The Ultimate Guide to Ethical and Sustainable Skirts

Sustainable fashion pioneer and leader People Tree is a seriously ethical brand and one of our favourites. This cult favourite is made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and perfect for any occasion. The brand uses eco-friendly materials and addresses labour risks by adopting the Fairtrade International – Small Producers Organisations Code of Conduct. Find most products in UK sizes 6-18.

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The Sophie Rocks takes a sustainable twist on an essential denim piece. This high-waisted, a-line denim skirt has a flattering fit and finishes any outfit. Even better, the colour is unique as the denim is dyed with natural dyes made in a lab to prevent natural habitat damage. MUD Jeans are available in a range of sizes, usually from W25 L30-W33 L32 for women and W28 L34-W36 L34 for men.

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Something different for our mini-lovers. Expertly crafted for fair wages, this patchwork mini was made at the Stitches In Time community arts workshop in East London and features a stunning motif. Birdsong is a boutique label producing gorgeous womenswear. The business is built on a philosophy of fairness and authenticity, promising customers “no sweatshop, no photoshop.” Birdsong’s products are inclusively sized from 2XS-3XL.

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Altar is a US-based boutique that specialises in alternative and custom fashion, apothecary, and gifts. The brand celebrates independent manufacturers and artists from across North America, with a focus on the stories that are woven into their work. This cute skirt from Whimsy + Row is the perfect flowy mini, featuring a fun polka dot pattern that can be worn day or night. Also check out the brand’s own clothing Altar Houseline, which is proudly made in America using deadstock materials and serves size gradations from size S to 6XL.

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Think Charlotte from Sex and the City, but without the unethical fahion. If you’re looking for a Hampton’s-inspired classic mini, you’ve come to the right place. Handmade in London, this mini is undyed and gorgeously crafted from GOTS certified cotton. The brand offers meaningful luxury crafted ethically in London from certified raw materials. Find sizes in UK 6-16.

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The perfect summer or spring midi. This lovely piece is made from recycled ocean waste, featuring a polyamide neoprene-like fabric. The Francesca is tied at the side and features a high-waisted fit. JAN ‘N JUNE is a sustainable, fair and transparent eco-fashion label from Hamburg. Find sizes XS-XL.

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Shop JAN ‘N JUNE @ Earthkind.

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Born out of the brand’s well-loved Diana Skirt—featuring a side slit, high waist, and slight frill hemline, this mid-calf darling is sure to impress. The Charlie is perfect for date night, but can easily be dressed down with sneakers for day-wear. Whimsy + Row is an eco-conscious lifestyle brand imbued with a love for quality goods and sustainable practices. Since 2014, its mission has been to provide ease and elegance for the modern, sustainable woman. Find most products in XS-XL.

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Outland Denim makes premium denim jeans and clothes, and offers ethical employment opportunities for women rescued from human trafficking in Cambodia. The Penny Skirt is exemplary of the brand’s mission, fitted with a flattering silhouette and premium textured rib fabric without the nasty ethics. This Australian brand was founded as an avenue for the training and employment of women who have experienced sex trafficking. Find most of the brand’s range in US sizes 22-34.

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Two in one? Yes, please. Mila.Vert offers timeless, minimal, and chic clothing, adding sophisticated details that give the garments a modern feel. The Tencel Sateen Sarong is a multi-purpose tencel fabric sheet that can be tied in different ways, either as a skirt or as a dress, while the luxuriously smooth surface of shiny tencel sateen always adds a touch of glamour to this versatile garment—an absolute summer stand-out. Find the garments in sizes XS-XL, or make a custom fit order free of charge.

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This Triangle Skirt is a modern take on a traditional style. Featuring an a-line panel, the skirt is styled with contrast topstitch detailing and is made from mid-weight organic cotton denim. Kowtow uses organic, fair trade cotton and non-toxic dyes to produce its clothes. It designs elegant, timeless womenswear, and also has a range of ceramics. Find the skirt in sizes 2XS-2XL.

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Nina Rein is a German brand that creates sustainable business clothing in Europe under fair conditions. The brand’s aesthetic is clean, feminine, and colourful, and each piece includes little details everyone loves. This organic cotton skirt is perfect for all occasions. Find most items in sizes 34 to 44.

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Looking for something fresh for the summer? Look no further. The Safira Organic Cotton Skirt is everything you need and more. This flowy skirt features a light, organic cotton fabric with wood buttons down the front, hidden side pockets, and elastic on the back to fit all body types. Näz is a Portuguese fashion brand that aims to make fashion look good, not only on you, but on the planet too. Most garments available in sizes S-L.

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New Zealand based label ReCreate receives the highest rating from Good On You. As well as using Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton and recycled materials to make trendy clothing, the brand provides employment for women in Dey Thmey, a disadvantaged community in Cambodia. Ethically crafted by the brand’s friends at Mr. Lim’s in Cambodia, this garment transforms lives by supporting families in a marginalised area. Find clothes in sizes XS-XL.

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Perfect for all evening festivities, the Sequin Skirt sits on the hips perfectly, allowing the skirt to hug your curves whilst keeping you cool and comfortable. Malaika New York is a minimalistic sustainable clothing brand with a focus on zero waste clothing and accessories. Find most garments in S-XL with some items going up to 2XL.

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Made from 100% organic cotton, the Kali is a maxi-style skirt designed in collaboration with Lisa Taylor Design. The elegant, floral design has been screen printed by hand onto organic cotton in Jaipur, India. Beaumont Organic is a UK-based slow fashion brand that blends simple style with ethical production practices. Find the range in sizes XS-L.

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The Ariel Maxi Skirt is a favourite of Tamga Designs’ co-founder so naturally we had to include it in this guide. This free-flowing maxi features an elastic waistband and multiple cascading tiers, as well as warm, floral hues filled with a romantic print. TAMGA Designs is out to prove how colourful and exciting sustainable fashion can be, serving up gorgeous, flowy designs that will glide you into warmer weather with poise and grace. You can find the full range of this Canadian brand in sizes XS-2XL.

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Meet the Eva, a prairie skirt dream, inspired by the full skirts of the ’60s. We love pairing her with a vintage white tee, a cropped sweater, or the matching top. This beauty features a fitted upper and relaxed skirt with a front button down placket and high waist. Christy Dawn is a minimalist showroom for vintage-inspired women’s clothing and footwear, locally made with surplus fabric. The US brand rates “Great”, making it a fabulous boho option for your wardrobe. Find the clothes in standard sizes XS-XL, or shop the Extended and Petite collections.

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Designed with the ultimate MM muse in mind, this ethereal skirt has a full, floaty shape balanced with an organza asymmetric contrast and wide silk waistband that sits perfectly on the hips. Need-to-know designer Maggie Marilyn’s clothes are defined by her strong sense of luxury and fresh point of view. Inspired to create collections that are sustainable as well as beautiful, the New Zealand-based label utilises organic cottons and ethically produced silks to craft effortlessly glamorous designs. Sizes available are XS-L.

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Shop Maggie Marilyn @ Farfetch.

Shop Maggie Marilyn Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

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“Love Fashion, Think Organic, Be Responsible” are the maxims of LANIUS. This airy, vintage-inspired maxi does just that, featuring a flattering, full-length skirt in soft TENCEL™ lyocell. The German brand uses eco-friendly 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.

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Sass meets class with this ultra-versatile maxi skirt. This wonderful floaty crepe fabric gives a feminine swing that can be dressed up or down and features an elastic waist and hand pockets. Toad&Co is a US brand that creates socially and environmentally committed womenswear and menswear that is equally suited for the rigours of the trail or the tavern. Most items are available in sizes XS-2XL.

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