Preparing for winter? Don’t forget to look for sustainable scarves that make your outfit pop—without doing the same to the health of our planet.
A cozy scarf with bold colors and eco-friendly materials can make a drab winter day better by sealing off the elements and protecting our planet. Pair it with eco-friendly boots and an ethical winter coat so your eco-friendly scarf can do a lot more than just warm up the walk with your fur baby.
To help us unwind what it means to have a sustainable winter wardrobe, we’ll soon be consulting the 22 criteria that we use in our new Brand Rating System, which range from transparency at the people weaving those scarves to what they’re weaving them from—and beyond! To learn more about this new system and updates to lists like this that you can expect to see from it, see here.
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.
Fair Trade, Ethical Scarves We’d Love To Wrap Up in
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.
Because linen is one of the most sustainable scarf materials, MagicLinen is an obvious pick. Their ethical scarves also come at some of the most affordable prices.
Index: Sustainable Scarf Brands
- MagicLinen Jump to brand
- Passion Lilie Jump to brand
- Studio Variously Jump to brand
- Anchal Jump to brand
- Zestt Organics Jump to brand
MagicLinen
About MagicLinen
Price Range: $34–$39
MagicLinen uses one of the most magical organic materials in their range of sustainable clothing and accessories, too. With designs for men and women, their sustainable 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 are made with 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.
Passion Lilie
About Passion Lilie
Price Range: $24–$48
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 fair trade brand can take care of all your winter needs.
Alongside ethical winter coats, they offer a gorgeously printed selection of unisex fair trade scarves that give back. Lightweight and flowy, they’re perfect for a cold spring morning or chilly autumn day. We also like using the Raina modal one we own to dress up a summer outfit because its silky and light to add a little splash of style without unwanted warmth.
Passion Lilie’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Each fair trade scarf is made with either conventional, cotton, GOTS-certified organic cotton, or modal. We recommend sticking with the latter two.
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).
Supply chain & labor practices:
These fair trade wraps and scarves are designed in New Orleans and made in India, using traditional weaving techniques.
All partner groups are screened using Fair Trade Federation’s criteria and an in-person visit. The talented artisans receive fair wages (based on Global Living Wage Coalition’s definition) and a positive working environment. Most receive retirement payments, double pay for overtime, and health care.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Local sourcing and traditional hand manufacturing practices keep the impact of this fair trade brand down. They rinse their naturally-dyed products in the river (reducing water consumption) before letting them dry in the sun (reducing energy consumption).
Carbon offsets are purchased for shipping from India to the brand’s HQ in the US.
A circular reseller program is in the works and since everything is made from natural, sustainable fibers, all Passion Lilie garments and accessories are biodegradable.
Community & charitable giving:
With a focus on empowering women (who make up 60% of India’s apparel workers), Passion Lilie provides free job training to support them in becoming tailors, a higher-paying position typically filled by men.
Studio Variously
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 sustainable 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 ethical 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.
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 eco-friendly scarves are mailed in protective, reusable cotton pouches.
Anchal
About Anchal
Price Range: $58–$74
Anchal isn’t just a sustainable 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 organic scarves are lightweight and fashion-forward, they’d also make for some of the most comfortable sustainable 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:
As some of the best sustainable cotton scarves, Anchal’s 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 fair trade 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
About Zestt Organics
Price Range: $68–$228
A better-for-Earth brand behind sustainable accessories and gifts, Zestt Organics can bring some warmth to any day with their eco-conscious line of ethical cashmere scarves. For those looking for a vegan scarf, there are organic cotton options, too.
Big enough to be a blanket, cold temperatures don’t stand a chance with these scarf-shawl hybrids. 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 20% recycled cashmere scarf, but because it’s made with 80% virgin cashmere, we’d avoid it unless the natural wrinkle-resistant and hypoallergenic properties are too hard to pass up.
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 ethical scarves are made in India or China.
