Skipping online orders and popping out to the shops on foot or bike can certainly help cut emissions, but how sustainable can the High Street really be? With greenwashing cropping up left and right, it can be hard to decipher a good purchase from a bad one. Here’s our guide to how to shop as sustainably as you can on the High Street.

Let’s be honest about this, the British High Street right now is not a haven of sustainability. The business model of many household name brands was not designed with sustainability in mind: from the long supply chains, with their hefty carbon footprints and cheap, often unregulated, labour, to the plastic threads in so many fibres to the way that so many products are wrapped in sheets of single-use plastic.

But things on the High Street are changing. Here at Green Salon, our number one mission is to make living sustainably as easy as possible. That’s why we pour hours of research into finding you brands that are truly sustainable as well as supporting people who are keen to adopt sustainable habits.

Here’s our ultimate guide to navigating ethical clothing brands and sustainable shopping in the UK, especially when it comes to the High Street. Oh, and don’t forget your reusable bag too!

(Please note: there are affiliate links throughout this post.)

Sustainable Brands on the High Street

As you can see from our Directory, we’ve been curating the crème de la crème of brands and boutiques that are eco-conscious. We cover all areas, from fashion and wellbeing to home, kids and food & drink. When it comes to brands that have standalone shops, here’s a roundup of our sustainable UK High Street brands.

Sustainable Shops on the High Street in the UK

*One of our favourite planet-friendly fashion brands: Aspiga have shops around the UK*

Brora | Fashion + Kids

Step into this British-born store that offers high-quality, modern and classic cashmere, wool, linen and other natural fibre clothing. Learn more about how Brora champions fair trade, sustainable clothes through their craftsmen and materials here as well as discover their other sustainability initiatives here.

Bamford | Fashion + Wellbeing + Kids

We love Bamford for its relaxing spa products and its relaxed and ultra-soft (and sustainable) clothing made for everyone. You can find them anywhere from London to Bicester and beyond. Sustainability is in their DNA and they’ve passed the requirements as a Green Salon approved brand.

Aspiga | Fashion

Looking for the perfect boho-chic, summery wardrobe (for both him and her)? Aspiga is our go-to eco clothing brand for floaty and effortless looks made of natural materials. We also love that they focus on creating strong partnerships with artisans and suppliers in India and Kenya. You can find them on the High Street in London, Surrey, Wiltshire, Cornwall and St Mawes.

*Neal’s Yard have been doing sustainability before most people had even heard of it*

Neal’s Yard | Wellbeing + Kids

Established in 1981, Neal’s Yard has been a continuous beacon for British-made, natural products that nurture skin and wellbeing without leaving a harmful trace on the planet. Their iconic blue bottles protect products against sunlight (or oxidisation) and can be easily refilled, upcycled or recycled for another round. We’re a big fan of getting our favourites in their refill and bulk buy sizes. You can buy Neal’s Yard all over the world, but their shops are present nationally across UK High Streets.

Naturalmat | Home + Kids

We are absolutely in love with Naturalmat and its mission to close the loop on mattresses. Yes, you heard that right. Over 5 million mattresses go to landfills every year, so they’ve responded with refurbishment, recycling and donation schemes to keep mattresses and their components in circulation. Their range includes natural, chemical-free mattresses, beds and bedding for you and the nursery, too! Try before you buy definitely applies here; discover Naturalmat in a showroom near you.

Sustainable Brands Spotted on the High Street in the UK

Veja | Fashion + Kids

Ever since the likes of Megan Markle and Kate Middleton were seen sporting Parisian brand Veja, we’ve been in love with the brand, their ethics and its styles for men, women and kids. Shop Veja in stores such as Anthropologie, The White Company, & Other Stories, ARKET, Harvey Nichols, Office, Sole Trader, Selfridges, Harrods, and so many more. Just look for the shoes with the V!

*We just can’t get over the cuteness of Toastie’s “puddlesuits”!*

Toastie | Kids

What makes this children's brand so sustainable? They responsibly source the materials that go into their down puffer and raincoats. They also create adorable waterproof puddlesuits, accessories, repair patches and sweatshirts. You can find Toastie, a charming kids outerwear brand, at Selfridges, Harrods and Trotters Childrenswear & Accessories.

UpCircle | Wellbeing

This UK-based, sustainable skincare brand is known for its upcycled ingredients such as blueberries, date seeds and coffee grounds for example. The packaging for their lotions and potions is also 99% plastic-free. Plus, you can spot UpCircle on the High Street in Whole Foods, Sainsbury’s as well as Holland & Barrett.

Wild Nutrition | Wellbeing

You can find our favourite sustainable supplements at stockists like Whole Foods, Planet Organic, Revital, Boots and Harrods. They lead the path towards giving your daily nutrition a helping hand whilst keeping the planet in mind. At first, you’ll grab a Wild Nutrition supplement in a glass jar, then opt for the refills to cut down on waste.

Dame | Wellbeing

Although we love purchasing Dame products online, you can often find them along the High Street. Although you can pop into your local supermarket to see their game-changing reusable tampon, it’s worth ordering from them directly because you’re investing in the brand and the planet. It’s made from medical grade materials and is anti-microbial. It’ll last for over 3,000 uses, so we’re hooked. They now offer reusable pads and panty liners to add to your fem-care routine. If you order online, use code GREENSALON for 10% off.

*Evolve Beauty are a sustainable win for your bathroom*

Evolve Beauty | Wellbeing

Small batch? Check. British made? Check. Vegan, cruelty-free and eco-friendly? Check, check and check. We spot Evolve Beauty all over the High Street, from Whole Foods to Anthropologie. Other places you can get your hands on some of their lush, eco-minded products include John Lewis, Planet Organic and Revital.

Georganics | Wellbeing

Finding sustainable toothpaste can be challenging. Still, with plastic-free shops cropping up on the High Street these days, there’s a good chance you’ll spot Georganics products on the shelf. You can also find their toothpaste, toothpaste tablets, floss and mouthwash tablets in Holland & Barrett as well as Whole Foods.

Second-Hand Shopping for a Sustainable High Street

There’s a whole host of treasures waiting to be discovered by their next owner, so get out there and see what grabs your fancy! Even Liberty and Selfridges are catering to the resale and slow fashion market, showing how much has changed in the past few years. People, brands and boutiques are finally waking up to the climate crisis. Without further adieu, here are some of our favourite pre-loved fashion boutiques to peruse.

*Deuxieme is every woman’s favourite neighbourhood fashion destination*

Deuxieme | Fashion

If you’re looking for sustainable shops in London, this resale shop is based in Parsons Green. And trust us, it's full of gems. If you’re also looking to swap for something new(ish), you can also sell your items through Deuxieme. If you didn’t find anything on your circular fashion trip, head over to their Instagram and request to follow their page and stay up to date with new arrivals.

HURR | Fashion (London)

Wedding? Event? Or just feeling like a moment of something new? Refrain from going fast fashion mental and go RENTAL! We love renting; we can be seen in something new without spending the money or the resources on an outfit we’ll only wear once. You can spot HURR inside Selfridges so you can try something on before committing, but have a look before you go to get an idea of what’s in stock.

Sign of the Times | Fashion (London)

We’re also excited to be partners with Sign of the Times here in Chelsea, London. They stock gorgeous designer pieces, including handbags, clothes, shoes and accessories. We’re talking Prada, Chanel, Dior and more. If you’re in the neighbourhood, stop by their shop at 5 Elystan St, London SW3 3NT.

Don’t be shy, have a look in your local resale designer stores and get to know your local charity shops. The UK is an amazing place to shop second-hand, and some of the best towns for charity shopping include London, Manchester, Brighton, Leeds, and Bristol. Sounds like the perfect opportunity to plan a mini staycation too, right?

*Sign of the Times is right at the forefront of the fashion for the new old*

Other ways to shop sustainably on the High Street

Another way to shop sustainably is to shop local and check out smaller, independent shops while looking into the origin and materials in the products you are considering. To us, this is as important as checking the nutrition label at the supermarket. Start looking at labels and understand the most sustainable fabrics out there when shopping for sustainable clothing.

Organic hemp, cotton and linen are always at the top of our list, but we love the innovation behind Tencel®, too (AKA Lyocell, a wood-based fibre). If you find something made in China, do a quick Google search to see if something similar is produced somewhere closer, like in Portugal or even in the UK. Local is always better!

Lastly, if you really want your money to work hard for the planet, the most sustainable outlets are through these brands directly, even if it’s online. But, we understand that seeing, feeling and smelling products can be important in buying something that’s right for you. When there is something you discover on the High Street for the first time, if you love it enough to buy it again, show the planet some love and order directly from the brand. They’ll be thankful too!

If you can’t find what you’re looking for in a sustainable way, give us a ring, drop us a note or send a DM! That’s what we’re here for.

We analyse each brand for their commitment to sustainability but we are not a certification body, nor are we auditors, and we have taken the approach that we trust brands to tell the truth about their sustainability policies, practices and plans.

Affiliate disclaimer: ❀ indicates affiliate links with brands to help fund the Directory so that we can research further sustainable brands. This does not affect the price you pay.

Ready to kick-start a greener lifestyle? How our directory works is a great place to begin!

Can the High Street ever really be sustainable?