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"Recycled" and "upcycled" get used interchangeably in marketing copy, but they describe different processes: recycled material has been broken down and reprocessed into new fiber, while upcycled material is reused close to its original form — fabric remnants sewn into a new product without being melted down or re-spun. The five brands below cover both approaches, each with a specific, checkable claim behind it rather than a vague "made from waste" pitch.
The short answer: choose BN3TH for GRS-certified recycled polyester basics, or Cotopaxi for its Del Día line, made from 100% repurposed fabric remnants rather than reprocessed fiber. Want recycled-tire footwear or a resale marketplace instead? See the full comparison below.
This is a different list from our
sustainable clothing brands from California roundup — that piece is organized by headquarters location; this one is organized by material approach, so a brand can appear on both when it earns it from a different angle.
How we checked each brand
A Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification audits both the recycled content percentage and the chain of custody proving where reprocessed fiber actually came from — that's a meaningfully stronger claim than an uncertified "made from recycled materials" statement. We note which brands have that certification and which are working from an uncertified but specific, checkable claim instead.
1. BN3TH
BN3TH's recycled-content styles are GRS certified, meaning the recycled-polyester percentage and its supply chain are independently audited, and the finished fabric additionally carries OEKO-TEX certification. Its cellulose-based fabrics (TENCEL modal, ECOVERO) carry Canopy accreditation, confirming they aren't sourced from ancient or endangered forests — a supply-chain check distinct from the recycled-polyester claim. BN3TH is also B Corp certified.
Underwear and basics run $18–$38.
Best for: the most independently certified recycled-materials claim on this list.
2. Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi is B Corp certified (score 125.6), 1% for the Planet, Climate Neutral certified, and bluesign approved, and states that as of 2024 100% of its products contain materials that are repurposed, recycled, or third-party certified. Its Del Día line is specifically upcycled — made from 100% repurposed excess fabric remnants rather than reprocessed fiber, which is why each piece has a unique, non-repeatable colorway.
Del Día pieces run $30–$110; the broader catalog (fleece, packs, outerwear) runs higher.
Best for: genuinely upcycled (not just recycled) materials, with a unique piece as the tradeoff for that process.
3. Indosole
Indosole has been a certified B Corp since 2014 and a 1% for the Planet member, and its SETT (Sole Engineered Tire Technology) process repurposes discarded tire rubber directly into shoe soles rather than reprocessing it into a new material — over 100,000 tires diverted to date, per the brand. It states it is pursuing further Climate Neutral and Global Recycled Standard certification, meaning those specific credentials are not yet in place as of this writing.
Sandals and footwear run $50–$90.
Best for: upcycled tire-rubber footwear from a long-certified B Corp, with a couple of certifications still in progress.
4. Patagonia Worn Wear
Worn Wear is Patagonia's dedicated resale and repair platform — a different angle from the new Regenerative Organic cotton pants covered in our sustainable pants roundup. Buying used through Worn Wear is the most direct form of "upcycling" available from a major brand: no new manufacturing at all, just an existing garment kept in circulation, inspected and often repaired before resale.
Prices run well below new Patagonia gear, generally $20–$120 depending on the item and condition.
Best for: extending a garment's life instead of manufacturing something new — the lowest-impact option on this list by definition.
5. United By Blue
As covered in our sustainable swimwear roundup, United By Blue holds GRS, GOTS, OEKO-TEX, and RWS fiber certifications alongside company-level B Corp and Climate Neutral status. Beyond swim trunks, the brand states 94% of its broader clothing catalog — sweaters, shirts, outerwear — uses low-impact fibers including organic and recycled cotton, recycled wool, and recycled cashmere, and it organizes beach cleanups tied to product sales.
Clothing runs $30–$150 depending on the category.
Best for: the widest catalog of recycled-fiber clothing beyond a single product category.
Which one should you actually buy
- Want GRS-certified recycled basics: BN3TH.
- Want genuinely upcycled, one-of-a-kind pieces: Cotopaxi Del Día.
- Want upcycled-tire footwear: Indosole.
- Want the lowest-impact option — buying used instead of new: Patagonia Worn Wear.
- Want the widest catalog beyond one product category: United By Blue.
If headquarters location matters more to you than material approach, see our sustainable clothing brands from California roundup. For a broader wardrobe view, our sustainable men's clothing brands roundup and men's capsule wardrobe framework cover the rest of a rotation.