The fashion industry is, besides the oil industry, the most polluting sector for the environment. We all know how polluting one garment is, and jeans are number 1. The dyeing process on its own uses 7000 litres of water; enough for a family to drink water for 5 years. We haven’t even mentioned the processing techniques that come along with jeans. Quite shocking. Keep in mind that with these 5 simple tips, you shop your jeans a lot more sustainably.
Sustainable jeans brands
We love easy! Team easy with sustainable and you get a list of the most honest and sustainable denim brands!
Acne Studios
Scandinavian based Acne Studios has been a member of Fair Wear for years and focuses mainly on producing under fair working conditions. Acne Studios sustainable jeans often have a pretty rough look, but the fit is amazing. The sustainable Cane Studios jeans come with a price tag, but they are more than worth it. By the way, the Acne Studios sustainability label is all about fair production and treatment of the labourers. They’re not quite there yet when it comes to using sustainable materials.
Nudie Jeans
If you buy a pair of Nudie Jeans, then you are (consciously or subconsciously) into sustainable living! The jeans of Nudie Jeans are made of organic cotton and produced under fair working conditions. The brand also focuses on reparations in addition to a new pair of Nudie Jeans. What does that mean? Well, if your Nudie Jeans are ripped, you can have them repaired free of any charge in one of the shops. Do you want or need a new pair? Turn in your worn Nudie Jeans and they’ll live happily ever after!
DL1961
DL1961 brought attention to sustainable denim through its collab with Jessica Alba. The brand also uses eco-friendly fibres and its vertically integrated system reduced its amount of water, dye and energy used. The jeans are made of TENCEL and Modal to increase durability, softness and sustainability. Without a doubt, DL1961 has a pulse on chic denim fashion. We love it!
Levi’s
Levi’s is synonymous with denim. For decades, the brand has been a leading manufacturer for jeans and all other kinds of denim. There’s no doubt that Levi’s has the most power in de denim industry and power comes with responsibility. Levi’s has taken that into account and shifted to eco-friendly practices that reduce water consumption, recycle old denim, responsibly source cotton and more.
How to buy sustainable denim
Shopping for sustainable denim may seem like a far cry, but it’s actually not that hard. More and more large and well-known denim brands are on their way to becoming sustainable. Other smaller brands are working hard on producing eco-friendly jeans as well. These 5 tips will help you buy your new sustainable denim!
#1 Go for Raw Denim
Raw Denim is often associated with G-star, but it is actually just unwashed denim. Other brands, like DL1961, use unwashed denim as well. They only call it differently. It’s really all about the last time the cotton saw water during the dyeing of the yarns. This keeps the jeans raw, and techniques like sandblasting and bleaching are not used.
You can recognise a Raw Denim by its dark colour and coarse fabric that becomes more beautiful the more it is worn. The destroyed look is not made by machines; the tears just seem to appear the more you wear your jeans. The less you wash your raw denim, the more beautiful it will be.
#2 Avoid stretch in jeans
Most current jeans are composed of cotton and elastane to make the jeans more flexible. You probably find these jeans comfortable to wear, but the environment will be grateful if you choose denim that’s made of 100% cotton. Cotton is easy to recycle compared to elastane. Do you consciously want to buy your jeans? Just make sure you choose a 100% cotton product.
#3 Recycled or biological cotton
When you’re looking for sustainable jeans, it’s clever to check the label for the composition of the fabric. Recycled or organic cotton is a lot more sustainable than ‘regular’ cotton. No less than 76% less water is used for making a pair of organic cotton jeans! To know if the jeans are eco-friendly, check the label like the GOTS certificate.
#4 Wash your jeans in cold temperatures
Although many people wash their jeans after only wearing them for one day, this really isn’t necessary. Washing a lot doesn’t only do harm to the environment; it won’t do any good on your jeans as well and will cause them to wear and tear. It’s clever to give your jeans some fresh air. If you insist on washing your jeans, just use cold water instead of warm and never put your jeans in the dryer.
#5 Repair your jeans
You don’t have to throw your torn jeans in the bin. Jeans are made of cotton in a twill that makes the fabric extremely strong. If you have a little tear, it’s worth having your jeans repaired. A tailor can make your jeans as good as new for you to enjoy them for years to come. This saves money and the environment.
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