16 Best Sustainable Clothing Brands for Men in 2023

Jan 27, 2024

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Where you can stock up on your wardrobe, guilt-free.

IT’S YEAR 2023, folks. That means, even if you’re a strictly non-fashionable guy who only buys new clothes once a year, the clothing brands for men you shop from need to offer both style and sustainability. In fact, the best menswear brands today are brands that commit to sustainability through manufacturing, recycling, and also ethical production based on fair trade and fair labor. So if you want to stock up on your wardrobe guilt-free, we’ve talked to style experts and brand leaders to curate the best sustainable clothing brands below.

And if you're completely oblivious to the concept of sustainability, let us first answer the most vital question you might find yourself asking:

The idea of sustainability is complex and its interpretation varies from brand to brand. But in general, if a clothing brand is sustainable, it means its products don't negatively impact the planet. Abel Samet, who's the Co-Founder of Troubadour—maker of the world's first zero-waste bags—believes that longevity and recycling are keys to sustainability. "Products should last for years so that they do not need to be replaced frequently… The longer that they are able to serve us, the more sustainable they are. And as much as possible, products should be made of recycled materials and also be recyclable," he says.

But now more than ever, the people who actually make the clothes, from craftsmen to factory workers, are considered just as important in defining a sustainable brand—it should make products that are not only sustainably sourced but also ethically produced, says Samet.

With that in mind, treat yourself to some guilt-free, ethical style flex, courtesy of the 16 best sustainable clothing brands in 2023.

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Known for their wardrobe basics and minimalist styles, Everlane makes organic clothes that are priced well and can last for years on end. Style influencer Leo Chan describes Everlane's clothes as "good quality everyday essential basics that won't break the bank", making you look good and feel good. "The brand is transparent with its impact report, factories, and environmental initiatives," he says.

Learn more about Everlane's sustainability here.

When the clothes are built to last, you know they’re also built for sustainability since you’re buying better but also buying less. That ethos is what this Swedish brand designs its clothes around. "From a design perspective, their timeless clothing pieces are not bound by seasonal trends, which reduces the likelihood of customers discarding their clothes and contributing to waste," says NYC-based personal stylist Turner Allen. Hence, whenever you’re looking for an enduring Oxford dress shirt or a versatile chino, Asket has you covered. "They provide complete transparency in their supply chain, detailing the origin, cost, and production process of every garment they produce," adds Allen.

Learn more about Asket's sustainability here.

"Looking for a sustainable t-shirt? Look no further than Buck Mason," says personal wardrobe stylist Grace Thomas. "They grow and make their t-shirts in the USA using 100% cotton in their best-selling t-shirts." In addition, Buck Mason makes rugged, timeless-looking jackets, coats, and pants that'll truly never go out of style, thus eliminating the need for you to waste on new clothes. "This brand focuses on quality over fast fashion, which you can tell in the construction of the hem, neckline, and interesting materials of their garments," adds Thomas.

Learn more about Buck Mason's sustainability here.

"Tentree is one of my favorite sustainable brands that I wear almost daily; they plant 10 ten trees for every purchase (hence the name)," says lifestyle influencer Steven Fingar. "Not only are the products great to wear and priced accessible, but the ethos of the company is also around sustainability—from sourcing materials to manufacturing and traceability." To add, the minimalist-style brand has been carbon neutral since 2020 and has planted almost 85 million trees to date. As for what Tentree's best at, Fingar recommends their t-shirts which can be dressed up or down; their editors-tested pants, jackets, and joggers are also a standout.

Learn more about Tentree's sustainability here.

Want to do some guilt-free shopping that’ll makeover you to a rugged hunk in Western jackets, fisherman sweaters, and selvedge jeans? Head over to the Cali-based Taylor Stitch. The brand believes in "responsibility" over "sustainability" for minimizing as well as offsetting the impact of clothing. Hence, its clothes are built for the long haul—and for your long-haul fits–using organic, up-cycled/recycled materials that save water and reduce CO2 emission, as well as ethical factories and craftsmen. The brand also has recycling programs like Restitch to give life to old clothes and reduce waste.

Learn more about Taylor Stitch's sustainability here.

Come for their running shoes and stay for their tees, socks, hoodies, shorts, etc. "They're best known for their shoes (of which I have many pairs), but their brand is also derived from recycled or responsibly sourced materials as well as remaining carbon neutral and having large giveback programs to communities in need," says Steven Fingar. And you’ll love the fact that Allbirds is a certified B Corporation business. In addition, the brand has been a tried-and-tested staple in our fitness stories, such as its Wool Runners as the best walking shoes and Tree Flyers as the best cushioned running shoes.

Learn more about Allbirds' sustainability here.

AG Jeans is one of the few premium brands that really knows its way around a sustainable supply chain. According to menswear influencer Steve Gonzalez, the brand is thoroughly committed to advancing sustainable tech and practices in both design and manufacturing through its own initiative program. "They incorporate sustainability practices like laser finishing, solar energy, and water recycling, to name a few. They are also big advocates of recycling programs implemented as regular programs throughout their physical stores." While the brand is best-known for its denim—in styles ranging from elevated classics to heavy fading—their dressy blazers and polos are criminally underrated.

Learn more about AG Jeans' sustainability here.

When it comes to sustainability, in Patagonia we trust. "The brand makes the responsible choice for you, so you don't have to overthink dressing good whilst helping the planet," says Joseph O’Hara, a style specialist from Stitch Fix. Fact: Patagonia does its best to do no harm to the world—and its inhabitants—by using Fair Trade Certified factories, fair labor practices, safe-working conditions, and eco-friendly material; and they’re one of the first clothing brands to use organic cotton and recycled materials.

If you’re concerned about Patagonia's style, we assure you that the brand is more than just about finance bro vests or fleece sweater jackets. Its clothes for men are adventure bound and designed for outdoor adventures—even in extreme climates.

Learn more about Patagonia's sustainability here.

To break a sweat without worrying over whether your workout clothes are damaging mother nature, On is your safest bet. For instance, for their latest Cloudsurfer, the athleisure brand uses dope-dyeing method for coloring the upper, saving 90% of water compared to traditional dyeing methods. Their new cushioning tech also requires less material in the midsole. And their shirts, shorts, pants, jackets, etc. are employed with recycled materials wherever possible.

What's even more impressive is On's sustainability programs: there's Cyclon, a circular subscription service for fully recyclable running shoes like the Cloudneo or gym apparel like the Cyclon-T; and then there's Onward, a resale place where you get to trade in and/or buy On products.

Learn more about On's sustainability here.

When the good-ole American Levi's is willing to update its iconic 501 jeans to be sustainably made and to be recyclable, you know the brand is serious about this initiative. In fact, Levi's is one of the most sustainable denim brands in the world when it comes to reducing water usage and chemical use. The brand is also all for encouraging buyers to approach sustainability. "Levi's simply never goes out of style and Levi's products last a long time. You can easily find them readily available at second-hand thrift stores which makes the items last even longer with reuse and up-cycling," says style influencer Leo Chan.

Learn more about Levi's' sustainability here.

Cariuma is fashion influencer Brock McGoff's top pick for sustainable sneaker brand, and it also just so happens to be where Ashton Kutcher got his go-to dress sneaker for under $80. The brand prioritizes environmentally friendly production, according to McGoff, and pledges two trees to be planted for every pair of shoes sold. Take Kutcher's Cariuma low-top sneaker, for instance: the hardware is recycled, the insole is vegan, and the shipping is carbon-neutral. The Brazilian shoemaker commits to ethical, fair-wage production as well.

Learn more about Cariuma's sustainability here.

How sustainable is Outerknown, the originator of the blanket shirt, you ask? It is Fair Trade certified, part of the Fair Labor Association, has kept almost 2000 garments out of the landfill, already set its sustainability goals for 2030, is one of the first brands to make swimwear out of ECONYL, and even makes buttons out of recycled ocean plastic. With an almost 100% usage of sustainable fibers, Outerknown makes fast fashion pale in comparison.

Learn more about Outerknown's sustainability here.

Selling better for less—like cashmere clothes at under $80!—Quince is where you can score sustainable, affordable style basics. According to Veronica Tan, a Senior Director of the brand, Quince is also a pro at combatting consumer waste and fast fashion through a manufacturer-to-consumer model, minimalistic packaging, and timeless styles that are built to last. Using recycled materials for sportswear and organic materials for wardrobe essentials like suede jackets and linen suits, Quince is where you can really stock up on sustainable menswear.

Learn more about Quince's sustainability here.

Alex Crane uses plants, rocks, nuts, trees, wools—any natural garment material you can think of—to make clothes that are easy and breezy. Perfect for spring, summer, and fall, the brand ensures that only 100% natural, renewable materials go into its clothes, which is why its shirts are even biodegradable and compostable. No plastic of any sort is used. Even the dye pigments are made from plants and minerals.

Learn more about Alex Crane's sustainability here.

From creating the first biodegradable performance sock to now designing a whole catalog of sustainable activewear from head to toe, Definite Articles aimes to make the most sustainable performance wear in the world! Founded by Aaron Sanandres—who also co-founded UNTUCKit—in 2021, the newcomer manufactures performance wear that doesn't harm the environment. "The emerging technology exists to create zero-waste performance wear, and we believe this could fundamentally change how clothing is made," says Sanandres. Definite Articles is also pending for a B Corporation certification.

Learn more about Definite Articles' sustainability here.

Mavi believes that the best denim is sustainable denim, and its collection of jeans and denim-wear is made of organic, recycled or Better Cotton, recycled polyester, TENCEL™ modal and lyocell, cottonized hemp, and up-cycled materials—all consume less energy, water, and chemicals. Outside denim, the brand also makes menswear basics that go extra well with a pair of blue jeans or underneath a denim jacket.

Learn more about Mavi's sustainability here.

"Looking at labels is key when you’re shopping for sustainable options. Check out the materials, the manufacturing, the quality," says Allbirds co-founder, Tim Brown, who recommends the method of checking the fabric tags and brand packaging to see what went into the creation of a product. "Even still, it can be difficult to discern what products are really sustainably made," Brown says.

This is where the authorty comes in to help us weed out empty claims of sustainability. "There are a few certifications that exist to qualify the sustainability of the brand's materials, such as GOTS certification," says Veronica Tan, who's the Senior Director, Apparel & Accessories at Quince. Global Organic Textile Standard, for instance, helps define what organic textile is. Another example is the B Corp certification, which recognizes a brand's social and environmental impact.

Don't forget to pay attention to the people, too. "It's also important to understand the brand's relationship to its vendors and manufacturers—this helps consumers know if a brand's partners are ethically sourced and paid a living wage," says Tan.

Lastly, as for how you should approach sustainability when shopping for clothes, the key is to buy less but buy better. "Buy only what you need, buy for long-lasting quality, and do your best to pay attention to the materials and how they are produced," says Luke McAlpine, a Senior Director at Taylor Stitch.

Maverick Li is the Style & Commerce Editor of Men's Health, where he covers clothing, footwear, watches, and grooming. He was previously the Assistant Commerce Editor at Esquire.

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