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Girl in Christmas jumper

5 festive & sustainable fair isle & Christmas jumpers UK 

There is nothing quite like our favourite festive jumper to help us to spread some Christmas cheer. However, from mountains of wrapping paper to excessive overconsumption, Christmas time can be an environmentally woeful time of year. So, to take a more eco-friendly approach, we’re taking a closer look at the best sustainable Christmas jumpers to get you in the festive spirit.

What makes a sustainable Christmas jumper?

We all love a Christmas sweater. But, our love of these festive sweaters can lead us to overbuying. When shopping for a Christmas jumper it is important to steer clear of fast fashion brands. These brands often promote an attitude of overconsumption of novelty garments in the holiday season. 

So, you may be wondering what exactly is a sustainable Christmas jumper? There are a few different components that go into making a festive favourite truly sustainable.

Eco-friendly materials and conscious supply chains

Of course, like any other eco-fashion piece, sustainable Christmas jumpers are made from eco-friendly materials. These are often natural (like ethically sourced wool), organic (such as organic cotton), or recycled (such as recycled polyester).

Many brands making sustainable jumpers stay away from some of the most common plastic materials, such as virgin polyester and acrylic. Jumpers made from sustainable brands are also made in transparent and ethical supply chains.  These supply chains look after workers at every stage of production. 

Versatility rather than novelty

However, there is another component to sustainable Christmas jumpers and that is versatility. Overconsumption is a core issue in the fashion industry, so many sustainable brands steer away from novelty knitwear.

Your bauble filled jumper might be a hit at annual Christmas jumper day, but these jumpers often contain plastic microfibres and are far from being high quality.

But to get us in the festive spirit, many environmentally conscious labels are creating jumpers that have a distinctive Christmas theme while still being versatile enough to be worn when the festive season is over.

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Best sustainable Christmas jumpers

So, now for our roundup of the sustainable, new alternative range of Christmas jumpers that won’t cost the world this Christmas.

1. M&S

Based: UK          Ships to: Worldwide
Price: £25                         
Sustainability creds: Use of some sustainable and recycled materials

Designed with a relaxed fit and ribbed trims, this sequin slogan jumper is made to be stylish and chirstmassy at the same time. It is made in a more sustainable way incorporating at least 30% recycled materials and embraces a contemporary and playful vibe, perfect for spreading Christmas cheer.

M&S is a major name in British retail. While it does still have some work to do on the sustainability front, their use of sustainable and recycled materials is a step in the right direction.

2. Joanie

Based: UK            Ships to: Worldwide
Made in: Turkey                             
Price: reduced to £18                 
Sustainability creds: Sustainable packaging, use of sustainable materials, audited factories, eco-friendly labels

Made with Lenzing Ecovero, this sustainable Christmas fair isle jumper from Joanie is designed to get you feeling festive. The Ennie Fair Isle Knit Jumper has ribbed cuffs and neck and comes in red, green and black fair isle patterns.

Joanie supports ethical supply chains, uses sustainable materials and transports by sea. It uses audited factories and they go even further with their sustainable packaging.

3. Vegan Outfitters

Based: UK            Ships to: Worldwide                         
Price: £39                   
Sustainability creds: PETA approved, Fair Wear Foundation, WRAP accredited, sustainable materials, supports charitable initiatives, vegan, plastic free packaging

As the name may suggest, Vegan Outfitters are the vegan fashion specialists. Christmas jumpers from the ethical company are contemporary in their design while still bringing ample amounts of festive cheer. From festive unisex jumpers featuring stylized dinosaurs to Christmas trees made from mushrooms, these jumpers are sure to attract attention at any Yuletide get-together. 

Alongside its vegan credentials, Vegan Outfitters embrace a slow approach to fashion that prioritises quality over quantity and focuses on reducing waste. The company uses small batch production, helps to support animal sanctuaries, uses water-based inks and sustainable packaging.

5. Wolf & Badger

Based: UK          Ships to: Worldwide
Price: £68                      
Sustainability creds: Supports slow fashion, no animal testing or use of fur, marketplace for sustainable designers and labels

A bold and bright design in cotton mix for Christmas, the Rosie jumper dinosaur fair isle stripe jumper is sure to get you in the festive spirit. The jumper features a classic design with a fun twist that will remain on trend for years to come.

Wolf & Badger is an ethical marketplace for sustainably minded brands. It hosts styles from a range of different designers (such as this jumper from Sugarhill Brighton), providing a way for consumers to access sustainable labels. Sugarhill Brighton are an independent brand that use responsible packaging, create ethically and donate to good causes.

5. Aspiga

Based: UK             Ships to: Worldwide
Made in: Scotland                         
Price: £155                    
Sustainability creds: B Corp certified, transparent practices, use of natural materials

While not strictly a Christmas jumper, the Polar Bear Sweater from Aspiga does have a distinctly festive feel about it. This stylish sustainable jumper is made in Scotland from Merino wool and comes in six different vibrant and funky colours. It is also stylish enough to be worn throughout the year, making this an ideal sustainable Christmas jumper. 

Showing a commitment to transparency, people and the planet, Aspiga publishes Impact Reports and is B Corp certified. The label works with artisans and takes a conscious approach to production.

A sustainable season

In an age of overconsumption and huge climate problems, it is vital that when you do have to buy something, you buy sustainably. One of the most sustainable ways is to use a festive knit from previous years. However, if buying a new Christmas jumper, purchasing a sustainable Christmas jumper helps to limit your impact at a time of year that isn’t always great for sustainability. 

When you don your favourite Christmas design, consider how it’s made and the materials used. For some, charity shops or thrift stores are a great place to find unique, pre-loved British Christmas jumpers.

So, whether it is a style that can become a much-loved Christmas jumper you can use again next year, or the perfect winter staple that can become an everyday favourite, the best Christmas jumper is a sustainable one! 

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