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12 best sustainable Christmas outfits to celebrate the festive season in

From linen dresses to a merino wool sweater, we’ve found some ethical purchases to see you through the most wonderful time of the year

Lizzie Rivera
Thursday 10 December 2020 13:18 EST
We’ve chosen brands that have some of the highest sustainability credentials in fashion
We’ve chosen brands that have some of the highest sustainability credentials in fashion (The Independent/ iStock)

The new Christmas rules allow three households to join together under one roof in an exclusive “Christmas bubble” for five days between 23-27 December, this year.

However, the prime minister has also warned "Tis the season to be jolly careful", so your plans for Christmas are very possibly still yet to be decided.

But, if you’re looking to treat yourself to a new Christmas or New Year outfit, just in case or just for you, then this list is a great starting point.

First of all, our priority was a great mix of style and comfort – this season’s biggest trends, so we’re told. Also, all items are ethically made – offering real wages to the (predominantly) women who make the clothes in the UK and across the globe.

Finally, glossing over the fact that the most sustainable thing you can wear is what’s already in your wardrobe, these brands have some of the highest sustainability credentials on the market.

This is especially the case if you remember that a new item is for life, not just for Christmas.

May your Christmas and New Year be merry and bright, whatever you’re up to!

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Lora Gene pure linen dress by Aja

Lora Gene .jpg

This dress was a collaboration between designer Lora Gene and activist, writer and fashion consultant Aja Barber. Purposefully designed to flatter most body shapes, the beauty of this dress is also in its versatility – as you change size this dress will adjust with you. You can turn the belt into a bow or just leave it loose in the front or at the back. There’s also a small hidden snap inside the neck line, so if you feel it's revealing too much chest you can close it. There are hidden pockets! Who doesn’t love these?

It’s made-to-order by women paid a living wage, from linen and available in a range of colours.  Order by 10 December to receive it in time for Christmas.

  1.  £109 from Lora Gene
Prices may vary
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Gung Ho climate sweatshirt

Gung Ho sweatshirt .jpg

What is Christmas without a little small talk about the weather and politics – family and global – thrown in?

Hopefully, most of us are on the same page with the climate crisis now, but as we all eat and drink to excess this beautifully designed and embroidered jumper also has the potential to be a nice conversation starter about the clashing weather conditions that will become ever more frequent and extreme as temperatures rise.

We advise buying true to size if you’re pairing with jeans or your favourite mini for festive outings and one size larger if you’re looking for super-cosy loungewear.

As well as being a brand that pays huge attention to ethics and sustainability, Gung Ho gives 10 per cent of its profits back to a charity that works with that issue you’re wearing – in this case Friends of the Earth.

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Brava Fabrics lumberjack essential shirt

Brava sweatshirt .jpg

This rich-blue corduroy shirt is a gorgeous colour and has a lovely heaviness to it, as well as being super-soft. A smart-casual, and importantly, comfortable choice for Christmas that will no doubt become a winter staple.

Inspired by workwear it features two large pockets, and there's even a corner cut out of the left chest pocket for pens and pencils, which is a nice detail.

It is made with organic cotton grown in China and cut and sewn in Fontoli, Portugal. Brava Fabrics focus on timeless designs made from sustainably sourced materials.

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Vildnis iriomote dress

Vildnis dress.jpg

This bright and bold dress works equally for nights out, small socials and family gatherings.  Featuring a (fairly) deep v-neck, the faux-wrap style couldn’t be easier to slip into and it has an elasticated waist, which will be very welcome come any post-festive feasts. Made from 100 per cent recycled fibres, it is incredibly soft with a buttery feel on the inside. The print is also digitally printed, saving both water and energy.

As a brand, Vildnis holds itself accountable to a triple bottom line that includes social, environmental and economical factors.

  1.  £125 from Vildnis
Prices may vary
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Leticia Credidio golden winged cacique

Leticia dress .jpg

This is technically sleepwear, and definitely loungewear, but it’s too fabulous to be confined to the bedroom. Super-comfortable and stretchy, the golden winged cacique is perfect for hosting at home. The winged sleeves offer glimpses of bright yellow, creating a striking design. The dress is made in Italy by a family-run atelier, from GOTS (organic certified) jersey and is organically dyed.

Leticia has worked at the intersection of design and social change for more than 14 years, and her brand champions taking time to rest, to embrace comfort, and being present in the now.

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Birdsong organic denim jumpsuit

Birdsong .jpg

With wide-cut arms and legs, pleat details to the front and a waist tie this jumpsuit is designed to flatter. Plus, it has pockets and a concealed side zip for maximum wearability. It’s thick and a good heavy, feeling a bit like a protective layer.

Birdsong creates original clothing staples that are ethical and sustainable, made by expert women makers facing barriers to employment in the UK. They’ve generated more than £100k in revenue for women’s organisations and the low income women they support, since they were established in 2014.

Note: This product is made to order. Order by 2 December to guarantee Christmas delivery in the UK (and email them if you miss this cut-off date).

  1.  £240 from Birdsong
Prices may vary
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People Tree V&A rosa print trousers

Peoples Tree trousers.jpg

Based on a chintz fabric dating back to 1805 and housed in the V&A archive, these trousers are perfect for adding a little festive frisson this Christmas. Pair them with a chunky knit if staying at home or something a little more silky for a night out. The trousers are made from a very soft breathable organic cotton woven fabric and offer structure with a slim, but not tight, fit.

People Tree has been pioneering ethical fashion for coming up to 30 years.  These trousers are made by Producer Creative Handicrafts, an organisation that supports women in India by providing employment and fair wages.

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Klattermusen forsete shirt

klattermusen shirt .jpg

Like us humans, this shirt was designed to be out in the winter wilds, but it makes for a stylish and cosy indoor number, too. The natural flannel shirt is made from organic cotton and merino wool.

Klattermusen’s ethos hasn’t changed since 1975, the Swedish brand creates technical outdoor clothing that offers maximum safety, with a minimum impact. As such, all their core materials are sustainably sourced and all workers in their supply chains are paid a living wage.

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Asket merino sweater

Asket jumper.jpg

A Merino wool sweater is a smart investment for winter. This one is made from 100 per cent traceable, extra-fine Australian Merino wool, and could be a very smart purchase indeed; the crewneck is breathable for when you’re inside and ideal for layering when you’re going places.

The sizing not only ranges from XS-XL but also short-long, so once you have found your perfect size there’s a high chance you’ll be a fan for life. It may be designed for men but the rib-knitted hem and cuffs make it a flattering fit for women, too.

As a brand, Asket has banned the word “sustainable”, instead focusing on responsibility and we admire that stance.

  1.  £85 from Asket
Prices may vary
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Tomorrow flower for Floyd tee

Tomorrow Creates t-shirt.jpg

This flower for floyd T-shirt is a nod to one of the most significant moments of this year and is a way to keep the conversation going. More than that, 100 per cent of all proceeds from each sale are donated to the Movement For Black Lives Fund, who work to influence national and local agendas that better the lives of the black community.

Tomorrow is a brand with something to say. The designs are created in collaboration with artists and printed on organic materials, made to Fair Wear standards. The brand’s goal is to create a business that allows for good and they do this by raising awareness and raising funds.

  1.  £35 from Tomorrow
Prices may vary
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We-Resonate sahar mini slip dress

We resonate .jpg

This easy-fitting, mini length dress doubles as an easy-fitting long spaghetti-strapped top, making it a great choice for the Christmas period.  Unrestricted but elegant, it feels very feminine to wear. This design has a warmth in colour that layers well over black.

All of We-Resonate designs are made from vintage silk scarves, sourced by former Alexander McQueen designer, and We-Resonate founder, Lizzie Clark. They are hand-stitched by a highly skilled seamstress in London, so each one is totally unique.

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Wawwa Jonah rugby sweatshirt

WAWWA jumper .jpg

The colour of autumn leaves, this organic cotton sweatshirt immediately caught our eye. It kept our attention thanks to its loose fit and square cut pocket, which will be perfect for keeping those sweets within-easy reach while watching Christmas films.

Wawwa is a very cool streetwear/workwear brand with a hippie heart. They set out to make a unisex fashion brand, and upon discovering how messed up the fashion industry was, decided to prove it could be done differently by focusing on using sustainable materials, designing to last, and working with good people.

  1.  £85 from Wawwa
Prices may vary
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The verdict: Sustainable Christmas outfits 

Our best buy goes to Lora Gene’s pure linen dress for its wonderful adaptability over the Christmas period, and beyond. Lora Gene says she created her brand: “Because women urgently need us to normalise the perception of what women should look like and reflect the real world without twisting size, shape, colour. ”

If you’re still present hunting, we’ve done the hard work for you and found the best sustainable gifts 

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