Baukjen
Rated: Great
Price: $$
Location: UK
Quick verdict
Best for professional women seeking polished, timeless workwear with serious sustainability credentials behind it. Baukjen holds the highest B Corp score of any SME fashion brand in the world (153.6) and has been carbon negative across its full supply chain since 2020, five years ahead of target. It also won a UN Global Climate Action Award at COP26, the only fashion company to receive this honor. Caveats: women's only, limited size range (US 2–14), uses some leather, and refund processing can be slow.
Key info
- Headquarters
- London, United Kingdom
- Founded
- 2003
- Product categories
- Womenswear, Dresses
- Price range
- $$
- Key certifications
- B Corp (153.6, world's highest SME fashion score), UN Global Climate Action Award (COP26), Fashion Pact member, Terra Carta signatory
Baukjen sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
99.4% responsible fabrics including organic cotton, LENZING™ ECOVERO™, TENCEL™, hemp, linen, recycled polyester, and recycled cashmere. Innovative dyeing auxiliary cuts supplier emissions by 50%. Still uses some conventional leather.
Living Wage employer for own staff. Manufactures exclusively in Europe (primarily Portugal), Code of Conduct covers all ILO principles, WonUN Global Climate Action Award for supply chain practices.
Carbon negative across the entire supply chain since 2020, five years ahead of target. Renewable energy in supply chain, plastic-free packaging, innovative dyeing process. Offers rental and pre-loved programs. Donates 10% of profits annually.
Proprietary Baukjen Sustainability Index scores each product on 7 environmental and social metrics. Publishes quarterly impact reports. B Corp verification provides third-party accountability.
Mid-to-upper pricing ($90–$400+) is competitive for sustainable womenswear of this quality. Trustpilot reviews (27,600+) consistently praise build quality and longevity. Pre-loved and rental options improve accessibility.
What they do well
- World-leading B Corp score of 153.6: highest SME fashion B Corp globally, recognized "Best for the World" by B Corp alongside Patagonia
- Carbon negative since 2020: achieved across the entire supply chain five years ahead of their original 2025 target
- Product-level sustainability scoring: each product page shows a Sustainability Index covering water use, chemical impact, global warming contribution, and social impact
- Innovative dyeing auxiliary: pioneered a process in Portuguese factories that reduces dye-house emissions by 50%; if adopted industry-wide, it could cut global fashion's carbon footprint by 6.7%
- Circular fashion model: pre-loved take-back scheme (with Oxfam), rental program, and 10% annual profit donation to charities
Room for improvement
- Uses leather. While the brand avoids fur, angora, and exotic skins, it still uses conventional and vegetable-tanned leather in some products. No formal animal welfare policy aligned with the Five Domains framework.
About Baukjen
Baukjen was founded in 2003 in London by Dutch husband-and-wife duo Baukjen de Swaan Arons and Geoff Van Sonsbeeck. Originally a more traditional womenswear label, the brand pivoted aggressively toward sustainability, becoming the first fashion company invited to the Terra Carta of HRH The Prince of Wales and a member of the Fashion Pact (a coalition of 71 companies representing 39% of the global fashion sector).
The brand achieved B Corp certification in March 2021 with a leading score, later increasing 42% to 153.6 on recertification. It won a UN Global Climate Action Award at COP26 in 2021, the only fashion company to receive this honor. Collections use 99.4% responsible fabrics including organic cotton, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose, TENCEL™, hemp, linen, and recycled materials. All manufacturing is in Europe, primarily Portugal, where Baukjen pioneered a dyeing auxiliary that reduces dye-house emissions by 50%.
House of Baukjen also encompasses sister brand Isabella Oliver (sustainable maternity wear). The company donates 10% of profits annually to charities including Great Ormond Street Hospital and The Prince's Trust. Shipping is worldwide with free UK delivery over £99 and international free shipping over $149. Returns accepted within 14 days. Pricing is mid-range sustainable: tops from ~$90, dresses $120–$300, jeans $150–$180, blazers $200–$350.
Product highlights
Robyn Organic Cotton Stretch Jeans
Wide-leg jeans in organic cotton
~$179
Customer favorite; 99% organic cotton; praised for flattering hip-hugging fit
Thelma Ponte Trousers
Smart wide-leg trousers in LENZING™ ECOVERO™ ponte
~$130
Bestselling work trouser; pairs with matching Patty blazer; machine washable at 30°
Lina Printed Midi Dress
Midi dress in sustainable fabric
~$170–$200
Versatile desk-to-dinner dress; available in multiple prints each season
Pelin Wool Blend Cropped Blazer
Tailored blazer in wool blend
~$343
Investment piece for professional wardrobes; Responsible Wool Standard accredited
