Top 10 'Fast-Fashion-Swap' Sustainable Brands to Explore for Your Next Trend Haul on a Budget - Goh Ling Yong
Let's be honest: there's a certain thrill that comes with a fast-fashion haul. That feeling of snagging a super trendy top for the price of a fancy coffee is a powerful, instant-gratification rush. You see it on your favorite influencer, you click, and two days later, it's yours. But then, the high wears off. After a few washes, the top starts to look a little sad, the seams begin to twist, and you're already on the hunt for the next new thing.
The reality behind that rush is often a heavy one—for the planet and the people who make our clothes. We're all becoming more aware of the downsides of the fast-fashion cycle, but the question remains: how do you break up with it when sustainable fashion seems so… expensive? It feels like you have to choose between your budget, your style, and your values. But what if you didn't have to?
Good news: the landscape is changing. A new wave of incredible brands is proving that you can build a stylish, on-trend wardrobe consciously and affordably. They're the perfect 'fast-fashion-swaps'—offering that trend-haul excitement without the environmental hangover. Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we're all about smart style, so I've curated a list of the top 10 sustainable brands that will help you look great, feel good, and keep your wallet happy.
1. Quince
If you love the idea of luxury materials without the insane markup, Quince is your new best friend. Their entire business model is built on cutting out the middlemen, working directly with manufacturers to bring you high-quality essentials at shockingly low prices. Think $50 Mongolian cashmere sweaters, washable silk blouses for under $60, and Italian leather bags that rival designer pieces.
Quince focuses on timeless styles rather than fleeting micro-trends, ensuring their pieces become long-lasting staples. Their sustainability efforts are centered on using eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, silk, and linen, and partnering with factories that meet global standards for ethical production. They are transparent about their pricing, showing you exactly how much it costs to make each item compared to traditional retail.
- Pro-Tip: Start with their cashmere or silk pieces. It's where their value proposition shines the brightest. Their $50 cashmere crewneck is a cult favorite for a reason and is the perfect entry point into building a more sustainable, high-quality wardrobe.
2. Pact
For the foundation of your wardrobe, look no further than Pact. Often called the "Whole Foods of clothing," Pact specializes in ultra-soft, GOTS-certified organic cotton basics that you'll want to live in. From perfect-fit tees and comfy underwear to versatile wrap dresses and loungewear, they cover all the essentials with a focus on comfort and ethical production.
Pact is Fair Trade Certified, which means they ensure their workers are paid fair wages and have safe working conditions. Using organic cotton also has a massive environmental benefit, as it uses significantly less water than conventional cotton and is grown without toxic pesticides. Their price point is incredibly accessible, with most items falling in the $20-$80 range, making it a truly direct swap for your go-to fast-fashion basics store.
- Pro-Tip: Overhaul your underwear and sock drawer with Pact. It’s an easy, affordable first step. Their ‘Fit & Flare’ and ‘Pocket’ dresses are also fantastic, offering effortless style for everyday wear.
3. Kotn
Kotn is where minimalist style meets maximum positive impact. This certified B Corp has built its entire supply chain around authentic Egyptian cotton, working directly with farmers in the Nile Delta. By cutting out intermediaries, they've helped revive a struggling agricultural community, ensuring farmers are paid fair prices and receive subsidies to help them grow.
Their aesthetic is clean, modern, and effortlessly chic. They create elevated basics—think perfectly cut t-shirts, structured trousers, and elegant knitwear in a palette of earthy, neutral tones. While slightly pricier than Pact, the quality and tailoring are a noticeable step up, offering incredible cost-per-wear value. It's a philosophy Goh Ling Yong often champions: invest in quality pieces you'll wear for years, not just a season.
- Pro-Tip: Check out their ‘Fitted Rib’ collection for tanks and long-sleeves that are perfect for layering. Their men's and women's t-shirts are also legendary for their softness and durable structure.
4. Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective proves that activewear can be both high-performance and highly sustainable. They burst onto the scene by turning old plastic water bottles into buttery-soft, compressive leggings and sports bras. Each pair of their signature leggings diverts 25 post-consumer water bottles from landfills, and they've since expanded to use other recycled and eco-friendly materials like fishing nets (for their swimwear) and cupro (a fiber made from cotton waste).
Beyond their eco-credentials, their commitment to size inclusivity is a core part of their brand, with sizes ranging from XXS to 6XL. Their colorful sets are perfect for the gym but are stylish enough to wear for a coffee run or weekend errands. They are transparent about their manufacturing processes at their SA8000-certified factory in Vietnam, which guarantees fair wages and safe conditions.
- Pro-Tip: The Compressive High-Rise Legging is their hero product for a reason. Find your favorite color (they have a huge range) and pair it with the matching Paloma Bra for a confidence-boosting set.
5. For Days
If the idea of a zero-waste wardrobe excites you, you need to know about For Days. Their entire model is built on circularity. They design their clothes—mostly super-soft basics, graphic tees, and comfy sweats made from organic and recycled materials—to be recycled at the end of their life.
Here’s how it works: When your For Days item is worn out, you can send it back to them. They'll recycle it into new yarn to make new clothes, and you’ll get a credit towards your next purchase. They even accept old clothes from any brand through their "Take Back Bag" program, making them a leader in tackling the textile waste problem head-on. It's a genius way to enjoy newness without the guilt.
- Pro-Tip: Use their Take Back Bag program to clear out your closet of old, un-donatable clothes. It’s a fantastic service, and the credit you get makes it easy to try one of their signature recycled fleece sweatsuits or organic cotton tees.
6. Tentree
Feel good about your purchase in more ways than one with Tentree. As their name suggests, this certified B Corp plants ten trees for every single item purchased. To date, they’ve planted over 100 million trees, helping to reforest areas and offset carbon around the globe. Each item comes with a tag that has a unique code you can use to see where your trees are being planted.
Their clothing line consists of cozy, earth-inspired casualwear. Think comfortable hoodies, graphic tees, joggers, and outerwear made from sustainable materials like TENCEL™, recycled polyester, and organic cotton. It's the perfect brand for weekend adventures, lounging at home, or anyone who loves comfortable, nature-inspired style.
- Pro-Tip: Their hoodies and sweatpants are exceptionally soft and durable. They are the ultimate comfort clothes with a conscience. Look for their "InMotion" line for more athletic, technical pieces.
7. ABLE
ABLE is a brand on a mission to empower women. They started by training and employing women in Ethiopia who were transitioning out of the commercial sex industry, and their commitment to ethical employment has grown ever since. They are one of the few brands to publish their lowest wages, pushing for radical transparency in an industry that often hides its labor practices.
Their product line is focused on creating a classic, versatile wardrobe. They are particularly well-known for their high-quality leather bags, handmade jewelry, and denim. ABLE also offers a lifetime guarantee on their products, meaning they will repair or replace items to ensure they last, actively fighting against the throwaway culture of fast fashion.
- Pro-Tip: Invest in one of their leather totes or crossbody bags. They are beautifully made, age wonderfully, and you can feel proud knowing your purchase directly supported fair wages for the women who made it.
8. Lucy & Yak
For those who refuse to believe that sustainable fashion has to be beige, there’s Lucy & Yak. This UK-based brand is a joyful explosion of color, print, and personality. They are most famous for their signature dungarees, which come in a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns, but they also offer vibrant trousers, fun printed shirts, and cozy fleeces.
Lucy & Yak is deeply committed to ethical production. They work with a dedicated factory in India, ensuring every worker is paid a living wage, and they primarily use organic and recycled materials. Their playful and inclusive marketing celebrates people of all shapes, sizes, and identities, creating a brand that feels welcoming and genuinely fun.
- Pro-Tip: You have to try a pair of their ‘Original’ Dungarees. They are a statement piece that is also unbelievably comfortable. If dungarees aren’t your thing, their ‘Alex’ trousers are a fantastic, high-waisted, relaxed-fit option.
9. Yes Friends
Yes Friends is on a radical mission to make ethical fashion affordable for absolutely everyone. They believe that no one should be priced out of making a good choice. They work with Fair Trade factories and use sustainable materials but sell their products at prices that are almost unbelievable. How? By operating on tiny margins and focusing on volume.
Their hero product is a simple, high-quality organic cotton t-shirt that they sell for a price comparable to the cheapest fast-fashion retailers. They've since expanded to include sweatshirts, hoodies, and denim, all with the same commitment to fair labor and sustainable materials at a revolutionary price point. This brand is a game-changer for proving that ethical production doesn't have to equal expensive.
- Pro-Tip: Stock up on their basic tees. At their price point, there’s no reason to buy a conventional t-shirt ever again. They are the perfect canvas for any outfit.
10. ThredUP (The World of Secondhand)
Finally, the most sustainable and budget-friendly option is always going to be secondhand. Online consignment stores like ThredUP have transformed thrifting from a dusty, time-consuming hunt into a streamlined, searchable online experience. You can filter by brand, size, color, and condition to find exactly what you're looking for, often with the tags still on.
Shopping secondhand gives clothes a second life, drastically reducing the environmental impact of your wardrobe. It’s the ultimate way to get that "trend haul" feeling, as you can often score pieces from well-known fast-fashion and designer brands for a fraction of their original price. It's a treasure hunt where you can find unique pieces and build a wardrobe that is truly one-of-a-kind.
- Pro-Tip: Use the "Saved Searches" feature. If you're looking for the perfect pair of Levi's jeans or a blazer from J.Crew, save the search, and ThredUP will notify you when new items matching your criteria are listed. Patience is key to finding the best gems!
Your Stylish, Sustainable Future Awaits
Breaking up with fast fashion doesn’t mean you have to break up with your love for style or stick to a restrictive budget. As these ten brands show, the world of conscious consumerism is more vibrant, accessible, and exciting than ever before.
By swapping just a few of your typical fast-fashion purchases for pieces from these brands, you’re not just buying a new top or pair of jeans. You’re casting a vote for fair wages, cleaner materials, and a fashion industry that values people and the planet. It’s about building a wardrobe that tells a story you can be proud of.
So, the next time you feel the urge for a little retail therapy, which of these brands will you explore first? Let me know in the comments below—I’d love to hear about your favorite sustainable finds
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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