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18 Feb

More Sustainable Knitwear to Keep You Warm and Cosy

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Whatever your brand of cosy, these more responsible knitwear brands are here to help for this season and many to come.

Our favourite “Good” and “Great” knitwear brands

We don’t know about you, but knitwear is one of our favourite things to don on those cooler days when we just want to be warm and cosy. Knits are one of those fashion items that have the double benefit of being super comfortable while looking effortlessly stylish. They are also diverse, and can match as easily with a flowy dress or skirt as with a pair of jeans or tights.

For more sustainable knitwear, you want to look out for fabrics that treat the planet right. Rather than damaging polyester or acrylic, opt for recycled wool like from Näz (Portugal), or organic cotton. For more ethical knitwear that prioritises workers and animals, this fair trade knit from LANIUS (Germany) or vegan knitted scarf from Kowtow (New Zealand) are great options. Whatever your brand of cosy, these “Good” and “Great” brands are here to help for this season and many to come.

Mila.Vert

Rated: Great
woman wearing cream sustainable knitted cotton dress from Mila.Vert

Knitted High Boat Neck Dress – Ships internationally from Slovenia

Offers

People in clothing available for pre-order by Mila.Vert.

Mila.Vert – Pre-orders

Pre-ordering with Mila.Vert helps to avoid overproduction. Find your favourite styles for less. Enjoy 30% off pre-orders. (Ends: 15 MAR)

Shop now

Mila.Vert offers timeless, minimal, and chic clothing, adding sophisticated details that give the garments a modern feel. The Slovenia-based brand wants to make desirable clothing, avoiding the ethical and environmental issues that the fashion industry represents. This is one knit to rule them all! Discover ultimate comfort and style in this 100% organic cotton knitted dress.

Find the garments in sizes XS-XL, or make a custom fit order free of charge!

See the rating.

Shop Mila.Vert.

LANIUS

Rated: Good
A grey turtleneck knitted sweater with a zipped collar.

Troyer Sweater – Ships internationally from Germany

“Love Fashion, Think Organic, Be Responsible” are the maxims of LANIUS. The German brand uses lower-impact materials, like GOTS certified cotton. All LANIUS facilities are SA8000 certified and it is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation. For a comfy combination of organic cotton and non-mulesed wool, this zipped pullover features a loose fit and high turtleneck.

LANIUS’ clothes are available in EU sizes 34-44.

See the rating.

Shop LANIUS.

Unrecorded

Rated: Good

Knitted Polo Shirt – Ships internationally from the Netherlands

Unrecorded is an independent clothing brand from the Netherlands that represents a new wave of unisex brands that are rebelling against the nature of fast fashion. Unrecorded is passionate about style, and produces apparel using more responsible materials.

Its range includes items that are all year round essentials suitable for any wardrobe, available in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Unrecorded.

1 People

Rated: Good
close up of sweater and person wearing sweater by 1 People

Ottawa High Neck Sweater – Ships internationally from Denmark

1 People is a Danish-designed lifestyle and luxury brand. It blends Scandinavian colour palettes and minimalist design to create effortlessly elegant collections for the conscious-minded. Its pieces are thoughtfully crafted by small family-run manufacturers using lower-impact and certified materials.

Find the collection in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop 1 People.

Shop 1 People @ Cerqular.

Fanfare

Rated: Good

Knit Top in Ecru – Ships internationally from the UK

Fanfare is a UK-based more sustainable brand that creates modern, contemporary womenswear and unisex clothing with a purpose that aims to bring change to the fashion industry. As a leading circular label, it transforms vintage pieces into unique designs using recycled materials promoting slow fashion with its repair services, take-back scheme, and lifetime guarantee.

Find most items in UK sizes 4-18.

See the rating.

Shop Fanfare.

Shop Fanfare @ Earthkind.

Christy Dawn

Rated: Great
A brown knitted cardigan with a flower pattern by Christy Dawn.

The Clover Cardigan – Ships internationally from the US

Christy Dawn is a minimalist showroom for vintage-inspired women’s clothing and footwear, locally made with surplus fabric. The US brand rates ‘Great’, making it a fabulous boho option for your wardrobe. Made from a blend of deadstock fibres, this unique cardigan is bound to turn heads.

Find the clothes in standard sizes XS-XL, or shop the Extended and Petite collections.

See the rating.

Shop Christy Dawn.

Honest Basics

Rated: Good

V-Neck Knit Jumper – Ships internationally from Germany

Honest Basics is a GOTS-certified basics brand based in Germany. It's on a mission to make more sustainable fashion accessible to everyone, by keeping prices low, making quality basics that everyone has in their wardrobe, and constantly improving the sustainability of its products and supply chain.

The range is available in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Honest Basics.

ASKET

Rated: Good
black man wearing tan ethically made cashmere sweater from ASKET

The Cashmere Sweater – Ships internationally from Sweden

ASKET has been creating timeless wardrobe essentials since 2015 with revolutionary sizing and fair pricing. The brand disregards seasonal collections, cuts out all the middlemen, and only sells directly to you—putting its entire focus on building a single permanent collection. The ethically-made Cashmere Sweater gives you all the warm and cosy benefits of cashmere minus the cruelty by using only recycled cashmere!

Find the range in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop ASKET.

Colorful Standard

Rated: Good

Merino Wool Crew – Ships internationally from Denmark

Colorful Standard is a Danish clothing brand that makes organic fashion essentials for men and women. The brand doesn't care much for seasons or trends, instead, it creates timeless and long-lasting products to avoid the downward spiral that is over-consumption.

Find most items in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Colorful Standard.

Baukjen

Rated: Good
A dark brown knitted vest with a turtleneck by Baukjen.

Knitted Vest – Ships internationally

Baukjen is a London-based womenswear brand, with a focus on more ethical and sustainable style. Its clothes are designed for you, and designed for good. The brand uses lower-impact materials including recycled materials, which helps limit the amount of chemicals, water, and wastewater used in production.

Find the range in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Baukjen.

Neu Nomads

Rated: Great

Cotton/Cashmere Oversized V-Neck – Ships internationally from the US

Neu Nomads is a Brooklyn-based more sustainable women’s fashion brand, offering loungewear and travel essentials. It is female owned and operated, and works every day to create beautiful, wearable clothing that leaves a lighter footprint on the environment.

Find the clothes in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Neu Nomads.

Näz

Rated: Good
man wearing sustainable knitwear from Naz

Sameiro Sweater – Ships internationally from Portuga

Näz is a Portuguese fashion brand that aims to make fashion look good, not only on you, but on the planet too. It uses a high proportion of better materials including GOTS certified organic cotton, and traces most of its supply chain. This stylish and more sustainable knit for men is made from 100% recycled fibres, including wool, alpaca, and polyester. Most garments available in sizes S-L.

See the rating.

Shop Näz.

Armedangels

Rated: Great
woman wearing black high neck organic cotton knitted dress from Armedangels

Knit Dress made of Organic Cotton – Ships internationally from Germany

Affordable, ethical, and on-trend. Germany’s Armedangels gets a ‘Great’ rating overall from us. The brand covers all the basics for women, men, and kids. Armedangels’ quality and long-lasting pieces are made from lower-impact and certified materials, like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton found in this relaxed silhouette vegan knitted dress. The brand also adopted the Fair Wear Foundation Code of Conduct to protect its workers abroad.

Its products are available in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Armedangels.

Shop Armedangels @ Earthkind.

Mother of Pearl

Rated: Good
black woman wearing black eco-friendly knitted cardigan from Mother of Pearl brand

Charlotte Black Cardigan – Ships internationally from the UK

Mother of Pearl is a more sustainable and ethical luxury womenswear and accessories designer brand from the UK that celebrates individuality and authenticity. The brand uses a high proportion of better materials including organic cotton and ensures the payment of a living wage across some of its supply chain. Go for a classy finish to any outfit with this oversized black cardigan made with non-mulesed wool and organic cotton, or check out the rest of the gorgeous more sustainable knitwear range.

Find most products in UK sizes 6 to 16.

See the rating.

Shop Mother of Pearl.

Shop Mother of Pearl @ Rêve en Vert.

Shop Mother of Pearl Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Le Pirol

Rated: Great
man wearing orange and navy striped sustainable knitwear from Le Pirol

Coastal Stripe Cotton Jumper – Ships internationally from Denmark

Le Pirol is a Nordic knitwear brand tailored for a modern, more sustainable lifestyle. If muted neutrals aren’t your style, this bright striped heritage knit jumper in soft organic cotton might be.

Shop the range in sizes S-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Le Pirol.

Kowtow

Rated: Good
A brown rectangular oversized scarf by Kowtow.

Rectangle Scarf – Ships internationally from New Zealand

Kowtow uses organic, fair trade cotton and non-toxic dyes to produce its clothes. It designs elegant, timeless womenswear, and also has a range of ceramics. We love an oversized knitted scarf, and this organic cotton one is 100% vegan and 100% trans-seasonal!

Find Kowtow’s range in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Kowtow @ Reve en Vert.

Shop Kowtow.

Malaika New York

Rated: Good

Vegan Fur Poncho – Ships internationally from the US

Offers

People in black and red boxy shirt dresses by Malaika NY.

Malaika New York – Site-wide

Mix and match Malaika New York's versatile organic cotton shift dresses and tops for simple styling day or night. Exclusive $30 off with code malaikagood$30. (Ends: 12 MAR)

Checkout code: malaikagood$30
Shop now

Malaika New York is a minimalistic more sustainable clothing brand with a focus on anti-waste clothing and accessories. The US-based brand aims to eliminate fashion’s harmful environmental effects by utilising lower-waste patterns, while maximising wearability by producing luxe-quality, contemporary garments that make a statement now and into the future.

Find most garments in S-XL, with some items going up to 2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Mailaika New York.

NIKIN

Rated: Good
flat lay shot of a mint green sustainable knit beanie by NIKIN

Treeanie Folded Ripped Feel Free – Ships internationally from Switzerland

If you’re the kind of person who likes to wear their morals, look no further. Not only is a tree planted every time you purchase a NIKIN product, you also get to show your tree pride! This “treeanie” is made from Polylana ® , a type of recycled PET plastic. Since beanies and other accessories require far less washing, this is a great way to turn waste into more sustainable knitwear without the worry of microfibre release!

Products are available in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop NIKIN.

Filippa K (Pre-Owned)

Rated: It's A Start
second hand knitwear by filippa k

Pre-Owned Filippa K Knitwear – Ships internationally

Filippa K was built in Stockholm in 1993, on a backbone of entrepreneurial strength focused on style, simplicity and quality. It uses organic cotton and linen and recycles off-cuts created during the manufacturing process. The brand is also certified as ‘good’ by the Fair Wear Foundation and makes efforts to follow the Fair Wear Responsible Code of Labour.

See the rating.

Shop Filippa K Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Calvin Klein (Pre-Owned)

Rated: It's A Start
flat lay of second hand Calvin Klein knitwear from Vestiaire Collective

Calvin Klein Knitwear – Ships internationally

Calvin Klein is an American brand which specialises in ready-to-wear underwear and accessories. The brand has made a public commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but is not taking adequate steps to reduce textile waste in its supply chain. Buying Calvin Klein second hand allows you to keep clothes out of landfills and slow down the restless fast fashion cycle. Check out the range of second hand Calvin Klein knitwear over on Vestiaire Collective!

See the rating.

Shop Calvin Klein Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Editor's note

Feature image via Armedangels, all other images via brands mentioned and Vestiaire Collective. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet and animals. We love to recommend some of the best more sustainable brands, rated "Good" or "Great". We also encourage shopping pre-owned as another great way to reduce the impact of our fashion choices. Use our Directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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