Switching to an organic and low-tox wardrobe is a journey that takes time.
Opting for non-toxic and organic clothing is essential for individuals with allergies and sensitive skin, but given the numerous chemicals used in clothing production, choosing safer textiles can benefit anyone and everyone’s health in the long run.
To minimize stress, I suggest gradually building your low-tox wardrobe. As your old clothes wear out, replace them one by one with healthier options from trusted brands.
In this guide, I’ll assist you in finding cozy, non-toxic, and organic sweaters and cardigans for the entire family.
P.S. If you’re looking for other cozy, organic accessories for the fall and winter, check out our articles on natural and organic scarves, hats & beanies, gloves & mittens, and sweats.
What this guide includes:
- The Best Brands for Organic & Non-Toxic Sweaters and Cardigans
- Pact (certified organic & Fair Trade sweaters for women & men)
- Tentree (organic cotton & wool sweaters for adults)
- Amour Vert (sustainable organic cotton & wool sweaters for women)
- Frugi (organic sweaters for babies & kids)
- ABLE (size-inclusive organic cotton sweaters)
- Even More Options for Organic & Non-Toxic Sweaters
- Why Buy Organic Sweaters and Cardigans? (What Fabrics & Finishes to Look For)
- Non-Toxic Dyes & Finishes
This guide contains product recommendations and we may receive compensation if you purchase through certain links. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine! Featured image: tentree
The Best Brands for Organic & Non-Toxic Sweaters and Cardigans
To find out more about what to look for in non-toxic, organic, and sustainable sweaters, scroll down to the bottom of this article.
But for now, let’s get right to my favorite brands to bring some organic and non-toxic coziness to your wardrobe this winter:
Pact (certified organic & Fair Trade sweaters for women & men)
Price Range: $92-$135
Size Range: XS-2XL
Materials: GOTS certified organic cotton
Pact is one of the best sustainable clothing brands for affordable, organic cotton apparel and underwear. (You might notice that we feature them a lot!) Their Fairtrade certified sweaters are made with 100% certified GOTS organic cotton.
Although they have a larger selection of organic sweaters for women (including turtle necks, crew necks, cardigans, and more), they also have a selection for men (including zip-ups).
Use the code THEFILTERY15 for 15% off full-priced items.
Tentree (organic cotton & wool sweaters for adults)
Price Range: $34-$128
Size Range: XS-XL
Materials: Organic cotton, wool, recycled synthetics
Some of Tentree’s ethically made sweaters are made from 100% organic cotton, while others are made from soft blends of organic cotton, wool, and recycled synthetics. (So just make sure to check the product details before purchasing to make sure you’re getting what you want.)
For women, they have sweater dresses, cardigans, crew necks, and more. For men, they offer crew neck sweaters, quarter-zips, cardigans, and more. They don’t have sweaters for kids, but they do have a collection of sweatshirts and hoodies (which are made out of various materials like organic cotton, hemp, TENCEL, and recycled synthetics).
Tentree is also a Climate Neutral and certified B Corp brand that plants trees with each purchase and tries to decrease their environmental impact whenever possible.
Amour Vert (sustainable organic cotton & wool sweaters for women)
Price Range: $44 – $198
Size Range: XS-XL
Materials: Organic cotton, wool
Amour Vert uses materials like organic cotton and ethically sourced wool and to make their beautiful, sustainable women’s sweaters. They carry a variety of options, from patterned and solid-colored, pullovers and cardigans, fitted and oversized, cropped and wrapped.
Everything is ethically made in Los Angeles in small quantities in order to reduce waste, and trees are planted with each purchase!
Frugi (organic sweaters for babies & kids)
Price Range: $16 (on sale) – $70
Size Range: 0m – 8y
Materials: Organic cotton
This UK-based brand makes all kinds of wardrobe essentials for kids, toddlers, and babies. Most of their clothing is made out of organic cotton (certified by GOTS and the Soil Association) in GOTS certified factories.
Many of their sweaters are designed to be circular and are certified by the Circular Textiles Foundation as fully recyclable.
Their designs are so adorable; they have fun patterns, bright florals, bold solids, and more. They have pullovers and button-ups that fit newborns up to kids aged 8.
Arms of Andes (plastic-free wool zip-ups & base layers)
Price Range: $95-270
Size Range: XS-XL
Materials: All-natural Alpaca wool
Arms of Andes is a sustainable clothing brand that is 100% plastic-free. It’s made out of alpaca wool, which is naturally breathable and moisture-wicking (without any toxic chemical treatments!).
Their focus is on wool performance garments that are especially functional for hiking and other outdoor activities. In addition to their tees, underwear, and accessories, they also carry a selection of long-sleeved base layers, zip-ups, and jackets.
For the colors, you can choose if you want all-natural dyes or if you want low-impact synthetics.
Arms of Andes’ has a “Leave No Trace Apparel” initiative, which means that all of their clothing is made out of completely biodegradable fabric (with the exception being their zippers, which is something they’re working on). They’ve even managed to switch to 100% natural rubber for their elastic bands!
Plus, they’ve got a “single-origin supply chain,” which means they carry out every stage of production—from sourcing alpaca fiber to manufacturing the garments—in one country: Peru. Their ethically-sourced alpaca wool comes directly from herders in the Peruvian Andes, whose families have been employing traditional techniques to rear alpacas and harvest their fiber for generations.
ABLE (size-inclusive organic cotton sweaters)
Price Range: $43-$158
Size Range: XXS-3XL
Materials: Organic cotton, BCI cotton, conventional cotton, and recycled synthetics
ABLE is a Fair Trade fashion brand “that employs and empowers women as a solution to end poverty.” They have one of the most size inclusive collections on this list, ranging from 2XS to 3XL.
ABLE carries various styles of women’s sweaters, including pullovers and cardigans that are available in classic solid colors and more vibrant patterns. They also make it easy to sort according to fit, so you can filter according to “bust-friendly,” “bump-friendly,” “nursing-friendly,” and more.
Many of their sweaters are made out of 100% organic cotton, but they also use some Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) cotton (which is kind of like a transition between conventional and organic), conventional cotton, and some recycled synthetic fabrics as well—so just make sure you check the product details before buying.
Even More Options for Organic & Non-Toxic Sweaters
Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Here are even more brands offering organic & non-toxic sweater options:
- Bare Knitwear: luxury natural alpaca wool sweaters & cardigans
- Colored Organics: this baby/kid brand doesn’t have a ton of sweater options, but they do have some
- Everlane: cotton & wool sweaters and cardigans for adults
- Frank & Oak: sweaters and cardigans for men & women
- kowtow: organic & Fair Trade women’s sweaters
- L.L. Bean: some organic options for men; be sure to check the details of the specific garment
- Seasalt Cornwall: UK-based, with options for men & women
- The Simple Folk: They also have organic cotton chunky sweaters for women & kids
Why Buy Organic Sweaters and Cardigans? (What Fabrics & Finishes to Look For)
These days, a lot of sweaters are made out of synthetic materials like polyester and nylon. That means your sweaters are made out of plastic.
These materials can be problematic for a few different reasons. Some of them can contain chemicals that get dumped into our air and waterways during manufacturing, which is especially harmful for factory workers and surrounding communities.
Not only that, but as you wear and wash your synthetic clothing, they shed microplastics, which end up in our waterways and ecosystems and are nearly impossible to clean up and filter out.
These teeny tiny pieces of plastic can not only pose a threat to wildlife, but they actually have been found to end up all the way at the end of our food supply, harming humans as well.
Plus, as more clothing is getting tested, we are discovering that toxicants of various kinds (from BPA to azo dyes) are present in our clothing—and that many of those toxic chemicals can absorb into our skin while we wear them.
Natural materials like cotton, wool, and TENCEL are a better option for the long-term health of consumers, our ecosystems, and the planet.
But since conventional cotton is grown using toxic pesticides and herbicides, organic cotton is even better. Organic cotton is grown and harvested without toxic synthetic chemicals, it requires less water to grow, and it is (almost always) sourced in a more ethical way in terms of the farmers involved.
Look for third-party labels such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or Soil Association Organic, which indicate that the cotton and the finished product has been audited and verified to meet a specific set of standards.
What about animal-derived textiles like wool? Since these materials aren’t plants grown from the grown, the organic certification requirements are different from plant-based textiles like organic cotton.
Although wool doesn’t need any herbicides or pesticides to grow, you’ll want to look for brands that prioritize the ethical treatment of their animals throughout their entire life, and that the shearing process is done ethically and sustainably. Labels such as Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Climate Beneficial, Fibershed, and PETA can help you identify wool that has been sourced ethically.
Non-Toxic Dyes & Finishes
There’s a lot that goes into making an article of clothing besides the raw material. That’s why you’ll also want to consider the dyes and and treatments used to finish the textiles as well.
Since many textile dyes can include toxic chemicals, you want to look for brands that use non-toxic, azo-free dyes whenever possible. These colorants are better for the wearer, the garment worker, and our ecosystems.
You’ll also want to avoid labels like “stain-resistant” or “iron-free,” which usually indicates that chemicals like PFAS or formaldehyde have been added.
Although third-party certifications such as OEKO-TEX as not foolproof, they are definitely helpful—so look for those, too.
If you’re trying to reduce the amount of synthetic materials in your life and opt for organic and natural products instead, I hope this list of the best organic sweater brands has been helpful for you as you shop for new cold-weather clothing!
If you know of any amazing organic knitwear brands we’ve left out, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check them out.
And to stay updated about new guides, toxin news, and more, sign up for my weekly email.
Or, to get even more exclusive content, topic request & voting privileges, monthly giveaways, and more, consider becoming a supporting member.
