During the freezing winter months, most of us cannot leave our homes without our good old friends: our trusty scarves, beanies, and gloves. Winter accessories are essential to have around, especially for those of us who live in cold climates. They keep us warm and comfy and prevent us from catching a cold or getting frostbite.
Winter accessories are also nice additions to our outfits if we want to style them and add a little something to how we look. Unfortunately, most fashion brands sell beanies, scarves and gloves made from synthetic, unsustainable fabrics. Their winter accessories are usually made unethically by workers who can barely survive and live on their tiny wages. Not to mention that they are so poorly made that they wear out pretty quickly!
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But it does not have to be this way. Thankfully, some sustainable clothing brands are doing things differently and making shopping for eco-friendly winter accessories easy and accessible for everyone. In this blog post, we have rounded up 10 of our favorite sustainable brands selling comfy winter accessories. Their beanies, scarves and gloves (and many more!) are so cozy and warm that you will want to wear them all the time!
What makes winter accessories sustainable?
Above anything else, sustainable winter accessories are made to last for many years. They are made with high-quality yarns, and they should not lose their shapes over time. To be ethical and sustainable, winter accessories also need to be sweatshop-free. They should be made by a transparent brand that makes its workers’ well-being a priority. Buying pieces crafted in Fair Trade Certified™ factories ensures that workers in the supply chain are paid fairly and treated humanely. Sustainable winter accessories are also made from eco-friendly fabrics using manufacturing processes that do not pollute or harm the environment.
What eco-friendly fabrics should you search for?
Winter accessories can be made with a variety of eco-friendly fabrics. Most sustainable brands produce them using GOTS-certified organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled nylon, recycled cotton, or any type of recycled wool (including recycled cashmere). You can also find pieces made from deadstock fabrics, linen and hemp. If you pick virgin wool, make sure it is responsibly sourced and cruelty-free. And if you can, go for yak wool, which is usually more sustainable than other types of wool.
Our Top Picks for Sustainable Beanies, Scarves & Gloves:
1. Patagonia
For: Men, Women & Children
Categories: Gloves, Mittens, Beanies, Neck Gaiters
Materials: Recycled Polyester, Recycled Wool, Recycled Nylon, Recycled Cotton, Merino Wool
Price Range: $12-230
Patagonia has been crafting high-quality outdoor gear for the past 50 years. The brand’s gear and clothes are made using recycled and sustainable materials, and most are produced in Fair Trade Certified™ factories.
Patagonia has a very large selection of beanies, gloves, mittens, and neck gaiters for women and men. They are designed to trap warm air, dry fast and wick moisture, which is perfect for those who love exploring the great outdoors!
Most winter accessories are made of recycled polyester, but some also contain recycled wool, recycled cotton, recycled nylon, and responsibly sourced merino wool. Patagonia also sells gloves, mittens, and incredibly cute winter hats for kids and babies (one beanie features the most adorable bear ears!). The company is a member of 1% For The Planet, and it even has a platform on which you can buy and sell used Patagonia clothes.
2. Eileen Fisher
For: Women
Categories: Beanies, Scarves, Arm Warmers
Materials: Organic Cotton, Recycled Cashmere, Alpaca Wool, Silk, Wool
Price Range: $60-298
Founded in 1984, Eileen Fisher is an ethical fashion brand designing a circular system with its responsibly produced clothing pieces. The company sells several winter accessories for women, all of which are very versatile and easy to combine with other clothes.
The scarves are generously sized so you can also wear them as wraps, and they will keep you cozy and warm all winter! You get to choose between different fabrics, including alpaca wool, organic cotton, cashmere, and hand-dyed silk.
Eileen Fisher also crafts two lovely beanies and arm warmers, each available in multiple colors. Incredibly soft, their fabric is either made of a cashmere-silk blend or a blend of organic cotton and GRS-certified recycled cashmere.
The brand makes sure to dye its pieces using Bluesign-certified dyes, so they are completely free of harmful substances. It is also a certified B Corporation, and it sells pre-loved Eileen Fisher pieces on its platform Renew.
3. Verloop
For: Unisex
Categories: Scarves, Gloves, Mittens, Hats, Balaclavas, Hoods, Arm Warmers
Materials: Deadstock Fabrics, Acrylic
Price Range: $28-78
Verloop creates the happiest and most colorful accessories and home goods I have ever seen! From bold solid colors to fun checkered patterns, the brand has everything you may want if you are looking to brighten up your outfits.
On a mission to minimize textile waste, Verloop diverts excess deadstock yarns and fabric scraps from the landfill and turns them into quality knits. It has all kinds of winter scarves, gloves, mittens, and beanies, as well as hoods, balaclavas and arm warmers.
You will even be able to keep your children warm with the company’s kids’ collection, featuring pom-poms, adorable fuzzy faux fur, and fringe detailing. Each piece is produced in a family-owned factory in the Philippines. Plus, I love that Verloop’s winter accessories are all equally fun and useful, and they make us stand out from the crowd!
4. Threads 4 Thought
For: Women
Categories: Beanies, Headbands, Scarves
Materials: Recycled Acrylic
Price Range: $25-48
Threads 4 Thought brings sustainability & coziness together beautifully with their collection of winter beanies, headbands, and scarves. Each piece is thoughtfully made from recycled acrylic, which is very soft and durable. We usually aren’t a huge fan of recycled synethics, but for winter accessories they are great – especially if you are looking for vegan beanies and scarves.
Threads 4 Thought ensures fair labor practices and safe working conditions by operating WRAP-certified factories. Whether you’re hitting the slopes or just heading out for a coffee on a cold morning, these accessories provide everyday warmth that aligns with your values.
5. Known Supply
For: Men, Women & Children
Categories: Beanies, Headbands, Scarves
Materials: Recycled Acrylic, Organic Cotton, Alpaca
Price Range: $28-59
Known Supply’s winter accessories are the perfect blend of comfort & transparency. Their beanies, scarves, and gloves come from sustainable materials like organic cotton and recycled fibers. Skilled artisans craft each piece, ensuring they receive fair pay and recognition on every product tag. Each piece has the name of the maker, which we love when creating a connection between the consumer & its creator.
Known Supply’s knit beanies offer a soft, breathable warmth perfect for everyday wear, while their scarves provide a cozy texture that pairs effortlessly with any winter outfit. These accessories cater to those who appreciate purpose-driven fashion, as they are built to last beyond a single season. By choosing Known Supply, you’re not just keeping warm, you’re supporting fair wages & more responsible materials.
6. Everlane
For: Unisex
Categories: Beanies, Scarves
Materials: Wool, Hemp, Cashmere (Recycled & Non)
Price Range: $41-158
Everlane’s winter accessory collection is a great blend of minimalism, quality, & ethics. They create beanies and scarves using eco-friendly, durable materials like strong, soft knits made from hemp and wool, which keep their shape and warmth season after season. The neutral color palette make them easy additions to any winter wardrobe.
Everlane also emphasizes sustainability in their processes and materials, reinforcing their broader brand commitment to ethical production and mindful consumption. Whether layered over a winter coat or styled as a standalone accent, Everlane’s accessories deliver both function and fashion.
7. Faherty
For: Men & Women
Categories: Beanies, Scarves
Materials: Recycled Cashmere, Recycled Wool, Leather, Merino Wool, Alpaca Wool
Price Range: $29-268
Faherty is a family-run lifestyle brand making high-quality, comfortable clothing pieces for women and men. It offers a huge selection of winter accessories, all made using natural materials like recycled cashmere and recycled wool.
The company sells many minimalist-looking beanies that will keep you warm and stylish at the same time. For a more whimsical look, you can pick some of its pom-pom beanies featuring a unique colorful pattern. Faherty also crafts high-quality leather gloves, which are great for wearing around the city as well as in the great outdoors. And it has several scarves with fun patterns that will make you stand out from the crowd!
We really love that Faherty partners with Native American artists to create its designs! The brand is a member of 1% For The Planet and a corporate sponsor of the Surfrider Foundation. It also regularly supports A Second U, a program that has helped place many formerly incarcerated men and women in the personal training industry.
