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There’s a misconception that vegan fashion means a reliance on plastic-based materials like polyester, but that’s no longer the case in a world of innovative plastic-free materials. Discover some top rated fashion brands using vegan plastic-free materials in their stylish designs, leaving a lighter impact on people, the planet, and animals.

The evolution of vegan fashion

Vegan fashion is an exciting scene filled with people who care deeply about their impact on the planet and the animals we share it with.

In its infancy in the mid-20th century, vegan fashion primarily responded to ethical concerns about using animal-derived materials such as leather, wool, and fur. Back then, options were limited and styles often lacked the sophistication of conventional fashion. Think beige shift dresses and hemp socks.

However, the movement has gained momentum over the decades as consumers, designers, and brands recognise the importance of cruelty-free fashion. Today, vegan fashion has blossomed into a thriving industry. Lyst reported a 178% page view increase for “vegan leather” in 2021, and trends across the board indicate increases in searches around terms like “vegan” and “cruelty-free” alongside “organic” and “second-hand”, speaking to the growing consumer awareness of our wardrobes’ impacts.

And in 2026, vegan fashion is more accessible and stylish than ever, but it also reflects this growing awareness of the interconnectedness of fashion, ethics, and sustainability, with new materials like plant-based leather alternatives, organic fabrics, and more sustainable production methods becoming increasingly mainstream. The evolution of vegan fashion serves as a testament to the power of conscious consumer choices and the capacity of the fashion industry to adapt to changing values and preferences.

But isn’t vegan fashion just plastic?

A common misconception is that vegan fashion equates to plastic-based clothing, but this is far from the truth. While much of the technically “cruelty-free” fashion you can find lining the racks of fast fashion stores is made completely from harmful plastic-based materials like polyester, nylon, and PVC, vegan fashion by more sustainable brands often takes a more holistic approach, ensuring the materials they use aren’t just free from animals, but from unnecessary harm to the environment and workers, too.

Many (vegan) fashion brands are adopting innovative non-plastic materials that align with the principles of circular fashion, such as recyclability and biodegradability. More common materials like TENCEL Lyocell, hemp, and organic cotton often take centre stage, but other options are also becoming available. It’s important to note that some of these products may contain small amounts of materials like elastane, which does not yet have a scalable more sustainable alternative, but that doesn’t discount the reduced impact of the items overall. Some of the brands listed are not entirely vegan, but all products mentioned are.

Vegan plastic-free materials and the brands incorporating them

MIRUM

MIRUM is a USDA Certified Biobased Product made from a combination of virgin natural materials such as natural rubber, plant oils, and cork. In addition to having a low carbon footprint, MIRUM requires no water during manufacturing and dyeing.

Svala

Simma Tote – Ships internationally from the US

Svala creates luxury vegan handbags, purses, bags, and totes. Each bag is handcrafted responsibly in LA with high-quality, premium vegan leather, cork, and Piñatex.

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Shop Svala.

Cork

Cork is an incredibly versatile, renewable, and lower-impact material made from cork trees. It’s used for bags, shoes, and even fashion accessories.

NIKIN

TreeShoe SlipOn Women – Ships internationally from Switzerland

If you’re the kind of person who likes to wear their morals, look no further than Swiss brand NIKIN. Not only is a tree planted every time you purchase a NIKIN product, you also get to show your tree pride.

Products are available in sizes XS-2XL.

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Shop NIKIN.

TENCEL Lyocell

Derived from responsibly managed eucalyptus trees, TENCEL Lyocell is a breathable, silky-smooth fabric. Our material guide explains the fabric’s key characteristics.

Tripulse

Original 2.0 Shorts – Ships internationally from Sweden

Tripulse is a Swedish activewear brand on a mission to create high performing activewear that protects our planet and its people. The brand believes that fitness, both physical and mental, is the foundation for a good and healthy life and gives people the courage to live the life they dreamed of, become their best selves, make bold moves, and change the world for the better.

Find most items in sizes XS-6XL.

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Shop Tripulse.

Hemp

Hemp is one of the oldest textile fibres in the world and is known for its durability and lower environmental impact, which you can learn more about in our material guide. Organic hemp is your best bet.

8000Kicks

Explorer V2 Sneakers – Ships internationally from the US

8000Kicks is a US-based brand specialising in footwear crafted from industrial hemp. Sparked by a unique vision to create the world’s first waterproof hemp shoe and empower customers with sustainable lifestyle choices, it works closely with dedicated producers, and extends its commitment to sustainability by supporting tree-planting initiatives.

Sizes range from US 6-14.

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Shop 8000Kicks.

Shop 8000kicks @ Shop Like You Give a Damn.

tentree

Opera Campi

Barn Hoodie – Ships internationally from Italy

Founded in 2017, Italian brand Opera Campi creates premium quality garments from locally-sourced raw materials. By using a balanced approach to sustainability, the brand makes conscious choices throughout its supply chain and donates 4% of its profits to social causes.

The brand is inclusively sized from 3XS-3XL.

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Shop Opera Campi.

WAMA

Hemp Boy Shorts – Ships internationally from the US

WAMA is pioneering the hemp clothing industry with premium hemp underwear. It uses a high proportion of more responsible materials including organic cotton and hemp, and is a PETA approved vegan company.

Find the range in inclusive sizes XS-4XL.

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Shop WAMA.

Linen

Linen is made from the flax plant. It gets softer with every wash and is perfect for summery garments that keep you cool. Opt for organic linen wherever possible. Learn more about linen’s properties in our material guide.

Artknit Studios

LA Relaxed

Responsibly sourced cotton

Many vegan fashion brands use cotton from more ethical and sustainable sources to ensure both people and the planet are treated right. This includes GOTS certified, recycled, and Fairtrade cotton options. Learn more about cotton in our material guide.

WAWWA

Waxed GOTS Certified Cotton Bag – Ships internationally from the UK

UK brand WAWWA aims to make clothing that puts the Earth and its inhabitants first by creating organic, fair trade, and vegan-friendly clothing with a positive social impact. It uses lower-impact materials including recycled materials, lower-impact non-toxic dyes, and reuses its offcuts to minimise textile waste.

Find the range in sizes XS-2XL.

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Shop WAWWA.

Conscious Step

Protect the Planet Gift Box – Ships internationally from the US

Conscious Step creates premium fair trade, organic vegan socks and clothes which support great charities. The US brand is committed to lasting social and environmental change and every step it takes in its production process supports farms and factories with fair wages, safe facilities, and lower-impact materials.

The socks come in S-L sizes, and the clothes in 2XS-2XL.

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Shop Conscious Step.

Seek Collective

Unisex Monty Coat – Ships internationally from the US

Seek Collective is a US brand of thoughtfully made items with a dedication to transparency, authenticity, craft, and sustainability. Seek is focused on establishing connections between art, product, consumers, process, and makers. Its items are made in India through partnerships with like-minded communities and people.

Find most products in XS-L, with an extended sizing range up to 4XL.

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Shop Seek Collective.

Etiko

Plant-based Down Alternatives

Non-animal-based down alternatives are usually made from oil-derived materials like polyester, but there are a handful of plant-based alternatives to traditional feathers, too, including Pangaia’s Flowerdown (FLWRDWN), which is made from the byproducts of the flower industry; kapok, which uses fibres harvested from kapok tree seed pods; and occasionally cotton, too.

Washable paper

Washable paper is a vegan material that’s both durable and more sustainable, perfect for creating bags, accessories, and those brand labels on the back of jeans. It’s made from FSC-certified cellulose fibres and acrylic polymers.

Outland Denim

Cindy Jeans With Jacron Back Patch – Ships internationally from Australia

Outland Denim makes premium denim jeans and clothes, and offers employment opportunities for women rescued from human trafficking in Cambodia. 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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Shop Outland Denim.

Nudie Jeans

Editor's note

Feature image via Ask Scandinavia, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion and beauty brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

We updated this article on 8 July 2026. Our editors frequently make updates to articles to ensure they’re up to date. We refreshed our round-up of brands to ensure it reflects brands with recent ratings.

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