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02 Aug

Our 31 Favourite More Sustainable Cardigans, Jumpers, and Sweaters for Layering Up

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Here’s a roundup of our favourite more sustainable sweaters, cardigans (or “cardies”), and jumpers that are perfect to throw in your more sustainable tote or around your waist year-round.

Our favourite cardigans, jumpers, and sweaters for layering up

As optimistic as we like to be with our outfit choices when leaving the house, the weather has a habit of doing a complete switcheroo on us, and we can find ourselves shivering through the day… yearning for that cardigan or sweater we threw back in the closet when the forecast said ‘sunny’. I have vivid memories of my grandma telling me to “take a jumper or a cardie with you, you’ll catch cold!” as I headed out the door no matter the weather. And annoying as it was as a kid, she had a point—why not take one just in case? And while we’re at it, why not take one that is kinder to people, the planet, and animals from seed to shelf?

Here’s a roundup of our favourite more sustainable sweaters, cardigans (or “cardies”), and jumpers that are perfect to throw in your more sustainable tote or around your waist year-round so you don’t “catch cold”. Thanks, g-ma.

L’Envers

Rated: Good

Anna Cotton Cardigan Forest Green – Ships internationally from Spain

Forest green is my personal favourite colour, and it suits this more sustainable cardigan by L’Envers so very well! L’Envers’ mission is to design fewer pieces made in a better way. Specialising in knitwear, this Spanish brand believes in mindful, careful, and slow consumption, offering timeless editions guided by conscious practices.

You can find their knitted collection in sizes XS to XL, or even customise your own piece.

See the rating.

Shop L’Envers.

Opera Campi

Rated: Good

Maglione Dolcevita – Ships internationally from Italy

Who doesn’t love a good turtleneck? This navy blue more sustainable sweater is made from a unique blend of Merino wool and hemp. Founded in 2017, Italian brand Opera Campi creates premium quality garments from locally-sourced raw materials. By using a balanced approach to sustainability the brand makes conscious choices throughout its supply chain and donates 4% of its profits to social causes.

Find the range in sizes 3XS-3XL, or custom fit.

See the rating.

Shop Opera Campi.

Mila.Vert

Rated: Great

Knitted Relief Long Cardigan – Ships internationally from Slovenia

Add a healthy dose of elegance to your sustainable cardigan situation with this lovely long vegan cardigan by Mila.Vert! 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.

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

See the rating.

Shop Mila.Vert.

FRANC

Rated: Good
Plus size person wearing a golden yellow cropped cardigan sustainably made by Franc.

The Cropped Cardi – Ships internationally from Canada

Franc is a Canadian brand that makes basics so you can enjoy a complete wardrobe built on timeless essentials. The brand uses better materials, pays a living wage, and uses no animal products. How cosy does this cropped cardi look?

Find most products in sizes XS to 3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Franc.

LANIUS

Rated: Good

Cardigan In Wrap Look – Ships within Europe from Germany

Offers

black woman wearing moss green knitted top by ethical brand LANIUS

LANIUS – Knits

Wrap yourself in the softest knitwear, perfect for relaxing at home or staying snug outside. Summer Sale! 30% off knits. (Available in the UK and Europe only) (Ends: 18 AUG)

Shop now

This is a great more sustainable wrap cardigan for a more casual and cosy vibe. I know, I know, more green, but I couldn’t help myself—and it does come in other colours. “Love Fashion, Think Organic, Be Responsible” are the maxims of LANIUS. The German brand uses better materials, like GOTS certified cotton. All LANIUS facilities are SA8000 certified and it is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation.

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

See the rating.

Shop LANIUS.

Dedicated

Rated: Great
bold colourful striped organic cotton sweater by Dedicated via Curate

Sweater Ardenal – Ships internationally from Sweden

If you love a great graphic tee, Swedish label Dedicated has you covered. Dedicated is an ethical streetwear brand for men, women, and children. All cotton used in its pieces are 100% organic and most are Fairtrade-certified, which means that you don’t have to sacrifice your ethics to dress in style. We love this bold colourful striped sweater!

Find the clothes in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Dedicated.

Shop Dedicated @ Earthkind.

Underprotection

Rated: Good
Person wearing beige ruffle bottomed sustainable cardigan by Underprotection.

Belice Cardigan Beige – Ships internationally from Denmark

Underprotection is a Danish brand combining ethics and aesthetics, creating underwear, loungewear, and swimwear from lower-impact materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton. All of its packaging, paper, and polybags are either recycled or biodegradable, and it only works with certified factories as it believes “fair working conditions and fair wages are human rights”. Underprotection exists to celebrate women of all kinds, and its goal is to make them feel as beautiful and comfortable as possible. How cute is this ruffle bottomed dark beige cardigan?

You can find the full range in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Underprotection.

Neu Nomads

Rated: Good

Cotton/Cashmere Long Cardigan – 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.

Christy Dawn

Rated: Great

The Sonny x Real Fun, Wow! Sweater – Ships internationally from the US

“It’s all in your hands” to decide whether to get this gorgeous graphic more sustainable sweater! 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.

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

See the rating.

Shop Christy Dawn.

A.BCH

Rated: Great

A.13 Cropped Zero Waste Sweater – Ships internationally from Australia

A good cropped sweater is ideal for those transition seasons, and this soft rosewater organic cotton one from A.BCH is perfect! A.BCH is a Melbourne-based, Australian-made fashion label for individuals who care about garment provenance. It utilises renewable, organic, and recycled materials.

Find the range in sizes XS-XL, or customise to fit you!

See the rating.

Shop A.BCH.

Womsh

Rated: Good
Person wearing an army green sweater with the slogan

Alma Army Green Sweater – Ships internationally from Italy

Fashion and sustainability can go together and Womsh is the brand that proves it. Its shoes are entirely designed and manufactured in Italy, and its clothing range is made from lower-impact fabrics like organic cotton. We’re loving this army green jumper with the slogan “wear the change you want to see in the world” printed across the chest.

Find most shoes in EU sizes 35-42, and clothes in XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Womsh.

Shop Womsh @ COMOVITA.

Fanfare

Rated: Good
front and back view of person posing in navy blue reversible jumper with orange stripe by Fanfare

Organic Cotton Reversible Navy Jumper with Orange Stripe – Ships internationally from the UK

Offers

Fanfare Label – Outlet

Shop seasonless pieces that are ready to ship. Up to 50% and a limited stock of items from way back in the archives. (Ends: 20 OCT)

Shop now

Fanfare Label – Site-wide

Full of personality and designed to stand the test of the trend cycle, Fanfare garments are far from basic. Bundle offer - 15% off when you buy a top and jeans. (Ends: 20 OCT)

Shop now

Fanfare is a UK-based more responsible brand that creates modern, contemporary women’s and unisex clothing with a purpose that aims to bring change to the fashion industry. Seasonless and unique, we’re vibing this Organic Cotton Reversible Jumper. With bold taping for contemporary look, its multi-use pieces are handcrafted for maximum wearability and styling.

Find it in UK sizes 6-18.

See the rating.

Shop Fanfare.

Shop Fanfare @ Earthkind.

ASKET

Rated: Good

The Merino Zip Cardigan – Ships internationally from Sweden

Speaking of grandparents, this Merino cardigan is “not your grandfather’s cardigan”. Sleek, clean, and designed to be worn across the seasons. Though I can totally see one of those super stylish grandpas wearing it! 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.

Find the range in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop ASKET.

Afends

Rated: Good

Unisex Raglan Crew Neck – Ships internationally from Australia

Love a unisex crew neck more sustainable jumper moment like this one. Afends is an Australia-based fashion brand leading the way in organic hemp fashion, using renewable energy in its supply chain to reduce its climate impact.

You can find the full range in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Afends.

Colorful Standard

Rated: Good

Classic Organic 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.

ISTO.

Rated: Good

Heavyweight Sweatshirt – Ships internationally from Portugal

For the cooler days, this unisex heavyweight sweater is the perfect staple option. ISTO.’s mandate is simple: create clothes to transcend the seasons and work as staple items in your wardrobe all year round. It has one single collection and pursues quality over quantity to try and make its items permanently available. It uses organic and natural materials, and is incredibly transparent in showing you the true cost of your clothes when you go to purchase a piece for your wardrobe.

The range is available in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop ISTO..

Happy Earth

Rated: Good

Glacier Quarter-zip Sweatshirt – Ships internationally from the US

A quarter-zip more sustainable sweater is a great option for weather that just can’t make up its mind, and the gorgeous glacier detailing on the back seals the deal for me! Happy Earth Apparel is a US organic clothing brand that works to give back, inspired by nature and dedicated to preserving it. This B Corporation certified brand makes the planet a better place with every purchase. Through its partnerships with non-profits and Happy Earth ambassadors, it’s planting trees, fighting climate change, and cleaning up trash.

Find most items in sizes XS to XXL.

See the rating.

Shop Happy Earth.

Mother of Pearl

Rated: Good

Charlotte Black Cardigan – Ships internationally from the UK

A chunky knitted black cardigan is a wardrobe staple, and this one is made from organic cotton and mulesing-free wool. Mother of Pearl is a responsible and ethical luxury womenswear and accessories designer brand from the UK that celebrates individuality and authenticity. The brand uses a high proportion of lower-impact materials including organic cotton and ensures the payment of a living wage across some of its supply chain.

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.

Sorella Organics

Rated: Good
woman wearing grey organic wrap cardigan by Sorella Organics

Lounge Wrap – Ships internationally from Australia

Sorella’s certified organic sleepwear range includes tops, pants, wraps, nighties, as well as maternity wear. The label’s founder Anna McGregor has a background in international human rights work. This is obvious with her use of Fairtrade certified cotton, and it ensures strict social standards are met in production and trading. Best of all, purchasing the clothing won’t make you cry over your bank balance! This versatile wrap cardigan is one of the brand’s bestsellers, and we can see why.

Find the range in sizes S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Sorella Organics.

Whimsy + Row

Rated: Good

Frances Duster in Rust Rib – Ships internationally from the US

Rust is another colour of the moment I can’t get enough of, so why not wear it in a cosy modal duster? Whimsy + Row is an eco-conscious lifestyle brand born out of a love for quality goods and more sustainable practices. Since 2014, its mission has been to provide ease and elegance for the modern, more sustainable woman. By limiting each garment to short runs, Whimsy + Row utilises deadstock fabric, reduces packaging waste, and takes care of precious water resources.

Find most products in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Whimsy + Row.

Shop Whimsy + Row @ Earthkind.

Jyoti – Fair Works

Rated: Good

Cardigan YUINA Rust – Ships within Europe from Germany

If you prefer woollen cardigans, this stylish rust-coloured cardigan is made from sustainably-sourced baby alpaca wool. For those living in Europe, you’re lucky enough to be able to get your hands on the beautiful products created by Jyoti. Truly embodying ethical fashion practices, this German company provides employment for people from marginalised or disadvantaged groups in India.

Sizes available are S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Jyoti.

Malaika New York

Rated: Good

Organic Cotton Square Cardigan – Ships internationally from the US

For a unique twist on a more sustainable cardigan, Malaika New York has you covered. It’s a minimalistic sustainable clothing brand with a focus on zero waste clothing and accessories. The US-based brand aims to eliminate fashion’s harmful environmental effects by utilizing minimal or zero waste patterns, while maximizing 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.

Dorsu

Rated: Great

Cardigan Black – Ships internationally from Cambodia

Starting as a limited run, this basic more sustainable black cardigan has now joined the permanent collection due to its popularity! Based in Cambodia, Dorsu creates everyday basics and key signature favourites that form the core of any conscious wardrobe.

You can find the full range in XS to XL.

See the rating.

Shop Dorsu.

Kuyichi

Rated: Good

Brian Act Round Neck Sweat Reddish – Ships internationally from the Netherlands

Wear your morals on your sleeve, er, chest with this bold red ACT jumper from Kuyichi. Established in 2001, Kuyichi is the first organic denim brand. With ‘Great’ labour and environmental ratings, the brand designs ethical and durable, yet trendy and modern pieces that never go out of style.

Available in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Kuyichi.

Shop Kuyichi @ Staiy.

Armedangels

Rated: Great

Sweatshirt Made of Organic Cotton – Ships internationally from Germany

I think we can all appreciate a man in pink, like this gorgeous dusty rose more sustainable sweater from Armedangels. 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 Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton. 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.

MATE the Label

Rated: Great

Organic Terry Raglan Sweatshirt – Ships internationally from the US

Just look at this lower-impact lavender sweater!! This classic from MATE the Label comes in no less than 16 stunning shades, is made from lightweight organic cotton, AND is inclusively sized. Swoon! MATE the Label creates clean essentials made with GOTS certified organic fabrics and low-impact dyes. Its goal is to offer women everywhere a clean product that is just as beautiful as it is more sustainable. It is proudly female-founded and is predominately operated by women. This US brand also manufactures locally to reduce its carbon footprint.

Find the range in inclusive sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop MATE the Label.

tentree

Rated: Good
woman wearing grey chunky sustainable cardigan by tentree

Highline Grayson Cardigan – Ships internationally from Canada

Who doesn’t love a chunky cotton knitted cardigan? And this one has coconut buttons. tentree is a Canadian sustainable lifestyle brand that plants 10 trees for every item purchased. The certified B-Corp brand has already helped to remove tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere and reforested over 5,000 hectares of land (that’s equal to 12,000 football fields). But its commitment to sustainability extends way beyond trees. Using recycled, organic, and circular fabrics, tentree cuts down on huge amounts of waste and water usage with every piece.

We love it for its super comfy fabrics and easy wardrobe staples that are typically available from XS to XL.

See the rating.

Shop tentree.

Stella McCartney

Rated: Good

Women’s Knitwear – Ships internationally from the UK

Luxury cardigans and jumpers anyone? A member of the Ethical Trading Initiative and Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Stella McCartney has set some excellent environmental standards across the luxury fashion industry. Stella uses some better materials, including recycled polyester and organic cotton, and has a strategy in place to reduce waste across its entire supply chain. It has also adopted the ETI Code of Conduct that includes a living wage definition!

See the rating.

Shop Stella McCartney @ LVRSustainable.

Shop Stella McCartney Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop Stella McCartney.

Bower

Rated: Good
surf club yellow logo print white organic cotton sweater by Bower

Bridge & Surf Club Sweat in White – Ships internationally from the UK

Launched in early 2015, Bower is a more responsible swimwear and resort wear brand. Bower aims to create design-led swimwear with a focus on the now with a nod to the past, like with this surf club print organic sweater. The designs utilise luxury Italian fabrics, partnered with complex construction and considered details. With components sourced from Italy and France, the final product is constructed at a small, specialised factory in Italy. Along with the brand’s commitment to the Earth, Bower has dedicated 1% of all orders to be donated to the Healthy Seas initiative.

Find sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Bower.

Kowtow

Rated: Good

Black Pace Crew – Ships internationally from New Zealand

A relaxed mock turtleneck jumper made from organic cotton—speaks for itself, really. 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.

Find the clothes in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Kowtow.

Editor's note

Feature image via nu-in. All other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world's most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet and animals. Use the Directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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