times? The best way to ensure your clothes are free from toxic chemicals is to look out for concrete certifications. Let’s name some of the best certifications for non-toxic clothes.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100

OEKO-TEX Standard is a system divided into four tiers to evaluate the toxicity of chemicals present in clothes. Product class 1 – a class for baby clothes – has the strictest requirements to pass and product class 4 has the least strict pass requirements. Ensuring your clothes are toxic-free in every component of the garment, this four-tier evaluation makes OEKO-TEX Standard an extremely reliable certification for toxic free clothing, providing you the transparency and trust you deserve. So, when you see the OEKO-TEX label, you can be confident that the clothing is safe for human health. You can even verify its authenticity by entering the label number on the OEKO-TEX website.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

GOTS addresses the entire textile value chain with a comprehensive set of environmental criteria. This includes the requirement of organic fibres sourced from certified organic farming. This ensures that no harmful chemicals, like synthetic pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), are used. Why is this so important? According to USDA data, about one-third of the weight of an inorganic cotton t-shirt is made up of the chemicals used in pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. This means that the toxic burden doesn’t just come from the production process but also from how the cotton is grown. Choosing products with organic certifications, like GOTS, Japan Organic Cotton Association (JOCA) and USDA Certified Organic, helps you avoid these harmful chemicals from start to finish, making it safer for you and the environment. So, if a brand is GOTS certified, you can be more than sure that its products are clean from seed to skin!

 A second GOTS criterion is chemical input management, where strict guidelines are used to regulate the use of chemicals throughout the entire production process. With their motto “No hazard in, no hazard out!”, GOTS strictly prohibits the use of any toxic chemicals that could be harmful to human health. Want to check out GOTS’ database to see if your favourite brands are GOTS certified? Click here to have a little gander.

Cradle to Cradle Certified

Cradle to Cradle takes pride in going beyond the mere avoidance of harmful chemicals; Cradle to Cradle actively supports the textile supply chain in finding new solutions away. Their innovative approach ensures that materials can be reused, recycled, or safely returned to the environment. This forward-thinking certification is a great indicator of truly sustainable and regenerative fashion.

Bluesign

Bluesign label covers the entire supply chain with specialized solutions and a set of comprehensive certification criteria to ensure chemical suppliers, manufacturers, and brands adhere to stringent standards and are both environmentally and socially responsible. With bluesign, you can refine your search by brands, country, accessory or textile type, providing peace of mind that every part of the production process is sustainable.

Linen and Organic Cotton are Your New Best Friends to Find Non Toxic Fashion

Looking through certified databases is a reliable way to find non-toxic fashion, but, let’s be honest, it can feel a bit overwhelming, and even labour-intensive, to go through this process when clothes shopping is supposed to be enjoyable, right? That’s where Eco-Stylist comes in. At Eco-Stylist, we’re here to make your shopping experience as relaxing and effortless as possible, ensuring you can find eco-friendly, chemical-free fashion without the hassle. Here’s how you can simplify the search for non-toxic clothing.

Organic Clothing Materials

One way to find non-toxic fashion is by opting for eco-friendly materials made from natural fibres. Look for materials like TENCEL ™ (a sustainable alternative for viscose), organic cotton, wool, silk, cashmere, linen, bamboo, alpaca wool, and hemp. This links back to our discussion on organic cotton, where these materials are grown without pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, and GMOs. Additionally, natural pigments are used in the dyeing and finishing processes, making these organic materials a whole lot safer for garment workers, for you, and the health of future generations. Plus, if health concerns aren’t enough of a good reason for you, natural fibres are also incredibly durable, offering better longevity – another great reason to invest in them!

Curious about the benefits of wearing natural fibres? Click here to learn more about the significant benefits of wearing clothes made from organic, natural materials.

Choosing Sustainable Brands with Non Toxic Clothing

One of the easiest ways to find non-toxic fashion is by shopping with sustainable brands. This way, you can skip the hassle of checking if certain items do or don’t contain harmful chemicals; instead, it’s simply guaranteed! And for the cherry on top of the cake, by shopping sustainably you’re also funding brands that are both fair trade certified and with low environmental impact.

At Eco-Stylist, we make this process as easy as pie! Our team is dedicated to researching, finding, and verifying non-toxic, eco-friendly, and fair-trade certified clothing brands so that your shopping experience is as smooth and stress-free as possible. All you have to do is have a little gander on our website, browse our curated section of brands, and find what you love!

And because we, at Eco-Stylist, are committed to making your experience even better, we take this one step further: we offer a personalized shopping service. This bespoke option provides tailored recommendations from certified sustainable brands, based on your size, style, and location – so you can shop with confidence, knowing you’re making informed choices that benefit you and the planet.

From Tentree to Mate the Label, Check Out These Non Toxic Clothing Brands at Eco-Stylist

Eco-Stylist is reader-supported. If you make a purchase using our links, we may earn a commission. We only feature fashion brands that pass our sustainable brand criteria. Learn more here.

At Eco-Stylist, we promise that all our brands are non-toxic, sustainable, and crafted with care using natural materials. Shopping with us means you can feel confident that your apparel is free from harmful chemicals. We ensure our brands prioritise your health by using safer, non-toxic fabrics and holding certifications like GOTS, OEKO-TEX, and more. We know how challenging it can be to find truly sustainable clothing, especially with so many brands misleading consumers by claiming to be eco-friendly while continuing to use toxic chemicals. At Eco-Stylist, we guarantee that our brands are genuinely committed to sustainability, safety, and quality. Let’s take a look at some of these brands and the types of garments you can find with them. 

Outerwear Brands

Just because certain items in the fast fashion industry typically contain hazardous chemicals, it doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to your beloved garment in question. Take waterproof jackets for example; as previously mentioned, more than often they contain PFAs or PFOs for their very function: water repellency. So, does this mean going toxic-free comes hand-in-hand with a destiny of eternal sogginess? Absolutely not. At Eco-Stylist, we offer a wide range of outdoor wear that stays water-resistant with guaranteed no or few chemicals.

Toad&Co

Toad&Co is certified under Blue Sign, OEKO-TEX, and Global Recycled Standard (GRS verifies the contents of recycled clothes and what the process was for making them). Despite the fashion industry’s decades-long reliance on perfluorinated and polyfluorinated chemicals for water repellency, Toad&Co offer a range of water-resistant toxic-free jackets, made from recycled polyester, that ensure their customers can “get caught in the rain and look good doing it”.

Frank And Oak

Frank And Oak impressively guarantee 100 per cent of their products are produced with sustainable processes and eco-friendly materials. This GOTS certified brand is committed to its mission of creating products that are kind to the planet, people, and wildlife. Not only can you shop a range of clothing items made from natural, safe materials – such as recycled polyester, wool, hemp, natural cotton, cruelty-free insulation, and non-toxic dyes – at Frank and Oak you can also find stylish, soft, breathable, insulated, extremely water repellent jackets, all made from recycled materials! By shopping with Frank and Oak at Eco-Stylist, you can explore the outdoors while protecting the outdoors and, of course, your health!

Patagonia

Patagonia has dedicated over a decade to dramatically reducing the usage of PFAS and PFCs across their production line. Patagonia has recently taken a huge step in their mission for all water-repellent items to be made without PFCs or PFAS by 2025: As of Fall 2024, 99 per cent of Patagonia’s fabric, by weight, with water-repellent chemistries is made without PFAS. So, by shopping with Patagonia, you can stay dry and safe without toxic baggage. 

From outerwear to workwear, to activewear, Patagonia is committed to providing their customers with products that will last a lifetime. This fair-trade certified brand is most definitely a brand you can trust!

Activewear Brands

To point out the obvious, activewear is designed to be tight, stretchy, and form-fitting, creating constant contact with your skin. However, this intimate relationship between fabric and body becomes concerning when you realise that most activewear is made from problematic synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, and spandex. At Eco-Stylist, you can find brands that prioritise both your performance and health, ensuring that your gym gear supports your well-being as much as your fitness goals.

Icebreaker

Icebreaker is an ideal choice for non-toxic activewear, using natural fabrics such as merino wool, TENCEL ™ Lyocell, linen, and organic cotton in 95% of its products. Icebreaker highlights the disadvantages of synthetics in activewear, noting their limited breathability and tendencies to cause odours. That’s why Icebreaker uses “real fibres, for real performance, in the real world”. With a commitment to eventually making 100 per cent of their line from natural fibres, Icebreaker is a brand you can rely on for both performance and safety.

Mate the Label

Mate the Label joins our list of GOTs certified brands! Here, at Eco-Stylist, we couldn’t agree more with what Mate the Label has to say about comfy clothes: “For us, comfort goes way beyond ridiculously soft fabrics. It’s about taking comfort in the fact that our clean essentials are safe for your health and the environment. That’s why we keep it Organic, essential, and ethical.” As a brand that uses natural materials, such as organic cotton jersey, linen, TENCEL ™ Lyocell, TENCEL ™ Rib, organic knit, organic thermal, and organic fleece, Mate the Label is a brand that you can feel safe shopping with, offering both style and a peace of mind.

If you’re looking for stylish, comfortable, and safe activewear and organic basics,  Mate the Label and Icebreaker have you covered. Shop these eco-friendly clothing brands on Eco-Stylist today and elevate your fitness wardrobe without compromising your health.

More Organic Cotton Clothing

All and good, but perhaps you are still scarred by Samantha Devlins’ nightmare experience with a pack of (clearly inorganic, synthetic) t-shirts? If so, don’t worry, Eco-Stylist has you covered with brands that ensure your tee is as safe as a tortoise under its shell!  This includes The Classic T-Shirt Company, who offer t-shirts made with 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton.

Another great brand, Tentree, creates eco-friendly apparel from organic cotton, TENCEL ™, Hemp, and recycled polyester. Not only do their natural materials protect your health, but with every purchase, Tentree plants ten trees, making your wardrobe choice a win for the environment too. How cool is that?

Speaking of cool, Selfmade is a standout brand that takes sustainability to the next level. They creatively use fabric scraps as part of the packaging materials and prioritise materials with sustainability certifications like Oeko-Tex and GOTS. From stylish tees to eye-catching dresses, Selfmade proves that fashion can be committed, creative, and kind to both people and the planet. (Shein, take note!)

Here, at Eco-Stylist, we partner with these trustworthy brands, and a load more, that ensure traceable outsourcing and prioritise non-toxic materials and production processes. Our curated selection guarantees that the clothing you choose is safe for your health, ethically produced to protect garment workers, and eco-friendly for the planet. By shopping with Eco-Stylist you can feel confident that every purchase protects you and the environment – all without sacrificing style or performance.

Ella Johnstone

Ella is a content writer at Eco-Stylist, where she combines her love for writing with her commitment to sustainable fashion. With an English degree from the University of Manchester, she’s passionate about raising awareness about the concerns of fast fashion. She loves buying and selling vintage clothes, painting, and listening to Lily Allen.