Green is the New Black: Fall Fashion Goes Sustainable
As the leaves begin to turn and temperatures drop, fall ushers in not just a change in weather but a shift in our wardrobes. This season, however, fashion is undergoing a more profound transformation—one rooted in sustainability. From ethically sourced knits to recycled materials and timeless layering pieces, sustainable fall fashion is demonstrating that style and environmental consciousness can coexist harmoniously. In a world increasingly aware of the impact of fast fashion, this autumn’s trends are all about making mindful choices without sacrificing aesthetics. Here’s a look at how to stay on-trend and eco-conscious this fall.
A guide to sustainable fall fashion trends
Trend: Dark washes of denim
Brand: Reformation
The Details: Alyssa Stretch High-Rise Wide Leg Jeans, in the Seneca wash, are sized numerically, ranging from size 23 to 34. These jeans include belt loops, front buttons, front zipper, and front pockets.
The Fit: Designed to be fitted at the waist and hips with a wide leg. The materials of these jeans, 64% organic cotton, 35% TENCEL lyocell, and 1% spandex, provide them with adequate stretch.
Sustainability: As a brand, Reformation is committed to taking action against climate change. They also manufacture their clothing in a circular fashion system. The carbon footprint of these jeans, in particular, is 85% lower than that of a traditional pair of jeans. Made from recycled materials, these items are made from trash, but you wouldn’t know by looking at them.
Price: $$$
Brand: Warp and Weft
The Details: The BNA Soft Cuve Barrel Jeans in the Saturday wash are available in a large selection of sizes, more than traditional brands. The wash is a dark, overdyed blue, featuring silver hardware and a clean hem to complete the look. Warp and Weft jeans look vintage but feel modern.
The Fit: As the name suggests, these jeans are a high-rise, soft curve barrel jean with a relaxed fit.
Sustainability: The mid-weight, strong-hold denim combines innovative fibers and cotton to create the ultimate low-impact jean.
Price: $
Trend: The perfect fall jacket
Brand: Everlane
The Details: Everlane’s The Ranch Jacket in the natural ermine color is sure to turn heads this fall season. Featuring a cord collar, button closures, a front-fastening shank, chest pocket, and two patch pockets.
The Fit: The Ranch Jacket offers a perfect, relaxed fit, making it ideal for any outfit or occasion. The length of this jacket is also regular, keeping you warmer more effectively than a cropped jacket.
Sustainability: Made from 100% regenerative cotton, Everlane uses cleaner chemistry, even better factory practices, reduced water use, and only organic cotton. Everlane’s materials are certified organic 100% standard.
Price: $$$
Brand: Abercrombie and Fitch
The Details: The Slimzip vegan leather jacket in dark burgundy is available in sizes XXS to XL. This jacket is on trend, featuring a soft vegan leather fabric.
The Fit: Abercrombie’s vegan leather jacket has a slimming silhouette. Featuring a double zip closure, classic fold-down collar, interior lining, and side pockets.
Sustainability: Like the name suggests, this leather jacket is made of 100% faux leather, meaning no animals were hurt in the process.
Price: $$
Trend: Pop of red
Brand: KOTN
The Details: KOTN’s Women’s Asymmetric Zip Sweater, available in fiery red, is offered in sizes XS to XL. This ultra-soft knit features a double zipper and a mock neck style.
The Fit: This zip sweater is a structured knit with a sculpted silhouette.
Sustainability: Crafted from 100% cotton and made in Portugal. As a brand, KOTN focuses on only using the finest natural fibers that are biodegradable at the end of the garment's life.
Price: $$
Brand: Poetry
The Details: The Funnel-Neck Sweater, in dark red, is available in sizes ranging from 2 to 18. This alpaca boucle sweater is not only incredibly soft and light, but also features fabulous color and texture. With full-length sleeves, a funnel neckline, and intricately finished edges for the ultimate polished look.
The Fit: The Funnel-Neck Sweater is knitted in a slimmer silhouette.
Sustainability: Alpaca fibers are responsibly farmed in the Peruvian Highlands, where the yarn is spun and dyed. Alpacas have a light impact on the land they graze, which makes them one of the most environmentally friendly animals. Poetry also sources only from reputable suppliers that treat their animals well and continually improve their monitoring methods.
Price: $$$
Trend: Neutral colored cardigans
Brand: Quince
The Details: The 100% organic cotton cropped cardigan, available in charcoal, comes in sizes ranging from XS to XL. The cardigan doubles as a casual, cute top or a comfy layering piece for cooler evenings. This is an open-front cardigan with functional faux horn buttons.
The Fit: Airy and breathable with a boxy and slightly cropped fit.
Sustainability: Crafted with 100% organic cotton and made to last. Quince also verifies that their materials are certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100, ensuring no hazardous substances are present.
Price: $
Brand: Sezane
The Details: Sezane’s Varda Cardigan is available in ecru in sizes XXS to XXXL. This cardigan features openwork knitting, finished with a crochet detail along the neckline and sleeve cuffs. Made from kid mohair and merino wool, including long sleeves and a round neckline.
The Fit: This cardigan is more fitted while still being flattering.
Sustainability: Sezane follows the Responsible Wool Standard, ensuring that the welfare of wool-producing animals and land management practices meet the highest standards. They are also OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified, Responsible Mohair Standard verified, and use recyclable packaging.
Price: $$$
Trend: Fuzzy sweaters
Brand: Quince
The Details: Quince’s 100% organic cotton boyfriend crew sweater in ivory is a timeless layer you’ll wear season after season, and comes in sizes XS-XL.
The Fit: The oversized, cropped silhouette, paired with ribbed details on the cuffs and hem, adds to the sweater's soft, slouchy vibe.
Sustainability: Made from 100% organic cotton, Quince has all their materials certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100. Their organic content standard processes are also inspected and certified.
Price: $
Brand: Everlane
The Details: The Boatneck Top, crafted from everyday cotton, is available in two colors: dark green and canvas. Available in sizes XXS to XXL. This sweater is versatile and easy to style, thanks to its wide sleeves and a triangle insert at the shoulders, which adds detail and structure—the perfect sweater for an elevated drapey effect.
The Fit: A boxy, oversized fit, with dropped shoulders and a cropped length.
Sustainability: Made with certified organic cotton, Everlane is Certified Organic 100 Content Standard.
Price: $$
Trend: Stripped tops
Brand: Reformation
The Details: The Lian Cashmere Crew Sweater in the brown multi-stripe colorway is available in sizes XS to XL. The fine-gauge recycled cashmere blend sweater makes the knit feel very soft.
The Fit: Designed to be slim fitting and slightly cropped, but if you’re going for a more relaxed look, size up!
Sustainability: Made from 95% recycled cashmere, this Reformation sweater feels so good you’d think it’s bad. The recycled cashmere has almost none of the impact on land, animals, and the climate that comes with conventional cashmere, guaranteeing you’ll feel good about feeling good.
Price: $$$
Brand: KOTN
The Details: The shrunken rugby shirt, available in the Columbia/brown colorway, comes in sizes XS-XXL. This shirt is a collegiate classic, a unisex essential built for everyday wear. This shirt is guaranteed to be relaxed yet iconic.
The Fit: With a fitted body and shorter length, it offers a sleek, tailored silhouette without losing the collegiate-inspired feel.
Sustainability: Made from heavyweight 100% cotton, more specifically ECOTEC Cotton. Meaning it’s made of a mix of certified cotton fibers and pre-consumer clippings (production waste from weaving and knitting companies). The process of creating this yarn emits 46.6% fewer greenhouse gases, expels 46.9% less energy, and uses 61.6% less water.
Price: $$
This fall, looking good and doing good go hand in hand. From cozy layers to earth-friendly fabrics, sustainable style is making autumn fashion feel fresh and conscious. So go ahead—thrift that sweater, support ethical brands, and make your wardrobe work for the planet. Fall has never looked (or felt) better.
