It is important to be eco-friendly in all aspects of life, including the clothes you wear.
One way to do this is by buying eco-friendly clothes from ethical brands that are part of a responsible supply chain.
Buying eco-friendly socks not only protects our planet but also supports the environmentally-conscious companies that produce them.
In this article, we will explore what sustainable clothing means and why it’s important for all of us, not just the people interested in eco-fashion.
We will also highlight some of the sustainable sock brands that we love, and tell you how to shop for beautifully crafted products responsibly.
By the end of this post, you’ll be clearer on the common misconceptions relating to sustainability and sustainable materials.
What should you look for in a brand that sells ethical socks?
When looking for a brand that sells ethical clothing, it is important to consider the company’s values and mission.
The company should be committed to creating sustainable and eco-friendly products and should use sustainable materials in their clothing, such as organic certified cotton.
Sustainable materials, such as recycled cotton, are made from renewable resources and non-toxic dyes. So, they won’t harm the environment if disposed of improperly.
When looking for a brand that sells ethical clothing, it is also important to look at the supply chain of the brand.
By identifying the process that has led to you being able to purchase the items, you’ll be able to ensure that the products are made in a fair and ethical way.
Our top 6 ethical sock brands
Now, we’re going to take you through our own personal favourite eco-sock brands.
We’ve chosen the following brands because they practice fair trade and are proven to be pioneers of sustainable practices.
These brands are some of the most eco-friendly and brands in the industry.
They use sustainable material, they partner with eco charities/organisations and their packaging is eco-friendly.
So, let’s get to it.
Leiho – Ideal for a comfy pair of bamboo socks
Leiho is a brand that specialises in ethical socks made of bamboo fibre. Their socks are soft, comfortable and stylish, and come in a range of different colours and styles.
Bamboo is a sustainable material that is eco-friendly and biodegradable, making it the perfect choice for eco-conscious shoppers.
Leiho’s bamboo socks are also ethically made, and the brand supports fair trade practices.
For every pair of socks sold, Leiho donates a pair of socks to charity.
This makes them not only eco-friendly, but also socially responsible.
If you’re looking for a comfy, sustainable, and ethical pair of ankle socks, Leiho is a perfect choice!
Organic Basics – Known for the use of natural materials
Organic Basics is a brand known for the use of natural materials in its products.
The company is based in Denmark. It produces high-quality, sustainable underwear, socks, and T-shirts.
Their products are made from certified organic cotton, Lenzing Modal®, and polyester.
They also use eco-dyeing processes, which have a low environmental impact.
Organic Basics ethical socks are comfortable and completely free of harmful chemicals.
At Organic Basics, we would recommend that you buy organic cotton socks or a pair from their eco tights range.
Thought Clothing – Socks made from organic cotton
Thought eco-fleece socks are made of 100% organic cotton that is GOTS Certified.
GOTS Certified Organic Cotton is a global standard for the sustainable production of textiles from organic fibers.
The certification covers the entire textile supply chain, from seed to finished product. This differs from conventional cotton production, which can be harmful to the environment due to the non-renewable energy consumption required.
When you order ethical socks from Thought Clothing, they come in a compostable eco-bag that can be sealed and recycled.
Even the gift boxes are crafted in style. And, good news! Thought socks are also guaranteed vegan!
Thought is based in the United Kingdom and often provides free shipping on a range of its items.
This eco-sock brand also offers the largest range of eco-fleece socks available at any one time on their site.
They provide an eco-footprint section with information about how many trees will be planted for every 100 pairs that are sold.
The brand is always open to partnering on sustainable initiatives.
Swedish Stockings – Ethical leggings made from recycled nylon
Swedish Stockings is a brand that takes sustainability and ethics seriously.
As the name suggests, the company is based in Sweden. All of their products are made from recycled materials.
Swedish Stockings is also Fair Trade certified, which means that the workers who make their products are treated fairly and with respect.
At Swedish Stockings, even the packaging materials are eco-friendly. They come in a 100% recycled paper cardboard box.
In addition to ethical socks, Swedish Stockings has an array of eco-friendly leggings, tights and anklem socks for women.
Conscious Step – Fair Trade, Organic, Vegan Socks
Conscious Step is a company that…you guessed it, creates eco-friendly and sustainable socks.
They use organic cotton, recycled polyester, and wool made from humanely sourced sheep.
Their socks are also fair trade certified and vegan. The brand is well known in the sustainable field due to its eco-friendly business practices.
Two of their most popular products are the Hemp-blend Tabi Boot sustainable Socks and the Merino Wool Dress Crews.
Both socks are made with organic cotton and recycled polyester, which makes them extremely popular.
The Hemp-blend Tabi Boot Socks are 100% vegan and fair trade certified.
These ankle socks are designed to protect the ankles of people who work in manual labor jobs, where boots are worn regularly.
The socks come in many different colours, which is one thing that makes them stand out amongst many competitors.
Some of their eco-friendly sock brands include Tawear, Kaibosh, and Omnium.
Conscious Step is based in the United Kingdom, but they deliver all over the world.
You can enter your postal code on their website to see if they deliver to your area.
Tentree – A Sustainable Lifestyle Brand
Tentree is a sustainable lifestyle brand that produces eco-friendly clothing and accessories.
Its produce is the perfect present for anybody aware of style, but also the impact that one pair of socks free of recycled cotton can have on the local environment.
The company uses sustainable materials, such as organic cotton and recycled polyester, to produce clothes without the use of toxic pesticides or fertilizers.
But what sets Tentree apart from other eco brands on the clothing market?
This company offers clothes made from fabrics that are free of toxins and chemicals found in conventional textiles.
With its unusual blends and textures, you don’t need to compromise comfort just to be environmentally conscious.
All workers at this ethical company benefit from livable wages which provide fair treatment not only to the people making their clothes but also to those living where they operate.
Factory workers receive fair wages for their efforts, whilst fabric suppliers receive fair prices for their goods.
All while avoiding pollution caused by pesticides.
Quality Fabrics to look for before purchasing
High-quality, eco-friendly fabrics are made from materials such as polyester, viscose, bamboo, recycled cotton, and eco-fibers.
Always look for these materials when you are trying to purchase responsibly. They come from renewable sources or are recyclable.
Each eco fabric has its own pros and cons.
Some eco-fabrics might be more comfortable than others, while others might last longer than others.
For example, linen fabric is durable and can often withstand more wear and tear than other eco-fabrics like wool or alpaca wool.
However, linen can’t be machine washed. This makes it uncomfortable for people who prefer to wash their clothes in the washing machine at home.
What is Polyester and why is it used in clothing?
Polyester is a synthetic fiber created from fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas.
It’s durable, colourfast, and doesn’t fade in sunlight. So, it’s eco-friendly!
What is Viscose?
Viscose is eco-friendly because it’s made from natural materials.
It’s made from the cellulose of wood pulp and cotton linters, as well as eco-friendly dyes.
Eco-friendly dyes are dyes that are free of heavy metals, such as cobalt and lead.
Why is Bamboo used in clothing?
Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that produces eco-friendly fabrics.
Bamboo fibers are lightweight, elastic, and strong.
They also breathe easily to allow for air circulation around the skin, which keeps people feeling cooler than linen or cotton might in hot weather.
Which cotton should you look for in clothing?
When purchasing clothing, you should look for organically grown cotton.
This type of cotton is of high quality, produces no toxic chemicals, and prevents the soil from suffering.
With organically grown cotton, the ecosystems are not affected either. Farmers are able to save more money on pesticides.
Look out also for recycled cotton when you’re purchasing clothing online.
Recycled cotton is a type of eco-friendly fabric that is made from old cotton clothes that have been recycled.
This fabric can be made into clothing, such as undergarments and bras.
FAQs relating to sustainable living and recycled cotton
In this part of the post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common questions and misconceptions relating not only to sustainable socks, but also sustainable clothing in general.
What are the most ethical socks?
Aer eco-friendly socks are made from sustainable materials and meet the eco-standards for OEKO-TEX® and SGS.
They also met U.S. standards for eco-friendly products, and were awarded a Green Good Housekeeping seal of approval!
The most sustainable socks we’ve found that were comfortable enough to wear on long hikes, or just around town, is THINSULATE® eco-sock.
This was given the seal of acceptance by the U.S. EPA Safer Choice Program for meeting strict criteria to be identified as a safer product than those without such certification.
What sock material is most durable?
The material that is most durable and eco-friendly is made from regenerated cotton, which has high abrasion resistance.
This is due to the fact that cotton fibers have a smooth surface rather than a fuzzy one, which makes them more resistant to pilling.
Abrasion resistance is important for eco-friendly socks, as it ensures that the material will not detach from the sock over time.
The combination of eco-friendliness and durability is what makes bamboo socks so popular with sustainability advocates.
Are bamboo socks good for the environment?
As we have covered in this article, there are a number of sustainable materials that can be used to produce socks. Bamboo is one of these materials.
Sustainably sourced bamboo is a sustainable resource because it grows quickly and doesn’t require fertilizers or pesticides.
It also regenerates quickly, meaning that there is little impact on the environment when it is harvested. Bamboo socks are therefore a great, eco-friendly option.
Are bamboo socks vegan?
Yes, bamboo socks are vegan because bamboo is a completely eco-friendly material.
Bamboo cannot be used until it naturally decays or is burned.
The harvesting of bamboo doesn’t create any waste, and the manufacturing process does not use any chemicals that can harm the environment.
Are bamboo socks 100% bamboo?
Whilst bamboo socks are a great eco-friendly option for those who want to care for the planet, they may not be 100% bamboo.
In fact, there may only be 25% real bamboo fiber in the sock. That said, by purchasing eco socks that are 75%+ bamboo, you are still contributing to sustainability efforts by buying eco-friendly goods that fight climate change.
Furthermore, you’re also getting better-quality socks that will last longer.
Are Nordic socks ethical socks?
The answer to whether or not Nordic socks are ethical depends on your definition of ethics.
Some people might say that Nordic socks are also ethical socks. After all, the materials used to make them are sustainable and eco-friendly.
Others might say that they are not ethical because the production process is not always cruelty-free.
If you are concerned about the use of animals in the production of your clothing then make sure the brand you are using to fill up your wardrobe is PETA approved.
Let’s take the company Norse Projects, for example.
They use eco-friendly wool for their socks which requires minimal energy usage, meaning the production is carbon neutral.
However, the sheep that provide the wool are not free-range.
They also use eco-friendly dyes to colour their socks, but these dyes come from heavy metals like mercury and cadmium, which are known to be toxic.
The answer is that there is no clear answer.
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot in this article, and we hope it’s been useful.
Remember that sustainable clothing is sustainable fashion. The benefits of purchasing this type of apparel are numerous, including the reduction in textile waste and toxic chemicals that can leech into our water supply.
When it comes to sustainable socks, there are no one-size-fits-all answers. The key is finding what works for you based on your moral stance.
In this post, our team has done some research on eco-friendly socks brands (our favourite being Tree Toppers) and provided answers to ethical clothing misconceptions.
We’ve also provided answers to common questions relating to sustainability and sustainable practices in fashion.
Browse through the companies mentioned above if you want to find your perfect match today.
