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 recylced 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 partners and affiliates. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability we love, that we think you’ll love too!
1. Made Trade
Consciously handcrafted with the coziest of materials, Made Trade’s sustainable sweaters will have you counting down the days until cooler weather arrives.
Expect to find crochet jackets, oversized turtlenecks, linen cardigans, and twisted wool knits among the collection of sustainable sweaters on Made Trade.
Conscious Qualities: Sustainable Materials, Fair Trade, Size Inclusive, Ethical Production, Woman-owned, Climate Neutral
Price Range: $$ – $$$
Size Range: XS – 4XL
Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE for $20 off your first order of $150+
2. Christy Dawn
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.
In their constant quest to work with regenerative agriculture, 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: $$$
3. Outerknown
With warm weather essentials that look like they could be a part of a chic coastal grandma’s wardrobe, Outerknown’s ethically made sweaters will have you feeling like the main lead in a Nancy Meyers movie.
Think boyfriend cardigans, wrap-over styles, slouchy crew neck sweaters, and turtlenecks available in sumptuous cashmere, merino wool, and recycled fibers.
Why we love it: sustainable materials, fair trade, ethical production, supply chain transparency, resale program
Size Range: XS–XL
Price: $$$
4. Organic Basics
Thinking of investing in some cozy eco-friendly sweaters this winter? Neutral knits are the building blocks of a well-curated winter closet, and there’s no shortage of chic yet versatile picks at Organic Basics.
Available in an assortment of hues that work with your existing wardrobe, the brand’s range of sustainable jumpers can easily be layered over button-down shirts for work or styled with a scarf for a casual hot chocolate run.
Their sweaters are made from recycled merino wool that comes from pre-consumer textile waste that would otherwise go to landfills.
Why we love it: recycled materials, carbon offsetting, ethical production, supply chain transparency
Size Range: XS–XL
Price: $$ – $$$
5. Patagonia
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™ factories to produce their clothing using recycled fibers.
Why we love it: recycled materials, fair trade, supply chain transparency, secondhand & repair program
Size Range: XXS–XXL
Price: $$$
6. Tradlands
Tradlands creates high-quality size-inclusive closet essentials you’re bound to wear for years to come. And their sweaters are no exception. Made with the “softest cotton”, as many reviewers claim, along with a few recycled blends, the best part about their sustainable cardigans and sweaters is the fact they are machine washable.
Creating only two seasonal collections, Tradlands utilizes small-batch production practices to minimize waste and encourage mindful purchasing.
Why we love it: sustainable materials, size-inclusive, slow fashion
Size Range: XXS–4XL
Price: $$$
7. People Tree (UK)
Creating ethically made cardigans and sweaters that are hand-knitted with patterns, patchwork, and even crochet, People Tree is your one-stop-shop for conscious style that’s guaranteed to liven up your winter look.
Their versatile range of knitwear is made using organic cotton and wool that’s cruelty-free and sourced with a strict anti-mulesing policy.
The brand has partnered with a vocational training center in Nepal that employs home-based artisans who are paid a living wage.
Why we love it: organic materials, fair trade, ethically made
Size Range: S–L
Price: $$-$$$
8. The RealReal
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, social impact
Size Range: XXS–4XL
Price: $$$-$$$$
(Find more online secondhand fashion marketplaces in this guide.)
9. Toad & Co
Shake up your sweater drawer with an eye-catching pattern and a little help from Toad & Co.
Full of bright color combinations, versatile necklines, and varied styles that’ll convince you to make their sustainable sweaters your daily winter uniform, Toad & Co uses woolen blends and recycled fibers to create its knitwear range.
Ever since its inception in 1996, the brand has partnered with a warehouse that employs and trains individuals with developmental disabilities, while facilitating outdoor adventures for them.
Why we love it: sustainable and recycled materials, community-oriented
Size Range: XS–XL
Price: $$-$$$
10. ABLE
ABLE is a size-inclusive label that offers a varied range of cozy sweaters in all sorts of rib knits and styles. From sweater polos and half-zip sweatshirts to long open cardigans and sweater vests, ABLE’s ample offerings will sort your winter wardrobe in one fell swoop.
Crafted from materials like organic cotton and recycled wool blends, we love the fact that you can choose to shop sweaters from their Size Swap collection and claim an exchange at any point in the future should the piece no longer fit.
Why we love it: sustainable materials, size-inclusive, ethically made
Size Range: XXS–3XL
Price: $$-$$$
11. tentree
Whether you’re planning on teaming yours with jeans, wear it layered over a shirt or tucked into trousers, tentree has a range of versatile sweaters and eco-friendly cardigans to choose from. Think slouchy buttoned cardigans, turtlenecks, cable knits, and even chic sweater dresses to pair with tights and knee-high boots.
Ethically made from organic cotton and recycled fiber blends, reviewers claim their sweaters are easy to wear dressed up or dressed down for numerous occasions.
Why we love it: sustainable materials, ethically made, plants 10 trees with each order
Size Range: XS–XL
Price: $$-$$$
12. Eileen Fisher
Eileen Fisher’s range of sustainable sweaters is proof that warmth and style aren’t mutually exclusive. Offering a range of sustainable turtlenecks, V-neck jumpers, crew neck knitted tops, hooded cardigans, and more such versatile styles in an array of fun hues, these warm-weather essentials were created to be dressed up or down.
Crafted using materials like organic cotton, cashmere, and wool that supports Argentinian ranchers who regenerate depleted grasslands through holistic farming methods.
Why we love it: sustainable materials, regenerative, ethical production, circular fashion practices
Size Range: XXS–3XL
Price: $$-$$$
Check out more slow fashion brands in this guide.
13. BEWUSST Hempwear
Made using 100% hemp, BEWUSST Hempwear is a German brand that creates a range of everyday basics like intimates, leggings, t-shirts, tank tops, and even sweaters in temperature-regulating hemp fibers. (Take a peak at this guide for more hemp clothing brands.)
Many of its Etsy reviews write that the sweaters have a high-quality, weighty feel to them and make you feel warm in the winter and regulate to a cooler effect in the summers.
Why we love it: hemp material, high quality
Size Range: XS–L
Price: $$
14. Pact
Offering a cozy range of organic cotton sweaters and ethical cardigans in a spectrum of neutral hues, Pact will have you covered in style — literally and figuratively.
We love the fact their sweaters come with slits making them ideal to layer over shirts for work while offering an appropriately named “Airplane cardigan” with deep pockets for those winter flights (or train rides) you need to catch.
The brand works with Fair Trade Certified™ factories and uses GOTS-certified organic cotton.
Why we love it: organic cotton, fair trade
Size Range: XS–2XL
Price: $$-$$$
15. Bare Knitwear
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: $$$
More Guides Like This:
25 Best Slow Fashion Brands Worth Noting
Sustainable and Ethical Coats to Keep You Toasty
Bundle Up With These Cozy Conscious Winter Accessories
About The Author:
Jharna Pariani is a fashion writer and creative strategist whose work is rooted in honesty and deep observation of the world around her. When she isn’t busy penning down her thoughts, she moonlights as a video editor creating fashion and food reels on Instagram for several brands and influencers
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