Meet the brands making waves with sustainable and seriously durable denim
If there ever were an end-all-be-all closet staple, it would be a good old-fashioned pair of jeans. Loved by both New York fashion girls and suburban dads alike, denim never has and never will exit the trend cycle. As it speeds up, however, we begin to see a rise in cheaply manufactured, very toxic, lousy excuses for a pair of jeans.
Jeans from your bodyscan? Free repairs for life? Nontoxic production methods? So many reasons to invest in better jeans. And the fact they’re ridiculously stylish is a given.
We’ve made a list of our favorite companies that are known for both ethical denim and sustainable denim practices. Yes, they are more expensive than other brands. But realize that “regular” jeans are produced in ways that are notoriously toxic for people and the planet. So ask yourself if that’s something that, now that you know, you want to support? Maybe not? Then here are a list of sustainable and ethical denim brands that you’ll want to know. And that’s not greenwash!
Amendi
Ever wondered what sustainability really means? Well, Amendi has an entire glossary that defines exactly what they bring to the table. From a chemical-free nano bubble “ball” wash that creates a stonewashed effect in a much less toxic and water-preserving way to using organic cotton and deadstock fabrics, they ensure that you know what it looks like for a brand to treat the planet with care. Their traceability initiative emphasizes accountability and an open customer-to-manufacturer relationship. Breakdowns on labor, materials, and cost are all available on their website.
Price Range: $195–$250
Size Range: Waist: 25–32, Length: 28–32
DL1961
At DL1961, they understand that jeans are more than just a final product. From start to finish, vertical integration is at the project’s heart. They’ve broken down the entire process, too, tracking and taking into account their impacts at each stage. More than just the jeans themselves, DL1961 makes it their responsibility to run solar-powered factories that regenerate heat to preserve energy. From a trusty classic like cotton to fibers derived from plastic bottles, their materials are meant to do good–for yourself and the environment.
Price Range: $189–$249
Size Range: 23–34
Ética
Based on the West Coast and doing its very best, Ética seems to have it all going on. Their mindfulness for materials goes beyond just the contents of their garments. Yes, they use organic and recycled cotton, Tencel, and Refibra, but they also ensure that all threads, labels, packaging, and tags are either recycled or biodegradable. To combat the fast fashion crisis, they produce in small batches and invest in cleaner manufacturing alternatives. InCloud, their very own water-saving technology, utilizes nanotech to treat fabrics, replacing the harmful chemicals that were once required to do the job. Thanks to InCloud, their jeans are made with 90% less water and 70% less energy.
Price Range: $172–$215, but don’t forget to check for sales!
Size Range: 24–32
Unspun
With Unspun, you don’t need to be a seer to see the future. Fusing the best of both fashion and technology, they’ve brought Vega to life, a 3D weaving machine that can unravel and weave fabric to make garments on demand. Their leading goal is to reduce global human carbon emissions by 1%. Through localizing production, only creating custom, and embracing circularity, their numbers are truly making an impact. Say goodbye to overproduction and misfitting jeans because Vega will do a body scan, tailor-make your perfect pair, and send them straight to your doorstep.
Price Range: Baseline is $215 but often have promotions for first timers!
Size Range: Whatever fits you best!
Re/Done
Greener materials and cleaner production are really great, but what do we do about the surplus of denim we’ve already created? Re/Done chooses to upcycle, turning preloved denim into modern treasures and refurbishing vintage leather jackets. Through a partnership with Hane’s, Re/Done crafted various iterations of a recycled cotton tee, extending the life and bettering the composition of a beloved closet staple. Implementing eco-friendly packaging, recycling water for farmland, and turning pumice stones into eco blocks are just a few ways Re/Done chooses to reduce their impact and give back.
Price Range: $265–$395
Size Range: Waist: 23–32, Length: 28–36
Triarchy
Triarchy was brought to you by a family of three. Two brothers and one sister made it their responsibility to revolutionize the denim industry. Focused mainly on creating plastic-free jeans, they use materials like organic and recycled cotton, Tencel, and a stretch denim made from natural rubber. #HowMuchPlasticAreYouWearing, a movement Triarchy has begun, highlights plastic’s harmful impact on the environment. Despite this, they are still the only brand to have developed a stretch denim that’s plastic-free and thus biodegradable. They offset the carbon produced during manufacturing by donating a portion of each sale to global projects. These projects include planting trees and installing rainwater catchment systems–their way of promoting a greener means of production.
Price Range: $289–$385 but don’t forget to check for sales!
Size Range: 24–32
Nudie jeans
Shopping with Nudie Jeans is unlike any other online retail experience. Everything, down to their site’s graphics, is made with such care and attention to detail. Their model focuses a lot on circularity, offering a free repair service and recycling pre-used denim for their products. They practice transparency with their sustainability reports and reduce the amount of harmful chemicals used during production. They want fair wages for their workers, reduce water use, and focus on lowering their net carbon emissions. Nudie Jeans is proof you don’t need to have a toxic relationship with your jeans or their makers.
Price Range: Right around $200 per pair
Size Range: 24–38
Boyish
Have you ever tried on a men’s garment and wondered why it felt so good? Deeper pockets, thicker material, that cozy worn-in feeling that shouldn’t be so hard to find? At Boyish, they tailor men’s fabrics for women to ensure that you’ll look just as good as you feel. They make their jeans with Candiani denim, organic and recycled cotton, Tencel, and deadstock, all dyed with low-impact dyes and washed with recycled water to ensure a much less harmful and toxic product. The Boyish team participates in community projects like women’s marches and clean-ups, showing that it’s cool to care.
Price Range: $198-$218 with the occasional sale
Size Range: 22–32
Warp + Weft
Warp + Weft is what we’d call a veteran in the denim business. For 30 years, they’ve collaborated with an eco-friendly mill, one of the world’s largest textile manufacturers, to produce high-quality, greener denim at a remarkable price. They create their own denim blends made from combinations of cotton, lycra, and Tencel. Labeled a size-inclusive brand, Warp + Weft offers many waist-inseam combinations, less common in-between sizes, and Big and Tall options because your jeans are meant to fit you, not the other way around.
Price Range: $88–$98
Size Range: 00–24
Outerknown
We love to see a brand that stands by its word, and Outerknown is doing just that with its 2030 Roadmap. Their aims include becoming fully circular, setting the curve for innovation, and upholding fair labor standards. While these ambitions are big, they are transparent and vocal about their progress. Through Outerworn, their cleverly named pre-owned platform, shoppers can shop slightly worn products at a discount or resell items they’re ready to pass on. Let’s keep our clothes out of the landfill and shop Outerknown!
Price Range: $168–$198
Size Range: 23–34
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