Stay warm and stay stylish the sustainable way with these eco outerwear and jacket picks made to warm your body, not the planet.
It’s inevitable: cooler weather arrives every year, even amid the warming climate. In fact, studies show the forthcoming winters could become longer and colder. In North America, this is directly linked to the warming of the Arctic. And that’s not expected to revert to cooler temperatures year-round anytime soon.
All of this means it’s important to bundle up in the most sustainable of ways. At home, wear layers so you can keep your house temperature lower. Make sure your home is properly insulated, too. And when it comes to outerwear, wear what you have already, of course. But as the elements take their toll on your boots, hats, and jackets, when it is time to upgrade, be sure to do so sustainably. We recommend these picks to help.
1. Wuxly Doe 5 Parka
The key to staying sane during the cold months: really good outerwear. Wuxly’s products are all crafted as sustainably as possible and they are also cruelty-free. This Doe 5 Parka is perfect to keep you toasty no matter how blustery it is outside. It is water-resistant and the shell is made out of recycled polyester. And it is pretty stylish, too.
2. NOIZE Paige Knit Scarf
A good thick scarf is key to keeping warm both outside and inside. Noize is an incredible cruelty-free brand that specializes in outerwear and cozy essentials. This scarf knit is tight to offer maximum protection and it is made from recycled water bottles! Plus, it looks great with practically everything.
3. Cuyana Wrap Puffer Jacket
Whether you need something for those cold fall days or are lucky enough to live somewhere where the weather never gets too cold, a lightweight puffer is a great thing to have in your closet. It is also easy to layer as needed for when the weather can’t make up its mind.
Cuyana has great sustainability across all of the brand, including this Quilted Puffer, which is made entirely from recycled polyester. Each coat is crafted from yarn made from 45 plastic bottles, keeping them out of our waterways.
4. Stella McCartney Quilted Bomber Jacket
Bomber jackets have come a long way from shopping at your local Army surplus store to get them in army green or black. You can’t go wrong with this long-overdue sustainable upgrade. Stella McCartney brings her sensibility to this iconic classic in a range of exciting colors and more sustainable materials and this stylish quilted pattern that you’ll want to wear everywhere.
5. Dr. Martens Vegan Jadon II Mono Platform Boots
You can’t wear a bomber jacket without a good pair of Dr. Marten’s combat boots. And like the bomber jacket, Dr. Martens, the brand synonymous with combat boots, has elevated its materials to include animal-free leather in a whole host of styles. These Mono Platform Boots are a modern twist to the classic. Dress them up or down—they work equally as well with jeans or your Covid sweats as they do with a dress or skirt.
6. Prada Re-Nylon Trenchcoat
Not only does Prada’s trench keep your core warm and dry, but it’s made from the label’s Re-Nylon, a project partnership between the label and yarn producer Aquafil. For every 10,000 tons of the recycled material, it reduces 65,100 tons of CO2 emissions, reduces the use of petroleum by 70,000 barrels, creating a 90 percent decrease in climate impact related to nylon/petroleum emissions.
7. The North Face Thermoball Eco Jacket
Made with the North Face’s eco-recycled textile fill, the Thermoball is a sustainable alternative to down. But don’t fret; it will keep you just as warm and cozy, just without compromising on your ethics or sustainability commitments. And who doesn’t love a good North Face jacket? The iconic brand knows its outerwear, and this is a great upgrade.
It’s perfect for cooler days outside or even inside curled up by a snowy window. The jacket also packs into itself and you can use it as a pillow on planes or car rides, or pack it into your suitcase if you don’t need it until you reach your next destination.
Related on Ethos: