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T-shirts and jeans, we basically live in them, right? But there's a scary reality about the latter . . . they can be really damageing to the environment (excessive material waste, tons of water usage, toxic dyes and chemicals are a few primary issues). Though a little lighter, it's one of those ugly topics we don't like to think about like climate change and The Great Pacific Rubbish Patch aka trash island. But even still, it's a subject well-worth educating yourself on whether you're denim obsessive or simply in the market for a new pair of jeans.
Now, wrapping your head around the process of sustainable fashion and denim specifically is kind of like a mathematical theorem . . . incredibly complex! There's a ton of information out there and it can quickly become overwhelming once you start digging in. There is, however, some baseline concepts that we can all understand and seek out in an eco-friendly pair of jeans such as decreasing water and energy usage, avoiding toxic chemicals and dyes, using organic, responsibly sourced, or deadstock (leftover fabric that can be used to create new garments) materials, and ensuring fair and ethical labour regulations are in place.
There's also the option of shopping second-hand and limiting consumption altogether, both of which are great and responsible methods to consider. But if you're interested in learning about brands that offer sustainable denim be it an innovative new label or cult-loved brand that's evolving their design standards, I've curated a list to help guide you, ahead. When it comes to your jeans, why not go green?
— Additional reporting by Laura Lajiness