The cooler months are finally here, and what better way to spend them than cozied up in a soft sustainable sweater? Or…ethically made cashmere sweatpants?
Yes, I’m here to help make your hygge dreams come true this season! Look no further for your favorite knit – here’s a roundup of ethical and sustainable knitwear brands to keep you warm this fall and winter.
Disclosure: This post is not sponsored, but some of the brands mentioned have provided product for styling and inclusion in this post (marked with *). All brands were chosen by me to be in this post and meet my standards for ethical and sustainable practices. This post contains affiliate links, which help support my work.
1. Tradlands
This menswear-inspired brand for women, known for its tailored basics, has come out with a line of knitwear that feels like cozying up in your man’s sweater…except it’s made to fit you and you don’t have to give it back when he gets “cold.” The brand is female-owned and dedicated to responsible manufacturing in ethical factories, as well as making high quality, timeless clothing that will last you for years.
I’m wearing their Shelter Cardigan in Birch in size XS.* It’s a chunky oversized fit and the perfect weight and warmth for those days when chilly morning fog gives way to sunny afternoons.
Holiday shopping tip: Use my code ‘CAT15’ to get 15% off your first purchase!
Shop Tradlands knits (Get 15% off with ‘CAT15’) >>
2. Naadam
An ethical and sustainable cashmere sweater for only $75? You’re not dreaming! Naadam pays their herders 50% more, but works directly with them so we can pay lower prices. I love that Naadam sources high quality cashmere, setting a better example for the cashmere industry. Oh, and they make other knits, too…like cashmere sweatpants (which may be on the holiday wishlist of a certain ethical fashion blogger you know).
I’ve bought their $75 sweater before for both myself and my boyfriend, and they are well-loved in our household 🙂 I do think the cashmere pills more easily than more expensive cashmere that I’ve bought, but it’s a good price.
Holiday shopping tip: Watch out for their Black Friday sale!
3. 22 Factor
This Hong-Kong-based brand has a wide selection of wearable knits, including tops, sweaters, pants, skirts, and outerwear. True to their promise of transparency, the brand tells you what each product is made of, ranging from upcycled yarn to ethically raised yaks.
I’m wearing their Upcycled Intarsia Roll Neck Sweater in Beige.* I have to say that this is probably the coolest sweater I own! The color block pattern makes a fun statement. Plus, it’s made entirely from upcycled cotton yarn. Sustainability has never been so stylish.
4. Sézane
This Parisian fashion line has recently joined the ethical and sustainable fashion movement, and while it’s not 100% there yet, the brand has made great progress in the past couple of years! I’m in love with their classically feminine knits that make me feel oh-so-chic.
I’m wearing their Paulin sweater in camel.* I love how SOFT it is, and the pretty open lace at the neckline.
5. Everlane
Everlane has stepped up their cozy game this season with fuzzy alpaca sweaters for only $95, fleeces made from recycled water bottles, and of course, their usual wool and cashmere sweaters—all at affordable prices. Everlane doesn’t have sales, so snap your faves up before they go out of stock this holiday season.
I own both their alpaca crew sweaters and their cashmere, and am pretty happy with the quality of both styles! The alpaca is my favorite because it’s so fluffy and soft. It was a little itchy on the first couple of wears, but I either got used to it or it softened with wear.
6. Reformation
Reformation isn’t just a summer wardrobe shop; they also stock soft and cozy sweaters for the colder months. Best of all, their sweaters are made with sustainability in mind. I’m a huge fan of their new Conscious Cashmere collection, made with 70% recycled cashmere, as well as their alpaca sweaters!
Holiday shopping tip: Look out for their Black Friday sale (30% off everything!). But act fast—things go out of stock in a flash. I like to save stuff I like as favorites and then swoop in and buy them during the sale; it saves you precious time and you won’t be distracted by all the other shiny things! Find more Ref shopping and sizing tips here.
7. Wool and the Gang
Yes, it’s me again, pushing the knitting agenda on my blog readers. I’ve said this many times before, and I’ll say it again: There is nothing more rewarding than knitting your very own sweater! Check out Wool and the Gang for high quality sustainable yarn and patterns suitable for every skill level. You can even knit a sweater in a week, like I did! Pictured: their Eden Jumper kit in Bronzed Olive.
Holiday shopping tip: Wool and the Gang has a pretty sweet Black Friday sale, and these kits make great gifts, too!
8. Good Night, Day
If you’re not into knitting yourself a sweater, you can still get the chunky, hand-knit look by ordering a made-to-order sweater from knitwear designer Tara-Lynn Morrison’s shop, Good Night, Day. You can also buy her knitting patterns – I’m working on their Trefann pattern right now and it’s knitting up super quickly!
Know a great ethical and sustainable knitwear brand that’s not on here? Let me know!
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