Producing a single pair of jeans requires approximately 2,000 gallons of water, while a cotton t-shirt uses about 700 gallons. The fashion industry is the second-largest user of water and emits as much carbon as both international aviation and maritime shipping combined, making shopping decisions crucial for environmental health.
Many men’s clothing brands are taking steps to mitigate their environmental impact. They’re adopting organic and recycled materials, ensuring fair wages, disclosing supply chains, offering free garment repairs, and planting trees. Some are even innovating with new fabric materials.
Despite these efforts, fast fashion continues to expand, growing over 10% annually and potentially reaching $291 billion by 2032. Globally, only 0.3% of textile fibers are recycled, and in the U.S., 85% of discarded clothing ends up in landfills. These brands are striving to change that, which is why supporting them matters.
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s A New Textiles Economy report, doubling the number of times we wear each clothing item could reduce clothing-related greenhouse gas emissions by 44%. The most effective way to contribute is by using what you already have. Afterward, supporting brands that genuinely prioritize sustainability is the next best action. Here are 12 brands making significant efforts.
This article includes affiliate links. Purchases made through Amazon links below provide Earth911 with a small commission, supporting our Recycling Directory. Amazon shipping is generally more efficient than in-store shopping if an item is not returned.
1. Nudie Jeans
Nudie Jeans leads with a transparent sustainability approach in denim. Their 2024 report highlights that 93% of fibers are organic, Fairtrade, or recycled cotton. They introduced garments from regenerative organic cotton in 2024, which enhances soil health. They operate 33 free repair shops across 20 cities, repaired 68,342 jeans in 2024, and sell pre-owned jeans on their website. Choose Nudie for denim meant to be worn, repaired, and worn again.
Current Pick: Gritty Jackson Jeans
The Gritty Jackson is Nudie’s primary men’s jean, featuring a regular straight fit and 100% organic cotton. It is available in new regenerative organic cotton styles. Purchase directly from Nudie to access their repair program or find them on Amazon.
2. Asket
Asket believes the most sustainable garment is one already owned. The Swedish brand offers a permanent, non-seasonal collection and provides full COâ‚‚ impact and material traceability for each product. They are unmatched in transparency regarding the materials and environmental cost of their clothing.
Current Pick: Oxford Shirt
The Oxford Shirt is available in seven colors, made of 100% yarn-dyed cotton, and has a CO₂ impact of 5.5 kg per shirt. It’s a garment intended for long-term use. Asket ships directly to the U.S., offering complete transparency data for purchases.
3. prAna
prAna offers versatile clothing suitable for hiking, yoga, or casual outings. They use recycled and organic fibers, support Fair Trade, and disclose full supply chain details. Despite being acquired by Columbia Sportswear in 2014, prAna maintains a strong focus on sustainability and uses bluesign® certified fabrics.
Current Pick: Stretch Zion Pant II
The Stretch Zion Pant II, made from recycled nylon and bluesign® certified, is prAna’s leading men’s pant, designed for climbing, hiking, and comfortable travel. Available on Amazon.
4. tentree
tentree has planted over 120 million trees in 13 countries, aiming for one billion by 2030. They plant ten trees for each item sold. Carbon-neutral since 2022, they use organic cotton, TENCEL™ lyocell, hemp, and recycled polyester. Their Circularity program accepts clothes from any brand for resale or recycling. In 2024, they funded 100 beehives in Kenya to support communities post-reforestation.
Current Pick: Juniper Classic Hoodie
The Juniper Classic Hoodie combines recycled polyester and organic cotton, offering a versatile layer along with tentree’s tree-planting commitment. Available on Amazon.
5. Warp + Weft
Warp + Weft stands out for sustainability, using less than 10 gallons of water per pair of jeans, compared to the typical 1,500. They recycle 98% of their water, use solar power, and employ Dry Ozone technology instead of chemical bleaching. Their collections are affordable, all under $100, and available in sizes up to 3X, making sustainable denim accessible. Their Fall 2024 collection introduced new materials like stretch corduroy and knit denim.
Current Pick: GRR Relaxed Jean
The GRR Relaxed Jean features a mid-rise and loose leg, crafted from Warp + Weft’s low-water denim. Available on Amazon.
6. Everlane
Everlane topped Remake’s 2024 Fashion Accountability Report, outperforming 52 other brands. Their 2024 impact report reveals 90% of materials now meet lower-impact standards, with a 52% reduction in Scope 1–3 emissions since 2019. The ReNew collection, made from recycled plastics, has expanded, with 95% of their cotton being organic, regenerative, recycled, or traceable. Despite a 2020 labor scandal affecting transparency claims, the brand shows significant progress.
Current Pick: The ReNew Fleece Jacket
Constructed from 100% recycled materials and bluesign®-approved dyes, the ReNew Fleece Jacket is a core piece in the ReNew collection, suitable for layering in transitional seasons.
7. Nau
Nau, founded in Portland in 2005, aims to demonstrate that business can benefit the environment. Now owned by Black Yak, a South Korean outdoor company, Nau offers versatile clothing made from recycled polyester, organic cotton, TENCEL, and ethically sourced Merino wool. They avoid persistent chemical water repellents by using PFC-free coatings.
Current Pick: Latitude Crew Pullover
The Aeroshell Hooded Shirt uses recycled nylon, suitable for both urban commuting and outdoor activities. Available on Amazon.
8. Thought Clothing
Thought Clothing, previously Braintree, is a UK-based brand focusing on natural, traceable fibers such as hemp, organic cotton, TENCEL, bamboo, recycled polyester, and Merino wool. They use compostable cornstarch or recycled paper for packaging. Hemp is particularly noteworthy, requiring 300–500 liters of water per kilogram, compared to nearly 10,000 liters for conventional cotton.
Current Pick: Golf Socks with Panache
The Kinley Golf Course Bamboo Socks in Cobalt Blue feature a golf-themed pattern made from 53% bamboo-derived viscose, 28% recycled polyester, 16% organic cotton, and 3% elastane. Bamboo is a fast-growing renewable crop, and the socks offer breathability, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Priced at ÂŁ7.95 from thoughtsocks.com, with international shipping available.
9. Pact
Pact is the most accessible brand on this list, using GOTS-certified organic cotton, Fair Trade Certified™ factories, offering carbon offsets at checkout, and using 100% post-consumer recycled packaging. Their prices are more affordable compared to other sustainable brands, covering everyday essentials like underwear, t-shirts, socks, and pants.
Current Pick: Daily Twill Midweight Pant
The Daily Twill Midweight Pant is made from organic cotton, featuring an elastic waistband and drawcord for versatility at home or outdoors. Their Backyard Collection includes organic cotton shorts and button-ups for summer. Available on Amazon.
10. PANGAIA
PANGAIA has evolved from its recycled cashmere hoodie origins to a material science company innovating with fibers like seaweed (C-FIBER™), fruit waste (FRUTFIBER™), nettles (PANettle™ Denim), and plant-based nylon ((gaia)PLNT). Their PPRMINT™ treatment reduces odor-causing bacteria, decreasing laundry frequency and microplastic release.
Current Pick: Men’s DNA Hoodie
The DNA Hoodie combines 50% organic cotton and 50% recycled cotton, featuring an oversized fit and PPRMINT™ treatment. It’s a key piece in their collection. The 365 Hoodie also offers C-FIBER™ and recycled cotton blends.
11. Outerknown
Outerknown, co-founded by surfing champion Kelly Slater in 2015, is known for its commitment to sustainability. The brand uses Regenerative Organic Certified® cotton, Fair Trade Certified™ factories, and maintains transparency about product origins. They also offer a Pre-Loved resale program for used items.
Current Pick: The Blanket Shirt
The Blanket Shirt is a signature item, crafted from 100% organic cotton BlanketWeave™ twill with nut-based buttons, designed for repeated use. Available in over 20 colors and patterns. Additionally, consider the S.E.A. Jeans, made from organic cotton denim in a Fair Trade Certified factory. Available on Amazon.
While no brand on this list is perfect, all 12 are working towards genuine improvements in sustainability: using better materials, improving factory conditions, and increasing transparency. Some even reclaim clothing at the end of its lifecycle.
Minimize consumption and maximize the lifespan of your clothes. When purchasing, opt for brands that clearly communicate their environmental impact. This is the essence of responsible shopping.
Editor’s Note: This article was initially published on March 19, 2021, and updated in March 2026.
