Aparna Sharma shares 5 Sustainable and affordable Indian brands which you must check out in 2025!

As someone who committed herself to understanding and practicing slow fashion a few years ago, I have met and spoken to many people on how to transition towards a sustainable wardrobe and one of the most common complaints from consumers is that slow fashion is not as affordable as fast fashion

If I go into the details of why that may be the case for some people, I will cross the word limit of this column. So, let me just dive straight in and introduce you to some amazing Indian brands that are not only doing incredible work in the area of sustainable and circular fashion but are also affordable for the average consumer who is shopping a fast fashion brands like Zara and H&M.

Please allow me to break the myth that slow fashion is not affordable, these five brand are not just doing stellar work towards creating a sustainable fashion economy, they are actually priced similarly or lower to Zara and some other fast fashion brands.

SHIBUI

Their clothes are extremely versatile, they are designed with so much thought towards comfort and style. This brand also champions zero waste and circularity. I have an organic cotton blazer set and a zero-waste bralette from them, which I have styled in multiple ways. They use only 100% natural and organic fabrics, and every stitch tells a story of timeless elegance and environmental stewardship.

They follow a pre-order model which helps in reducing waste and this also helps in getting the fit custom-made for your exact body type. If you are ordering from them you can send your exact measurements to ensure that the fit is perfect for you.

officialshibui.com

OKHAI

If you want to look stylish while supporting a brand that has  mastered the art of woman empowerment, look no further! Okhai has empowered around 30,0000 women from rural villages. Their collection is proof that timeless artisanal work can and must be uplifted to create beautiful clothes, they are a model of how a sustainable fashion brand can be stylish and affordable. When you shop at Okhai, you are not just buying a piece of cloth, you are sending a child to school by empowering the artisans to have social equity.

okhai.org

B LABEL

I got a hemp dress from this brand a few years ago, which is a dress that I have worn multiple times. It has gone through a lot of washes, and I still use it regularly and have styled it in different ways. It is comfortable and stylish, and when you wear hemp, you literally feel cool in the Bangkok heat. They work mainly with hemp fabric, which is thermos-regulating. How cool is that?!

Hemp is a climate-friendly crop; it is also a zero-waste crop and it feels really wonderful on the skin compared to fabrics made from plastic. Hemp allows the body heat to flow and the fabric feels very comfortable and soft on the skin. If you still don’t own any outfit made from Hemp, this is your sign to check out their website.

www.blabel.in

HIBISCUS HEROES

Their designs and colours are perfect for your next vacation, and of course, you can continue wearing them as a part of your regular wardrobe. Their cuts are so relaxed and yet so stylish.

This is the only brand I personally know that is working with plant-based dyes. Kindly note that azo-free or organic doesn’t mean plant-based. I met the founder of this brand 2.5 years ago and spent an evening with her to understand how she is able to get these bright and beautiful colours from plants and seeds. Initially, I was not convinced that these colours would last after a few washes, so she gave me a dress to test for myself. I have worn that dress multiple times and it looks as fresh as new even now.

www.hibiscusheroes.com

UVAACHA STUDIO

I just found this brand and I was really surprised to see their beautiful collection, which is sustainable and stylish. Their price range starts from THB 2,000 upwards, and they have an interesting range of cuts in bold colours.

This is your go-to brand if you are looking for pretty feminine dresses made to fit perfectly in a wide range of colours. All their fabrics are sustainably sourced. I don’t own anything from this brand yet but they are on my wish list for 2025.

uvaachastudio.com

Aparna Sharma (Instagram: @stylishsuitcase) is a non-conformist who believes that fashion must become a force for good and style must meet sustainability. She breaks down the nuances of slow fashion and how we can stay stylish without being trendy.