Making a greener wardrobe? You may want to start with jeans
To have a more sustainable wardrobe, we don't necessarily have to give up jeans if we choose them well
A must-have in both men's and women's wardrobes, jeans have been subject to much scrutiny as environmental sustainability has become, quite rightly, a main concern of brands and consumers alike
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We often talk about spring cleaning, but back-to-school and the fall is also the ideal time to put your life in order, as well as your wardrobe, in order to start the new season on the right foot. And since 2021 is all about consumer awareness, why not take advantage of this time to make your wardrobe more sustainable? Starting with our jeans, one of the most polluting—and most worn—items in the world. Jeans have a place in our closets... as long as we choose them carefully.
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A must-have in both men's and women's wardrobes, jeans have been subject to much scrutiny as environmental sustainability has become, quite rightly, a main concern of brands and consumers alike. In fact, jeans have been criticized and for some environmentalists are "THE" piece to banish from our wardrobes. But this radical solution is not necessarily the most realistic, as denim has taken a starring role in our wardrobes in recent decades. We're here to reassure you, it's not necessary to go to those extremes because many brands now offer jeans that combine quality, durability and responsible production. As long as you make the right choices...
Less polluting materials
Brands have been putting forward, one after another, more sustainable denim collections for several months now. Their revamped approaches include the choice of less polluting fibers, such as GOTS certified organic cotton, recycled cotton, or Tencel, which are the most common—but these aren't the only ones. These raw materials not only reduce water consumption (3,781 liters of water are needed to make one pair of jeans, according to the United Nations Environment Program), but also chemical use and carbon emissions. When you renew your wardrobe, consider this important criterion when choosing your new jeans.
