Jeans are a staple in every wardrobe. And while there is nothing quite like breaking in a new pair of jeans, it’s important to consider the environmental impact of producing denim when making future purchases. In this article, we’ll be addressing the importance of buying sustainable jeans and the best sustainable jean brands to shop for your favorite styles.

What is the environmental impact of producing denim?

According to Greenpeace, the necessary water consumption to produce denim can go beyond 7,000 liters per pair. Not to mention the shocking 1.7 million tons of chemicals needed to produce 2 billion pairs of jeans on a yearly basis. Taking this global impact into consideration, many sustainable jean brands have emerged with environmentally conscious denim options, without sacrificing quality and style.

Discover these 8 sustainable jean brands that incorporate environmental-friendly practices into their DNA.

Nudie Jeans

Fairness and ethics are the core values of the Swedish brand, Nudie Jeans. Their jeans are made with 100% organic cotton and the company does not offer free returns online, but rather free repairs for life, which is an effective way to reduce order volumes and returns.

SHOP OUR CURATED PICKS

WOMEN’S

Nudie Jeans

Breezy Britt Friendly Blue

$200

Buy

Nudie jeans

Clean Eileen Black

$200

Buy

MEN’S

Nudie Jeans

Grim Tim Indigo Myth

$200

Buy

Nudie Jeans

Grim Tim Dry Selvage

$200

Buy

RE/DONE

This American vintage denim brand based in Los Angeles is known for its upcycling practices. RE/DONE also produces new sustainable jeans and offers free denim repairs for customers who register their jeans online. This brand only partners with eco-friendly factories, and you can read more about their manufacturing initiatives here.

SHOP OUR CURATED PICKS

WOMEN’S

RE/DONE Jeans

Ultra High Rise Wide Leg

$295

Buy

RE/DONE jeans

High Rise Stove Pipe

$250

Buy

RE/DONE Jeans

High Rise Ankle Crop

$265

Buy

RE/DONE Jeans

Comfort Stretch 70s Bootcut

$275

Buy

Edwin USA

Edwin USA, launched in 1961, in Tokyo, became a household name in Japanese denim production. After recognizing the need to change their practices and adapt to current problems, the brand decided to ditch the “make-throw-away” cycle and get into the restorative circular one. Today, they offer recycling and upcycling programs and work with eco-friendly factories, such as Saitex.

SHOP OUR CURATED PICKS

WOMEN’S

Edwin USA

Cai In Slayer

$208

Buy

Edwin USA

Ryder in Solstice

$238

Buy

MEN’S

Edwin USA

Jace in Dark Grey

$268

Buy

Edwin USA

Maddox in Stax

$158

Buy

ÉTICA Denim

Based in Los Angeles, Etica Denim is one of the best sustainable jean brands in the market and provides customers with a “zero-waste style”. Their manufacturing process rejects the use of virgin fibers and starts at the cutting and sewing stage, saving tons of water, energy and chemicals.

SHOP OUR CURATED PICKS

WOMEN’S

ÉTICA Denim

Finn Rework Slim Straight

$172

Buy

ÉTICA Denim

Tyler Vintage Straight

$172

Buy

ÉTICA Denim

Kingsley Jumpsuit

$178

Buy

ÉTICA Denim

Scarlet Mid Rise

$158

Buy

Outerknown

The American brand Outerknown was built on the premise of producing sustainable clothing to keep the oceans clean and the planet a bit less ill. 90% of their fibers are organic, recycled or regenerated, and 100% of their trunks are also made from recycled or renewable fibers. 

SHOP OUR CURATED PICKS

WOMEN’S

Outerknown

Fillmore Boyfriend

$198

Buy

Outerknown

Cassady High Rise Slim

$198

Buy

MEN’S

Outerknown

Ambassador Slim Fit

$128

Buy

Outerknown

Ambassador Slim Fit

$128

Buy

Able

Based in Nashville, Able is a company with multiple missions causing amazing impacts. This ethical fashion brand incorporates recycled packaging for shipping according to what is available in their community and repurposes leather wastage. Besides their sustainability mission, Able employs women in third-world countries in an effort to end poverty and provide them with a living wage.

SHOP OUR CURATED PICKS

WOMEN’S

Able

The Whitney Boyfriend

$95

Buy

Able

The Delta Button Front

$64

Buy

Able

The Bailey Classic Jacket

$150

Buy

Able

The Clara Wide Leg Crop

$95

Buy

Armed Angels

This sustainable German brand creates quality products with ethical materials, such as organic cotton, organic wood and recycled polyester. For Armed Angels, sustainability is not just a trend, but rather a belief that has the power to fight fast-fashion.

SHOP OUR CURATED PICKS

WOMEN’S

Armed Angels

Lejaa Slim Fit High Waist

€100

Buy

Armed Angels

Enijaa Hemp Wide Leg

€100

Buy

MEN’S

Armed Angels

Dylaan Straight Fit

€75

Buy

Armed Angels

Iaan X Stretch Slim

€75

Buy

Mud Jeans

Founded in 2012, Mud Jeans is the world’s first circular denim brand and is best known for using the principles of the circular economy to reduce environmental footprint. Their jeans include up to 40% post-consumer recycled denim, a very high percentage in the market, but their goal is to make the number rise from 40 to 100%. 

SHOP OUR CURATED PICKS

WOMEN’S

Mud Jeans

Relax Rose Whale Blue

€120

Buy

Mud Jeans

Piper Straight Stone Breeze

€120

Buy

MEN’S

Mud Jeans

Extra Easy Strong Blue

€120

Buy

Mud Jeans

Regular Bryce Indigo

€120

Buy