10 Brands That Prioritize Fair Wages

In a world of fast fashion and hidden supply chains, finding brands that pay fair wages can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But more and more companies are stepping up — proving that style and ethics can go hand in hand. If you want your purchases to support workers around the world, here are 10 standout brands that make fair labor a top priority.

Each of these companies commits to transparency, fair compensation, and safer conditions for their workers. Let’s take a closer look.

Ethical Brands That Support Fair Pay

These 10 brands are setting the standard for fair wages and ethical production across industries:

1. Patagonia

Patagonia has long been a leader in ethical fashion and outdoor gear.

Why it stands out:

• Participates in the Fair Trade program for apparel and gear
• Discloses its factories and labor practices openly
• Supports living wages for all supply chain workers
• Combines activism and sustainable innovation

2. People Tree

A pioneer in sustainable fashion, People Tree partners with artisans and farmers around the globe.

What makes them ethical:

• Fair Trade Certified for decades
• Works with local cooperatives in India and Bangladesh
• Focuses on slow fashion — not trend chasing
• Uses organic cotton and eco-friendly dyes

3. Eileen Fisher

Known for timeless style, Eileen Fisher is also a strong advocate for worker equity and pay.

Why we love it:

• Has a dedicated Human Rights and Social Justice team
• Supports fair wages in its supply chain
• Offers garment recycling and resale programs
• Champions women’s leadership internally

4. Known Supply

This brand puts the maker front and center — literally. Each piece is signed by the person who made it.

Ethical highlights:

• Pays above local minimum wages
• Offers transparency on factories and worker conditions
• Focuses on human connection between buyer and maker
• Provides education and growth programs for workers

5. Nisolo

Nisolo crafts beautifully made shoes and accessories with ethical practices in mind.

Why it earns praise:

• Certified B Corporation
• Pays 100% living wages in Peru, Mexico, and Kenya
• Public impact report shows wage data and carbon offsets
• Timeless products designed for longevity

6. Pact

Organic basics, made ethically. Pact specializes in loungewear, underwear, and everyday staples.

What sets it apart:

• Uses Fair Trade Certified factories
• Focuses on GOTS-certified organic cotton
• Minimizes environmental and labor impact
• Offers carbon offset shipping

7. Veja

This French sneaker brand combines sleek design with fair labor and environmental care.

Standout practices:

• Sources raw rubber and cotton from Brazil and Peru
• Works directly with cooperatives
• Pays above average wages in their supply chain
• Full supply chain transparency

8. Tonlé

This Cambodian-based brand champions zero waste and fair pay in the fashion world.

Ethical focus:

• Pay scale based on living wages in Phnom Penh
• Uses 100% recycled materials
• Creates unique, one-of-a-kind designs
• Employs artisans at fair, empowering wages

9. Able

Able is committed to ending generational poverty through job creation — especially for women.

Why it’s notable:

• Was the first brand to publish worker wages
• Focuses on ethical manufacturing in Ethiopia and beyond
• Supports women in leadership roles
• Encourages accountability in fashion

10. Outland Denim

This denim brand started as a social enterprise for survivors of human trafficking.

Core values:

• Trains and employs vulnerable women
• Pays living wages across the board
• Produces with sustainable materials
• Offers full transparency and ethical sourcing

Why This Matters

When brands pay fair wages, they help lift communities out of poverty, empower women, and create safer, more dignified workplaces. Shopping with these companies supports a shift away from exploitation and toward a more just fashion system.

Further Insights on Ethical Brands

Fair wages are just one piece of the ethical puzzle. Many of these brands also:

• Focus on sustainability and environmental impact
• Support artisan crafts and traditional techniques
• Encourage transparency across supply chains
• Use their platform for advocacy and awareness

Takeaway

You don’t have to change your entire closet overnight — just begin by supporting brands that align with your values. Each purchase is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. Choosing companies that prioritize fair wages is one powerful way to make that vote count.

Because behind every garment is a person — and they deserve to be paid fairly.