{"id":645,"date":"2025-11-18T13:22:30","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T21:22:30","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-11-18T13:27:25","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T21:27:25","slug":"ethical-workwear-for-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thegoodtrade.com\/features\/ethical-workwear-for-women\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Professional Work Outfits From Sustainable Brands"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Good Trade editors endorse products we\u2019ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here<\/a>.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From business casual to corporate wear, we\u2019ve researched and personally worn pieces from the top sustainable fashion brands \u2014 these are our go-to picks for an ethical and professional wardrobe.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Like many folks, I\u2019ve been working from home ever since COVID. Both as an on-staff writer and a full-time freelancer, my work uniform in recent years has looked a lot like sweatpants and sweatshirts. Maybe exactly like sweatpants and sweatshirts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But six months ago, I started a new full-time copywriting job that took me back into the office. And I couldn\u2019t be happier to be there \u2014 I didn\u2019t realize how much I missed chatting with coworkers by the water bubbler, and it\u2019s just as refreshing to actually dress up to leave the house each morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Needless to say, my workwear wardrobe needed a refresh. So I was thrilled for the opportunity to test out workwear pieces from some of TGT\u2019s favorite sustainable clothing brands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why shop for sustainable office wear?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Made with eco-friendly fabrics<\/a> using ethical labor practices<\/a>, sustainable office wear can help minimize our carbon footprint, promote fair working conditions, and support the ethical treatment of garment workers. Office wear made from natural and sustainable fabrics are biodegradable, use no pesticides, and use minimal water during production, making them better for us and the environment. These fabrics also tend to be of higher quality than conventional fabrics, lasting longer thanks to their durability and craftsmanship techniques. Clothing made from upcycled and\/or recycled fabrics also reuse existing clothing, diverting it from landfills and minimizing fast fashion waste. By choosing to go sustainable with your everyday workwear, you\u2019ll take a stance for environmental and ethical responsibility in the fashion and corporate space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the best fabrics for sustainable work clothes?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The best fabrics for sustainable work clothes are natural fabrics like cotton, wool, silk, and linen. We look for organic cotton, specifically, since it\u2019s grown with significantly less water and little to no pesticides compared to conventional cotton. Linen is also one of the most sustainable fabrics out there, made of flax that needs very little water \u2014 and it uses the whole flax plant so there\u2019s not much wasted material. Wool is another great natural, biodegradable material that\u2019s comfortable and breathable (though not as breathable as cotton or linen!); we look for third-party certifications that ensures a brand\u2019s wool (merino or cashmere included) is farmed sustainably. And silk is natural, soft, and high-end feeling \u2014 you\u2019ll find some washable forms of silk throughout this guide. We also occasionally dabble in synthetics, as long as they\u2019re made of recycled polyesters or are sourced from natural fibers like Tencel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the relevant certifications?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We look for third-party certifications to ensure our fabrics are actually organic and\/or ethically made. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is one of the gold standards, as is OEKO-TEX, which ensures a final product has been thoroughly tested for harmful contaminants. We keep an eye out for labels like Fair Trade that prove a brand uses only ethical factories, and we love a brand that makes its clothing here in the US. And B Corp certified brands have proven to operate with the highest level of transparency and sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our criteria:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"A
Note that I\u2019m 5\u20195\u201d and my measurements are: 31\u201d bust, 25\u201d waist, and 36\u201d hips.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When choosing work clothes, I lean towards neutral colors so I can mix and match, and androgynous silhouettes with occasional feminine touches like lace detailing. I chose pieces that filled gaps in my wardrobe, that have longevity (rather than fitting certain trends), and that can be worn outside the office, too. Versatility is top of mind when I\u2019m choosing sustainable work clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n