Ethical Alternatives to Urban Outfitters Fashion & Home

Looking for ethical alternatives to Urban Outfitters? This mega guide is all you need! It’s got 18 brands (and counting) that provide sustainable alternatives to the UO empire. And I must say, it’s good. Like we said when we posted about sustainable alternatives to Anthropologie, we didn’t just want this to be a clickbait article full of generally sustainable companies that don’t actually look anything like the goodies you’d buy at Urban.

I was expecting a challenge, but you know what? This guide was actually really fun to write. Urban Outfitters is so alluring because their eye-catching and trendy designs are influenced by (and many times outright copies of) indie fashion designers and makers. The brands below fit the UO vibe because there wouldn’t be a UO vibe without them. And not just Urban, but Shein, ASOS, Zara, and pretty much every fast fashion retailer.

So next time you see something fabulous at a big box retailer like Urban, open this handy list and track down the real deal! 

ethical alternatives to urban outfitters

Most of the brands below focus on womens fashion, but there’s also some mens and unisex fashion as well as home and lifestyle goods sprinkled in, since UO has become such a one-stop shop in the last several years. Let’s go!

Big Bud Press sells amazing fitted printed & colored jumpsuits, work pants, undies and more, in sizes XXS-6XL+.

Back Beat Co is all about that laidback California style. Their waffle tops, linen jumpsuits, organic cotton sweaters and so many more totally influence UO offerings.

Zero waste fashion brand Tonlé offers gender & size inclusive apparel, home and gifts, and maternity friendly goods for an affordable price.

Brick and mortar out of Des Moines, IA and online marketplace MARNĒ offers ethically made goods so you can shop without all the legwork as a conscious consumer. They stock some of the other brands on this list, like Back Beat Co and Whimsy & Row along with other indie faves.

Ethical fashion brand Two Days Off has expanded with the addition of a marketplace on their website, made up of other sustainable brands. Not only does their minimalist clothing, which comes in yummy trendy colors, align with UO’s vibe, they have lifestyle goods for sale such as moisturizer, books, and stationery.

LoveFool is a small sustainable clothing brand that makes cozy sets, ruched and smocked tops, and amazing colorblocked wrap tops in S-4X. Their color choices are too good.

Philly based Grant Blvd has an impressive selection of clothing and accessories made with reclaimed fabrics. The selection is ever changing, and you can find anything from upcycled fanny packs (I have this one!) to crop tops to sweaters.

If you’re looking for art and decor as cute and creative as Urban Outfitters, Bon Femmes is your new favorite boutique. This Chicago based brick and mortar + online destination highlights female artists and makers with an expertly curated collection of prints, home accents, gifts and more. Way better than Urban… Way.

It’s hard for us to get through a roundup without mentioning Eco Vibe, as this Portland mainstay has grown to offer so much in the way of consciously curated lifestyle goods (and yes, lots of plants) in the last few years. You won’t have any issues switching from UO to Eco Vibe (who offers the majority of their collection online as well) for your gifts and home goods.

Sustainable Bolivian-American brand Wasi is known for quirky, cheerful, and empowering goods like daisy-printed jumpsuits and playful hair clips.

Inner Peach is another fun, colorful, and empowering clothing and accessories brand designed and made by Orange County CA’s Olga Perelman. Their cheerful goods give me the Urban Outfitters vibes in all the best ways!

Cozy California brand People of Leisure has some of the most comfortable and effortlessly stylish athleisure wear you can buy sustainably. Waffle hoodies, organic band tees, and tie dye joggers are a few UO-like highlights.

PS: I own a POL sweatshirt and for the last year it has been one of my very faves. I wear it at least once a week!

Sustainable staple Whimsy & Row is your UO swap when it comes to party dresses, stylish corduroys, and even wedding party attire. While sustainable fashion is bound to cost more than the price tags at Urban, Whimsy & Row offers quite a bit of goods priced comparably.

Sustainable jewelry brand Milk & Rose offers affordable, minimalist jewelry with an ethereal vibe, all wrapped up in biodegradable packaging.

I think vintage is always a fitting alternative to trendy shops like UO because they are striving for that lived-in vibe in so many of their products anyway. Why not go straight to the source? Mofomelon Vintage curates a collection of playful, funky dresses, skirts, blouses, and more, that are actually the real deal.

Quinta Esencia‘s artisan made decor has a modern boho feel using lots of cream colors and natural fibers, like this hammock above.

MAAARI owners Ivy and Jeanette curate modern goods inspired by Philippine culture, paying homage to their Filipina roots, while preserving traditional craft. While their designs are timeless, they also offer a few trendier pieces that someone who loves Urban would want to scoop right up, such as the Luna Rug.

If you love Urban Outfitter jeans, don’t worry, you can find denim all of the best fits from ethical jeans company ETICA. They also offer modern basics and neutrals to achieve that casual UO look.

Final notes

For one, we tried to choose brands with a similar price-point, but ethically made goods cost more (it happens when you’re actually paying your production team, ya know?), so it was really more about closing the gap as much as possible. Secondly, we are in absolutely no way calling out independent designers and artists who choose to partner with companies like Urban/Anthro to sell their goods. If I were in that position, I’d do it too. It’s an incredible opportunity for exposure, and even though it’s little more than a PR move for them, it gives an audience to these makers and turns consumers onto some original, well-made goods in the mix. The goal of guides like this isn’t necessarily to “take them down” as much as it is to inspire them to begin offering goods that consumers are actually proud to buy.

If you’re interested in stories about Urban Outfitters plagiarizing artists, here are a couple sources:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/urban-outfitter-designs-1.5510978
https://www.pedestrian.tv/news/urban-outfitters-mitjili-napurrula-rug-plagiarism/
https://www.upworthy.com/here-are-5-of-many-reasons-i-no-longer-shop-at-urban-outfitters-hopefully-youll-join-me

Which sustainable brands would you recommend to a conscious consumer that loves the UO vibe?