Green Living
The Best Sustainable Sweaters To Keep You Cozy and Comfy
Cozy sweaters are the cornerstone of any cool-weather wardrobe — make it a conscious choice with our curation of sustainable sweaters.
Most of the conventionally available sweaters are made from cheap acrylic fibers that not only give you the ghastly static cling but are actually made from non-biodegradable plastic. Since sweaters are those one-and-done investments you’ll hardly consider replacing for years to come, we suggest making them an eco-friendly natural and/or recycled fabric choice instead.
With this in mind, we’ve rounded up some fabulous—and totally snuggle-worthy—options to help you stay warm in some serious style. Ranging from turtlenecks, crewnecks, cardigans, and a lot more, all you have to do is just add a fireplace and a steaming hot cup of cocoa, and we’re good to go.
Where To Find Eco-Friendly Sweaters
Note that the guide contains affiliate links. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability we love, that we think you’ll love too!
1. Kotn
Best for: timeless sweaters with thoughtful details and polished silhouettes
Kotn has seriously stepped up its style game this season. They’ve always been on my list for sustainable basics (I have a turtleneck and sweatshirt from the brand that are great quality) but their recent sweaters and cardigans are elevated without losing their timeless, relaxed core aesthetic.
And with garments made of 100% direct trade cotton, 100% merino wool, or alpaca recycled nylon blends in colors like Cardamom, Tawny Port, and Chocolate Plum, you don’t need to sacrifice color to shop your values.
Conscious Qualities: Ethically Made, Natural Fibers (Egyptian cotton, alpaca, merino wool), B-Corp Certified
Size Range: XS–XL
Price: $$ – $$$
2. Outerknown
Best for: organic cotton sweaters for outdoor living
With warm weather essentials that look like they could be a part of a chic coastal grandma’s wardrobe, Outerknown’s ethically made sweaters will have you feeling like the main lead in a Nancy Meyers movie.
Think boyfriend cardigans, wrap-over styles, slouchy crew neck sweaters, and turtlenecks available in sumptuous cashmere, merino wool, and recycled fibers.
Why we love it: sustainable materials, fair trade, ethical production, supply chain transparency, resale program
Size Range: XS–XL
Price: $$$
3. Toad&Co
Best for: bold-pattern sweaters with a give-back mission
Shake up your sweater drawer with an eye-catching pattern and a little help from Toad&Co.
Full of bright color combinations, versatile necklines, and varied styles that’ll convince you to make their sustainable sweaters your daily winter uniform, Toad&Co uses woolen blends and recycled fibers to create its knitwear range.
Ever since its inception in 1996, the brand has partnered with a warehouse that employs and trains individuals with developmental disabilities, while facilitating outdoor adventures for them.
Why we love it: sustainable and recycled materials, community-oriented
Size Range: XS–XL
Price: $$-$$$
4. Christy Dawn
Best for: regenerative alpaca sweaters
Offering a range of ethical sweaters that’ll mentally transport you to a cozy countryside cottage, Christy Dawn’s winter essentials are made using deadstock materials, alpaca wool, and organic cotton.
Each sweater in their farm-to-closet alpaca collection is hand spun and knit by Peruvian artisans who are paid a living wage. Christy Dawn has partnered with Peruvian alpaceros (alpaca breeders) who steward and help restore parts of the high grasslands that are home to peatland, a type of wetland that stores a vast amount of carbon.
Why we love it: sustainable materials, regenerative
Size Range: XS–XL
Price: $$$
5. Cottonique
Best for: comfy sweaters safe for those with skin sensitivities
Made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton in the brand’s own B-Corp and GOTS-certified factory, Cottonique’s organic sweaters are free from synthetic knit fibers, latex, synthetic dyes, bleach or other harsh chemical finishes. Even the label is 100% cotton and the cuffs are elastic free, to ensure comfort even for those with severe skin sensitivities.
I tried their close neck knitted sweatshirt in Natural and it was super comfortable, even when worn alone without a layer underneath. While limited in colors, I like that the brand doesn’t use synthetic dyes, and I found the natural cotton to be a beautifully warm soft cream color.
Conscious Qualities: B-Corp & GOTS-Certified Factory, 100% Organic Cotton
Size Range: S-XL
Price: $
6. The RealReal
Best for: secondhand designer sweaters
For the fashionably forward who’d like to level up their winter dressing to include a designer label or two, The RealReal has an array of covetable secondhand sweaters to choose from. Whether you fancy a vintage tweed piece by Chanel or a classic crew neck by Ralph Lauren, these gently-used pre-owned designer pieces are sure to help you put the right sartorial foot forward for countless cold-weather seasons to come.
Making a secondhand investment not only allows you to breathe new life into an existing garment but also empowers you to ditch the throwaway culture. The fact that it’s designer is only the cherry on the icing!
Why we love it: secondhand, quality products
Size Range: XXS–4XL
Price: $$$-$$$$
7. Patagonia
Best for: cozy recycled wool sweaters for the cabin
A brand that nails the functional and utilitarian gorpcore aesthetic, Patagonia’s range of sustainable sweaters will not only keep you warm this winter but help you weather just about any storm while you’re hitting the great outdoors.
Their signature Better Sweater® is made using a plush recycled fleece with a sweater-knit look, that makes for the perfect lightweight insulating layer if you intend on hitting the slopes this winter.
Patagonia works with Fair Trade Certified
Why we love it: recycled materials, fair trade, supply chain transparency, secondhand & repair program
Size Range: XXS–XXL
Price: $$$
8. tentree
Best for: versatile everyday knitwear
Whether you’re planning on teaming yours with jeans, wear it layered over a shirt or tucked into trousers, tentree has a range of versatile sweaters and eco-friendly cardigans to choose from. Think slouchy buttoned cardigans, turtlenecks, cable knits, and even chic sweater dresses to pair with tights and knee-high boots.
Ethically made from organic cotton and recycled fiber blends, reviewers claim their sweaters are easy to wear dressed up or dressed down for numerous occasions.
Why we love it: sustainable materials, ethically made, plants 10 trees with each order
Size Range: XS–XL
Price: $$-$$$
9. Eileen Fisher
Best for: regenerative wool and cashmere staples
Eileen Fisher’s range of sustainable sweaters is proof that warmth and style aren’t mutually exclusive. Offering a range of sustainable turtlenecks, V-neck jumpers, crew neck knitted tops, hooded cardigans, and more such versatile styles in an array of fun hues, these warm-weather essentials were created to be dressed up or down.
Crafted using materials like organic cotton, cashmere, and wool that supports Argentinian ranchers who regenerate depleted grasslands through holistic farming methods.
Why we love it: sustainable materials, regenerative, ethical production, circular fashion practices
Size Range: XXS–3XL
Price: $$-$$$
10. Bare Knitwear
Best for: elegant natural alpaca sweaters
It’s rare to come across sweaters so cool that you can’t wait to build an outfit around them. But with Bare Knitwear, it’s possible.
Featuring a range of standout sustainable sweaters that span turtleneck pullovers, zip-through cardigans, and slouchy crewnecks, their sweaters are crafted from the most sumptuous alpaca wool blends in a surprisingly natural, un-dyed styles.
Why we love it: sustainable materials, ethically made, slow fashion
Size Range: XS–L
Price: $$$
11. Reformation
Best for: recycled cashmere sweaters in fashion-forward styles
Fancy a sweater you can wear with everything and will keep you feeling cozy-chic for years to come? Whether you like them boxy or snug, Reformation has a wide range of sweaters to suit every style preference. Along with some slick sweater dresses that’ll help you channel some French girl aesthetic.
Most of the sweaters offered by Reformation are crafted from recycled cashmere, with some options made using regenerative merino wool, alpaca wool, and organic cotton.
Why we love it: Recycled cashmere, Supply chain transparency, Circular practices
Size Range: XS–XL
Price: $$-$$$
More Cool-Weather Guides Like This:
Responsibly-Made Coats to Keep You Toasty
Sustainable Slippers to Get Cozy In
Bundle Up With These Cozy Conscious Winter Accessories
The post The Best Sustainable Sweaters To Keep You Cozy and Comfy appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/11-ethical-sustainable-sweaters/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=11-ethical-sustainable-sweaters