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Patchwork upcycled twill pants by Seek Collective.
20 Oct
Patchwork upcycled twill pants by Seek Collective.

The Ultimate Guide to More Ethical and Sustainable Pants and Trousers

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Culottes, linen pants, joggers, or jeans. Pants or trousers come in many shapes and forms, and we’ve rounded up our favourite responsible brands making them responsibly to give your wardrobe an upgrade when you need to buy new.

Pants and trousers by better brands

When you crawl out of your pyjamas in the morning, it’s easy to slap on your favourite pair of jeans and get on with it. But sometimes they don’t match the vibe of the day, and you need to mix up your trouser game. So, where does that leave us? Whether it be culottes, linen pants, or lounge pants, bottoms can come in all shapes and sizes and are the literal “other half” of a classic top-and-bottoms fashion combo.

Whether you’re petite or tall, prefer menswear, womenswear, or unisex clothes, finding good “bottoms” can be especially tricky. Aside from coming in pretty much any material under the sun, some brands also don’t account for most body types, making the shopping experience particularly tiresome. Fortunately, we’re here to help.

To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of more sustainable pants and trousers from “Good” and “Great” brands that will help you dress for anything that might come your way. Below you can find effortlessly cool unisex trousers, silky couch-perfect lounge pants, sexy, Spanish-style linen pants, and a whole lot more.

With that, Good On You hopes to help you meet your needs—both old and new—all while keeping you and our planet healthy and happy. Let’s get to the bottom of this.

A.BCH

Rated: Great
Semi-tailored beige linen pants by A.BCH.

A.18 – Semi-Tailored Linen Trousers – Ships internationally from Australia

A.BCH is a Melbourne-based, Australian-made fashion label for individuals who care about garment provenance. It utilises renewable, organic, and recycled materials.

Find the range in sizes XS-XL, or customise to fit you.

See the rating.

Shop A.BCH.

Afends

Rated: Good
Mixed hemp check business suit pants by Afends.

Mixed Business Hemp Suit Pants – Ships internationally from Australia

Born in Byron Bay, Australia, Afends is a more responsible brand leading the way in hemp fashion. Drawing inspiration from the environment, streetwear, and surf culture, Afends’ mission is to create more sustainable clothing through innovation, action, and positive change. As true hemp advocates, it purchased 100 acres of farmland called Sleepy Hollow to grow its own hemp crops and ignite the hemp revolution.

Find most of the range in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Afends.

Nina Rein

Rated: Good
Bright orange wide leg lyocell trousers by Nina Rein.

Tropical Lyocell Trousers – Ships internationally from Germany

Nina Rein is a German brand that creates more sustainable business attire in Europe under fair conditions. The brand's aesthetic is clean, feminine, and colourful, and each piece includes little details everyone loves.

Find most items in sizes 34-44.

See the rating.

Shop Nina Rein.

Armedangels

Rated: Great
Deep brown pleated trousers responsibly made by Armedangels.

WARMAAR Regular Fit Pants – Ships internationally from Germany

Innovative, responsible, and on-trend. Germany’s Armedangels gets a top score overall from us. The brand covers all the basics in womenswear, menswear, and kidswear. Armedangels' quality and long-lasting pieces are made from lower-impact and certified materials, like Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton. The brand also adopted the Fair Wear Foundation Code of Conduct to protect its workers abroad.

Its products are available in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Armedangels.

Shop Armedangels @ Earthkind.

Shop Armedangels @ Cerqular.

Dorsu

Rated: Great
Black culottes by responsible brand Dorsu.

Culottes in Black – Ships internationally from Cambodia

Based in Cambodia, Dorsu creates everyday basics and key signature favourites that form the core of any conscious wardrobe.

You can find the full range in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Dorsu.

ISTO.

Rated: Good
Someone wearing chinos by ISTO.

Chinos – Ships internationally from Portugal

Portuguese brand ISTO.’s mandate is simple: create clothes to transcend the seasons and work as staple items in your wardrobe all year round. It has one single collection and pursues quality over quantity to try and make its items permanently available. It uses organic materials and is incredibly transparent in showing you the true cost of your clothes when you go to purchase a piece for your wardrobe.

The range is available in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop ISTO..

Mila.Vert

Rated: Great
Ethical straight leg trousers by Mila.Vert

Straight Corduroy Trousers – Ships internationally from Slovenia

Mila.Vert makes chic, minimalist clothes that have a distinctly modern feel. The Slovenia-based brand produces clothes in small batches based on a pre-order system to minimise waste and help to avoid the ethical and environmental issues that the fashion industry represents.

Find the garments in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Mila.Vert.

Shop Mila.Vert @ Immaculate Vegan.

WE-AR4

Rated: Good
High-waisted green plaid patterned pants by WE-AR4.

The Bianca Trouser – Ships within the US

WE-AR4 is a US based design-to-wear essentials brand for an effortless style. Founded by fashion industry veterans, it merges intelligent design and uncompromising style. Rather than developing new materials, it rescues existing ones, choosing to “thrift” high-quality leathers and luxury textiles left over from other brands, giving them new life, and uses certified lower-impact materials.

Find the range in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop WE-AR4.

TALI & TASI

Rated: Good
Woman in sustainable wide leg silky pants by Tasi Travels

The Lost Pant Moss – Ships internationally from Australia

For travelwear designed for adventures, look no further than Australian brand TALI & TASI (formerly Tasi Travels). Boasting a stunning collection of handmade garments in lower-impact materials that are made-to-order, you can feel good out in the world knowing you are leaving a light footprint behind.

Garments come in sizes XS/S, S/M, and M/L.

See the rating.

Shop TALI & TASI.

SANTICLER

Rated: Good
Brown cashmere pants by Santicler.

Addison Cashmere Track Pant – Ships internationally from the US

SANTICLER is an US-based label that offers timeless collectors pieces curating modern silhouettes in womenswear. Founded by an early advocate of slow fashion and sustainability, its collections are designed and produced with intention to reduce waste, using more lower-impact materials such as GOTS-certified cotton and responsibly sourced wool.

Find most items offered in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop SANTICLER.

Whimsy + Row

Rated: Good
Olive and black zebra print wide leg trousers by Whimsy + Row.

Vera Pant in Hunter Zebra – Ships internationally from the US

Whimsy + Row is a US-based lifestyle brand born out of a love for quality goods and responsible practices. Since 2014, its mission has been to provide ease and elegance for the modern woman. Whimsy + Row utilises deadstock fabric, and by limiting each garment to short runs, the brand also reduces packaging waste and takes care of precious water resources.

Find most products in XS-XL, with an extended sizing range up to 3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Whimsy + Row.

Shop Whimsy + Row @ Earthkind.

Opera Campi

Rated: Good
100% hemp green menswear pants by Opera Campi.

Solo Hemp Pant – Ships internationally from Italy

Founded in 2017, Italian brand Opera Campi creates premium quality garments from locally-sourced raw materials. By using a balanced approach to sustainability, the brand makes conscious choices throughout its supply chain and donates 4% of its profits to social causes.

The brand is inclusively sized from 3XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Opera Campi.

LA Relaxed

Rated: Great
Rust coloured corduroy wide leg pants by LA Relaxed.

Lucile Corduroy Pant – Ships internationally from the US

"Simplicity, sustainability, style" is LA Relaxed's motto. The brand reduces its climate impact by using renewable energy in its supply chain. It also uses some lower-impact materials, including organic cotton and TENCEL Lyocell.

Find the collection in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop LA Relaxed.

Shop LA Relaxed @ Cerqular.

The Ethical Silk Company

Rated: Good
Woman in ethical silky pants by The Ethical Silk Company

Mulberry Silk Lounge Pants – Ships internationally from Ireland

Irish brand The Ethical Silk Company produces scarves, wraps, loungewear, and more that are responsibly made from 100% mulberry silk. For ultimate comfort, indulge in a pair of the mulberry silk pyjamas, printed by hand using the traditional craft of blockprinting.

Find most of the range in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop The Ethical Silk Company.

The R Collective

Rated: Great
Grey wide leg Bermondsey Pants by The R Collective made from upcycled fabrics.

Bermondsey Pants – Ships internationally from Hong Kong

The R Collective's womenswear collections are made by reusing rescued excess materials from leading luxury brands and reputable manufacturers. The brand uses a high-proportion of lower-impact materials, which limits the amount of chemicals, water, and wastewater used in production. It also ensures the payment of a living wage in its supply chain.

The garments are typically offered in two sizes: XS-S and M-L.

See the rating.

Shop The R Collective.

Kings of Indigo

Rated: Good
Navy blue straight leg womenswear linen work pants by Kings of Indigo.

Lourdes Worker Blue Linen – Ships internationally from the Netherlands

Kings of Indigo makes quality denim, tops, and accessories inspired by American classics with a Japanese eye for detail. The brand uses GOTS organic cotton as well as recycled cotton and wool, and avoids all chemicals from the REACH chemical list.

Offered in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Kings of Indigo.

People Tree

Rated: Great
Sand-coloured tie-front womenswear pants responsibly made by People Tree.

Briar Trousers in Sand – Ships internationally from the UK

Conscious fashion pioneer People Tree uses lower-impact materials and addresses labour risks by adopting the Fairtrade International - Small Producers Organisations Code of Conduct.

Find most products in UK sizes 6-18.

See the rating.

Shop People Tree EU.

Lâcher Prise

Rated: Good
Silky green harem pants made responsibly by Lacher Prise.

Zenith Harem Pants – Ships internationally from the US

Lâcher Prise is a US-based vegan brand that creates a range of versatile clothing, basics, and underwear. Lâcher Prise rates “Great” for the planet: it uses lower-impact materials including organic cotton, which helps limit the chemicals, water, and wastewater in its supply chain.

Find most items in sizes S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Lâcher Prise.

éclipse

Rated: Great
Woman in soft palazzo pants by éclipse

Palazzo Pants – Ships internationally from the US

éclipse creates climate control UPF 50+ clothing essentials and accessories to help keep the whole family sunsafe. It manufactures locally to reduce its carbon footprint, and its entire product range is vegan-friendly.

Products are stocked in sizes S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop éclipse.

LANIUS

Rated: Good
Black flared GOTS cotton trousers byLANIUS.

Flared Leg Trousers – Ships within Europe from Germany

“Love fashion, think organic, be responsible” are the maxims of LANIUS. The German brand uses lower-impact materials, like GOTS certified cotton. All LANIUS facilities are SA8000 certified and it is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation.

LANIUS' clothes are available in EU sizes 34-44.

See the rating.

Shop LANIUS.

Jyoti – Fair Works

Rated: Good
Man in ethical trousers by Jyoti

Trousers BHUMI Pinstripes – Ships within Europe from Germany

For those living in Europe, you’re lucky enough to be able to get your hands on the beautiful 100% GOTS cotton products created by Jyoti. Truly embodying responsible fashion practices, this German company provides employment for people from marginalised or disadvantaged groups in India.

Sizes available are S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Jyoti.

Näz

Rated: Good
Brown speckled wool trousers made by Naz.

Zoe Wool Trousers – Ships worldwide from Portugal

Näz is a Portuguese fashion brand that aims to make fashion look good, not only on you, but on the planet too. It uses a high proportion of lower-impact materials including GOTS certified organic cotton, and traces most of its supply chain.

Most garments available in sizes S-L.

See the rating.

Shop Näz.

Kuyichi

Rated: Good
Mint green corduroy flair pants responsibly made by Kuyichi.

Lisette Flair Baby Cord – Ships internationally from the Netherlands

Established in 2001, Kuyichi is the first organic denim brand. With top-scoring labour and environmental ratings, the brand designs durable yet trendy and modern pieces that never go out of style.

Offered in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Kuyichi.

Seek Collective

Rated: Good
Patchwork upcycled twill pants by Seek Collective.

Terrain Pants – Ships worldwide from the US

Seek Collective is a US brand of thoughtfully made items with a dedication to transparency, authenticity, craft, and sustainability. Seek is focused on establishing connections between art, product, consumers, process, and makers. Its items are made in India through partnerships with like-minded communities and people.

Find most products in XS-L, with an extended sizing range up to 4XL.

See the rating.

Shop Seek Collective.

HarperSage

Rated: Good
Pink continental pants by HarperSage.

Continental Pant – Ships internationally from the US

HarperSage is a responsible lifestyle brand for womenswear, making dresses, tops, pants, and more. It's on a mission to create clothes responsibly, empowering women by partnering with a woman-owned SEDEX certified factory in India and using lower-impact materials that are completely vegan.

Find the range in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop HarperSage.

1 People

Rated: Good
Light blue linen pants by 1 People.

Wide Leg Linen Pants – Ships internationally from Denmark

1 People is a Danish-designed lifestyle and luxury brand. It blends Scandinavian colour palettes and minimalist design to create effortlessly elegant collections for the conscious-minded. Its pieces are thoughtfully crafted by small family-run manufacturers using lower-impact and certified materials.

Find the collection in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop 1 People.

Shop 1 People @ Cerqular.

Brava Fabrics

Rated: Good
Silky earth-toned striped wide leg pants by Brava Fabrics.

Earthy Stripes Pants – Ships internationally from Spain

Founded in Spain, Brava Fabrics seeks to create high-quality clothing and apparel. By producing locally and regularly visiting suppliers, the brand can maintain a higher level of ethical manufacturing.

Find most of the range in sizes XS-XL and pants in 34-44.

See the rating.

Shop Brava Fabrics.

Shop Brava Fabrics @ Urbankissed.

Shop Brava Fabrics @ Cerqular.

Dressarte Paris

Rated: Good
White custom-tailored pants made responsibly by Dressarte Paris.

Hélène Pants – Ships internationally from France

Dressarte Paris is a custom-made clothing label that curates unique pieces for a worldwide clientele. It sources luxurious surplus and lower-impact fabrics to create a wonderfully chic, more sustainable wardrobe.

Its products are made-to-order, and you can choose from existing sizes or enter in your own measurements for a custom order that not only minimises textile waste but celebrates all sizes.

See the rating.

Shop Dressarte Paris.

Triarchy

Rated: Great
Cream-coloured wide leg jean pants by Triarchy.

Ms. Keaton High Rise Baggy Jean Off White Crystal – Ships internationally from the US

US-based Triarchy creates more sustainable jeans, skirts, shorts, jumpsuits, and jackets. The brand’s production system uses 85% recycled water by consistently reusing the "thick indigo laden sludge" that unmonitored factories dump into water systems.

Find most of the jeans in US sizes 24-32.

See the rating.

Shop Triarchy.

Shop Triarchy @ LVRSustainable.

Editor's note

Feature image via Seek Collective, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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