The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and an opportunity to make choices that lead to comfortable celebrations for future generations. By choosing sustainable and ethically sourced gifts, we make the holidays unique, contribute to a healthier environment, and reduce the future impact of climate change.

Dig into this list of sustainable gift ideas perfect for the women in your life. This year, we’ve focused on clothing brands that offer recycling programs and circularity initiatives, environmentally responsible personal care products, and ethically made jewelry from recycled metals and lab-grown gemstones.

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Instead of fast fashion, consider gifting high-quality, durable clothing with an eco-conscious ethos. The circular fashion movement has grown significantly, with more brands now offering take-back and recycling programs that keep textiles out of landfills.

Reformation: Sustainable Fashion Leader

Reformation continues to set the standard for sustainable fashion. The company’s commitment to using low-impact materials, such as organic cotton, TENCEL™, and deadstock fabrics, is amplified by significant investments in renewable energy and water-saving practices across its supply chain.

A favorite of ours is Reformation’s Tagliatelle Denim Top uses in 87% less water than comparable denim, and the company offsets its emissions with high-quality carbon credits.

Reformation’s goal is to achieve 100% recycled, regenerative, or renewable fabrics by the end of 2025, as well as to offer a recycling solution for all its products by 2030. The RefRecycling program ensures that end-of-use pieces continue the fashion cycle responsibly—send back your worn Reformation items, and they’ll be recycled into new materials rather than sent to landfills.

Patagonia — The Gold Standard

Patagonia has set the global benchmark for sustainable outdoor apparel. 98% of its clothing line now made from recycled materials, you always get the option to shop used styles, and the brand offers everything from moisture-wicking tees to insulated jackets. Their Worn Wear program allows customers to return worn gear for repair, resale, or recycling, creating an accurate circular economy model.

Have an ardent outdoorswoman on your gift list? Check out the PFAS-free Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket, which is produced in a Fair Trade-certified facility.

The brand is working toward eliminating virgin petroleum fibers by the end of 2025. It helps suppliers cut emissions through regenerative agricultural practices and investment in renewable energy. Owned on behalf of the planet by the Holdfast Collective, Patagonoa directs its profits to fighting climate change.

Tentree — Plant Trees with Every Purchase

Tentree’s Prairies Cardigan is an excellent choice for cozy yet environmentally friendly apparel. Made from 100% organic cotton and trimmed with sustainably source materials, this sweater supports sustainable production and ethical labor practices.

As the name suggests, tentree plants 10 trees for each item purchased and has planted over 100 million trees to date toward their goal of one billion trees by 2030. The tentree Circularity program lets customers to send back used tentree clothing for resale or responsible recycling, earning 15% off their next order.

Girlfriend Collective — Activewear from Recycled Materials

Girlfriend Collective has become a leader in sustainable athleisure, making leggings, bras, and other activewear from recycled materials. Check out the Black Luxe Leggings, which are crafted for a comfortable fit using 77% recycled PET water bottles and spandex that wicks sweat to keep exercise time cool and collected.

The ReGirlfriend initiative, powered by SuperCircle, lets you send in your used clothes from any brand and earn store credit while ensuring textiles get recycled rather than landfilled.

Madewell — Denim with a Mission

We love the look of Madewell’s Vintage Wideleg Corduroy Pants, a blend of 1970s flair with modern sustainability. These throwback pants feature wide leg fitted to flatter and are manufactured in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory. Madewell also contributes to a Community Development Fund managed by the workers, who help grow their communities resilience and sustainability.

When they’re worn out, Madewell’s mail-in trade-in and recycling program transforms closets full of old clothing into . If you’d like to earn $20 for recycling your old denim, visit Madewell Forever, the company’s trade-in partnership with ThredUp, to see all the preloved choices available.

PACT — Organic Cotton, Fair Trade Certified

Pact’s Organic Relaxed Slub Henley Market Dress combines style, sustainability, and comfort. Made from 100% organic cotton, it uses less water than traditionally processed cotton. When it’s time to trade up to a new look, Pact helps you sell your old clothing in the Pact Circle shop—also a great place to score pre-loved clothing with plenty of life left.

Pact’s commitment extends to fair trade practices and purchasing carbon credits to offset the environmental impact of its business.

Personal care products are another path to sustainable gift-giving. The sustainable personal care market is growing in response to growing consumer demand for products that care for both body and planet.

Spinster Sisters — Plant-Based Bath Indulgence

For a relaxing spa experience at home, consider Spinster Sisters’ Bath Bombs. These fizzy treats are made with plant-based materials, epsom salts, and kaolin clay that bring a bath to life. These zesty treates are perfect for an indulgent yet sustainable pampering session, free from synthetic chemicals.

Plaine Products — Return-and-Refill System

Not all plastic-free alternatives come in solid form. Plaine Products uses aluminum bottles to provide a return-and-refill system that drastically reduces waste. Offering a wide variety of refillables, from shampoo and conditioner to body wash and lotion, Plaine Products offers vegan, cruelty-free, and made with nontoxic ingredients. Once you’re done, return your empty bottles for a refill—perfect for those who love liquid formulas but hate plastic waste.

By Humankind — Rethinking Personal Care Packaging

Founded on the idea of rethinking personal care to reduce plastic waste, by Humankind offers a wide range of personal care products that eliminate single-use plastics. Explore their bundles, which make perfect gifts. They include everything from mouthwash tablets to shampoo bars, all packaged in reusable or compostable materials. For the woman who wants a complete sustainable bathroom overhaul, by Humandkind covers all the essentials.

Jewelry is a timeless gift, and choosing pieces from sustainable sources adds a layer of thoughtfulness. The jewelry industry is evolving rapidly, with innovative brands using recycled metals, lab-grown diamonds, and ethically sourced gemstones to minimize environmental harm.

Brilliant Earth — Beyond Conflict-Free Diamonds

Brilliant Earth’s Teardrop Lab Emerald Bracelet remains a standout. This responsibly sourced, eye-catching accessory is crafted with a lab-grown emerald and recycled gold, symbolizing a commitment to beauty and ethical practices.

Brilliant Earth provides blockchain technology that allows customers to trace the journey of its diamonds from origin to finished piece. Less than 1% of the world’s diamonds meet their Beyond Conflict Free™ standard. The company donates 5% of profits to environmental and social causes through the Brilliant Earth Foundation, having contributed $2 million since 2021.

VRAI — Zero-Emission Diamonds

VRAI has redefined sustainable fine jewelry with a focus on reducing the environmental impact of the energy used to make diamonds in a lab. Its parent company, Diamond Foundry, creates lab-grown diamonds using 100% renewable energy, resulting in gems with zero emissions. The company’s direct-to-consumer site provides competitive pricing, while their use of recycled gold and vertically integrated supply chain ensures transparent sourcing from start to finish.

Mejuri — Traceable Fine Jewelry

Toronto-based Mejuri offers a range of rings, necklaces, and bracelets with mine-to-market traceability throughout the supply chain. Its transparency allows Mejuri to ensure the sustainability and social impact of their pieces. From gold vermeil to 14K gold pieces and diamonds, they offer accessible fine jewelry with ethical sourcing.

SOKO — Empowering Kenyan Artisans

SOKO is a women-led, people-first ethical jewelry brand connecting artisans in Kenya with the global market. Their platform uses mobile technology to reach marginalized artisans, creating income equality while preserving heritage. Made from upcycled brass and locally sourced materials, each piece is bold, architectural, and rich in culture. SOKO’s impact includes payments to artisans, who earn five times more than average workshops, which helps support communities and families.

Aurate — Radical Transparency

Aurate creates timeless designs using recycled gold and conflict-free diamonds, with radical transparency about their practices. Their direct-to-consumer model eliminates markups, while each purchase funds literacy initiatives in underserved communities. Clean lines, durability, and ethics converge to form a brand where modernity meets meaning.

It’s the Season to Give Priority to Nature

This holiday season, let’s make our celebrations meaningful and environmentally conscious. The gifts we choose can reflect our care for our loved ones and our planet, making the holidays a genuinely joyous and responsible occasion.

Whether sustainable clothing with take-back programs, personal care items in refillable packaging, or elegant jewelry crafted from recycled metals and ethical gems, each choice can contribute to a brighter, greener future. Circular fashion is expanding, transparency is becoming standard practice, and material innovation—from plant-based fibers to regenerative farming—is growing rapidly. When you choose these gifts, you’re not just celebrating someone you love—you’re supporting brands that prioritize people’s well-being and the planet.

Editor’s Note: Originally published in November 2023, this article was updated in November 2025 with new sustainable brand options, expanded recycling program information, and current sustainability certifications.