There’s no argument – more and more fashion labels are becoming eco aware, be it through stopping the use of fur in their collections or becoming accredited by major sustainable corporations such as Ethical Clothing Australia.

So next time you decide to purchase a faux leather jacket, new runners, a maxi dress or chic silk shirt, do some research about just exactly where and how the garment was created and from what. We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite eco-friendly Australian brands you’ll fall in love with.

FOR COTTON: ANNUKKA 

From the beautiful shores of Byron Bay, this brand conjures feelings of surf, sun and sand with its comfy basics. And better yet, it’s absolutely eco-friendly. Made from organic, chemical-free, certified organic cotton, Annukka’s range includes everyday dresses, tops, cardigans, jumpers and scarves that are created outside sweat-shop conditions and accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia. Prices range from $19 to $130.


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ANNUKKA, AVA MAXI DRESS, $130.  SHOP NOW

For plastic: Adidas x Parley for the Oceans

This collaboration is absolutely amazing not only for sport luxe trend lovers, but the ocean alike. With an aim of reducing the amount of rubbish found in the sea, Adidas has made the upper of a range of sneakers from 95 percent ocean plastic which it found off the coast of Maldives. The rest of the shoe is predominantly comprised of recycled material. Only 7,000 were released in mid November and sold out almost immediately. Adidas plans to pave the way by inventing more sustainable shoes – it’s scheduled to make more than 1 million pairs of the Adidas x Parley shoes in 2017. Until next year… 

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ADIDAS X PARLEY FOR THE OCEANS, $297. SHOP NOW

For Silk: The Fable

This eco-friendly Australian brand – which focuses solely on silk shirts – sells garments which are completely handmade (yes, that includes the buttons) and all pieces are produced in small runs by select skilled Indian artisans. Its founder Sophie Doyle regularly visits these craftspeople to ensure the standards of manufacture and the tailors’ conditions are a cut above the rest of other labels. While the eco side of things is fantastic, we can’t help loving the extensive range of silk shirts the label offers. They come in a myriad of colours and two styles (long-sleeved or sleeveless), and prices range from $88 to $125.

MarineLifeTHE FABLE, MARINE LIFE, $125. SHOP NOW

for Faux Leather: James & Co.

Founded by Australian Anne Hurley, this vegan label prides itself on not only conjuring cool weather jackets but being eco-cool as well. Using the highest quality cruelty-free fabrics, James & Co. loves working with 100 percent polyurethane vegan leather. So what’s polyurethane? All you really need to know is that it’s most eco-friendly of all ‘imitation leather’ fabrications. 

Not only is the label PETA-approved, it’s also a member of the Ethical Fashion Forum – and that’s good enough for us. Prices range from $74 to $169.

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James & Co., Harriet jacket, $100. shop now

FOR WOOL: SMITTEN MERINO

What we absolutely love about this label is that the whole process – from sourcing the wool, to manufacturing the garments – is done within Australia. The brand prides itself on creating luxe garments all from eco resources. The family-run business, Smitten Merino’s wool is sustainably farmed and non-mulesed. What does ‘mulesed’ mean? It’s the (very painful) process where skin around the nose and tail area of the Merino sheep is removed. And with so many pieces on offer – from ponchos to scarves to dresses – we’re all for the Aussie brand. Prices range from $35 to $759.

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Smitten merino, striped wide merino scarf, $139. shop now