How to Choose the Most Sustainable Jeans

When it comes to our wardrobe staples, we hold a special place in our hearts for denim. From the moment we slip on a pair of jeans, we experience a sense of comfort and style that no other piece of clothing can match.

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But what if we could take our love for denim a step further and make it sustainable as well?

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The best way to make our denim sustainable is by maintaining and prolonging the life of the ones we already have.

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How to maintain the jeans you already have

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To care for your jeans and extend their lifespan, follow these simple steps:

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• Wash them as infrequently as possible. Instead, try spot cleaning or using fabric spray to freshen them up.
• When you do wash them, turn them inside out and use cold water. Avoid using tumble dryers, as the heat can damage the fibers and speed up the aging process. Instead, hang them up to air dry.
• If your jeans have tears or holes that can be repaired, consider getting them repaired instead of throwing them away. This not only keeps them out of landfills but also reduces the production of new jeans.

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If you feel it's time to invest in a new pair, here are some things to keep in mind.

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What to look for when buying a new pair of jeans

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Material

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When buying a new pair of jeans, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, it is recommended to choose jeans made of 100% cotton as they tend to be more durable compared to denim blended with synthetic fibers like elastane. Synthetic blends are more prone to splitting and are harder to repair.

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Good fit

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In terms of fit, it is crucial to find jeans that fit well for your body type. Avoid buying stretch denim in a smaller size to achieve a tighter look, as this can put extra pressure on the fabric and cause it to deteriorate quickly. Trying on jeans from different brands and doing a bend test by sitting down or bending over can help ensure there is enough room in the rise at the front and back for the waistband to stay in place.

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Durable stitching

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Pay attention to the stitching quality. Look for jeans with good, heavy stitching around the hems, pockets, and side seams that won't pull, split, or unravel under stress. Double-stitching or chain-stitching are positive indicators of extra care in the construction process. It is also recommended to gently stretch the jeans at the seams to check for any signs of poor construction, such as threads pulling apart.

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Sustainable jeans brands

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Here are five sustainable jeans brands that have higher ethical standards.

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• DL1961 is a sustainable denim brand that uses innovative recycled fibers and a vertically integrated system to reduce water, dye, and energy consumption while incorporating Tencel and Modal for increased durability, softness, and sustainability.
• ABLE is certified B Corp and crafts impeccably tailored denim pants and shorts, including high-waisted styles, with a commitment to ethical production in fair-wage factories, ensuring both quality and social responsibility.
• Citizens of Humanity is a denim brand that prioritizes sustainability by responsibly sourcing materials and manufacturing their products in the USA and Turkey.
• Mud Jeans is a sustainable denim brand that offers a leasing option, extending the lifecycle of its products and ensuring circularity. They ship globally for €45 and are available in the US through Ooloop.
• Nudie Jeans has a focus on using sustainable raw materials, and each pair of jeans comes with a promise of free repairs. They will repair any broken area of the jeans, and you can have them repaired as many times as needed, regardless of when or where they were purchased.

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Choosing a sustainable jeans brand

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Greenwashing claims like eco-friendly and green can incentivize people, making it difficult to avoid them. To avoid that, you can check for the certifications that the brand has.

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Brands like ABLE are certified B Corp and are committed to ethical production in fair-wage factories, ensuring both quality and social responsibility.

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Other like Citizens of Humanity are responsible sourcing their materials and manufacturing their products in the USA and Turkey.

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Opting for brands that focus on prolonging the life of the jeans can be another good way to find a sustainable brand. Mud Jeans is doing that by offering a leasing option and Nudie Jeans promises free repairs on its jeans.