Too often I hear from friends and my community that shopping small brands is too difficult or that cool and ethical Canadian brands don’t exist. I get it. Not everyone has the time to search out sustainable fashion, not when the fast fashion mainstays are a simple click away. So, I put together a list of 10 ethical Canadian brands to follow at a variety of price points and styles—so no more excuses!
Happily, as the demand for ethical and sustainable fashion grows, Canadian brands are leading the way with innovative designs and responsible practices. Supporting these brands means investing in high-quality, ethically-made products that have a positive impact on the environment and society. Here are ten ethical Canadian brands that you should follow:
1. KOTN
KOTN, based in Toronto, offers comfortable and stylish basics made from ethically sourced Egyptian cotton. Committed to transparency and fair labour practices, KOTN funds new schools in the Nile Delta with every purchase. They’re also a B Corp certified company with the fourth-highest B Impact Score of apparel brands in North America. Shop KOTN for timeless basics and cosy cotton products like bedsheets.
Simple, Timeless, Comfortable
2. Harley Jae
Harley Jae, based in British Columbia, creates feminine and vintage-inspired womenswear, perfect for those pursuing a conscious lifestyle. Harly Jae emphasizes the use of natural, biodegradable fibres and low-impact dyes, ensuring that their pieces are not only stylish but also environmentally friendly. The brand reduces waste by producing in small batches and prioritizing made-to-order pieces.
Feminine, Ethereal, Coastal
3. Ecologyst
Ecologyst focuses on creating legacy clothing items that stand the test of time. Made in North America using natural materials, they collaborate with skilled artisans to ensure durability and sustainability. A certified B Corp, Ecologyst creates each garment at its headquarters and factory in Victoria, British Columbia. If it isn’t made in-house, they work with committed partners close to home in Canada and the U.S.
Earthy, Durable, Classic
4. Toast & Yarn
Toast & Yarn produces heirloom-quality sweaters from responsibly sourced 100% merino wool, continuing a craft that has been traditionally practised by women for generations. Each sweater, taking around 10 hours to create, is an artful and easy addition to your wardrobe, handmade in luxurious, sustainable materials. Ten dollars from each purchase supports Sistering, a charity for at-risk women and trans people in Toronto.
Bespoke, Colourful, Cosy
5. Eliza Faulkner
Based in Montreal, Eliza Faulkner is a womenswear brand known for its bold, feminine shapes and unique takes on everyday essentials. Eliza and her team design, cut, and sewn each piece in Montréal, with the greatest care going into ethical and sustainable sourcing and business practices. Their vibrant designs are perfect for making a fashion statement.
Whimsical, Bold, Feminine
6. Wildflo Studio
Wildflo Studio is a Toronto-based loungewear brand, offering eco-friendly pieces that are stylish and responsibly made. Their goal is to create comfortable, easy pieces for everyday life. Everything in the production is done consciously from the fabrics used to the packaging. The brand uses eco-friendly materials, including Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton, small batch production to minimize textile waste, and facilities certified by Fairtrade International – Small Producers Organisations. They trace most of their supply chain and ensure payment of a living wage throughout.
Trendy, Youthful, Minimal
7. Free Label
Free Label is a family-run label dedicated to creating versatile and comfortable clothing and intimates that meets the highest ethical standards. Each piece is designed with sustainability in mind, made from eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and bamboo. Their factory partners are all within a 10 minute drive of their Vancouver office and the production process ensures fair wages and safe working conditions for all employees, emphasizing their commitment to people and the planet. Plus, Free Label produces its garments in small batches to reduce waste, ensuring quality and durability.
Functional, Comfortable, Minimal
8. Leze the Label
Leze the Label creates workwear that combines the comfort of loungewear with sustainable materials. Using innovative fabrics made from recycled materials like coffee grounds and plastic bottles, they offer stylish and eco-friendly options for the modern professional. Their commitment to sustainability extends to every aspect of their business, from production to packaging, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
Sophisticated, Minimal, Comfortable
9. Shelter Clothing
Shelter Clothing provides timeless, eco-friendly fashion by a 100% women-led team, headquartered on Vancouver Island and made in Vancouver. Their collections are durable and sustainable, for you to live, work and play in. Shelter Clothing ensures that every step of their production process adheres to strict environmental and social standards. By using natural and recycled materials, they minimize their ecological footprint while offering high-quality, stylish garments. Shelter focuses on making sure their garments are accessible and inclusive to all.
Natural, Undone, Seasonless
10. Franc (CLOSED)
Franc offers sustainable clothing made ethically in Canada, catering to those fed up with fast fashion. Woman-founded and based in Toronto, Franc has sustainability ingrained into every thread. Franc is made in Toronto — from knitting, dying, cutting, and sewing — and all shipments are carbon neutral and plastic-free. They also have a focus on inclusivity, offering their timeless essentials come in sizes XXXS to 4XL.
Sporty, Casual, Simple
Supporting these ethical Canadian brands means supporting small businesses, making a positive impact on the environment and advocating for fair labour practices. These brands exemplify the best in sustainable fashion, proving that style and responsibility can go hand in hand.
Any others you’d recommend? Let me know in the comments!
All images courtesy of the brands listed.
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