Shopping for sustainable fashion isn’t always easy! A lot of the brands out there can cost a pretty penny, much to our dismay. And when in college, breaking out the big bucks on clothing — no matter how environmentally friendly — just doesn’t seem reasonable!

No fear, we’ve got your gear. Behold! A list of 20 affordable AND sustainable/ethical fashion brands, organized into categories for clothes, bags, and shoes.

But before we get into that, first a quick guide on how to shop sustainably:

• Be aware of what’s going on in the fashion industry! Attention is shifting to the impact our sartorial whims are making on the planet, the bottom line being the situation is a lot worse than you might think. Stay educated (here are our go-to books on ethical style) and keep a keen eye on your favorite brands!
• Check the material of potential picks. Polyester, rayon/viscose, nylon, modal, acrylic, and similar synthetic/semi-synthetic fabrics usually mean bad news, mainly because they require processing either from petroleum or a natural fiber. Instead, go for lyocell, a semi-synthetic fabric made from eucalyptus (famously adopted by the brand Reformation!), or for all natural: organic cotton, linen, silk, hemp, and alpaca are better choices. (Regular cotton is an immense drain on water, not to mention heavy user of pesticides, so try to go organic when possible!)
• If you can, read up on the company’s policies and history with environmental awareness. Brands who are actively keeping in touch with their impact are on our A-list here, and it’s always good to learn more about who you’re buying from. Check out Good on You, a website/app that tracks just how sustainable and ethical a brand is!

And now, without further ado, our favorite sustainable fashion brands that are also affordable for college women: