Sustainable fashion has been gaining popularity as people become more aware of the environmental impact of fast fashion. One way to make a sustainable wardrobe swap is by choosing sustainable knitwear. High-quality materials, manufacturing techniques, and labor practices are used by reputable designers to create garments that have a lower impact on the environment compared to traditional pieces.
These sustainable knitwear items are also built to last, which means they won’t be filled with holes like a pullover from the mall. Sustainable Jungle, an independent research platform, recommends sustainable knitwear as a great eco-friendly choice. It’s important to note that Sustainable Jungle tests products on an as-needed basis to avoid waste and that the post contains affiliate links.
The Top Snuggly Sustainable Knitwear Fits For A Fashionable Fall
1. Mila.Vert
Mila.Vert, a Slovenian luxury brand, offers a wide range of sustainable women’s knitwear, including sweaters, tunics, cardigans, dresses, bottoms, and accessories. Founder and designer Tina Logar Bauchmüller created the brand after the birth of her second daughter and has since been creating beautiful, eco-friendly knitwear pieces. The brand uses 100% organic cotton and a select few non-knitwear items utilize European linen, TENCEL™, and recycled wool. Mila.Vert has a locally-based production chain in Slovenia, EU with partners like Liniatex, Krona, eSPe sewing, and Jakopina. Their clothing garments are manufactured in small pre-ordered batches to avoid overproduction and left-over clothing waste. Mila.Vert’s ethical knitwear pieces are available in sizes XS–XL.
2. Frank And Oak
Frank And Oak, a sustainable brand, offers durable, long-lasting, and timeless sustainable men’s and women’s knitwear. The brand uses ethically sourced, cruelty-free wool, GOTS-certified organic cotton, and other recycled materials, like nylon and polyester. Their Seacell™—which is semisynthetic lyocell fabric made of kelp—is usually blended with organic cotton. Frank And Oak uses sustainable dyes made from plants and water-extracted minerals instead of chemical dyes. The brand maintains Certified B Corp standards in all of its 28 factories in China, Bangladesh, and UAE. They ensure accountability by having 100% of its partners sign a Supplier Code of Conduct and receive at least one third-party audit from WRAP, Sedex, SA8000, and BSCI. Frank And Oak’s ethical men’s knitwear pieces are available in sizes XXS–XXL and 28-38”. Women’s options can be found in XXS–XXL and 23″ to 32″.
3. Pact
Pact, an eco-friendly knitwear brand, offers sustainable knits by utilizing GOTS-certified organic cotton. Most of their garments are manufactured in fair trade factories in India, where over 50% of the organic cotton is sourced from locations across India where employees are treated with respect and receive a living wage. Pact utilizes Vela bags, a carbon-neutral, FSC-certified, recyclable paper bag for shipping purposes. They measure their greenhouse emissions through SimpliZero and offset emissions through various initiatives, like reforestation and renewable energy. Pact offers eco-friendly knitwear for men in sizes S–XL and women’s sustainable knitwear is available in XS–2XL.
4. LANIUS
LANIUS, a German brand, takes a conscious approach when it comes to designing sustainable knitwear. The brand uses materials like organic cotton, wool, and alpaca to create beautiful and eco-friendly knitwear pieces. LANIUS has a strict code of conduct for its suppliers and ensures that all of its materials are ethically sourced. The brand also uses renewable energy to power its production facilities. LANIUS’ sustainable knitwear pieces are available in sizes XS–XL.
5. Toad&Co
Toad&Co, a sustainable brand, offers a wide range of eco-friendly knitwear pieces, including sweaters, cardigans, and hoodies. The brand uses materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, and TENCEL™ to create its knitwear pieces. Toad&Co is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and uses renewable energy to power its production facilities. The brand’s sustainable knitwear pieces are available in sizes XS–XXL.
6. Neu Nomads
Neu Nomads, a sustainable brand, offers a range of eco-friendly knitwear pieces, including sweaters, cardigans, and tops. The brand uses materials like organic cotton, TENCEL™, and recycled polyester to create its knitwear pieces. Neu Nomads is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and uses renewable energy to power its production facilities. The brand’s ethical knitwear pieces are available in sizes XS–XL.
7. Rapanui
Rapanui, a UK-based sustainable brand, offers a range of eco-friendly knitwear pieces, including sweaters, hoodies, and cardigans. The brand uses materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester to create its knitwear pieces. Rapanui is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and uses renewable energy to power its production facilities. The brand’s sustainable knitwear pieces are available in sizes XS–XL.
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How We Selected The Most Comfortable and Ethical Knitwear Designers
To find the most comfortable and ethical knitwear designers, the team at [company name] utilized a set of rigorous criteria based on their sustainable fashion guidelines. The criteria focused on materials, supply chain and labor practices, carbon commitments and green practices, inclusivity, and community and charitable giving.
Materials
To ensure that the knitwear is cozy and eco-friendly, the team carefully selected non-synthetic materials and organic fibers. The team prioritized materials that can be composed or repurposed into new pieces, such as organic cotton, alpaca, ethical or recycled cashmere, hemp, and ethical wool, as long as they have cruelty-free sourcing. If a piece contains synthetics, recycled yarns are a must, and small amounts of recycled spandex or elastane substitutes are acceptable.
The team also looked for certifications such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Recycle Standard (GRS), OEKO-TEX®, Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Organic Content Standard (OCS), bluesign®, and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Supply Chain and Labor Practices
The team prioritized brands with transparent supply chains, fair working conditions, living wages, and ethical labor practices. Third-party certifications such as Fair Trade, Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), Social Accountability International (SA8000), Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), Sedex, B Corporation (B Corp), and Fair Wear Foundation were also considered.
Carbon Commitments and Green Practices
Brands with carbon offset programs, renewable energy, garment recycling programs, and eco-friendly packaging were favored by the team.
Inclusivity
The team was impressed by brands that had a diverse range of models, clothing sizes, and employees, including woman-owned and BIPOC-owned businesses.
Community and Charitable Giving
While not every brand can give back, the team recognized those who contribute with profits, time, or products to pave the way for future improvements and innovations.
By utilizing these criteria, the team at [company name] was able to select the most comfortable and ethical knitwear designers.
Final Thoughts On Eco-Friendly Knitwear Brands
When it comes to sustainable fashion, eco-friendly knitwear brands are leading the way. By using sustainable materials and ethical production methods, these brands are reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry while providing consumers with longer-lasting, high-quality pieces.
Choosing to support these brands not only benefits the environment but also helps promote a more conscious way of living. By sharing this list of sustainable knitwear brands, individuals can make a positive impact on the planet while still enjoying the cozy comfort of warm sweaters during the colder months.
