12 Sustainable Denim Brands You Need to Know Before Buying Your Next Pair of Jeans
Image: DL1961
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The Best Sustainable jeans
A good pair of jeans is a closet staple, but did you know it takes almost 2,000 gallons of water to make just one pair?!
Not to mention, most denim brands use harsh chemicals during the dying and finishing processes which end up in the waterway systems. From cotton farming to the maker, it’s a filthy industry. However, several brands are going down a different path and making ethical, eco-friendly denim! We’ve also noted if the below brands make for women, men, and kids - the price points - and sizing.
& of course, you can always find secondhand jeans to give some extra love to!
OUR TOP PICKS FOR Eco-friendly Jeans:
1. Organsk
For | Men & Women
Price | $175-255
Sizes | 25-32
We love brands that take circular fashion seriously! organsk® is a sustainable denim brand offering an alternative approach to the linear take-make-dump model. Their exclusively eco-certified organic + recycled denim for men and women automates circular take-back schemes with tiered membership plans (learn more about the plans here).
In addition, their jeans are made with e-FLOW + Atmos technologies, which are cutting-edge techniques that use 95% less water, 90% fewer chemicals, and 40% less energy than conventional techniques.
On each pair of jeans you browse, you can find in-depth transparency on the product and learn why it is a great sustainable choice for your closet!
2. Amour Vert
For | Women
Price | $84-228
Sizes | 24-34
Amour Vert has partnered with AGOLDE to create a collection of conscious denim so good-looking you will want more than one pair. This denim is crafted in L.A. using organic and recycled cotton in one of the only vertically integrated denim production facilities in the United States. This process uses 80-90% recycled water.
3. Patagonia
For | Men
Price | $53-129
Sizes | 28-44
I’m sure everyone is familiar with Patagonia and their sustainable business practices. It’s definitely a brand to look up to, and they have a few pairs of eco-friendly denim for men! Their durable, midweight jeans are built for a more active lifestyle and are made with a moisture-wicking organic cotton/polyester fabric.
4. Sezane
For | Women
Price | $125-160
Sizes | 24-35
I own a couple of pairs of their jeans, and they are incredibly well-made and look great on. They use GOTS-certified cotton and some recycled poly to create their beautiful denim line. The Born in Paris slow-fashion brand stands for ‘quality, savoir-faire, & the perfect cut. No overproduction & scrupulously considered pricing’.
5. Able
For | Women
Price | $85-120
Sizes | 23-33
I own a pair of denim jeans and shorts from ABLE, and I love them! The quality is excellent, and they are very comfortable and flattering. They even have denim jackets and skirts. If you are unfamiliar with this brand, ABLE invests, trains, and educates women so they can earn a living, break the cycle of poverty, and thrive.
6. Warp + Weft
For | Men & Women
Price | $88-98
Sizes | 00-24
If you are looking for affordable denim for the entire family, this is the brand you need to check out. They have tons of different styles! In addition, their eco-friendly mill is one of the world’s largest textile manufacturers, which means they can create high-quality denim at a price you can better afford - all under $100!
7. DL1961
For | Men, Women & Kids
Price | $55-429
Sizes | 23-34
My son has a pair of their denim made from Tencel and they are so incredibly soft! It’s kind of a cool combination to use both Tencel and cotton because it creates more moveable denim. Most of their denim is just made with cotton, but I still hear it’s great. Plus, this brand has been around for decades & is family-owned.
8. Nudie Jeans
For | Men & Women
Price | $185-400
Sizes | 24-38
Nudie Jeans has been in the sustainable game much longer than others. Almost 95% of all their fibers are cotton and only Organic, Fairtrade, or Recycled cotton. This goal to only use sustainable cotton was reached in 2012, and in 2017 the goal was reached again for the remainder of their products.
9. Outerknown
For | Men
Price | $148-298
Sizes | 28-38
While this brand creates for men and women, they have a special line of jeans for guys. Their S.E.A. jeans are made for life in one of the cleanest denim factories. They are also Fair Trade Certified, ensuring safe, healthy, & prosperous working conditions.
10. prAna
For | Men & Women
Price | $50-120
Sizes | 00-22W
prAna makes jeans for all journeys, with several different styles for you. Most of their jeans are priced under $100, and they offer a few plus size options, as well. They also use an organic cotton blend soft stretch denim so they can easily move with you all day.
11. RE/DONE
For | Women
Price | $265-1050
Sizes | 23-32
I love what this brand is doing with old Levi’s! Their RE/DONE jeans ‘are a celebration of the Levi’s jean’s past and a continuation of the jean’s individual story’. They take vintage denim apart at the seams for this collection and repurpose it for fabric. They also manufacture all their jeans in Downtown Los Angeles.
12. Stella McCartney
For | Men, Women & Kids
Price | $155-1250
If your family is really looking to stick out, this designer is exactly what you are looking for. It’s definitely more of a splurge, but a unique purchase for sure. While they do have your more average blue denim, I just thought these ombre ones were too fun to not share with you. Plus, they have been using organic cotton since 2008!
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WANT TO FIND more SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!
Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.
