UPDATED 2021
Whether you’re into strappy or racer back, plain or printed, full length or cropped – the vest is a go-to staple for Spring and Summer! Ideal for layering or as a stand-alone piece, our vests and tank tops are the most versatile and transitional pieces of our wardrobes. With an array of eco-friendly choices now on the market ranging from organic and regenerated fibres, to upcycled pieces made from deadstock fabric, to curated vintage collections, discover ELLISS’s favourite sustainable and ethical vests here…
1. ELLISS
Based in London | Made in UK and Slovenia | Seaside Top – £120
If you’re on the hunt for some soft strappy vests with unique prints, look no further than ELLISS! All of our pieces are made with organic cotton and we’ve started sourcing and sampling with sustainable fibres such as TENCEL and ECOVERO from LENZING. We work with a small family-run factory in Slovenia who recycle all their fabric offcuts which are then used in the construction industry and to fill mattresses. Our vests feature bold prints from magazine collage cut-outs that are placed carefully on the patterns to follow the natural curves of the body. ‘The Seaside Top’ is from our new collection ‘The Beach’ which is dropping very soon! Until then, browse our vests on our shop page.
2. INDIGO LUNA
Based in Australia | Made in Indonesia | Ananda Top Gardenia – $75 AUS
This yoga top from Indigo Luna can be worn just as easily with jeans as it can with their ECONYL gym leggings! The simple yet elegant shape and ecru colour is ideal for everyday wear, from lounging around to out and about. Made from GOTS Certified organic cotton and hand dyed, this tank top is beautifully soft while also being low impact on the earth. This small family-run Australian brand believes in quality, transparency and eco-consciousness. All pieces are made in a small women-run factory in Bali where everyone is paid above living wage with comfortable and safe working conditions. They have also introduced a recycling programme into the factory and the stores, as well as using biodegradable bags instead of single-use plastics.
3. KILIA.CLOTHES
Based in UK | Made in UK | Baby Peach Vest – £28
These upcycled vests from Kilia.Clothes are the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe! Made in UK from strips of old T-shirts and babylocked into new designs such as one-shoulder vests, each piece has a totally unique look to it. Upcycling gives old textiles a new purpose, while also breathing new life into interesting design.
4. NU-IN
Based in Sweden | Made in Portugal & Turkey | Ribbed Racerneck Top – £27
With its sleek racer back design and super soft organic cotton, this nu-in vest will quickly become your go-to staple for Spring and Summer. The Swedish brand was born out of a desire to create sustainable clothes that are both fashionable and affordable. Nu-in use an array of sustainable fabrics such as recycled cotton, SEAQUAL (high quality recycled polyester made from plastic waste), LYOCELL and organic cotton. They also only work with factories who’s practices mirror nu-in’s environmentally friendly ethos and as the workers are the absolutely pivotal to the brand, they get treated and paid accordingly.
5. NICO
Based in Australia | Made in India & Bangladesh | Organic Tank Lilac – $68 AUS
Made from super soft plant dyed organic cotton, this loose fitting cropped vest features bound edges and a high neck that would look great layered or worn on its own. The pinky lilac colour is derived from the bark of the vembadam tree and the vest (along with their other pieces) are ethically made in India. NICO are currently working with sustainable fabrics such as plant dyed organic cotton, TENCEL modal and recycled cotton and only work with manufactures who share their values for social and environmental sustainability.
6. AFENDS
Based in Australia | Made in China | Dalston Hemp Rib Tank – €40
Sustainably crafted from GOTS certified organic cotton, this 90s inspired cropped ribbed vest from Afends is the perfect summer staple! Afends pieces are made from organic cotton and hemp which produces 80% less water and 37% less C02 emissions compared to conventional cotton. They are also committed to creating and developing long term partnerships with factories that share the same vision of sustainability, accountability and transparency. Afends strives for well made pieces that will stand the test of time.
7. THE CONSISTENCY PROJECT
Based in US | Made in US | Vintage 90s White Sleeve Tank – $30
What better way to shop sustainably than to buy vintage! The Consistency Project sources carefully selected one-off secondhand pieces that are guaranteed to make you stand out from the crowd. This 90’s V-neck vest is slightly sheered, cropped and fitted for the perfect casual staple with a unique twist. The Consistency Project seeks to show the possibilities of choosing secondhand as a first choice to encourage conscious shopping whilst gaining a unique and characteristic style.
8. NINETY PERCENT
Based in UK | Made in Bangladesh & Turkey | Organic Cotton Boy-Fit Vest – £35
If you’re looking for a more relaxed, slouchy look then Ninety Percent’s ‘Organic Cotton Boy-Fit Vest’ will be the perfect fit for you! Made from 100% organic cotton and ethically made in Bangladesh where all the workers receive free comprehensive health insurance and a free meal everyday, Ninety Percent seeks to be the very best for their customers, producers and the planet. They also work with an array of other sustainable fabrics such as Tencel and Ecovero and Mirco Modal as well as introducing ‘Waste Not’, an exclusive collection made from leftover fabric from previous collection sampling.
9. EILEEN FISHER
Based in USA | Made in USA | Fine Jersey Scoop Neck Tank- £60.35
This simple easy-fit vest from Eileen Fisher features a classic scoop neck and made from a fine jersey for a soft, breathable feel and elegant style. The jersey is made from Tencel Lyocell fibre which is derived responsibly from wood pulp and knit and dyed in Canada and cut and sewn in the US where the brand is also based. The Social Consciousness team at Eileen Fisher has grown considerably and now extends to the warp and weft of the company. From the materials they work with, how much water and energy is being used to produce them and how many of the fibres used are recycled or regenerated, to human rights programmes and initiatives, Eileen Fisher believes in environmentally friendly and ethical practices to the core.
10. Rêve en Vert
Based in Sweden | Made in Sweden | Grey Cherry Fine Rib Tank – £40
This super soft organic cotton tank from White Briefs is ideal daywear or nightwear, as you can pair with some vintage jeans just as easily as you can with their matching briefs! This Swedish brand’s ethos is “Sometimes the most satisfying objects are the simplest’ and they prove this with their ‘Grey Cherry Fine Rib Tank’ crafted from a lightweight fine gauge organic cotton. This is a classic staple features wide straps and a silhouette that hugs the body and is just as soft on the skin as it is kind to the earth! This husband and wife run brand is sold through Rêve En Vert and they produce their pieces locally to cut down on their carbon footprint and to paying close attention to every stage of the production process.
11. UANTS
Based in UK | Made in UK | Ruffle Tank Top – £90
Made entirely from deadstock fabric, this London-based brand creates beautiful tank tops by shirring the scraps of fabric and creating a unique patchwork effect that gives a gorgeous checkerboard look! These UANTS pieces are ideal if you’re on the hunt for something a bit bolder but can be easily dressed up or down, pair with some slouchy jeans or an ankle skirt and you’ll be sure to stand out from the crowd while also doing your bit for the environment by cutting down on fabric waste.
12. CAES
Based in The Netherlands | Made in Portugal | Jersey Singlet with side panels – €80
This 90’s style white ribbed vest from Caes will soon become your spring and summer favourite. Made from a blend of cotton and modal, this super simple but contemporary looking tank will freshen up any outfit. Caes have a close relationship with their manufactures in Portugal and ensure that everyone is treated and paid fairly with safe working conditions.
13. WORN STORE
Based in US | Made in US | The Aline Tank in grey – $50
This high round neck tank top from Worn Store is the ideal transitional piece from season to season or from lounging around the house to out and about! Made from sustainably sourced ribbed cotton, the Aline Tank is fitted and supporting so you don’t need a bra with it for maximum comfort. Worn Store’s commitment to sustainability spans across all areas of the company, from organic fabric sourced, to ethical manufacturing, to eco-friendly packaging and reducing their carbon footprint. They also work with ‘Trees4Trees’, a sustainable organisation where one tree is planted in a regenerative forest for every Worn Store piece sold.
14. PEOPLE TREE
Based in UK | Made in UK | Kenzie Top in pink – £26
To brighten up your Spring wardrobe, why not go for this best selling People Tree vest in a dreamy pastel pink! Featuring a square neckline and wide straps that cross over at the back, this Fair-Trade GOTS certified organic cotton tank is kind to the planet but doesn’t cost the earth. People Tree are one of the pioneering brands for sustainable and ethical practices, their core mission has stayed the same over the past three decades since award-winning social entrepreneur Safia Minney founded the company. Every product is made to the highest ethical and environmental standards from start to finish.
15. TOTÊME
Based in Stockholm | Made in Portugal | Curved Rib Tank Beige – £85
For a more chic and contemporary look, you can’t go wrong with Totême’s fitted rib tank top with a high round neck and curved seams. Crafted from 100% organic cotton and ethically made in Portugal, this beige vest is soft on your skin and kind to the earth and could look great layered under a vintage blazer or cardigan or even as a stand-alone staple tucked into a pair of jeans. Totême believes in creating minimal and beautifully made garments that are timeless and made to last, building the customer’s conscious wardrobe and reducing the need to buy more.
16. NA-KD
Based in Stockholm | Made in Portugal | Recycled Round Neck Ribbed Tank- £11.95
This top from NA-KD features a round neckline, a tank design and a ribbed, stretchy fabric. NA-KD Reborn features their most sustainable pieces such as this piece which is made from mostly recycled polyester. Products labelled “More Sustainable” on the website are both made of a more sustainable materials and created in factories that participate in NA-KD’s Environmental Performance Improvement Program, using the Higg Index.
With our selection of eco-friendly vests whether they’re plain or printed, slouchy or fitted or simple or bold, you’ll be sure to find the perfect fit at ELLISS! We’d love to know what your favourite sustainable and ethical vests are! Drop us a line at production@www.elliss.co.uk so we can add to our list…