From the 2001 Britney-Justin AMA all-denim look to the $300 Instagram panties, denim is one of those versatile fabrics that never go out of fashion. A wardrobe essential, the versatility of denim makes it a much-loved article of clothing that looks great on a casual setting or a semi-formal occasion.
One of the reasons for denim to push through the harshest of the fashion era and make itself evergreen is the constant variations it brings. These variations include the cut, color, and style, among others, in a pair of jeans.
From large bell-bottoms to skinny fits, jeans have had an expansive career. However, this versatility and availability do not come without their own limitations and innovations.
These “innovations” include acid washing, bleaching, shredding, and even sandblasting. While such a pair of jeans may look trendy and cute, they come with a harrowing history.
Sometimes the destination is just not worth the journey.
One of the ways to wear a perfect fit pair of jeans without a guilty conscience is to seek out some ethical fashion brands.
This article discusses ethical and sustainable fashion, the advantages of owning and wearing such brands, and the brands you should befriend.
Read along to be fashionably woke.
Why make the switch to sustainable and ethical denim brands?
Whether it is the infamous Nike worker controversy or the recent backlash on the Jenner sisters – Kendall and Kylie’s namesake clothing brand on wage, ethics, and sustainability have been eye-raisers.
Customers are the most crucial part of any brand or business. Given the recent enlightenment in terms of sustainability and humanity, customers have started boycotting brands that stand against their values.
If there was one decent enough aspect of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, it is undoubtedly the environmental cleansing. This has proven even to the skeptics of global warming that carbon emission is real and harmful.
But most importantly, it has shown that pollution can be contained and this containment of the pollution is on us. The global pandemic has become a reality check to many individuals and prompts us to be kinder to each other and the environment.
The fashion industry is the second-largest pollutant globally, and it is now up to us to be sustainably fashionable.
Some ethical denim brands that need your attention
- Asket
- E.L.V. Denim
- Kuyichi
- Nudie Jeans
- Outland Denim
These brands have many commendable, sustainable, ethical, and environmentally friendly factors such as being organic, vegan, zero- waste, recycled, using raw denim, using eco-friendly materials, and employing underprivileged people.
Fashion brands, such as these, are exponentially contributing to carbon emission reduction. And we can aid them in the noble cause by buying the perfect pair of jeans from them.
The support of the consumers in such a sustainable mission is only going to motivate other fashion brands to join in and pledge to produce ethically sourced and sustainable apparel.
What are the advantages of owning sustainable and ethical denim?
One of the reasons for switching to denim that is both ecological and sustainable, except for the obvious, is for environmental preservation. These articles of denim are made from fabrics that have been manufactured with a minimum, if not zero, carbon footprint.
The fashion industry has a promising future in a cleaner, low- carbon environment. It is our responsibility to make the environment a better, cleaner place for the generations to come.
As the second-most environmental polluter, the fashion industry, if given a chance and the necessary guidance, can play a large part in bettering the environment.
Sustainable jeans are serving as a foundation for this mission, and as responsible consumers, we have to support this movement in fashion for the future.
Most of the sustainable and ethically-produced jeans brands, apart from being environmentally and budget-friendly, are charitable and humanitarian.
Some of these brands employ and generously compensate the local workers and also provide employment to the mentally-challenged/disadvantaged civilians, giving them a chance to uplift themselves while doing their part for the environment.
What to look for when buying sustainable and ethically produced denim jeans
Your boyfriend might not make it to the 5th anniversary but your boyfriend jeans sure can.
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Jeans are like the cockroaches of the fashion world; if they can make it through acid washing and shredding and still make it to another half-decade, it is safe to assume that a pair of well-tailored jeans will easily last a couple of years, in the least.
This fact alone justifies for a splurge on a sustainable and ethically made pair of jeans that can last for a long time.
However, this doesn’t mean that all sustainably ethical clothing is expensive; there are many sustainable brands that are affordably priced.
For instance, Beyond Retro is one such brand, where you can own a nice pair of sustainable jeans starting from as low as $35.
Besides the tag of suitability, humane harvest, recyclability, and zero-waste are some things to look for when buying environmentally-friendly jeans.
Should brands emphasize only on being ‘natural’ while marketing for sustainable fashion?
What do silk, fur, leather, and ivory have in common? Apart from the glaring animal cruelty, these are all “natural”.
We often mistake “natural” for “sustainable,” and while sustainable things can be natural, not all natural things are sustainable; the examples being silk, fur, leather, and ivory.
All of these were once an emblem of grandiose but have now become a reason to boycott.
Thus, just because a fresh pair of jeans is labeled “natural” does not mean that it is sustainable or has been ethically produced.
While sustainable things can be natural, not all natural things are sustainable.
Another interesting example of this is a natural red dye called “carmine”. This red pigment is extracted from a bug and is used in dyeing textiles, painting, food dyes, and cosmetics.
This 100% natural dye is neither ethical nor sustainable, as excessive poaching for the extraction of the stain might cause the endangerment of these insects.
Therefore, it falls upon fashion brands to be transparent about environmental issues and up to the consumers to do a little research to help make the earth a better place to live for all.
Learn to shop consciously
If you want to rock a nice pair of jeans without feeling guilty, you can look up the marketing strategies of a brand that is novel to you.
Since sustainability and ethical manufacturing is any brand’s core competency and positively a gloat-worthy achievement, any brand practicing such humane methods is likely to disclose that as part of their fashion content marketing.
One click is all it takes!
Now that you are equipped with some sustainable fashion hacks and tips, you can now strut your distressed jeans – stress-free!
For more insights on sustainable fashion and fashion marketing, follow our blog.
Header Image Source: Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash
How did you like May Thawdar Oo’s blog post “Denim Without Dilemma: The Rise of Sustainable and Ethical Denim Jeans Industry”? Let us know in the comments if you have anything to add, have another content idea for beauty content marketing blog posts, or just want to say “hello.” 🙂
