Preparing for winter? A cozy, sustainable scarf made with bold colors and responsible materials can make any drab winter day better by sealing off the elements and protecting our planet.
We do love functional accessories that make our outfits pop—so long as they’re not doing the same to our environment, of course.
So in the spirit of rugging up responsibly, we’ve curated a list of our favorite scarves that are not only made by brands who prioritize low-impact materials, but also ethical labor and transparent supply chains.
To help us find the best brands for your winter wardrobe, we’ll soon be employing our new Brand Rating System, which will consider a range of eco-related criteria, like circularity and climate impact. To learn more about this new system and updates to lists like this, see here.
Now, grab your fur baby, pop on your ethical winter coat and let’s stroll through this list.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Ethical Scarves We’d Love To Wrap Up in
Passion Lilie offers ethically made, beautifully soft scarves printed using the ikat dyeing process or hand-printed with a block stamp. We love wearing ours to add some effortless elegance to any look. Passion Lilie is one of our top rated brands.
When the mercury really drops, just pop on one of Zestt Organics’ organic cotton scarves. Their Travel Scarves are an all-in-one scarf + shawl + blanket for maximum coverage.
Because linen is one of the most sustainable materials, MagicLinen is an obvious pick. Their scarves also come at some of the most affordable prices.
Index: Sustainable Scarves
- Passion Lilie Jump to brand
- MagicLinen Jump to brand
- Studio Variously Jump to brand
- Anchal Jump to brand
- Zestt Organics Jump to brand
Passion Lilie
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.
Handcrafted
Products have been made by hand, typically by an artisan or group of artisans.
Non-toxic
All products are made with ingredients or materials that are currently considered non-toxic
Organic
Products are made from organic materials.
Plastic-free
All products are entirely plastic-free
Small business
This brand is a small business run by less than 15 people
Sustainable Materials
Either all or most products are made with sustainable materials
Thoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.
Traceable Supply Chain
Brand is able to fully trace their entire supply chain from end to end.
Vegan
This brand does not use any animal products or by-products in their products
Woman Owned
This brand is owned by a woman or a group of women.
Fair Trade Federation
GOTS
Passion Lilie has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.
Passion Lilie believes fashion can be a force of good, which is why they ensure fair conditions for the Indian artisans they partner with.
In addition to t-shirts, fair trade dresses, women’s clothing, and men’s button-downs, this brand can take care of all your winter needs.
Alongside winter coats, they offer a gorgeously printed selection of unisex fair trade scarves. Lightweight and flowy, they’re perfect for a cold spring morning or chilly autumn day (though we also wear our modal scarf in the summer).
Each scarf is made with either conventional cotton, GOTS-certified organic cotton, or modal. We recommend sticking with the latter two. Note also that new products will only be made from GOTS-certified organic cotton.
The playful and delicate prints are a result of the ancient Indian ikat dyeing process or hand-printing with a block stamp. Regardless, you’ll only find organic or Azo-free dyes (read: no harmful chemicals).
My Personal Review of Passion Lilie’s Raina Modal Scarf:
“Instead of Passion Lilie’s usual organic cotton, this one’s made from modal, a sustainable fabric that’s like a lighter, plant-based version of silk. It’s super breezy and adds a perfect drapey touch, so I like using it to dress up a summer outfit. It adds a little splash of style without unwanted warmth.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
MagicLinen
MagicLinen is yet to be rated.
About MagicLinen
Price Range: $34–$39
What’s in a name?
Apparently, quite a bit. We’ll assume you know exactly which material MagicLinen uses in their range of clothing and accessories. And with designs for men and women, their linen scarves are available in eight colors and double as a shawl when the weather gets really chilly.
MagicLinen’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
MagicLinen’s ethically made scarves use 100% European flax that’s been stone washed for softness. Even with a pop of soft color, their OEKO-TEX certification ensures they’re free of harmful materials.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Linen is viewed as something magical in Lithuania, the world’s linen hub, and where MagicLinen ethically produces its scarves using locally grown flax fiber.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Your wrap-up accessory will come wrapped up in a biodegradable cornstarch mailer.
Studio Variously
Studio Variously is yet to be rated.
About Studio Variously
Price Range: $119–$259
Slow fashion proponent Studio Variously specializes in textile products that are “slow made, artisanal, [and] sustainable”.
This award-winning, woman-owned brand has a wide selection of scarves, from thinner, statement silk scarves to thicker cashmere scarves. What they all have in common are their elegant looks and slow, intentional crafting.
Studio Variously’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Studio Variously is dedicated to only using fully biodegradable yarns and organic dyes (some of which are certified Eco Swiss dyes). Their most sustainable scarves are those made of 100% Belgian linen.
They also offer scarves made of pure silk organza, handwoven cotton, Australian Merino wool, or a blend of cashmere and Merino. While they claim all materials are ethically sourced, we could find no mention of specific animal welfare policies, we’ve reached out to get clarity on this.
Supply chain & labor practices:
They prioritize sourcing raw materials from small, local farmers and keep manufacturing nearby, too. Each linen and wool scarf is woven on a handloom by artisans in Nepal. Their silk creations are a product of India, made using traditional hand painting and shibori dyeing techniques.
Counteracting the norms of fast fashion, Studio Variously believes in making one piece at a time, which is why they work with master artisans and 3rd or 4th generation weavers. A strong advocate for empowering women, 80% of the brand’s partner artisans are women.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Instead of plastic poly bags, the scarves are mailed in protective, reusable cotton pouches.
Anchal
Anchal is yet to be rated.
About Anchal
Price Range: $58–$74
Anchal isn’t just a fashion and homewares brand; they’re a nonprofit social enterprise based on fair trade design.
Just as you can wrap one of their eco-friendly aprons around you to protect you from messes, you can wrap up in one of their sustainable scarves to protect an artisan from exploitative work.
Since the scarves are lightweight and fashion-forward, they’d also make for some of the most comfortable organic scarves for warmer weather, like infinity scarves. If you’re looking for fair trade wraps and scarves, check out the Colorblock Scarf, which features an ultra-wide design to double as both.
Anchal’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Anchal’s scarves feature only pure GOTS-certified organic cotton. In addition to non-toxic materials, only low-impact and natural plant dyes are used.
Supply chain & labor practices:
The ethically made scarves are handcrafted by artisans in Ajmer, India. Empowering women is a key part of their mission, which is why Anchal specifically seeks to support exploited and marginalized women with meaningful livelihoods.
A Fair Trade Federation certification ensures everyone receives above-living wages, and Anchal provides additional access to skills training, health camps, workshops, and other resources.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
By selling their products on Made Trade, Anchal gives buyers the option to receive their order via a Carbon Neutral-certified company.
Community & charitable giving:
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, this charitable entity reinvests all profits into its two arms: Stitch x Stitch and dyeScape, which employs marginalized women in Ajmer, India, and trains people on how to make plant-based dyes, respectively.
Zestt Organics
Zestt Organics is yet to be rated.
About Zestt Organics
Price Range: $68–$228
A better-for-Earth brand behind sustainable accessories and gifts, Zestt Organics brings warmth to any winter’s day with their line of ethical cashmere scarf / shawl hybrids. For those looking for a vegan scarf, there are organic cotton options, too.
And with plenty of colors to choose from, they’ll make a versatile addition to any minimalist wardrobe.
Zestt Organics’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
The best sustainable scarves from Zestt Organics are those made with 100% GOTS-certified cotton.
They also offer a recycled cashmere scarf, but because it’s made with 80% virgin cashmere, we’d say the most environmentally friendly scarf is the one made of organic cotton.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Through their Lot No. Program, woman-owned Zestt shares exactly where each ethical scarf was made—and the factory, people, and certifications behind it. The scarves are made in India or China.
