The Best Ethical, Sustainable and Warm Coats for Winter – GWC Mag

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Winter is well on its way! If you haven’t already found a warm and cozy coat for yourself or your loved one, it’s time to start looking. Fortunately, there are plenty of wonderful (and gorgeous) sustainable winter jackets that are safe for you and the environment. On our list, you’ll find everything from chic made-to-order wool coats to ethically-insulated puffer jackets.

Here’s what to look for in sustainable and ethically-made winter coats:

Natural or Recycled Materials: When you buy a winter coat, you have to think about the material makeup of the lining, insulation, and shell:

Non-Toxic Water Repellant Shell: If you’re looking for protection from precipitation, you’re going to come across a lot of options for water repellant. Be cautious–many water repellant finishes are made with PFAS or PFC, a class of chemicals commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” because they don’t ever break down. In addition to being harmful to the environment, these substances are linked to a variety health problems, including some cancers and fertility issues. To avoid these chemicals, look for brands that specifically use PFAS or PFC-free Durable Water Repellant (DWR.) Most weatherproof shells are made with virgin or recycled polyester. 

Natural Fibers: For peacoat or other traditional styles, don’t be fooled by synthetic imitations. Choose natural fibers, such as wool (the warmest option), cotton, or Tencel. 

Lining: Consider your skin sensitivities when you check the material makeup of a coat’s lining. If you’re sensitive to synthetics, avoid any polyester lining, even recycled. Instead, opt for natural fibers such as merino wool, alpaca wool, organic cotton, linen, and Tencel. Check for chemical certifications like bluesign and Oeko-Tex to be sure that the dyes and finishes used are truly safe for your skin. 

Insulation: There’s a lot of controversy around real feather down, but it works really well as insulation, and if the brand or its supplier is certified by the Responsible Down Standard, it was sourced ethically. If you really don’t feel good about it, try alpaca fiber insulation instead. Most vegan down is just plastic, but you can at least find some that are 100% recycled. Check for certifications from Global Recycled Standard (GRS) to make sure harmful chemicals weren’t used in the recycling process. 

Transparent Supply Chain: It’s important to know where your coat was made and where the materials came from. Check to see if a brand holds its suppliers to a code of conduct, and if lists them from material sourcing to final assembly. If you’re unsure about a brand’s ethical claims, look for labels like Fair Trade or Fair Wear Foundation.

Durability & Care: Look for brands that design their coats to last a lifetime. You can check the care instructions to get the most use out of it. Some brands even offer after-market repair services to help you fully extend the lifespan of your coat. 

Packaging: Your sustainable coat doesn’t need to come with a pile of plastic waste. Look for brands that use minimal packaging and biodegradable and compostable materials whenever possible. You can also look for FSC-certifications to be sure its paper packaging was sourced responsibly. 

 

 

What we love: Cultthread makes puffer jackets and vests in multiple lengths and colors. The insulation, padding, and thread in its coats is made with GRS and Oeko-Tex-certified recycled polyester and coffee-cycled vegan leather. Its coats are made at either it’s own atelier or a partner facility of 29 years in Ho Chi Minh City, and it regularly checks in with its material suppliers in Vietnam and China to make sure all products are vegan, and non-toxic.  

Watch out for: The lining is recycled synthetic, so you might want to avoid this brand if you have sensitive skin. 

Price Range: $186-$498

Available in: Globally.

 

 

 

What we love: This New Zealand-based brand applies regenerative farming practices and innovative material science to make durable winter-grade outerwear. Its its multifunctional jackets and vests are made with merino wool, linen, cotton, Tencel, and finished with a PFC-free water-repellent. It lists all of its suppliers in its annual transparency report. 

Price Range: $285-$1,395

Available in: United States, Most European Countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.

 

What we love: Christy Dawn uses organic and regenerative cotton, alpaca, and deadstock fabrics to make warm and classic coats that are built to last. It fosters close relationships with its farmers and weavers in India, and uses block printing to dye it fabrics. It partners with the Andean Pastoral Livelihoods Initiative to source its free-range alpaca fibers and restore the peatlands they roam on. 

Watch out for: Some of its coats contain nylon, so check the material makeup before you buy. 

Price Range: $258-918

Available in: Globally. 

 

What we love: This luxury certified B-Corp makes stylish coats are with majority wool, cotton, and viscose. Most of its pieces are Oeko-Tex-certified and made in Europe, and its workshops are audited by independent experts. Its shipping boxes are made with recycled cardboard. 

Watch out for: Some of its coats contain synthetics, so check the material makeup before you buy. 

Price Range: $190-$965

Available in: Globally.

 

What we love: Paka is a certified B-corp that creates warm winter clothing from free-range alpaca fiber. Its lightweight puffer, which comes in three colors, is designed to keep you warm in safe in extreme climates. The PFAS-free water-resistant shell and lining are made with bluesign-certified recycled polyester, and are packed with traceable and hypoallergenic alpaca fiber insulation. It’s best suited for temperatures between 5°F and 60°F.

Price Range: $329

Available: Globally.

 

What we love: Pangaia innovates new material science to make sustainable apparel. Its jackets and vests are made with its own plant-based down alternative with wildflowers and aerogel. It audits its factories to make sure they meet its ethical requirements, and its packaging is partially bio-based and compostable. 

Watch out for: Most of the shells and linings are made with recycled nylon, so check the materials makeup if you’re sensitive to synthetics. 

Price Range: $195-$800

Available in: Globally.

 

What we love: Jack Wolfskin makes PFC-free winter clothing with GRS-certified recycled materials, organic cotton, responsibly-sourced down, and mulesing-free merino wool. Its coats are bluesign-approved, and the brand lists all of its suppliers and regularly inspects their chemical output. Its a member of the Fair Wear Foundation, and uses as little packaging as possible. 

Watch out for: A lot of its jackets have a polyester lining, so check the material makeup if you’re sensitive to synthetics. 

Price Range: $149.95-$829.95

Available in: Most European Countries, the U.K., the U.S. (except for Hawaii.)

 

What we love: This certified B-Corp uses bluesign-approved recycled materials and PFC-free DWR coating to make its wide range of winter coats. It regularly audits all of its manufacturing partners to make sure they comply with its code of conduct, and maps its supply chain from raw material sourcing to final assembly. It uses recyclable shipping mailers and FSC-certifed tags and inserts in its packaging. 

Watch out for: Many of its coats contain a recycled polyester lining, so check the material makeup if you’re sensitive to synthetics. 

Price Range:  $88-$328

Available in: Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korean, Taiwan, the U.S., and the UAE. 

 

What we love: This modern womenswear brand is designed in London and manufactured in artisan factories. It focuses social responsibility and low environmental impact by fostering a supplier ethical code of conduct. Its classic coats are made with mulesing-free wool, Tencel, cupro, and organic cotton with pearl accents. 

Watch out for: Some coats contain a small amount of elastane. There is little information about its dyes or packaging available. 

Price Range: $487

Available in: Globally

 

What we love: Bastet Noir is a women-owned company that makes bespoke coats based on classic styles. It coats are made with deadstock materials and manufactured in small studios in North Macedonia. 

Watch out for: Some coats contain polyester, so check the material makeup before you buy.

Price Range: $250-$399

Available in: Globally.

 

What we love: Outerknown is a Fair Trade-certified brand that makes jackets out of Tencel, organic cotton, and recycled materials such as wool and polyester. It works with two certified B-Corp suppliers and fosters close relationships with its material sourcing partners to implement regenerative farming practices. 

Watch out for: Check the material makeup if you’re sensitive to synthetics. Some of its jackets contain virgin polyester. 

Price Range: $298-$248 

Available in: Globally 

 

What we love: Askov Finlayson is a certified B-Corp based in Minneapolis. It makes sure all of its suppliers adhere to its code of conduct, including fair wages and working conditions. Its jackets are made with recycled synthetic down insulation and are rated for -20°F

Watch out for:  Some of its products still contain PFCs. The shell and lining are made with recycled nylon, so it’s best to avoid if you’re sensitive to synthetics. 

Price Range: $495

Available in: U.S. and Canada. 

 

We know a lot of people love Girlfriend Collective for its sustainable styles and recycled materials. However, we have some concerns. The product description says its coats are water-repellent, but the brand wouldn’t answer our questions on how that water-repellency is achieved. Given the ubiquity of PFAS in water-repellant clothing, and GC’s lack of engagement with us, we sadly can’t recommend this brand.

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