Sustainable and Ethical Crewneck Brands You Should Know About

As sustainability becomes an increasingly important factor in fashion, more and more brands are stepping up to offer ethically produced and environmentally friendly options. Crewneck sweaters, a timeless wardrobe staple, are no exception. From eco-friendly materials to fair labor practices, sustainable and ethical brands are offering stylish crewnecks that you can feel good about wearing. Here are some of the top sustainable and ethical crewneck brands you should know about.

1. Patagonia

Patagonia is a leader in sustainable fashion, known for its commitment to environmental responsibility. The brand’s crewnecks, particularly its organic cotton and recycled polyester sweaters, are made with materials sourced sustainably, minimizing the impact on the environment. Patagonia is also dedicated to fair labor practices and works with factories that adhere to strict ethical guidelines. Additionally, the brand offers a “Worn Wear” program, where customers can buy and trade used Patagonia gear, encouraging a circular economy.

Key Features: Organic cotton, recycled materials, fair labor practices, repair and reuse programs
Why It Stands Out: Patagonia’s transparency about its environmental and social impact makes it a leader in ethical fashion.

2. Everlane

Everlane is known for its commitment to “Radical Transparency,” ensuring that each item’s cost breakdown is clearly communicated to customers. The brand’s crewnecks are crafted with a focus on sustainable materials, including organic cotton and recycled fabrics. Everlane partners with ethical factories around the world and ensures fair wages and safe working conditions for workers. With a range of classic and minimalist crewneck designs, Everlane makes it easy to add sustainable basics to your wardrobe.

Key Features: Organic cotton, recycled fabrics, transparent pricing, ethical manufacturing
Why It Stands Out: Everlane offers affordable, high-quality clothing with an emphasis on transparency and sustainability.

3. Tencel by Lenzing

Tencel is a sustainable fabric made from wood pulp sourced from responsibly managed forests. It is biodegradable, incredibly soft, and less resource-intensive to produce compared to conventional cotton. Brands that use Tencel in their crewnecks, such as Reformation and Patagonia, are promoting more sustainable textile options. Tencel is not only environmentally friendly but also has natural moisture-wicking and anti-bacterial properties, making it a perfect material for comfortable and sustainable crewneck sweaters.

Key Features: Biodegradable, sustainable wood pulp, moisture-wicking
Why It Stands Out: Tencel is a perfect example of how innovation in textiles can lead to more eco-friendly alternatives in fashion.

4. Reformation

Reformation is a brand that has made a name for itself by blending sustainability with style. The brand offers a range of crewnecks made from recycled materials, organic cotton, and Tencel. Reformation’s commitment to the environment is visible in its eco-conscious production processes and its use of renewable energy. In addition to using sustainable materials, the brand ensures ethical working conditions and fair wages for its employees.

Key Features: Recycled fabrics, organic cotton, sustainable production, ethical labor practices
Why It Stands Out: Reformation has successfully combined sustainability with modern fashion, offering pieces that are both eco-friendly and stylish.

5. PACT

PACT is a standout in the sustainable fashion world, offering a wide range of clothing, including crewneck sweaters, made from organic cotton and other eco-friendly materials. PACT’s commitment to ethical practices goes beyond fabric selection. They work with fair-trade certified factories and ensure that all workers are paid fairly and treated with respect. PACT also offers carbon offset programs and strives to keep its environmental footprint as small as possible.

Key Features: Organic cotton, fair-trade certified factories, carbon offset programs
Why It Stands Out: PACT is dedicated to full transparency and offers a wide variety of affordable, sustainable options for everyday wear.

6. Alternative Apparel

Alternative Apparel is a sustainable clothing brand that prioritizes eco-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing. Its crewnecks are made from organic cotton, recycled polyester, and other sustainable fabrics. Alternative Apparel also works with factories that adhere to fair labor standards and focuses on reducing waste and environmental impact. With soft fabrics and casual designs, their crewnecks are a great option for those looking for comfy, sustainable basics.

Key Features: Organic cotton, recycled polyester, ethical production practices
Why It Stands Out: Alternative Apparel offers stylish, sustainable clothing with a focus on soft, high-quality fabrics and responsible manufacturing.

7. TOMS

TOMS, a brand originally known for its iconic shoes, has expanded into clothing with a strong emphasis on sustainability and ethics. Their crewnecks are made from eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester. TOMS also takes pride in its commitment to improving communities by supporting fair labor practices and giving back to social causes through its “One for One” program. When you buy from TOMS, you know your purchase is contributing to positive change.

Key Features: Organic cotton, recycled fabrics, social impact programs
Why It Stands Out: TOMS blends fashion with social responsibility, ensuring that every product supports communities in need.

8. Nudie Jeans

Nudie Jeans is a Swedish brand that has built a reputation for its commitment to sustainable practices. Although best known for its denim, the brand offers crewnecks made from organic cotton. Nudie Jeans offers a “Repair and Reuse” program, where customers can bring in old products to be repaired or recycled, further promoting a circular fashion economy. With a focus on sustainability and high-quality materials, Nudie Jeans is a great option for ethically-minded shoppers.

Key Features: Organic cotton, repair and reuse program, sustainable manufacturing practices
Why It Stands Out: Nudie Jeans takes sustainability to the next level by offering repair services and supporting circular fashion.

9. Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney is a luxury brand that has been a pioneer in ethical and sustainable fashion. The brand’s crewnecks feature organic cotton, recycled fabrics, and cruelty-free materials. McCartney is also vocal about her commitment to reducing the fashion industry’s environmental impact and has been a leader in advocating for ethical practices across the supply chain. If you’re looking for high-end crewnecks that are as stylish as they are sustainable, Stella McCartney is the brand to check out.

Key Features: Organic cotton, recycled fabrics, cruelty-free materials
Why It Stands Out: As a luxury brand, Stella McCartney combines high-fashion designs with ethical production and sustainable materials.

10. Allbirds

Known for its eco-friendly shoes, Allbirds has expanded into apparel, offering crewneck sweaters made from natural and sustainable materials like merino wool and Tencel. Allbirds places a heavy emphasis on minimizing its carbon footprint and offers carbon-neutral products. The company also works to ensure that all of its factories meet strict environmental and ethical standards, ensuring workers are treated fairly.

Key Features: Merino wool, Tencel, carbon-neutral products, sustainable materials
Why It Stands Out: Allbirds is one of the best-known brands for eco-friendly fashion, offering both stylish and functional clothing made with natural fibers.

Conclusion

Sustainable and ethical fashion is no longer a niche market—it’s becoming a crucial part of the fashion industry as more people demand responsible clothing choices. From organic cotton to recycled fabrics and ethical manufacturing practices, the crewneck brands mentioned above are leading the way in making fashion both stylish and sustainable. By choosing any of these brands, you’re not only investing in high-quality, timeless wardrobe pieces, but you’re also supporting companies that care about the planet and its people.