Essential to Every Woman’s Wardrobe is an Eco-Friendly Hoodie or Sweatshirt
When you’re headed out into the cool spring air, what do you reach for? What do you grab when it’s time for Friday night tailgating? A hoodie! Essential to every woman’s apparel wardrobe is an eco-friendly, sustainable and socially conscious hoodie or sweatshirt. Hoodies are durable and suitable for just about every season. Whether you’re raking leaves, shoveling snow or just going for a walk, you’re going to find clothes and a sweatshirt on this list that suits your style. Here are the top fair trade, eco-friendly hoodies and sweaters for women.
1. Vuori
Type of Women’s Clothing | Performance Hoodie
Women’s Hoodie Benefits | UPF 50, Eco-Friendly, Fair Trade, American Company
Occasion | Hiking, Traveling, Chilling
Women Hoodie Sizes | XS, S, L, XL
Women’s Hoodie Price | $89
Cooler weather means more excuses to put on a soft hoodie, but you don’t need to wait for fall to check out this Vuori sweatshirt. The Halo features a full zipper in front and drawstrings to help keep the breeze away from your skin. Women love to keep this hoodie in their gym bag for a post-workout coverup or to wear while jogging in the cooler months.
Available in black or heather grey, the sweatshirt offers two large front pockets for your wallet, gym membership card or house key. Vuori reviews say the sweatshirt runs a little small, so be sure to order a size up. Vuori is an American company with fair trade factories around the globe. Products are constructed using eco-friendly practices in the USA, Colombia and China.
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2. Patagonia
Type of Women’s Clothing | Cotton Quilt Hoodie
Women’s Hoodie Benefits | Organic Cotton, Give Back, Eco Friendly, Sustainable
Occasion | Skiing, Fall Festivals
Women Hoodie Sizes | XS, S, M, L, XL
Women’s Hoodie Price | $179
Patagonia is one of our favorite earth friendly, give back companies. The group takes great pride in its activist endeavors, including environmental campaigns and even employee participation in charity 5Ks! Each product offered by Patagonia is crafted under fait trade conditions and using eco-conscious methods. For our Patagonia review, we’ve chosen the Women’s Cotton Quilt Hoody. You can choose from five different colors – we kind of like the Dolomite Blue – and select from five different sizes. The hoodie is made, in part, from organic cotton which is super sustainable.
Women love the extra tall collar on this hoodie as it keeps the elements away from the neck. Front pockets are the perfect size to keep your hands toasty warm, and the bottom hem is long enough to keep you covered, even if you’re tall. Plus, you’ll love the quilting detail of the organic cotton jacket face.
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3. Brooklinen
Type of Women’s Clothing | Montague Zip Hoodie
Women’s Hoodie Benefits | Give Back, Supports Women’s Programs, Recycling Program
Occasion | Yoga, Jogging, Coffee Shop
Women Hoodie Sizes | XS, S, M, L, XL
Women’s Hoodie Price | $95
This is not the first Brooklinen review we’ve posted on Citrus Sleep. We appreciate the North American company’s efforts to give back to the planet and to the global community.
The Montague Zip Hoodie is one of the most comfortable you can buy. The slouchy top is perfect for yoga class or a morning jog. Or, you can just pair the Montague with your favorite jeans for a laid-back style. Choose from three different shades and five different styles. The relaxed fit is flattering to any figure, and can be worn alone or layered.
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4. United By Blue
Type of Women’s Clothing | Zip Up Hoodie
Women’s Hoodie Benefits | Give Back, Eco-Friendly, Organic, Recycled Materials
Occasion | Boxing, Spin Class, Movie Night
Women Hoodie Sizes | XS, S, M, L, XL
Women’s Hoodie Price | $78
To quote the United by Blue website, wearing this hoodie is like “zipping on your favorite blanket.” We couldn’t have described it better ourselves. The Standard Zip Up Hoodie is so soft, you may want to wear it to bed! Created from 50% organic cotton and 50% recycled polyester, this is also one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable hoodies available. You can choose from four machine-washable colors and United by Blue even offers payment options; go ahead and buy one of each!
We couldn’t include a United by Blue review without mentioning the best aspect of the company. For every product purchased from United by Blue, one pound of trash is removed from global oceans and waterways. Want to participate? Wear your Standard Zip Up Hoodie to one of the company’s upcoming cleanups.
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5. STIO
Type of Women’s Clothing | Pine Cone Sweatshirt
Women’s Hoodie Benefits | Sustainable, Eco-Friendly, Give Back
Occasion | Camping, Hiking, Hay Rides
Women Hoodie Sizes | S, M, L, XL
Women’s Hoodie Price | $65
Stio is based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and they call themselves the caretakers of the mountains. For that reason, Stio gives back to conservation efforts like The Conservation Alliance and American Prairie Reserve. They also partner with groups like Keely’s Ski Camp for Girls to give back to the global community.
For our Stio review, we’ve chosen to feature this simple Pine Cone Sweatshirt. Crafted from 50% cotton and 50% recyclable polyester, the shirt is guaranteed to be soft and snuggly. Wear it camping or just to stay warm in the cool fall evenings; the fleecy feel of this hoodie is one you’re going to love. You can choose from heather navy or dark heather grey. The sweatshirt fits true to size, and features a hand-pressed pine cone design. Women love that this hoodie has a ribbed trim on the hood – there are no drawstrings to get tangled in the wash.
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6. Kora
Type of Women’s Clothing | Midlayer Top
Women’s Hoodie Benefits | Sustainable, Fair Trade, Give Back
Occasion | Skiing, Climbing, Friday Night Football
Women Hoodie Sizes | XS, S, M, L, XL
Women’s Hoodie Price | $250
Have you ever worn yak’s wool? If not, you’re missing out. Unlike some other wool products, yak’s wool is soft like cashmere – it’s never itchy. Kora creates each product in its line from insulating, temperature regulating yak’s wool that comes from Himalayan herders. In fact, Kora company founder regularly travels to the Himalayas to visit Kora’s suppliers. The nomadic herders are paid a premium price for their wool, which keeps the small communities thriving. For our Kora review, we’ve chosen the Xenolith Sweater for women. This sweater is designed to be a mid-layer for cold temperature adventures, but you can wear it to the gym, too. It’s soft and breathable, and the sweater features a zipped inside pocket, the perfect place to stash your cell while you work out.
The Xenolith Sweater was created with movement in mind. You’ll find that the back hem is longer to keep you covered as you bend. The arm holes are cut to prevent the shirt rising when you reach out. Playing in the cold weather? The Xenolith Sweater fits perfectly over your favorite baselayers without bunching or feeling bulky.
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7. Hass
Type of Women’s Clothing | Alpaca Pima Hoodie
Women’s Hoodie Benefits | Sustainable, Renewable Alpaca Fiber, 1% For The Planet, Certified B Corp, Climate Neutral, Made Safe
Occasion | Pickup Basketball, Fishing, Lounging
Women Hoodie Sizes | S, M, L
Women’s Hoodie Price | $180
Next on our list is our Hass Alpaca Pima Hoodie. This versatile, sustainable and buttery soft Alpaca Pima Hoodie is made from a high-quality blend of renewable alpaca fibers and plush Pima cotton. The super comfy hoodie features a drawstring hood and easy-wearing fit make it the perfect afternoon laid back essential. Another bonus feature about this hoodie, because it’s made from natural, low-impact materials, it’s also breathable, lightweight and moisture and temperature-regulating.
We chose theAlpaca Pima Hoodie for our Hass review because it’s a versatile little piece. It’s designed to be used as outerwear but women say the fabric is soft enough to wear directly against their skin. The cut is feminine and flattering, and you can choose from two different colors. Our favorite is the Sand, but the Stone is a popular choice, too.
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8. Ten Tree
Type of Women’s Clothing | Oversized Hoodie
Women’s Hoodie Benefits | Give Back, Fair Trade, Ethical Sourcing
Occasion | Chilling, Yardwork, Making S’Mores
Women Hoodie Sizes | XS, S, M, L, XL
Women’s Hoodie Price | $78
Looking for the perfect loungewear top? Then take a look at the Ten Tree Oversized Hoodie. This Treefleece oversized hoodie is super soft TreeFleece. The hoodie is the perfect layering gear for when the temperature drops.
We added this Ten Tree review to our list because their sustainable and environmental initiatives. Ten Tree supports several charitable organizations across the world to plant trees and rehabilitate natural ecosystems. Several organizations include edenprojects.com, Trees for the Future, and ONE TREE PLANTED. In addition, Ten Tree is a certified B corporation and is climate neutral certified.
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9. People Tree
Type of Women’s Clothing | Organic Cotton Sweatshirt
Women’s Hoodie Benefits | Fair Trade, Ethical Sourcing, Organic, Sustainable, GOTS Certified
Occasion | Jogging, Yoga, Sleepover Party
Women Hoodie Sizes | 8, 10, 12, 14
Women’s Hoodie Price | $85
People Tree is a British, GOTS Certified (Global Organic Textile Standard) company that sources only fair trade, ethical clothing and materials. Over the almost three decades since they’ve launched, People Tree has teamed up with small-scale manufacturers and artisans to ensure fair employment for women, people in developing nations and physically challenged people.
For our People Tree review, we’re featuring this quirky little sweater from Peter Jensen. The sweater is made from 100% organic cotton so you know it’s soft as can be. Ribbed cuffs and a ribbed collar keep the cool breeze off your skin, and the neckline is plenty wide to show off your layers. Of course, your Peter Jensen Rabbit Sweatshirt was made under ethical conditions. Each shirt is crafted by a small company called Assissi Garments in India.
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10. ABLE
Type of Women’s Clothing | Midweight Hoodie
Women’s Hoodie Benefits | Ethical Sourcing, Women’s Employment, Fair Trade, Published Wages
Occasion | Dance Class, Post-Workout, Little League Game
Women Hoodie Sizes | XS, S, M, L, XL
Women’s Hoodie Price | $68
Next on the list of the top fair trade, eco-friendly women’s sweaters is our ABLE review. We love ABLE because they support women who wouldn’t otherwise be employed. ABLE sources its products ethically and globally, and wages for every worker are published for transparency. This particular hoodie, the Gonzales Hoodie, is crafted in Peru by female artisans. It’s made from soft French terry which is comprised only of cotton. With its relaxed fit, you can wear this hoodie to dance class or just out with the girls. A drawstring allows you to cinch the hood in cooler weather, while a generous v-neck and a midweight cotton keeps you cool.
The Gonzales Hoodie is machine washable, but it’s recommended you tumble dry low or air dry to avoid shrinkage. Women who have reviewed the Gonzales Hoodie say it retains its shape, even after many washes.
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11. MPG Sport
Type of Women’s Clothing | Lightweight Hoodie
Women’s Hoodie Benefits | Ethical Sourcing, Give Back
Occasion | Company Baseball, Farmer’s Market
Women Hoodie Sizes | 2XL
Women’s Hoodie Price | $60
If you’re looking for a hoodie that’s lightweight and appropriate for three seasons, look no further than our MPG Sport review. This little hoodie comes in two colors and features two front-zip pockets. Stick your wallet or your keys in your pockets and keep them safe while you move around. While some hoodies are baggy and unflattering, the Valencia Lite Signature Hoodie is feminine and fitted. It’s long enough to wear with your favorite yoga pants or pair the top with a maxi skirt. No matter how you wear it, you’ll feel comfortable and sassy in the structured hoodie.
You’ll also appreciate the thumbhole cuffs. Your hoodie stays in place as you bat for your team or just pick up a few groceries. Plus, MPG Sport is one of our favorite give-back companies. The business launched the Mondetta Charity Foundation to help eliminate hunger. Every purchase you make goes to provide meals to refugees and others in need. MPG Sport has provided over three million meals to date.
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12. Cotton On
Type of Women’s Clothing | Ferguson Graphic Crew Sweatshirt
Women’s Hoodie Benefits | Fair Trade, Give Back, Socially Responsible
Occasion | Archery Class, Mountain Biking, Drive-In Theater
Women Hoodie Sizes | XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Women’s Hoodie Price | $25
The Ferguson Graphic Crew Sweatshirt by Cotton On is the perfect all-occasion sweater. In fact, it’s ideal for dreary fall and winter days. The reason for this is Cotton On has constructed a cotton-polyester blend that’s lightweight and breathable, yet weather resistant. We could have chosen any hoodie or sweater for this Cotton On review, but we thought you might love the detail of the Ferguson Graphic Crew Sweater. First, there’s a rounded neckline with fitted cuffs. Secondly, you’ll love the fit of the sweater. It’s long and loose enough to cover your back as you bend.
Your Cotton On Ferguson Graphic Crew Sweatshirt purchase supports Fair Trade, too. Cotton On is a member of the Better Cotton Initiative movement. BCI is a non-partisan group which is working to add equality and support local farmers in Kenya.
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13. prAna
Type of Women’s Clothing | Pullover Sweatshirt
Women’s Hoodie Benefits | Long Sleeve, Dropped Armholes, Self Lined Hood, Front Kangaroo Pocket, 4 Way Stretch, TENCEL, Recycled Polyester
Occasion | Waterway Cleanup, Shoveling Snow, Road Trip
Women Hoodie Sizes | XS, S, M, L, XL
Women’s Hoodie Price | $79
When you’re in search of a basic pullover sweatshirt that’s good for the planet, there’s no better choice than a prAna product. prAna is one of our favorite companies. They’re Fair Trade certified, which means every one of Carhartt’s products is produced ethically. prAna is also a proud member of the Outdoor Industry Association’s Climate Action Corps.
For our prAna review, we’ve chosen the Foresta Pullover Sweatshirt. The hoodie is lightweight, and women even say that, when layered, the sweatshirt is suitable to wear for a quick jog in the park. You can choose from four different colors. People who have reviewed this sweatshirt say it makes a great gift. Whether you work outside or just want a cozy sweatshirt, the prAna Foresta is a fantastic option. It’s simple, it’s durable and it’s comfortable. In short, it’s a classic every woman will love.
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14. Mountain Hard Wear
Type of Women’s Clothing | Pullover Hoodie
Women’s Hoodie Benefits | Socially Responsible, Sustainable Manufacturing, Environmentally Conscious
Occasion | Raking Leaves, Jogging, Hiking
Women Hoodie Sizes | XS, S, M, L, XL
Women’s Hoodie Price | $75
It’s likely you’ve heard of the Mountain Hard Wear brand. The company is well known for its outdoor apparel, camping and hiking gear and even its tents. They’re also a socially responsible, eco-friendly company. Mountain Hard Wear is constantly improving efforts to reduce water use, landfill waste and emissions. As a matter of fact, Mountain Hard Wear was one of the founding members of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition! What’s more is that every product made or offered by Mountain Hard Wear is ethically produced. All workers in Mountain Hard Wear factories work under conditions that include no child labor, nondiscrimination, fair wages and ethical conduct.
For our Mountain Hard Wear review, we’ve chosen the Women’s Microchill Lite Pullover Hoodie. This hoodie is fuzzy and fleecy, and it’s designed to create a slightly longer fit. That means you can play outside (or work outside) and feel comfortable – your skin won’t ever be exposed to the elements. The Microchill Lite Pullover Hoodie is great for fall days and spring mornings. For cooler days, layer the hoodie with a baselayer to keep you warm all day.
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15. NAU
Type of Women’s Clothing | Zip Up Hoodie
Women’s Hoodie Benefits | Give Back, Ethical Supply Line, Sustainable Manufacturing, Organic, Recycled Content
Occasion | Date Night, Work, Special Occasions
Women Hoodie Sizes | XS, S, M, L, XL
Women’s Hoodie Price | $130
Last on our list of the top eco-friendly hoodies and sweaters for women is our NAU review. We chose to include something just a little different; hoodies are usually though of as casual little things, but we think this one is classy enough to dress up in! The Hyperspacer Full Zip Hoody by NAU is one of the most eco-friendly out there. It’s crafted from a blend of organic cotton and recycled polyester, and the result is a soft-as-butter zip up piece that you can wear to work or out on a date. The NAU hoodie is machine washable and is available in four different colors. What we like most about the NAU Hyperspacer Full Zip Hoodie is the asymmetrical design. The hem is cut to lend an interesting look to the style, so you can dress it up for just about any occasion.
NAU is a true give back company. The business was launched in 2007 and since that time they’ve donated 2% of all proceeds to Partners for Change. Partners for Change is a non-profit which seeks to better the global community, the environment and to promote social change.
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Versatile Durable Easy to Layer Eco-Friendly Sweatshirts and Hoodies to Feel Good About
A good eco-friendly hoodie is like the comfort food of women’s clothing. Sweatshirts and hoodies are versatile, durable and easy to layer and care for clothes. What’s better is when you have a wardrobe full of apparel and sweaters for women that are also socially and environmentally responsible. Choose your favorite styles from this list, and buy some for yourself and for a friend. You can’t go wrong with these sustainable, fair trade and eco friendly women’s sweaters.
Karen A Mulvey is a personal social blogger and mom with 14 years of experience in the every day world of motherhood and sustainable product research. Karen is on a mission to help everyday families select sustainable, non-toxic organic products, stop stressing about uncertainties on sustainable home goods and apparel, and start living the life they’ve always wanted.
Follow Karen at @karenAmulveycs | Karen A Mulvey