Socks For A Good Cause: 6 Brands that sell ethical socks in the UK

Before you wonder why Socks For A Good Cause and Ethical Socks should be a thing, let me put the record straight!

Have you ever had to shop your socks in a rush because you realised that you were not having enough anymore? I have lost way too many socks in my washing machine and ended-up recording IG stories with socks that do not match. Can you relate?

Did you have to buy new pairs from H&M because it was quick and easy, but you felt really guilty afterwards because you bought from a fast fashion brand (again)? I feel you!

It happened to me in the past and I found that the best way to avoid unethical shopping out of convenience is to prepare a list of ethical brands you could buy from. So here is a list of Ethical Socks in the UK so you can buy your socks for a good cause from now on and never feel guilty again!

In that article, I share with you the aspects you should investigate before buying new socks that are sustainable. I also reviewed 6 brands I recommend and made a quick downloadable list at the end of the post if you want to save it somewhere and keep it handy.

Make sure you still scroll down to the end though, I have a SURPRISE waiting for you there 🙂

What Should You Look Into A brand That Sells Ethical Socks In The UK?

If you want to make sure that the ethical socks you buy are truly sustainable, ask yourself those questions:

• Are the socks ethically made?
• Does the brand use sustainable materials?
• Is the brand vegan?
• Is the packaging eco-friendly?
• How is the manufacturing process like?
• Are the designs made to last?
• Also, will the care of the ethical socks cause pollution?
• Finally, how can you dispose of the socks when you can’t use them anymore?

Now let’s review brands focusing on those criteria.

Organic Basics: More Than Just Ethical Socks In The UK

Why I like It?

I love everything about that brand: their aesthetic, their simple designs, and their ethos! They have certification (PETA approved and B corp) which guarantees they do make an impact. It’s honestly one of the most transparent and advanced brands you can find out there in terms of sustainability. Have you had a chance to see their underwear yet? (link)

Organic Basic’s Ethics

I give that brand a score of 6/8. Let’s see why!

Do they produce ethically?

Yes! They ensure that all their factories are safe and free of child labour and forced labour. They pay their employees fairly and enjoy employee perks such as free lunch and childcare.

Do they use sustainable materials?

Yes! Most of the socks are in organic cotton or silvertech cotton which allows the socks to stay fresh longer. Thus, it requires less washing so less water and energy consumption.

Are they vegan? Yes, all sock are PETA approved.

Is the packaging eco-friendly? Yes, I received my previous gift in all paper and minimal.

How about the shipping?

They offer free CO2 neutral shipping thanks to an offset program. For every order placed, they offset one hundred kilos of CO2 so they go carbon neutral.

Are the designs made to last?

Yes! They invest in quality fabrics, workmanship, as well as simplicity and function in mind.

Will the care of the product cause pollution?

The organic cotton socks are better than the silvertech ones according to me. The brand recognised that silvertech remains a chemical treatment and they are looking into natural alternatives.

Shopping Experience

Price Range:  £10 – £26

Where can I buy it? Online

Critically Endangered Socks: Socks for a good cause

Why I like that brand?

“Our mission is to eventually help every critically endangered animal on the brink of survival by selling the most beautifully crafted, ethical products we can create.” 

They donate to a charity that protects the animals featured on your socks and honestly as a vegan and animal lover, I am a big fan!  For every pair of socks sold, they give at least 10% of the total sale price to charity of your choice.

Critically Endangered Socks° Ethics

I give that brand a score of 6/8. Let’s see why!

Are the socks ethically made?  

Yes! Dom, the founder visited himself the factory, a small manufacturing company in Hangzhou that makes the socks.

Do they use sustainable materials?

Yes! The socks are made from GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton or a soft blend of cotton and bamboo; a biodegradable, natural material which is incredibly fast growing. All are Oeko-Tex certified so they are free of any harmful chemicals. 

Is the brand vegan?

Yes, all the way! Have I said that they help to protect endangered animals yet?!!

Is the packaging eco-friendly?

Yes!!! Each pair comes in a recyclable cardboard box and when they have to use a shipping bag, which they’re discontinuing, they use a recycled polybag.

How is the manufacturing process like?

“Our suppliers in China are a small, family run business that only use sustainable materials like GOTS certified organic cotton. » So, I suppose, that they focus their efforts more on the materials they use than the manufacturing process at the moment.

Are the designs made to last? Yes because the brand uses high quality material.

Will the care of those socks for a good cause cause pollution?

Unfortunately socks require a bit of artificial materials, but organic cotton drastically reduces microplastic pollution.

How can you dispose of the socks when you can’t use them anymore? They do not explore that part yet.   

Shopping Experience

Price Range: £12 for a pair of socks

Where can I buy it? Online

People Tree: For Super Cute Ethical Socks In The UK

Why Do I like People Tree And Their Ethical Socks In The UK?

People tree is one of my favourite ethical brands and deserve its reputation of market leader. They sell much more than socks and I love the fact that I can trust the brand almost blindly. BULUS socks makes the sustainable socks for them.

People Tree’s Ethics

I give that brand a score of 6/8. Let’s see why!

Do they make the socks ethically ?  

Yes, the brand is fair trade certified. All their socks are Fair Trade which guarantees that Bulus also manufacture in an ethical way.

Do they use sustainable materials?

Yes, they use GOTs certified organic cotton so there is no chemicals in the process.

Is the brand vegan?

The socks are and the brand sells some products that are PETA approved. However not the whole collection is vegan.

Is the packaging eco-friendly?

They use recyclable plastic packaging because they employ sea-freight for the majority of their products, so they need to protect garments from moisture damage in transit. But good news, the plastic they use is made from polypropylene and is recyclable and biodegradable.

How is the manufacturing process like?

The brand use Hand skills wherever possible, rather than a machine saves one tonne of Co2 per loom, per year.

Are the designs made to last? Yes, the products are high quality.

Will the care of those ethical socks cause pollution?

Unfortunately socks require a bit of artificial materials, but organic cotton drastically reduces microplastic pollution.

How can you dispose of the socks when you can’t use them anymore?

People Tree has partnered with Give Back Box® so you can ship the garments you do not use anymore. It guarantees that the clothes will be properly recycled.

Shopping Experience

Price Range: £6 – £8 for a pair of socks

Where can I buy it? Online – Free UK Standard delivery when you spend over £50*

Kind Socks: Socks For A Good Cause deserving attention

Why I like the brand?

I love how they revisit socks as an everyday basic, making it both ethical and fun.

Kind Socks’ Ethics

I give that brand a score of 5.5/8. Let’s see why!

Do they make the socks ethically ?  

Yes, they make sure that their suppliers get paid a fair wage and have a safe workplace. They also give back to charity which I admire. They currently give to Ocean Conservancy.

Do they use sustainable materials?

Yes, they use GOTs certified organic cotton so no chemicals are used to grow the materials they use.

Is the brand vegan? Yes because all socks are made in Organic cotton and elastane.

Is the packaging eco-friendly?

I emailed the brand to confirm and they mentioned: “We take our packaging seriously we currently use corn starch biodegradable poly mailers produce by No Issue. Our gift boxes are made 90% recycled materials by packHelp” which I am very happy about.

“In regard to shipping we don’t use airmail so socks at times may take longer than some deliveries. Our suppliers are based in India and also do the manufacturing. We are in the process of moving to a new manufacturer in Turkey to reduce the journey times between delivery to our warehouse in Stockholm to reduce our footprint.” I am very glad they are looking for alternatives and that they are so open about the progresses left to be made.

How is the manufacturing process like?

They do not mention anything regarding that aspect, but I trust they will look into it when their other priorities will be sorted.

Are the designs made to last?

YES! Even though they did not mention it on their website, I received the below answer by email: “That’s the beauty of organic cotton they are much stronger than conventional socks because they don’t use all the toxic materials and cotton that conventional socks do.”

Will the care of cause pollution?

There is a little elastane, required in all socks unfortunately but as the cotton used is organic, the microplastic pollution is drastically reduced.

How can you dispose of the socks when you can’t use them anymore? They take no action regarding this at the time.

Shopping Experience

Price Range: 11EUR for a pair of socks

Where can I buy it? Online

Jollie’s Socks, Great Socks For A Good Cause 

Why I like Jollie’s Socks?

For every pair of Jollie’s bought, they give a pair to a homeless Shelter. Is there anything else to add? I love to see brands involved in such direct give back programs.

Jollie’s Socks’ Ethics

I give that brand of Socks For A Good Cause a score of 7/8. Let’s see why!

Do they make the socks ethically ?  

The Ethical Socks are made in England which suggests that workers are treated fairly. As there was not information on the website about the cotton suppliers, I emailed to know more their suppliers’ practice regarding the workers’ treatment.

Do they use sustainable materials?

Yes, they use organic cotton so not chemicals are used to grow the materials they use. Please not that it is however not certified.

Is the brand vegan? Yes because all socks are made in Organic cotton and Nylon.

Is the packaging eco-friendly? I emailed the brand to confirm. Answer below that I found very encouraging.

How is the manufacturing process like?

I emailed the brand to confirm. Answer below. I like that they try to reduce the impact of the materials they use at the beginning and at the end of the supply chain. A big +1 for me.

Are the designs made to last? I emailed the brand to confirm. Answer below. I am very happy with that too ?

Will the care of cause pollution?

There is a little elastane, required in all socks unfortunately but as the cotton used is organic, the microplastic pollution is drastically reduced.

How can you dispose of the socks when you can’t use them anymore?

They offer a recycling program that I love. “We’ll recycle them and give you a free pair with your next 2 pair plus order.” How nice is that?  

Shopping Experience

Price Range: £10 for a pair of socks

Where can I buy it? Online

Stand For Socks, Another Socks For A Good Cause

Why I like Those Socks For A Good Cause?

They created the most suitable socks for homeless people and donate a pair with each they sell. I absolutely love that Buy one = Give One approach.

Stand For Socks’ Ethics

I give that brand a score of 5/8. Let’s see why!

Do they make the socks ethically ?  

They manufacture the socks to the highest standards in the European side of Turkey in Sedex Audited factories for high ethical standards of employee rights and wellbeing. I also sent an email to confirm they they source the materials ethically and you can see their answer below.

Do they use sustainable materials?

Their yarns are Oeto-Tex certified from harmful substances in production.  However, they still use cotton and not organic cotton which, according to me is something that could be improved in the future.

Is the brand vegan?

No, they have some products that do contain some wool. As a vegan it’s not something I encourage but I still appreciate the efforts they make.

Is the packaging eco-friendly?

Yes! All their packaging is made using sustainable sourced FSC card and they use 100% home compostable mail bags for shipping.

How is the manufacturing process like?

After exchanging by email with the brand, it looks reducing the impact of the manufacturing process itself is not a priority at the moment. However, I do appreciate how honest they were in addressing that question. See email below.

Are the designs made to last? Yes and I love that they consider that aspect. They have enhanced durability to avoid holes.

Will the care of cause pollution?

Unfortunately socks require a bit of artificial materials, but organic cotton drastically reduces microplastic pollution.

How can you dispose of the socks when you can’t use them anymore?They do not explore that topic yet.   

Shopping Experience

Price Range: £9,99 – £11,99  for a pair of socks

Where can I buy it? Online

Thought Clothing: Great Ethical Socks In The UK

Why I Like The Brand?

I love Thought and I have been following the brand for a while and I enjoy all their garments. I find their sustainable policies very complete and detailed, so I trust them. Besides, I was glad to discover that every December they donate a pair of socks for every pair they sell too. Defo Ethical Socks I love in the UK.

Thought’s Ethics

Do they make the socks ethically ?  

Yes! Their factory partners work towards small, considered production. They offer fair wages and respect their invaluable skills. They visit their factories regularly and are a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), a leading alliance of companies, trade unions and NGOs that promotes respect for workers’ rights around the globe.

Do they use sustainable materials?

Yes, they are crafted from natural, sustainable fabrics like bamboo and organic cotton. I love that they turn leftover yarns into socks because it is a great way to upcycle!

Is the brand vegan?

Not all the pieces are vegan but the socks are. 95% of their collections is PETA approved but unfortunately, they also sell wool-blend socks. So just make sure you check the composition to avoid those.

Is the packaging eco-friendly? Yes because 98% of their packaging is recyclable.

How is the manufacturing process like?

They do a big work here. As stated in their chart: “All factory discharges to the atmosphere, water and land have as minimal an impact on the local environment, people and ecosystems as possible. A concerted effort is made to ensure water and energy is conserved wherever possible across our entire supply chain.”

Are the designs made to last? Yes, the design their products to make them long lasting.  

Will the care of the sock cause pollution?

Most of the materials are natural (organic cotton and bamboo) so it reduces the impact. Unfortunately, they also contain polyester, necessary to produce socks. But at least, they use recycled polyester.

How can you dispose of the socks when you can’t use them anymore?They do not explore that part yet.   

Shopping Experience

Price Range: £4,95 – £4,95  for a pair of socks

Where can I buy it? Online *

Surprise: I have a lot more to say about ethical socks in the UK! I actually did partner with another brand and we are organising a little surprise for you. You might even be able to get something for free.

Follow me on Instagram so you do not miss the surprise as soon as I announce it.

I hope you found that article about ethical socks in the UK helpful. Make sure you keep it handy so next time you have to buy socks, you know which brands you should get them from. I made a short version for you here so you can remember them briefly.

You may also find our underwear guide here if you also got caught purchasing fast fashion underwear because you were in a rush.

I calculated scores based on the answers to my sustainable checklist. A yes = +1 and a no = 0. Please note that it is a very quick and easy system to help you decide the brand you prefer. There could be many more aspects I could consider.

In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog.

However, all the opinions and ideas in that blog post are mine and I would never recommend anything I do not trust myself.

I marked Gifted products with a “°” and affiliate links with “*”