As the weather continues to cool, I’ve slowly started to pull out my favorite pieces of clothes – sweaters! A staple for fall and winter wardrobes that can last forever with proper care. But investing in quality pieces instead of supporting fast fashion will also extend the life of your items and give the best bang for your buck.
Despite that, is it even possible to find eco-friendly knitwear? After all, finding quality pieces with the right price point can be quite hard – trust me I’ve been there! To help take the labor out of finding sustainable sweaters and knit pieces, I’ve made a list of brands you should consider before conceding to fast fashion!
Why should you shop slow fashion?
Before getting into the list, I wanted to stress how important it is to support slow fashion brands instead of fast fashion. Although this can seem out of reach I think everyone would benefit from saving and investing in pieces that are worth it and have longevity. Quality is better than quantity, after all!
When looking for new pieces in particular, it’s critical that we set our standards higher. We may never be perfect, but we can be better! Plus, money doesn’t go far enough for us to buy cheap things that won’t last. Furthermore, the more we support ethical companies the more we’ll be able to promote and foster sustainable solutions for all of our environmental problems.
Things to consider:
Although choosing where to shop will ultimately be decided by what you value more, there are different things you can consider that may influence your purchases. Some things I try to keep in mind are:
- How the pieces are manufactured.
- What labor practices the company participates in.
- What materials are used.
- How the items are transported.
- What other initiatives the company participates in.
Finally, you should also think about if you truly need a new piece. It can be really hard to avoid participating in trends or not buy multiples of something you don’t really need, so before making that purchase take time to think about it. Will it bring value? Is it different from things you already own? Is it a staple piece that will stay in your closet for a long time after you’ve gotten it? These questions will make sure you won’t regret your purchases and help to avoid overconsumption!
What to look for when shopping for eco-friendly Knitwear:
When looking at knitwear and sweaters specifically, to me the most important factor to look at is the material. Look for natural fibers – like organic cotton, Tencel, and wool – because these will keep you warm, are still breathable (in other words, won’t hold onto odor!), and last longer than cheaper or synthetic materials. If you can’t settle on material then look at the company’s ethics and certifications to help you ultimately decide.
Where to find sustainable Knitwear:
This list isn’t comprehensive, so keep that in mind! I’ve highlighted some key points about each brand, but for the whole picture visit their website and check things out for yourself before making that purchase.
- Uses materials like recycled wool, organic cotton, traceable merino, and Tencel lyocell
- GRS certified
- GOTS-certified cotton
- Partner with The Lenzing Group, who source raw materials from FSC and PEFC-certified forests
- Provide a full garment footprint breakdown on the garment’s product page and purchase receipt
ASKET creates finite collections of timeless pieces. Due to their limited collections, ASKET invests more time in each piece and continues to refine each garment over time. This allows them to focus on what they believe matters, fibers, factories, and fit. Not only do they exclusively source natural, traceable, or recycled fibers but they also release annual sustainability progress reports. Very focused on lifecycle responsibility, they offer detailed repair guides and a revival program.
- Offers a recycling program
- Climate Neutral certified
- Provides impact reports
- GOTS certified
- B Corp certified
MATE the Label proudly promotes “season-less styles” that are meant to be loved and well-worn and use a wide range all natural materials. Founded and run by women, for women they are committed to ensuring ethical treatment and labor practices throughout their supply chain. Furthermore, this brand uses organic materials and natural dyes and has removed all plastic in labels and packaging (and for the most part their garments too!).
- Partnered with ThredUp for a trade-in program
- Utilizes deadstock fabric
- Regenerative farming practices used for materials
- Organic cotton and natural dyes used
- Farm-To-Closet initiative
With ideals centered on regenerative farming and sustainable production processes, Christy Dawn offers pieces stitched with reciprocity. Quality construction for longevity and timeless pieces is key to their vintage-inspired pieces. Each item is made by local artisans in Los Angeles and a limited number of items are made at a time.
- OEKO-TEX certified
- GOTS certified
- Global Recycled Standard certified
- USGBC and BSCI certified
- Transparent pricing model and supply chain sources
Quince has a factory direct model where they ship directly from the factory which allows them to create more affordable options. This is in line with their belief that quality shouldn’t be a luxury and as such focus on timeless styles that aren’t out of reach. They use natural dyes when possible and materials like organic cotton and linen, wool, and 100% recycled polyester. They also have minimalist packaging that uses compostable packaging bags and recycled plastic mailers, with the goal of moving to 100% compostable packaging.
- Fair Trade certified
- GOTS certified
- SimpliZero partner
- Carbon Neutral certified
- FSC-certified paper packaging
Pact has affordable yet quality organic cotton clothing, including a wide range of knitwear. They’re fair trade certified and carbon neutral. They also offer a Give Back Box program as a great initiative to repurpose materials and keep items out of landfills. In general, for cotton pieces that are made from sustainable farming and manufacturing practices, they’re a great choice that won’t break the bank.
- B Corp certified
- GOTS certified
- OEKO-TEX standard-certified
- 100% of shipping boxes are made from recycled cardboard or derived from sustainably managed forests
- 100% of ateliers undergo annual social audits
Sézane is a mission-driven company focused on improving sustainability and inclusivity. For the materials used in their pieces, 90% of cotton is organic, 85% of viscose comes from sustainably managed forests, and 50% of wool is recycled. They have a high level of traceability in their production chain and aim to get that to 100% across the board. Sézane offers a downloadable sustainability report and is a partner with Société à Mission and support DEMAIN philanthropy.
- 100% natural fibers
- GOTS certified
- Fairtrade certified
- OEKO-TEX-certified dyes
- Completely plastic-free – including buttons and packaging
Based in Lithuania and New York The Knotty Ones focuses on labor ethics and sustainable materials. They work with independently employed female artisans and some women-run partner factories. Plus, they have a donation initiative called Knitter’s Dream Fund where you can directly support the people who create these pieces. Offer to alter pieces as needed, ensuring the piece works for you. Partnered with The Seam to repair pieces and offset 100% of their carbon footprint.
- B Corp certified
- ABCs Project which funds schools in farming communities; every purchase contributes towards this (funded 21 schools so far/since 2017)
- Source fibers through certified organizations like BCI, GOTS, RWS, and GRS
- All dyes are OEKO-TEX certified
- Direct trade model
Kotn believes in buying less and enjoying longer. They focus on plastic-free materials that can biodegrade at the end of their life cycle. They’re also the fourth-highest B Impact Score of apparel brands in North America and work directly with 3,712 smallholder farmers in Egypt. Furthermore, Kotn doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all so they offer custom orders as well.
- Provides annual impact reports
- Product packaging is made with either FSC-certified paper or recycled LDPE plastic
- Uses over 75% OCS certified organic cotton
- Uses 97% recycled polyester and nylon
- Global supply chain managed by bluesign®, GOTS, or GRS restricted-substance standards
Everlane believes in “Radical Transparency” and partners with ethical factories to ensure quality pieces that will last. Factories are visited often and audited to evaluate each one’s ethics and labor standards are up to par. They are up front about the true costs of their pieces while still working to avoid retail mark-ups. Everlane uses a three-pillar framework to guide their ethical efforts which are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and are working towards being net-zero.
Of course, you can always shop second-hand too!
Knitwear is one of my favorite things to shop for at second-hand stores, you can find some amazing pieces for a fraction of the cost compared to if you bought them new. Buying something from a thrift store gives that item a second chance at life and doesn’t require any new materials, making this a cost-effective and sustainable option when looking for knitwear. Shop at local thrift stores near you or use online retailers like ThredUp, and you’ll be able to find some great low-impact pieces.