Rebuilding My Wardrobe With Affordable Ethical Fashion
Hundreds of businesses send me messages wanting my time or wanting to send me things and often I say no (I don’t need a big wardrobe!). But a few months ago, I started chatting online with Vanessa - the founder of STAPLE Co - an Australian ethical clothing brand creating organic cotton basics designed to be worn on repeat.
I said yes to trying her products for a few reasons: they were affordable, timeless classics, and the ethics truly aligned with my values. Plus I actually needed them.
Since having Orchard, my body has changed a lot, and I've started to feel uncomfortable in many of my old clothes - emotionally, physically, and even from an “identity” perspective. I’ve donated or sold a huge amount of clothing over the past year, and I’ve become much more thoughtful about the fibres I wear, the brands I support, and how often I realistically rewear the things I own.
I’m slowly rebuilding my wardrobe more intentionally.
And that’s probably why I’m so pleased to be collaborating with STAPLE Co.
After auditing their business with our researcher Stef (more on that soon) - from supply chain through to manufacturing and fair pay - I became excited to put my name behind it.
Not just because it’s another trendy basics brand, but because they’re trying to solve a global problem I care deeply about through comfortable, wearable, elevated basics.
Then Tim Chimed In
I don’t always agree with everything Tim says, but in this case he was totally right.
After the package of STAPLE Co clothes arrived, I quickly tried on the clothes to give my 1 year old a fashion show. Tim walked into the room while I was wearing the maroon Organic Double Gauze set.
He loved the oversized sleeves and relaxed fit and immediately said:
“Whoa! Those are friggin awesome! I love it Kate… do a twirl.”
Firstly, that made me feel good to hear.
And secondly… he was right.
The fit was flattering, comfortable, breast-feeding friendly, roomy enough for a growing baby bump, but still felt elevated and put together at the same time. It didn’t feel like “eco compromise clothing”. It just felt cool.
The oversized fit feels intentional rather than sloppy. Relaxed, but still stylish.
And importantly… premium.
Not just in the softness of the organic cotton, but in the actual design language behind the garments. These feel like pieces designed to stay in your wardrobe for a long time.
The maroon Double Gauze set exceeded my expectations after I met the garments in person. It’s comfortable enough to wear around home all day, curl up in bed watching movies, or slowly wander through a lazy weekend… but still polished enough to wear out to dinner, the movies, or a friend’s BBQ.
That kind of versatility matters.
Because truly sustainable fashion needs to work with real life.
Why Ethical Basics Matter More Than Ever
When we think about sustainable fashion, people often jump straight to dramatic wardrobe overhauls, capsule wardrobes, or never buying new clothes again. But I actually think basics are one of the smartest and most realistic places to start.
Most of us wear the same core pieces over and over:
T-Shirts
Lounge Sets
Long Sleeves
Tanks
Everyday Pants
Layering Pieces
Sleepwear
Comfortable Weekend Clothes
These are the garments that quietly make up the backbone of our wardrobes. So if we can improve the ethics, quality, fibres, and longevity of those foundational pieces, the impact adds up quickly.
One thing I really appreciate about STAPLE Co is that they haven’t sacrificed style in the process. There’s softness and ease to the garments, but still shape, personality, movement and intentional design built into them too. The clothes feel minimal without feeling boring.
In my experience, that balance is surprisingly hard to get right.
The Problem With Fast Fashion Isn’t New… But It’s Still Huge
Most people reading this probably already know fast fashion has problems. That part isn’t exactly groundbreaking information anymore. But I still think many of us underestimate just how dominant synthetic, low-quality, short-lifespan clothing has become globally.
The fashion industry is estimated to contribute somewhere between 5-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while millions of tonnes of textiles are sent to landfill every year. Synthetic clothing now dominates much of the global market, contributing to microplastic pollution, overproduction, and enormous textile waste challenges. (World Economic Forum, Climate Council, Apparel Impact Institute)
And beyond the environmental impact, there’s also the human side of the equation:
Unsafe Working Conditions
Poverty Wages
Opaque Supply Chains
Toxic Dye Processes
Massive Overproduction
Clothing Designed To Be Disposable
Most consumers don’t intentionally support those systems. But the reality is many people simply don’t know where to start, what to trust, or how to navigate sustainable fashion without becoming overwhelmed.
That’s why brands like STAPLE Co stand out to me.
Why Organic Cotton Clothing Still Matters
I know many people in the Ethically Kate community are already fairly educated on organic cotton, but it’s still something worth encouraging more people toward; especially when we’re talking about the everyday basics that sit directly against our skin for hours and hours every day.
Conventional cotton farming can involve significant pesticide use, synthetic fertilisers, and chemical-heavy processing systems. Organic cotton aims to reduce many of those impacts by avoiding harmful pesticides and supporting healthier farming systems and waterways.
STAPLE Co also uses GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified fabrics, which means the finished textiles are tested against a long list of potentially harmful substances. And now Vanessa, founder, is taking things another step further by beginning the transition into Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) cotton - something Tim discussed a lot during their call.
Tim loved hearing her talk about this because it didn’t feel performative or trend-driven. It felt deeply values-led. At one point during the conversation she said:
“That’s taking care of the farmers and taking care of the land… so in 100 years, we can still farm.”
That’s it. That’s exactly how we feel too. Because regenerative farming isn’t just about producing a product. It’s about protecting future ecosystems, soil health, biodiversity, and long-term agricultural resilience too.
STAPLE Co’s Mission, Certifications & Ethical Credentials
Before featuring brands at Ethically Kate, every business goes through a fairly thorough vetting process behind the scenes.
Brands complete a detailed questionnaire of at least 10 questions that cover things like manufacturing, materials, fair pay, packaging, certifications, transparency, and future sustainability goals. Stef (our researcher) then reviews those answers, investigates claims, and helps us assess whether a brand genuinely aligns with our values, before I approve or deny.
We know no business is perfect. What matters most to us is honesty, transparency, genuine effort, and a willingness to keep improving.
After going through that process with STAPLE Co - alongside our conversations with Vanessa - we felt very confident supporting what they’re building.
Some of the things that stood out to us included…
Fair Trade Manufacturing
STAPLE Co manufactures through a family-run team near Delhi, India, with a strong focus on fair wages, ethical working conditions, and staff wellbeing.
During Tim’s conversation, Vanessa shared a story about riots occurring near the factory. Production delays happened because the team chose to send workers home safely first, rather than keeping them at work.
That kind of people-first decision making says a lot.
GOTS Certified Organic Cotton
STAPLE Co uses GOTS Certified Organic Cotton. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is one of the most recognised certifications for organic textiles globally, covering both environmental and social criteria across the supply chain.
OEKO-TEX Certified Fabrics
STAPLE Co also uses OEKO-TEX certified fabrics, helping ensure the textiles are tested against harmful substances and chemicals.
Regenerative Organic Cotton Transition
STAPLE Co is actively moving into ROC cotton production; a more advanced farming approach focused on restoring ecosystems and soil health over time.
Long-Term Wearability
The garments are intentionally designed to be:
Durable
Rewearable
Versatile
Comfortable
Timeless
Which aligns strongly with the “buy less, wear longer” philosophy we often talk about at Ethically Kate. And truly, you can feel all of these things when you hold the garments.
A Founder Who Actually Cares
One of the most refreshing parts of this whole experience has been Vanessa herself. She’s warm, thoughtful, deeply values-driven, and incredibly open about the fact that this business is still evolving.
At one point she said:
“I’m not perfect. I’m only kind of doing what I know… and I’m so willing to take on ideas of how I could do things better.”
We loved that. Because sustainability doesn’t need more brands pretending they’ve solved everything perfectly. We need more people willing to thoughtfully move in a better direction, bring customers into the journey, and stay open to learning.
It’s also funny to think that Vanessa has no formal fashion background. She’s actually an ex-school teacher and communications professional - which comes through clearly on STAPLE Co’s social media. It feels educational, informative, human, and grounded.
And yet somehow the clothes still feel naturally stylish, wearable, and quietly classy - which honestly feels like an extension of who she is as a person.
You can hear the passion in her voice when she talks about ethical manufacturing, reducing waste, or helping consumers make more thoughtful choices.
That human connection matters. Especially in an online world that increasingly feels automated and disconnected.
Who STAPLE Co Organic Cotton Clothing Is For
I think STAPLE Co will especially resonate with people who:
Want Better Quality Basics (at an affordable price)
Care About Natural Fibres
Want Comfortable But Elevated Clothing
Are Rebuilding A Wardrobe More Intentionally
Prefer Timeless Pieces Over Trends
Want To Reduce Fast Fashion Consumption
Love Relaxed Oversized Silhouettes
Want Clothing That Feels Soft, Breathable And Easy To Wear
Particularly if you’re based in:
Perth
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Adelaide
Auckland
Wellington
Christchurch
New Zealand
Australia
Or Anywhere Moving Toward More Conscious Fashion Choices
STAPLE Co currently ships across Australia, New Zealand, and internationally including the United States.
Final Thoughts On STAPLE Co
Fashion is never going to become sustainable overnight. But I do think small, thoughtful shifts matter. And I think basics are one of the most practical places to begin.
The clothes we wear every single day should ideally:
Feel Good
Last Well
Work Hard In Our Wardrobes
Align With Our Values As Much As Possible
After spending time with Vanessa, researching STAPLE Co through our Ethically Kate vetting process, trying the garments ourselves, and hearing the thoughtfulness behind the manufacturing decisions… This feels like a brand genuinely trying to move fashion in a better direction.
And I’ll always back more of that.
I’m proud to put the Ethically Kate name behind STAPLE Co. Great people, beautiful products, thoughtful manufacturing, and a business genuinely trying to do better.
If you’re rebuilding your wardrobe more intentionally, looking for elevated everyday basics, or simply trying to support brands aligned with your values, I’d absolutely encourage you to check them out.
But as always - buy thoughtfully, buy what you need, and choose pieces you’ll genuinely love and wear for years.
You can browse the STAPLE Co range here: STAPLE Co
And if you’d like to support both STAPLE Co and Ethically Kate, you can use the code: ETHICALLYKATE for 10% off at checkout.
Happy browsing!
Frequently Asked Questions About STAPLE Co & Organic Cotton Clothing
Does STAPLE Co ship to New Zealand?
Yes. STAPLE Co ships throughout New Zealand, including Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Tauranga, Hamilton and smaller regional areas. One of the reasons Ethically Kate was excited to collaborate with STAPLE Co was because NZ customers can easily access the brand without needing complicated freight forwarding services.
Where does STAPLE Co ship globally?
STAPLE Co ships across Australia, New Zealand, and internationally including the United States. Australian customers can order from cities including Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, while NZ customers can order nationwide.
Is STAPLE Co good for pregnancy and postpartum clothing?
In my experience - yes, absolutely.
Many of STAPLE Co’s oversized organic cotton styles feel incredibly comfortable during pregnancy and postpartum life. The relaxed fits, breathable fabrics, and soft natural fibres make them ideal for changing bodies, lounging, feeding, or simply wanting clothes that feel good without sacrificing style.
The Organic Double Gauze set in particular has become a favourite for me lately.
What certifications does STAPLE Co have?
STAPLE Co uses:
GOTS Certified Organic Cotton
OEKO-TEX Certified Fabrics
Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) cotton within newer ranges
Fairtrade
These certifications help support better environmental practices, safer textile processing, and stronger ethical manufacturing standards.
Is organic cotton worth it?
I personally think so.
Organic cotton clothing can help reduce pesticide use, support healthier farming systems, and often feels softer and more breathable against the skin too. At Ethically Kate, we also like that organic cotton encourages people to think more intentionally about the clothing they wear every day.
Why are ethical basics more expensive?
Ethical clothing brands like STAPLE Co are usually paying for:
Better Quality Materials
Fairer Manufacturing
Smaller Production Runs
Safer Processing Standards
More Responsible Supply Chains
The goal is generally fewer, better garments designed to last longer and be reworn often. In saying this, STAPLE Co is definitely one of the more affordable ethical fashion brands in the market.
What makes a clothing brand ethical?
There’s no perfect formula.
But at Ethically Kate, we generally look for:
Transparency
Fair Manufacturing
Responsible Materials
Long-Term Thinking
Lower Waste Approaches
Honest Communication
Genuine Willingness To Improve
That’s part of why STAPLE Co made it through our vetting process.
Does Ethically Kate recommend STAPLE Co?
Yes.
After our internal research process, conversations with Vanessa, reviewing the certifications and manufacturing approach, and personally trialling the garments ourselves… I’m very happy to recommend STAPLE Co to the Ethically Kate community.