11 Must-Have Ethical Vegan Clothing Basics for Your Compassionate Closet
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You know when you stare into your closet and groan, because you realize for the thousandth time that it needs a serious refresh? So many of the contents can just feel like noise. But at the same time, each unwanted item comes with this sense of guilt and indecision when it comes to actually giving it away. Because, you know, maybe one day you’ll get an office job again and wish you’d kept that ill-fitting, not-your-style purple button down with that small but eye-catching grease stain on the front. (An actual garment of mine that I’ve actually felt that way about). Thus, my inspiration for this post on ethical vegan clothing basics.
Basics tie into a concept I recently learned about: the capsule wardrobe. For those also new to the term, a capsule wardrobe is essentially a mini wardrobe of versatile favorites that you love and that *currently* fit your body and lifestyle. It’s intended to simplify your closet and infuse your day-to-day styling with ease and joy. Yes, please!
The beauty of ethical vegan clothing basics
The essence of basics is that very same ease and joy of a capsule wardrobe: basics are the bread and butter to your wardrobe. They’re that t-shirt you always lunge for because it goes with everything and fits you perfectly. Or the lush sweater that you’d just as happily wear to cozy up at home as out and about. The basics accomplish so much with so little.
And with just a few beloved basics, it’s amazing how many joy-inducing outfits you can make. So, I present to you these hand-picked ethical vegan clothing basics. Although they can’t accommodate every occasion, they do cover a darn good few. They’re intended to serve as a highly-usable foundation for a compassionate closet that elicits joy.
Stretch Mimi Jeans
MUD Jeans (V) || €119.00 (approx. $145)
Where better to start with the basics than with everyone’s favorite legwear: jeans. Your average jeans are really bad for the earth, and also typically have a leather patch on the back, so these are a great foundational piece as far as ethical vegan clothing goes. And these Stretch Mimi MUD Jeans are hard not to love. They’re high-waisted and stretchy, so you can wear them often without being squeezed or constantly having to hike them up (not that much to ask, is it?). Made from a blend of recycled and organic cotton, these jeans are comfortable, versatile, and earth approved. (Note: Shipping to the US from MUD Jeans is around $50.)
Fitted Crop Top
Groceries Apparel (V) || $39
This crop top opens up a world of outfit possibilities… athletic, lounge, dressed up for a night out, you name it. Made from 90% organic cotton and 10% spandex, it’s got the perfect level of stretch and comfort. It comes in teal, pink, grey, black, and white, and whether you wear it as an undergarment or a standalone top, this is a basic that’s sure to get a lot of use in your closet. Plus the straps are nice and thick so the age old Bra Strap Debacle won’t rear its ugly head here!
Crew Neck Shirt
Boody (V) || $40
A good crew neck tee is one of the simplest but most flattering articles of clothing a lady can own, in my humble opinion. This one comes in black, white, and grey, and true to the versatility theme of this post, the number of outfits you can swing with this shirt are near limitless. Wear with black jeans, a little denim jacket, and your choice of fancy footwear for an evening out, or throw on some fleecy ‘jama bottoms for an evening in. This shirt is made from bamboo and a little bit of spandex, and reviewers love it! A definite ethical vegan clothing staple.
Long Sleeve Bodysuit
Boody (V) || $30
This bodysuit has an average of 4.9 stars from over 200 reviewers so… suit up, ladies. Those who have purchased it love the amazingly comfortable, high quality fabric and the versatility of this bodysuit. It’s made mainly from bamboo, with a little nylon and viscose. And true to Boody, you can see beneath the product the positive impact it had thanks to its sustainable production and make-up, like emissions avoided and water saved. And just imagine the ease of not having to constantly re-tuck or smooth out your shirt because, unbeknownst to everybody else at the party, she’s all ONE piece 😉
Joslyn Triblend Pullover
Threads for Thought (V) || $68
Granted I tend to run cold (and live in the Northeast US), but I can think of few things I reach for more often than a cozy pullover. Simple, and equally well-suited to staying cozy at home or venturing out into the world. This form-fitting pullover is made from recycled polyester, organic cotton, and rayon. It comes in a range of colors, including a navy blue, yellow, green, maroon, and grey (my color names… there’s are more creative). The yellow stands out from the typically darker and more neutral colors of basics, but for those who can rock it, more power to you, sistah. (I for one look like a seasick banana when I wear yellow, thanks to my ghostly undertones.)
Monica Crop Legging
Threads 4 Thought (V) || $48
For those of us who have the luxury of working from home, leggings are really a blessing. They give at least the sense of having gotten dressed, without having to submit to any unyielding fabrics or tight creases while sitting. I chose this simple, high-waisted, pocketless pair of leggings for this post because, although they’re made from recycled polyester and spandex and so have more of an athletic look than cotton leggings, they’re still versatile. Reviewers love them and say they’re super comfortable, so you can wear them as everyday leggings while remaining ready to DROP ‘N SQUAT at a moment’s notice.
TENCEL Lite Turtleneck
Organic Basics || $70
Wear this turtleneck as a super-warm underlayer or, as many reviewers suggest, wear it on its own or paired with a jumper or jacket. (Do note that it may be slightly see-through in some cases, depending on your shape, the color of choice, and the color of your bra.) Organic Basics describes this turtleneck as “Softer than silk and smoother than cotton,” and reviewers say it’s super soft and warm but breathable, so… the best of all worlds? It’s made from TENCEL (wood pulp fabric) and a little elastane for stretch, and it comes in black, white, super pale blue, and light pink. Note: Organic Basics is not a fully vegan company. They use wool in some products.
SilverTech Active LongSleeve
Organic Basics || $98
Here’s another athletic-or-not piece that’s workable for a hike, a lounge, or practically any other casual / semi-casual occasion. It is breathable, comfortable, and made by seamless knitting (for comfort and durability). It’s made from recycled nylon, and reviewers absolutely love it. I envision this paired with jeans for a slightly sporty look, or with a vest and leggings for a nice autumn hike (maybe just my mood as I gaze out at our leaf-covered lawn and feel cozy Fall feelings). Note: Organic Basics is not a fully vegan company. They use wool in some products.
Stretch-Jersey Square Neck Skater Dress
Ninety Percent || $180
I had to squeeze a little black dress in here, didn’t I? I like this one because, you guessed it, it’s versatile! It’s pretty casual but could easily be dressed up with heels, or worn with a crop top sweater to make it effectively a cute circle skirt, or… anything, really. Ninety Percent also suggests layering it over a long sleeve for colder temperatures. (Or, might I suggest, a nice, long-sleeve bodysuit to avoid wrinkles and the need for adjustments?) It’s made from organic cotton with 5% elastane for stretch. Note: Ninety Percent is not a fully vegan company. They use wool in some products.
Miley Sneakers
No Saints (V) || $170
Instead of descending down a wormhole of shoes that count as “basics” (where do we draw the line seasonally?!) I opted for a basic shoe that’s hard to argue with: white sneakers. You probably can’t wear them to hike through a snow blizzard or to a gala, but besides that they are really an anytime, anywhere sort of shoe. These ones are especially cool because they’re (1) gorgeous (2) ethically made and (3) named after a vegan icon. Only now am I re-reading No Saints’ product description, which rings eerily to similar to my description here about the many, many settings in which these shoes are appropriate… the takeaway? These babies are VERSATILE and everybody knows it.
2-in-1 Belt
BHAVA (V) || $69
I love the exponential effect of a belt on the rest of your wardrobe. So many pieces of clothing can take on so many new forms with a belt. Dress? Belt it. Jeans? Belt em. Blazer? BELT IT. And this gorgeous Bhava belt is even more usable than your average belt, thanks to being a 2-in-1 that comes with silver AND gold hardware. So you’ll never be mismatching with you jewelry, bag, shoes, or anything else. Hallelujah.
I hope you enjoyed this post and found some basics that you love! Leave a comment below with your favorite ethical vegan clothing piece featured here. xx
