The Best Eco-Friendly Clothing Materials To Keep You Warm Through Even The Coldest of Winters

You want your winter clothes to be three things: fashionable, warm, and sustainable. If you are like most consumers these days you are sick of fast fashion that destroys the environment, is bad for your health, and doesn’t actually keep you warm and safe in the middle of winter. But how do you find quality eco-friendly warm clothing for winter that are good for the environment and for your health—without breaking the bank?

That’s what this guide is all about. I’ve got your back with environmental warm winter materials and eco-friendly clothing pieces that meet all of your winter fashion criteria. Please enjoy this read: The Best Eco-Friendly Clothing Materials To Keep You Warm Through Even The Coldest Of Winters

Start with wool

Wool is the warmest natural fabric. A lot of blankets are made from wool, because wool provides natural warmth that’s hard to beat. Wool sweaters, dresses, scarves, and hats will keep you toasty and cozy throughout the winter season.

Wool is also super sustainable, made from the fur of sheep and other animals. Harvesting wool doesn’t harm or hurt the animals (as long as you’re buying from a high-quality company), and it’s completely recyclable and biodegradable—so you don’t have to be guilty about its nearly-negligible environmental impact!

The only downside to wool is that it isn’t water-resistant or weatherproof. You don’t want to wear your wool overcoat in the middle of a snowstorm! So what can you do for water resistance?

Stay dry with recycled synthetics

Most natural fabrics, like wool and cashmere, aren’t waterproof or weatherproof. But if you live somewhere snowy, keeping the wetness out of your jacket is a must for your health and wellness. So, unfortunately, synthetic materials (essentially made of plastics) are a necessity to stay dry.

But synthetics aren’t the best eco-friendly warm clothing. Not only are they not biodegradable, but they also are filled with chemicals and release a lot of toxins during production. So we recommend looking for outerwear made from recycled synthetics, which helps minimize the impact on the environment while reusing materials that have already been produced.

Warm up with ethically sourced down

“Down” refers to goose or duck feathers that fill your puffer jackets to keep you warm. It’s one of the warmest stuffing materials, and it can be eco-friendly and sustainable if the down is recycled or ethically sourced. This means that the companies treat their ducks and geese lovingly, producing a guilt-free, cruelty-free warm coat.

Learn more about ethical down from the Responsible Down Standard.

Invest in cashmere

Quality cashmere is a little on the pricier side, but it’s definitely worth it. Cashmere can last for decades if treated well, and it’s one of the most luxurious warm materials you can own. You’ll feel like a queen in soft, gentle cashmere, which creates a feminine silhouette that looks gorgeous on every lady.

Plus, cashmere is a natural, eco-friendly warm clothing material that won’t do damage to the environment or community. But make sure you buy quality cashmere from an ethical company—fast fashion cashmere can still be rough on the environment.

Search for alpaca

Alpaca wool is insanely warm and soft. Plus, alpacas are soft-hooved and gentle grazers. That means they have a minimal impact on their pastures, so they’re actually good for their environment while also being good for your clothes! Sustainable and soft—what’s better?

Don’t ignore hemp

Hemp is the OG in eco-friendly clothing material, but it’s a lot more than its reputation. Hemp doesn’t have to be thick, woven, or smelly. A lot of companies sell thin, gorgeous hemp that looks more like cotton or wool. Plus, it’s super sustainable; it grows faster than any other crop, produces more fiber per acre, and it has a low agricultural and production impact on the environment.

The best part of hemp is that it’s great for both cold weather and warm weather. In the winter, hemp traps your body heat, so it will stay warm and cozy. As spring comes, hemp’s fibers actually allow it to breathe so it will stay cool.

Get more info on hemp here.

Current Boutique carries hemp clothing, because we love how durable and reusable it is for secondhand purchasing. But our customers are crazy about hemp, so you have to keep an eye on our shop to buy these pieces up before they’re gone!

Try out vegan leather

Leather is a winter wardrobe essential. It’s warm, durable, resilient, and oh-so-chic!

But if you’re looking for cruelty-free products, though, leather unfortunately isn’t sustainable. Vegan leather feels like leather, but it’s made from natural and sustainable plant products like pineapple leaves, cork, apple peels, fruit waste, and recycled plastic. A lot of fashion designers—and even car manufacturers—are starting to offer vegan leather options if you’re looking to minimize your impact on the environment.

Learn more about vegan leather here.

Look for sustainable brands

Some brands have a mission of sustainability, so you can trust that whatever you buy from them will be eco-friendly and healthy. Having a few sustainable go-to brands makes purchasing ethically even easier.

Current Boutique carries a lot of sustainable brands on consignment! We are committed to eco-friendly warm clothing materials - just check the heart to see the natural fabric used. You can find the hottest and trendiest clothing, that’s also timeless and high-quality–without paying exorbitant amounts of $. 

Stella McCartney is the pioneer in sustainable designer clothes. All of their coats are made with recycled or natural materials, and their central mission is circular fashion. Current Boutique carries a lot of Stella McCartney—at a lower price—so give it a search.

Reformation is also a fashion-forward company with a commitment to sustainable fashion, with their five categories of “Ref standards.” Learn more about the Reformation initiatives here before you start shopping!

Patagonia is an awesome go-to for environmentally friendly outwear too. As we said, it’s hard to find sustainable outerwear that’s waterproof—so check Patagonia.

Check out our list of 6 most sustainable brands—which includes yours truly, Current Boutique!

Eco-friendly warm clothing materials

You don’t need to sacrifice warmth and comfort to be eco-friendly and sustainable. You can (and should) care about the world just as much as you care about your closet and fashion. With just a quick search on Current Boutique, you can be doubly sustainable: buying secondhand gives clothing new life, and purchasing natural or recycled materials minimizes your environmental impact even more.

What’s your favorite eco-friendly material for the winter?