Top 14 Upcycled and Recycled Women's Clothes
Top Upcycled and Recycled Women’s Fashions
Top Upcycled Women’s Clothes and Where You Can Find Them
We’ll put it simply: the textile industry is overwhelmingly destructive to the environment. From the water consumed while growing and processing cotton to the synthetics which aren’t biodegradable and sit in landfills, a fashion-forward wardrobe can have a huge impact on the planet. There’s good news, though. You can style yourself the way you like, in all the latest trends while living an earth-friendly lifestyle. How? Buy choosing upcycled and recycled women’s clothing! Some of the most well-known names in fashion offer options that are affordable, eco-friendly and, of course, gorgeous! Recycling is a part of their mission and fashion styles. Here are the top upcycled women’s clothes and where you can find them.
Recycled Polyester Lounge Pants
Type of Recycled Women’s Clothes | Lounge Pants
Recycled Women’s Clothing Benefits | Recycled Fabrics, Give Back, Lightweight, Eco-Friendly
Recycled Material | Recycled Polyester
Recycled Lounge Pants Price | $55
Every cool weather wardrobe needs a good lounge pants. Whether you’re playing winding down for the day or just simply lounging around the house, this Miami Lounge Pants is a great choice. The Bermies Lounge Pants is made by one of the most environmentally conscious companies we know of. In fact, Bermies created the PlantArg Project which takes used plastic water bottles and recycle the material to create Bermies products and for each purchase a tree is planted.
This lounge plants is made from 95% recycled polyester. Choose from three colors and a range of sizes to find your perfect lounge plant solution. Women who have worn this lounge pants say it’s perfect for lounging around the house and for taking a nap in.
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Vuori Halo Performance Pullover Dove Grey Heather
Type of Recycled Women’s Clothes | Performance Pullover
Recycled Women’s Clothing Benefits | Eco Friendly, Recyclable, Fair Trade, Ethical Manufacturing
Recycled Material | Recyclable Polyester, Elastane
Recycled Performance Pullover Price | $86
Next on our list of the top upcycled and recyclable women’s apparel is our Vuori review. This Halo Performance Pullover is created in global factories under fair working conditions. Employees are paid a fair wage and are ethically treated. The pullover itself is created from recyclable polyester. While polyester isn’t made from renewable resources like cottons or linens, it’s a very eco-friendly textile. In most cases, when you’ve loved your Vuori Halo Performance Pullover for many years, you can simply toss it into your city’s recycle bin.
The Vuori Halo Performance Pullover is available in two colors: Dove Gray Heather and Moss Heather. Women who have bought this hoodie say it’s perfect for walking the beach on breezy days; the hood keeps the wind out and the length of the jacket is just right to pair with leggings.
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Columbia Kaleidaslope II Jacket
Type of Recycled Women’s Clothes | Women’s Kaleidaslope II Jacket
Recycled Women’s Clothing Benefits | Eco Friendly, Recyclable, Recycled, Give Back, Green, Fair Trade
Recycled Material | 50% Polyester, 50% Recycled Polyester
Recycled Jacket Price | $80
Columbia is another of our favorite companies here on Citrus Sleep. Our team loves the give back philosophy of the company; every product is made under ethical and fair trade conditions and sustainable fabrics are used when available. Columbia also partners with groups like Planet Water and UK National Parks to give back to organizations that protect the planet. For our Columbia review, we’ve chosen the Women’s Kaleidaslope II Jacket. This puffer coat is made from 50% recycled polyester fabric, making it both warm and eco-friendly. Ripstop stitching ensures the durability of the coat as you ski or sled, and Omni-Shield fibers repel water as they insulate.
You’ll love the details on the Kaleidaslope II as well. Thumbholes protect you from the cold when you choose not to wear gloves. An interior pocket safely stores your keys, wallet or ID card. The cuffs are designed with your warmth in mind, and the high collar blocks wind as you play outdoors.
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Assorted Organic Recycled Undies
Type of Recycled Women’s Clothes | Underwear
Recycled Women’s Clothing Benefits | Recycled Fabric, Made in the USA, Give Back
Recycled Material | Recycled Cotton, Recycled Polyester
Recycled Underwear Price | $60
Next on our list of the top recycled women’s apparel is our KNICKEY review. KNICKEY is a smaller company, one you may not have heard of. We chose to feature this business because every product crafted by the group is made in the USA under fair working conditions. Many feature sustainable and recycled fabrics, including this women’s underwear assorted set.
The assorted underwear set by KNICKEY is made from recycled cotton and recycled polyester. The result is a classic underwear that you can pair with your favorite pair of jeans or wear to spin class. Soft and comfy, you can choose from three colors.
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Patagonia Bivy Hooded Vest
Type of Recycled Women’s Clothes | Hooded Vest
Recycled Women’s Clothing Benefits | Recycled Fabric, Give Back, bluesign Approved, Fair Trade
Recycled Material | Recycled Down, Recycled Nylon
Recycled Hooded Vest Price | $179
We mentioned Patagonia in our US Outdoor review, but we wanted to give the company a second mention. The company is one of our favorites. They consistently offer outdoor gear and apparel that’s eco-friendly and made under fair trade conditions. We know you’ll be impressed with the quality of your Patagonia purchase, too. Attention is paid to detail from fabric to stitching. For our Patagonia review, we’ve chosen the Women’s Bivy Hooded Vest. It’s warm, it’s durable and it’s absolutely adorable. It can be difficult to find an earth-friendly outdoor vest that’s also feminine, but this vest is just that.
The vest features 51% recycled nylon and 100% recycled down insulation. Strong hardware, three pockets and adjustable drawcords comprise the “extras” that make this vest so perfect. Even the hood is insulated for your warmth. The vest is bluesign approved and created under fair trade conditions. Of course, we love that Patagonia gives back at least 1% of its net profits to charity every year. Non-profits Patagonia has partnered with include environmental programs and programs which work to prevent hunger globally.
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United by Blue Bison Puffer Vest
Type of Recycled Women’s Clothes | Women’s Puffer Vest
Recycled Women’s Clothing Benefits | Recycled, Sustainable, Hypoallergenic, Earth Friendly, Give Back
Recycled Material | Bison Fiber, Recycled Polyester
Recycled Puffer Vest Price | $188
You’ve heard of animal fibers being used in textiles. Sheep, alpaca and even yak wool are commonly used in outdoor products, but did you know bison fiber is a viable and renewable option, too? Bison fiber is discarded by ranchers who raise the animals. However, these natural fibers can be harvested for use in clothing insulation – in a cruelty free way! Our United by Blue review features a puffer vest that uses the natural warmth of bison fibers to keep you toasty in the cooler months. The Women’s Bison Puffer Vest is filled with 50% bison fiber and 50% recycled polyester to create a jacket that’s waterproof, breathable and eco-friendly.
Details of the jacket include a reverse coil front zipper, fleece-lined pockets and even an interior pocket with a headphone port. Choose from two colors and five sizes to find your perfect fit and pair it with your favorite pair of pants or jeans. Sustainable and eco-friendly, the Women’s Bison Puffer Jacket is good for the planet, but there’s more. Every purchase from United by Blue removes one pound of trash from the earth’s waterways and helps promote recycling within our local communities.
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French Terry Fulton Short
Type of Recycled Women’s Clothes | French Terry Fulton Short
Recycled Women’s Clothing Benefits | Eco-Friendly, Green Company, Woman-Owned Business, Sourced in the USA, Zero Water Manufacturing, Designed in Canada
Recycled Material | 14% Recycled Polyester
Recycled Short Price | $48
Ten Tree is another smaller company you may not be familiar with. It’s a woman-owned business, based in Canada. In fact, each product created by Ten Tree is sourced and made overseas in China and designed in Canada. Other than their sassy, feminine designs, what we love best about the company is that they use no water at all in the production of their garments. That’s a huge step forward for the textile industry.
Our Ten Tree review features the French Terry Fulton Short. This short is created from 81% organic cotton and 14% recycled polyester and 5% spandex. Soft and lightweight, the shorts is perfect for summer, while pockets, elastic waistband and drawstring make it versatile enough for spring events. Women who have bought the French Terry Fulton Short say it makes a great beach short. Many women have also loved wearing the shorts sailing. Whatever your style, the shorts is machine washable so you can just about wear it anywhere.
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Mercedes Upcycled Long Sleeve Linen Shirt
Type of Recycled Women’s Clothes | Long Sleeve Linen Shirt
Recycled Women’s Clothing Benefits | Upcycled Materials, Fair Trade, Zero Waste, Handmade, Eco-Friendly
Recycled Material | Deadstock Linen
Recycled Narin Jacket Price | $78
This Poplinen Mercedes Upcycled Long Sleeve Linen Shirt is the perfect addition to your fall wardrobe. Pair it with your work clothes, or dress it down to run errands. You’ll love the soft feel of the deadstock linen fabric, and we think you’ll also enjoy the flattering length and fit of the shirt. Lightweight and breathable, this shirt is great as a coverup on fall evenings or just for curling up with a book. As we researched for this Poplinen review, we discovered some awesome facts about the company. First, every garment made by the company is made in the USA with upcycled and recycled fabrics. Secondly, every product is vegan verified and BIPOC Owned and Women Owned. That means a sustainable, eco-friendly wardrobe is at your fingertips.
Poplinen takes other steps to protect the planet, too. The company uses recyclable packaging and never uses single-use plastics. Overall, the company strives to leave the smallest carbon footprint possible, from sourcing to shipment.
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Crossbody Bag
Type of Recycled Women’s Clothes | Crossbody Cork Bag
Recycled Women’s Clothing Benefits | Handcrafted, Women Owned, Give Back, Vegan Verified, Sustainable
Recycled Material | Vegan, Recycled Cork
Recycled Cork Handbag Price | $85
Every complete wardrobe needs a cute handbag, right? That’s why we’ve included this Tiradia Cork review on our list of the top recycled products for women. The Tiradia Cork Crossbody Bag is just the right size to keep your keys, wallet and lip gloss close at hand. Inner pockets zip for added security, and the strap can be adjusted to fit your shape and size. Tiradia Cork is a Portugal company that specializes in vegan goods. They offer handbags, hats, sunglass cases and even kids toys, all created from vegan and cruelty-free materials. This handbag features vegan cork, and the liner fabric is created from 100% recycled plastic bottles.
Tiradia Cork is a “give back” company, too. The company encourages employees to take time off to volunteer, and accepts donations of used products for upcycling.
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Rule Breaker Zippered Pouch Purse
Type of Recycled Women’s Clothes | Upcycled Cork Purse
Recycled Women’s Clothing Benefits | Upcycled, Climate Neutral, Fair Trade, Sustainable
Recycled Material | Upcycled Cork
Recycled Leather Purse Price | $43
If you’d prefer a clutch to a crossbody bag, this Carry Courage review is just what you’ve been looking for. The Carry Courage Upcycled Rule Breaker Zippered Purse is crafted from 100% upcycled cork; all materials are castoffs from the belt industry. That means your Carry Courage bag is sustainable, and that materials are kept from the landfills. The clutch is small enough to carry with you while you’re on the go, but big enough to hold your credit cards, phone and even your favorite sunglasses. Internal pockets allow for additional organization so you can find just what you need, when you need it.
Carry Courage and Made Trade is a Climate Neutral Certified. That means that each product the company makes is guaranteed to be fair trade, eco-friendly and socially responsible. From source to sale, Carry Courage offers bags, wallets and more that are safe for the planet and conscious of human rights.
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prAna Jewel Lake Dress
Type of Recycled Women’s Clothes | Sleeveless Dress
Recycled Women’s Clothing Benefits | Recycled Materials, Fair Trade Certified, bluesign Approved, Give Back
Recycled Material | Recycled Polyester, Spandex
Recycled Sleeveless Dress Price | $89
We fell in love with this prAna dress just as soon as we saw it. We love the vibrant colors, the flirty length and the fitted flow of the dress. We also love that the dress is crafted from recyclable, sustainable fabrics. This line of prAna Jewel Dresses include florals, solids and geometric designs. Choose your size from extra small to extra large; the dress is sure to flatter your shape. The hemline reaches to a mid-thigh length, and women have shared that it looks great over leggings. An interior shelf bra gives you support, and straps in the back add detail to the dress.
As we researched for our prAna review, we learned that the company’s products are Fair Trade certified and Bluesign approved. Many are made from recycled materials, and all fabrics are created sustainably. In addition to crafting environmentally conscious fashions, prAna gives back by supporting organizations such as Outdoor Outreach and local cleanup efforts.
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Sherman Upcycled Tank Top
Type of Recycled Women’s Clothes | Recycled Tank Top
Recycled Women’s Clothing Benefits | Upcycled, Ethical, Sustainable, Low Impact Dyes, Made in USA
Recycled Material | Recycled Polyester, Cotton
Recycled Tank Top Price | $50
The 337 Brand Sherman Upcycled Tank Top is versatile – you can dress it up or wear it on everyday errands. It’s comfortable – the fabric is soft and provides just the right amount of stretch. Most importantly, though, it’s eco-friendly. Sustainable fabrics and low-impact dyes make this Tank Top is one of the most earth-conscious tees on the market. Made from recycled polyester and cotton, this is a truly green tee. Pair the tee with a sustainable wool sweater or wear it to work with your favorite pair of pants or jeans. Either way, your purchase of the tank top is an investment in the planet.
We chose to feature a 337 Brand review because we love the mission of the company. The fashions created by 337 Brand are fair trade constructed from organics, recycled fibers and other sustainable materials. The group regularly contributes to fundraising efforts; past beneficiaries include educational centers, women’s centers and reforestation projects.
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Nau Randygoat Lite Zip Neck Pullover
Type of Recycled Women’s Clothes | Zip Neck Pullover
Recycled Women’s Clothing Benefits | Recycled Fabrics, Give Back, Partners for Change, Sustainable
Recycled Material | Recycled Polyester, Polyester, Wool
Recycled Zip Neck Pullover Price | $110
We love this quote from the Nau website: “Nau apparel does more so you need less.” In fact, we think that’s a motto every apparel company should subscribe to! A example of how Nau puts thus philosophy into practice is the Randygoat Lite Zip Neck Pullover. It’s made from recycled polyester and Merino wool, which means it’s warm, moisture-wicking and environmentally responsible. This pullover makes a great top layer over a basic tee in the fall but doubles as a baselayer in the colder months. You’ll love the detail of this pullover, too. An asymmetrical zipper rests comfortable on your neck and prevents bunching when you layer. The hemline is long enough to keep you covered as you bend and move.
Our Nau review wouldn’t be complete without mention of the company’s give back policy. They’re members of Partners for Change, choosing to donate 2% of each and every sale to organizations like the Conservation Alliance, Mercy Corps and People for Bikes.
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New Balance Printed NB Hero Bra
Type of Recycled Women’s Clothes | Printed Sports Bra
Recycled Women’s Clothing Benefits | Recyclable, Give Back, Eco-Friendly Company, Supports Veterans, Fair Trade
Recycled Material | Polyester, Spandex
Recycled Sports Bra Price | $24
Last on our list of the top recycled and upcycled apparel is our New Balance review. We’ve featured New Balance elsewhere on Citrus Sleep. We love the company’s commitment to fair trade manufacturing, to eco-friendly practices and to giving back to the community. New Balance goes above and beyond to support worthwhile organizations. The company donates to groups like Wounded Warriors, the Boston Children’s Hospital and Boys and Girls Clubs. They’ve launched initiatives in schools and elsewhere to keep children active. Additionally, New Balance employees are offered paid time off to work with charities
This Printed NB Hero Bra offers the support and quality craftsmanship you’d expect from New Balance. Wear it on its own or under a shirt; either way the bra gives you full, modest coverage. Moisture-wicking fabrics keep you cool and prevent chafing, and the molded pads provide additional support as you work out. Choose from two colors and five sizes. Women who wear the Printed NB Hero Bra say the top fits true to size and stays right where you should, no matter how you move.
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Top Eco-Friendly Upcycled, Recycled and Sustainable Women’s Fashions
The textile and apparel industries are notoriously harmful to the planet, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t earth-friendly options available. More and more brands are creating fashions and women’s clothes from recycled, upcycled and sustainable materials. Many women’s clothing are vegan and organic and most even consider the environment when shipping products to your home. Whether you’re looking for a new handbag, or a sassy dress, pants, jeans, sweater or jacket for Saturday night, shop this list of the top upcycled apparel for women. Then, stock your closet with eco-friendly fashions that work to protect the earth and continue recycling unwanted fashion items.
Jessica Lauren is Founder, contributing Author and Owner of Citrus Sleep. Citrus Sleep is an online publication that highlights brands, sleep products, women’s fashion, subscription services and ideas creating positive social change and promoting a healthy lifestyle. After spending nearly a decade working in PR and marketing for several brands and startups, Jessica knows what truly drives conversions, sold-out launches and guest posts.
Follow Jessica at @jessicalaurencs | Jessica Lauren