Our Favourite Sustainable Coat Brands

At Vestiaire Collective, our mission is to make buying fashion sustainably the rule, not the exception. By creating a global community of like-minded Fashion Activists we are promoting the circular fashion movement that doesn’t overburden our beautiful planet’s delicate ecosystem. 

We applaud any designers and companies that recognise the negative impact that the fashion industry has on the planet and who prioritise sustainable methods and materials as a response. That’s why we love these four sustainable companies when shopping for a coat to keep us warm but the planet cool. From Paris to California to Spain, these are some of the leading ethical and responsible brands using transparency, high-quality design and well-made products to make a difference. 

We hope the fashion industry as a whole starts following these green pioneers as agents of change. There are better practices that can be adopted by all clothing companies. As Fashion Activists, we can participate in conscious consumption by choosing pre-loved and from brands whose values align with our own. After all, we won’t need fashion if we don’t have a planet to live on!

The Patagonia Jacket

The Patagonia brand has made its mark on the fashion industry not just from the products it sells but by its entire brand philosophy. From donating ten percent of profits to environmental organisations to offering free repairs on its products to launching an entire campaign to discourage people from buying new clothes, Patagonia is a one of the most important names in fashion sustainability. 

Founder Yvon Chouinard is first and foremost an outdoorsman and adventurer. He never imagined that he would have a clothing company but he started Patagonia to fill a need in the market that he noticed when he was climbing. Since then, Patagonia has expanded from niche market to global trailblazer known for superior quality, customer satisfaction and service to the greater good. 

Patagonia is a leader in development of new fabrics like Tencel™. At the forefront of its research is an emphasis on developing more sustainably made materials. As it is, Patagonia uses 100 percent organic cotton and prioritises using recycled materials. 

Patagonia’s signature material is fleece. Favourites include the Synchilla Snap T pullover and the Retro Pile Fleece jacket, both made with recycled fleece. Other beloved Patagonia jackets include the Nano Puff and the Better Sweater, which is designed from start to finish with low impact methods and Fair Trade sewn. 

From the very beginning Patagonia’s emphasis was on sustainability and environmental ethics. The Vestiaire Collective mission is fully aligned with Yvon Chouinard’s vision because we also believe that our fashion choices can and do make a lasting impact on the planet. By not buying unnecessary items, by shopping pre-loved, and by choosing items made with intention from recycled materials, we can lower our environmental footprint and be warm and cozy while doing it.

The Sézane Coat

Sézane is a French company that puts their sustainable words into action. They wear their green heart on their chic sleeve and are highly transparent about where they’re going and where they’ve been. If you want to know where their products are made or what composition is organic, you simply need to go to their website. This is the kind of honest action the fashion world needs to be able to make progress towards sustainability. 

Three-quarters of Sézane’s materials are eco-friendly, and half of them have an organic or safety certification by the most trusted standards in the industry like GOTS and OETX. But Sézane isn’t content with that. They have pledged concrete goals to continue to improve their sustainability metrics. They have noted that in one year, they have reduced the carbon impact of a Sézane garment by twenty-two percent. This is a hugely admirable accomplishment from a fashion house. 

But that’s not the only reason we love Sézane. The designs are chic, minimalist and oh so Parisian. We love the organic cotton Scott trench jacket which sold out instantly but perhaps you can find a pre-loved one on Vestiaire! In fact, Sézane encourages their wearers to sell on second hand sites like Vestiaire when they are ready so that more waste isn’t created. 

This brand creates products based on four pillars: strength and durability, price, environmental impact and the quality and feel of the product. This attention to detail creates lasting pieces that emphasise style over trends. It is a refreshing antidote to fast fashion. So for French-inspired pieces with a classic aesthetic, long life span, and big heart look no further than Sézane.

The Reformation Coat

Reformation states that the #1 most sustainable clothing option is being naked — but that their collections are #2. So if you’re like us and love both clothes and the environment, this cheeky Los Angeles atelier might just be the sustainable company for you. 

Reformation has a wide selection of well-fitting clothing for any occasion, from yoga clothes to wedding dresses. Some of our favourite pieces are Reformation’s statement coats like the Lester jacket with a cozy faux fur collar. Or if you want to stand out in the crowd, you’ll look pretty in pink in the Somerset coat. 

Reformation understands that two-thirds of the environmental impact from producing fashion happens when sourcing raw materials. Knowing this information, Reformation has created their own set of standards to mindfully choose materials that have the least impact. One thing we think is really cool about Reformation is their use of deadstock, or the leftover textiles from other designers that would have otherwise ended up in the trash. Reformation even shops at vintage stores to source some fabrics and repurpose these materials into something super beautiful. That’s smart, creative, sustainable  Fashion Activism right there. 

Reformation makes limited edition collections with only a small number of each product so if there’s a piece you really love your best bet — and the most environmentally friendly option — is to shop for it on Vestiaire Collective. As a 100% carbon, water and waste neutral company that is trying to become even more climate positive in the near future, Reformation is one of the leading lights for the sustainable fashion future.

The Ecoalf Puffer

Spanish company Ecoalf is revolutionising fashion and cleaning the ocean at the same time. How is this possible you ask? 

It starts with vision. Founder of Ecoalf, Javier Goyeneche, knew that fashion is the world’s second most polluting industry. He dreamed of being able to make high-quality, fashionable clothing using entirely recycled materials. And he’s achieving it. At least 80 percent of their garments are made from recycled plastics. Ecocalf launched Upcycling the Oceans to remove marine litter from the world’s precious waterways and repurpose it as material for clothing. Since 2015, 500 tons of marine waste have been cleared from the ocean and turned into clothes thanks to this initiative. By cleaning plastic bottles, old fishing nets and tyres out of the ocean, Ecocalf isn’t just trying to minimise their impact, they are actively trying to improve the earth.  

It’s almost mind-boggling to know that a sweater with one metre of fabric is made of seventy plastic bottles. But you’d never guess from looking at it.These are quality pieces, with a soft feel and youthful look. Ecoalf has several puffer jackets that embody the active, fun design aesthetic. The Beret jacket for men is made from 100% recycled plastic and comes in a range of bright colours. The Ushuaia puffer jacket for women is ultra lightweight, yet warm and water repellant. Similar to the Ushuaia but with an added hood is the Atlantic jacket. 

It’s not only what you do, it’s how you do it. Ecoalf is designing fashion with a clear emphasis on sustainability. We can do our part, too, by being Fashion Activists who support the planet by choosing to buy pre-loved items, especially from sustainable companies.

As the Ecoalf motto says, there is no Planet B.

The Pre-owned Coat

So you want to do your best for the planet but you are desperate for the leather coat styles that’ve been taking over your Instagram feed? Don’t despair. When it comes to helping the planet the most beneficial way to shop is to look for items that are pre-loved. It extends the lifespan of existing clothing, reducing waste and completely halts the need to extract raw materials to produce new items. Plus, shopping pre-owned coats means you can get great brands at a fraction of the cost, too. It’s a win win. 

On Vestiaire, you can get the pieces your heart desires and still feel good about it. All of the items on our website and app are pre-loved meaning it makes the very smallest impact possible compared to other ways of buying clothes. At Vestiaire it doesn’t matter whether you are looking for a trench coat, a reflective vest or a bomber jacket. We have over 11 million members all over the world buying and selling great pieces and they all have different styles so you’re sure to find a coat that you love. Additionally, buying pre-owned means you might find some unique vintage and retro pieces that have a really cool history and make you stand out from the crowd. No more accidentally wearing the same outfit as your friend. 

Shopping doesn’t have to be a guilty pleasure. Buy pre-loved items at Vestiaire and you get to help the environment, yourself and your wallet all in one easy click.

When it comes to shopping for a new coat, these are four of the brands that are making fashion with purpose. But we don’t just love them for their environmental initiatives. These are brands that are making clothes that are beautiful, comfortable, functional and designed to last. Any item that we will keep and love for many years is already a threat to fast fashion, and a plus for the planet. 

Shopping sustainably isn’t a trend. It’s the future. There is no time more important than right now to start sourcing wardrobe pieces that are pre-owned and made of sustainable and recycled materials. It’s the only way to shop responsibly and effectively. We can create a circular fashion culture with just a little bit of effort, knowledge and consciousness. 

You don’t have to go without great clothes. There are alternatives to new that are just as good, if not better because of their lesser impact on the planet. Choosing your clothes from brands like these and from pre-loved sources is the best way to be a thoughtful and stylish Fashion Activist.