Whether you’re hunting for rugged knitted pullover for the chilliest of days or a light sweater for springtime, there are always a plethora of options clamoring to be brought into your wardrobe. However, the hunt can be harder for people who prefer to buy vegan clothing.
Vegan fashion is about garments that are free from animal-derived products and materials. When it comes to sweaters, that means wool, cashmere, angora, and silk are out. But vegan doesn’t always mean sustainable. Oftentimes, natural animal fibers are replaced by synthetic fabrics, many of which are a product of the petroleum industry and responsible for the carbon emissions that are leading to climate change.
It’s for this reason that we’ve focused on environmentally sustainable fashion brands in our search for our favorite vegan sweaters. Our choices use either recycled polyester textiles or natural fabrics such as organic cotton, so you can rely on your new cozy layer being as kind to the environment as it is to animals. We’ve included both knit sweater options, as well as cozy picks some might call sweatshirts.
So, here are the best vegan sweaters for 100% cruelty-free comfort and warmth.
Classic in color and ready to match any look, this cozy mockneck sweater with a ribbed trim design is destined to become a go-to on chilly days. Its comfortable slouch fit ensures it’ll work for practically any occasion, and has been ethically produced in small quantities and is fully carbon neutral. Better still, it’ll arrive at your door in fully recyclable packaging for an even smaller environmental impact.
Will’s Vegan Store Recycled Slouch Knit Mockneck
The perfect year-round sweater, this relaxed knit is made from an eco-friendly blend of recycled polyester—made from recycled clothes—and recycled cotton, meaning it’s both vegan and kinder to the planet.
But the environmental kudos doesn’t end there. It’s been made from offcuts from the textile industry that would otherwise be incinerated. As these have been dyed already, they ensure this sweater saves about half a bath’s worth of water that would otherwise be used in the dyeing process.
Price at time of publish: $80
Tentree strives to make fashion make sustainable. Only organic cotton goes into this sweater, which keeps it light and breathable. A long-sleeved sweater and with an asymmetrical cross body front, it manages to look both casual and chic.
Tentree Highline Cotton Acre Sweater
Tentree plants ten trees for every purchase, and is a certified B-corp. This brand ensures all of its workers in Canada and around the rest of the world have living wages and safe working conditions. We salute the belief that ethical labor rights are equally important as environmental sustainability.
Price at time of publish: $68
Affordability doesn’t have to cost the Earth—at least not in the case of this crewneck from Everlane. GOTS-certified organic cotton and recycled polyester has been transformed into this relaxed fit crew sweater. It’s backed by a 365-day guarantee, which means that Everlane will replace it if it starts to show any wear or tear within a year of use.
Everlane No-Sweat Sweater
Fully vegan, it’s a sustainable sweater with an accessible price tag. Better still, Everlane proves its commitment to ethical and sustainable fashion by being fully transparent about the cost of every step of the manufacturing process. Fair wages for workers and a fair price for you are part and parcel of this.
Price at time of publish: $78
Smart, stylish, and timeless, this slim fitting v-neck cardigan is a lightweight addition to your summer wardrobe. Supremely soft to touch, it’s made from 100% organic cotton, which significantly reduces the amount of water used in the growing cycle compared with normal cotton.
Reformation Gilda Ribbed V-Neck Cardigan
Reducing environmental impact through conscious fabric choices isn’t the only sustainable idea that this brand has up their sleeve. The Reformation makes only small batches of garments as a way of reducing the waste and overproduction rife in the fashion industry. Additionally, the carbon footprint of this cardigan is non-existent: The Reformation are fully carbon neutral and, by 2025, are set to become carbon positive.
Price at time of publish: $128 for gossamer
This chunky knit sweater is made from a 100% recycled yard that’s a blend of cotton and polyester. It features durable knitted channels, but is still soft and cozy to wear and layers well over a turtleneck or a shirt with a collar. It’s available in three colors: Cabin (a muted turquoise), Midnight (navy blue), and moss green.
Toad & Co. Butte Crew Sweater
The sweater can be machine washed on a cold setting, but should be laid flat and shaped to air dry.
Toad & Co. uses sustainable fabrics in all its clothing, is a member of 1% for the Planet, and also partners with a range of conservation non-profits.
Price at time of publish: $120
Pompom details are a fun yet classic sweater adornment, adding an appealing element of texture. The fitted ribbing and the waist and cuffs adds an extra touch of refinement. This sweater from Amour Vert is made with 100% organic cotton.
Amour Vert Daria Organic Cotton Sweater
Not only is Amour Vert committed to sustainable manufacturing practices, the company has also introduced a resale platform called ReAmour. This not only allows eco-minded shoppers to buy second hand items from the brand at a discount, it also lets you sell items that you no longer need.
Price at time of publish: $198
Why Trust Treehugger?
We’ve chosen to only focus on ethical fabrics that are both vegan and environmentally sustainable, as many animal product alternatives don’t make the cut when it comes to being eco-friendly. Going vegan is often part of a choice to be more environmentally conscious and we want to respect that decision making — and our planet — with our recommendations.
Sweaters that use fabrics that are both animal-free and more sustainable are all winners in our book, which is why we think any of the items on this list are solid choices and have decided to no longer rank them.
Author Steph Dyson writes about sustainable clothing and life, with a particular focus on vegan alternatives that don’t pollute the environment. She believes that each of us making small and conscious changes to our day-to-day lives will mean a large collective impact on the planet.
