Denim: Turning the Tide on Fashion's Thirsty Fabric
Let’s Talk Denim
It's more than just a wardrobe essential; it's a fashion icon. But did you know that creating a single pair of jeans can take up to 7000 litres of water? And that's not even the worst part. This water often carries a cocktail of harmful chemicals and dyes, causing real trouble for our ecosystems and communities. The good news? There’s a growing crew of eco-friendly denim brands shaking things up and showing us there's a better way to do our blues.
So, what makes a denim brand eco-friendlier?
Think less water, more recycling, more sustainable materials, and a big no-no to nasty chemicals, along with giving back to the community, take back and repair schemes. These brands are all about making jeans that love the planet as much as we love wearing them.
Take Nudie Jeans, for example. They're big on materials that are kind to the earth, like GOTS-certified cotton – that's cotton that meets some pretty strict environmental and social standards. Plus, they're part of the Fair Wear Foundation, making sure the folks who make our jeans are treated right, along with many of the brands in this article.
Nu-in is another star player. They're saving water like it's going out of fashion, using recycled fibers and cutting down water usage by a whopping 80%. Plus, they're all about zero waste, finding new homes for every last scrap of fabric.
Outland Denim goes the extra mile. They’ve slashed their water usage by 91% for their organic cotton denim, steer clear of harmful agrochemicals, and have a super cool water recycling system. Did I mention their factory runs on solar power? Kuyichi is the one for the truth-seekers – they're super transparent about how they make their jeans.
Mud Jeans is making the circular economy look good, they offer a free repairs service, invite you to send back your old jeans for a new lease of life, so they can be sold as vintage, upcycled or recycled. They even offer a leasing service – you can rent jeans for a year.
Don't forget about E.L.V. Denim (East London Vintage) from East London. They're turning discarded denim into new styles right in their local neighbourhood, using just a splash of water compared to the usual thousands.
Others like Organsk, Hiut Denim, Community Clothing, Lucy & Yak, Seventy & Mochi, Yes Friends and BAM are also doing denim differently, each with their unique twist on being kind to the planet.
Now, let's chat about vintage and pre-loved denim
these gems are making a comeback. Pin Denim is your go-to for finding that perfect vintage fit, even hunting down a pair just for you based on your measurements. PreWorn is an online store covering everything from designer to high street brands. Rokit and Beyond Retro are also great options for Vintage denim.
But here's a fun fact: we don't need to wash our jeans as often as we think. Experts say every six weeks is enough. Need a refresh? Pop them in the freezer overnight or just air them out. Easy, right?
In a nutshell, picking responsibly sourced or pre-loved denim isn't just a style choice; it's a stand for our planet. It’s about finding those jeans that make you feel great and do good – all at the same time.