25 SUSTAINABLE AND ETHICAL DENIM BRANDS
Jean shopping can be hard.
Between trying to get the right fit, cut and style, finding a pair of jeans that are flattering can sometimes feel like a needle in a haystack.
But finding sustainable and ethical denim?
That’s a whole other ball game.
Apart from dealing with the same jean shopping issues with a narrower range of retailer options, one main concern is of course, price.
So… why bother purchasing sustainable denim at all?
The process of creating a pair of jeans conventionally, wreaks havoc not only on the environment, but on the health of workers tasked with producing the garment.
According to fashioninsiders.co, 2,900 gallons of water (from production and consumer wear) is used for a single pair of jeans.
Another concern is water pollution as a result of the growing of cotton, dyeing and finishing processes. The resulting chemical run-off can cause serious effects to nearby bodies of water as well as to the health of workers exposed to the chemicals in these processes.
What to consider before you purchase sustainable jeans
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the most sustainable option is wearing what you already own.
You’ve done the work finding a flattering pair of jeans, so if possible, try to repair the jeans you already have if they’re ripped or repurpose them.
The next sustainable option is purchasing second-hand.
Retailers like ThredUp, Poshmark, Tradesy and many more make it so easy to find your perfect pair by filtering through fit, cut, size and style.
Not only is shopping second-hand better for the environment as no new resources are being utilized, it is also the most cost-effective option compared to buying new.
If you’re looking for more affordable denim options (understandable since the cost of some sustainable jeans can be astronomical), I recommend looking into second-hand retailers and what types of jeans they offer, before investing in a new pair.
If you want to look into affordable options for other clothing types, check out this post.
Having said that, sometimes you just want to treat yourself and buy new.
Before you make your purchase, be sure to check out this shopping criteria which covers everything you should look for when shopping sustainably.
Below you’ll find 25 sustainable and ethical denim retailers.
For reference, pricing is in USD, and the size range is based on US sizing.
Price Range:
$= typically, $100 and under
$$= typically, between $101-$200
$$$= typically, between $201-300
$$$$= typically, $300 and up
Afends
Styles: Men’s, women’s, unisex
Fabrics: Organic cotton
Certifications: GOTS, OCS 100, OCS Blended
Packaging: Garments packed in compostable cornstarch bags
Some of it’s supply chain is traced
Based in Australia
Price range: $
Sizing: Women’s Denim/ Pants US Size 24-32 (XS-XL); Men’s Denim/ Pants US Size 28-36 (XS-XL); Unisex: XS- XXL
Favourite Item: Kendall Low Rise Relaxed Fit Jean
Amour Vert
Styles: women’s
Fabrics: TENCEL Modal, ethical wool, mulberry silk, organic cotton, TENCEL Lyocell, cupro
Certifications: GOTS, OEKO-TEX, FSC,
Packaging: Uses compostable protective bags as opposed to plastic polybags. Only uses packaging made from recycled materials, printed with soy-based inks
Most of its supply chain is traced.
Based in New York City
Give back programs: Tees= Trees Program- the brand plants a tree in North America in partnership with American Forest for every t-shirt purchased.
Price range: $$
Sizing: Bottoms US Size XXS- XL (00-16)
Favourite Item: AGOLDE Parker Jean in Evade
Armedangels
Styles: men’s, women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton, organic wool, LENZING ECOVERO, recycled plastic, organic linen, TENCEL Lyocell, kapok, alpaca,
Certifications: GOTS, PETA, Fairtrade, Fair Wear Foundation
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in Germany
Price range: $
Sizing: Women’s US Size 6-16 (XS-XL), jeans 25-32; Men’s US Size 36-48 (S-XXL)
Favourite Item: ANDRAA Loose Fit High Waist
Boyish
Styles: women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton, recycled cotton, GRS recycled fabrics, deadstock dabrics, Tencel Lyocell, natural plant based dyes
Certifications: Oeko-Tex 100 Standard, ISO9001 Certified, Organic 100 Content Standard, Global Recycled Standard, GOTS, Remake Approved
Packaging: 100% compostable shipping bags, labels made from recycled materials, hang tags made from recycled paper
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in California
Give back programs: 1% For The Planet partner. They partner with Solar Sister, Keep A Breast, Friends of the LA River, California Coast Keeper Alliance, Fair Trade USA
Price range: $$$
Sizing: US 000-14 (XXS-XL; 22-32)
Favourite Item: The Billy Jean
E.L.V. Denim
Styles: men’s, women’s
Fabrics: recycled fabrics
Packaging: uses recycled board with vegetable ink for labels
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in the UK
Price range: $$$
Sizing: 24-32
Favourite Item: Dark Blue/ Mid Blue Contrast Straight Leg Jean
Jeanerica
Styles: men’s, women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton, recycled polyester
Supply Chain and Labour Practices: Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in Sweden
Price range: $$
Sizing: US Size 4-12 (XS/34-XL/42)
Favourite Item: EW 004 Eiffel Fit Used Black
Kings of Indigo
Styles: men’s, women’s
Fabrics: TENCEL, recycled wool, recycled polyester, organic cotton, linen, hemp, recycled cotton
Certifications: PETA, OCS, GRS, GOTS
Packaging: uses recycled packaging
Based in the Netherlands
Price range: $$
Sizing: Women’s bottom 24-32
Favourite Item: JUNO High Re-Last Blue Rinse
Kowtow
Styles: Women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton, regenerated nylon, Tencel, mohair, alpaca, wool
Certifications: Fairtrade, NPOP, FSC, GOTS, OEKO-TEX, ISO 14000
Packaging: swing tags and boxes made from FSC approved paper. Packacing is printed with soy-based inks and is recyclable.
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in New Zealand
Price range: $$$
Sizing: US Women’s size 0-12 (XXS-XL); Men’s S-XL
Favourite Item: Format Jacket
Kuyichi
Styles: men’s and women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton, recycled cotton, recycled polyester, Post-Consumer Recycled Denim, TENCEL, micro-modal, Refibra, linen, T400 ecomade, vegetable-tanned leather
Certifications: GOTS, Global Recycled Standard, Organic Content Standard, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, PETA, Fair Wear Foundation, Open Apparel Registry, SER, Circle Economy, Water Footprint Implementation
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in the Netherlands
Price range: $$
Sizing: Women’s 25-34 (XS-L); Men’s 28-38 (S-XL)
Favourite Item: Nora Loose Tapered Heritage Blue
Lucy & Yak
Styles: women’s
Fabrics: organic yarn, recycled wool
Packaging: uses 100% biodegradable mailing bags
Some of its supply chain is traced
Based in the UK
Price range: $
Sizing: Women US Bottoms 24-40
Favourite Item: ‘Cole’ Wide Leg Organic Jeans in Midwash Denim
MUD Jeans
Styles: men’s, women’s
Fabrics: post-consumer recycled cotton, organic cotton
Certifications: GRS, GOTS, OCS, FSC, PETA, Cradle 2 Cradle, Certified B Corporation
Packaging: Packaging is made from 72% recycled cardboard
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in the Netherlands
Price range: $$
Sizing: Women’s Bottoms 25-33
Favourite Item: Flared Hazen- Strong Blue
Nobody Denim
Styles: women’s
Fabrics: Australian cotton
Certifications: ECA, most fabrics accredited to OEKO-TEX Standard 100, they work with raw material suppliers who meet ISO 14001 standards
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in Australia
Price range: $$
Sizing: Women’s bottoms 0-10
Favourite Item: Frankie Jean Ankle Rigid Rally
Nudie Jeans
Styles: men’s and women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton, recycled cotton, TENCEL lyocell, recycled yarn, recycled denim, wool, alpaca, mohair, silk
Certifications: Fairtrade Cotton, GRS, FSC, PEFC, Organic 100 Content Standard, USDA Organic, GOTS, Fair Wear Foundation
Packaging: uses polybags made from 80% recycled plastics, bags and gift boxes made from FSC certified recycled paper
Most of its supply chain is traced.
Based in Sweden
Price range: $$
Sizing: Women’s Bottoms 24-38
Favourite Item: Straight Sally Dark Stone
Outerknown
Styles: Men’s and Women’s
Fabrics: ECONYL, organic cotton, recycled cotton
Certifications: Fair Trade, FLA Accredited, GOTS
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in California
Price range: $$$
Sizing: Women’s Bottoms 24-32 (0-14; XS-L)
Favourite Item: Cassady High Rise Slim
Outland Denim
Styles: Men’s and Women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton
Certifications: Certified B Corporation, GOTS
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in Australia
Price range: $$$
Sizing: Women’s Jeans 22-38; Men’s Jeans 28-40; Women’s XXS-XXL (0-12); Men’s S-XXL
Favourite Item: Penelope Pencil Midi Skirt
Patagonia
Styles: Men’s and Women’s
Fabrics: recycled polyester, nylon, Tencel, wool and down
Certifications: GOTS, Bluesign, Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Restricted Substances List, 1% for The Planet, Global Traceable Down Standard, B Corporation
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in California
Price range: $
Sizing: 00-22 (XXS-XXL), Men’s XXS-XXXL
Favourite Item: Women’s Button Front Slim Denim Pants
People Tree
Styles: women’s
Fabrics: Tencel, uses GOTS and azo free dyes, Fairtrade certified cotton and organic cotton, linen, wool
Certifications: Fairtrade certification, GOTS Certified Organic Cotton, Organic Soil Association, PETA Approved Vegan
Packaging: They ship using polypropylene plastic which is recyclable and biodegradable
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in the UK
Give back programs: People Tree Foundation
Price range: $
Sizing: 2-14
Favourite Item: Ariel Wide Leg Jeans
ReCreate
Styles: Women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton jersey, organic cotton sweat-shirting, organic lightweight denim, organic natural denim, organic cotton poplin, artisan handwoven cotton
Certifications: GOTS, Standard 100 OEKO-TEX, BCI
Packaging: Plastic free packaging
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in New Zealand
Give back programs: Partner with New Zealand Registered Charitable Trust where profits go towards helping disadvantaged people in Cambodia
Price range: $$
Sizing: XS-XL
Favourite Item: Compass Skirt in Natural
Reformation
Styles: Women’s
Certifications: Bluesign Certified deing facilities, Oeko-Tex 100 Standard
Packaging: Compostable bags and 100% recycled LDPE bags with a biodegradable polymer (BDP)
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in California
Price range: $$$
Sizing: XS-3X; Petites XSP- XLP
Favourite Item: Liza High Straight Jean
Rudy Jude
Styles: Women’s, Kid’s, Baby’s
Fabrics: organic cotton, deadstock denim
Based in California
Price range: $$$
Sizing: Women’s pants Rudy Jude Size 0-6; women’s tops, tees, dresses Rudy Jude size 1-5( XS- XL/ 2-12)
Favourite Item: Adult Utility Jeans
Stella McCartney
Styles: Women’s, Men’s, Kid’s
Fabrics: organic cotton, recycled polyester, Re.Verso cashmere, wool, recycled nylon
Certifications: GRS, FSC, Cradle to Cradle Certified
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in the UK
Price range: $$$$
Sizing: Women’s jeans 20- 39 (00-16)
Favourite Item: The Skinny Boyfriend
The R Collective
Styles: Women’s
Fabrics: upcycled denim, upcycled cotton, upcycled Lenzing modal, upcycled Cupro, upcycled viscose, upcycled polyester, upcycled wool, upcycled Triacetate, upcycled silk, upcycled nylon, upcycled rayon, upcycled Lyocell
Packaging: Uses compostable packaging
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in Hong Kong
Price range: $$$
Sizing: XS-L (0-8)
Favourite Item: Port Jumpsuit
Thought
Styles: Men’s and Women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, Tencel, modal, recycled polyester, wool
Certifications: GOTS
Packaging: Uses recycled paper for labelling and mailing bags and garment bags are made of compostable cornstarch
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in the UK
Price range: $
Sizing: XS-XL (2-14)
Favourite Item: Rosa Organic Cotton Culottes
Triarchy
Styles: Women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton, Tencel, natural rubber, vintage denim, recycled cotton
Certifications: OEKO-TEX, DyStar, PETA, GOTS, ZDHC
All of its supply chain is traced
Based in California
Give back programs: with every pair of jeans sold Triarchy plants a tree as part of One Tree Planted program, Isla Urbana
Price range: $$$
Sizing: Bottoms 24-31, XS-L
Favourite Item: A-Line Short
Unspun
Styles: Men’s, Women’s
Fabrics: organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled cotton
Certifications: BCI
Packaging: goal to have 100% biodegradable and compostable packaging in 2021
Most of its supply chain is traced
Based in California
Price range: $$
Sizing: Customize jeans based on your preferred size and fit
Favourite Item: Women’s Tapered Fit Mid Blue Jeans
There you have it… 25 brands to explore the next time you’re in the market to buy jeans.
As mentioned before, be sure to peruse your closet and second-hand shops before buying new.
Do you know of any sustainable and ethical denim brands that aren’t listed here?
Let me know in the comments!
