By Blythe Copeland
Great Neck, NY, USA | Tue Jun 23 12:15:00 GMT 2009
From cowboys and coal miners to emo rockers and suburban dads, every man needs a reliable pair (or three) of jeans in his wardrobe. But take into account the cotton industry, the harvesting process, the toxic dyes, and the chemical finishes, and suddenly your jeans are looking less and less like the trusty closet favorite. Before buying a new pair, check out these more environmentally friendly choices from brands as classic as Levi's and as contemporary as Edun, in styles produced from organic cotton, hemp, and sugarcane fibers. Suburbanite or sharpshooter, you can still be an environmental warrior.
Why We Like It: Loomstate Prophecy jeans in a versatile dark wash have a medium rise and slim leg, offering a modern fit without the skintight shape of other brands.
Eco-Factor: As a company, Loomstate is dedicated to sustainable production processes and environmental responsibility. They use only 100 percent certified organic cotton in their denim and require partners to meet a list of strict environmental regulations.
Pair Them With: An organic wool sweater on chilly summer nights.
Where: GreenLoop
How Much: $165
Image courtesy of Loomstate
Why We Like It: What's a guide to jeans without a pair from Levi Strauss, who invented the fashion statement in 1873? These Levi's Boot Cut 527 jeans in Eco-Shadow (a dark wash) have a relaxed boot-cut fit, perfect for cowboys (or wannabe cowboys).
Eco-Factor: The jeans—down to the tags—are made from 100 percent organic cotton, and the dark color comes from plant-based indigo dyes. Even the packaging is green—made from organic fabric or recycled paper and printed with soy-based ink.
Pair Them With: An organic cotton t-shirt on a casual Saturday.
Where: Levi's
How Much: Currently on sale for $42
Image courtesy of Levi's
Why We Like It: Hi-Wire hemp jeans from Patagonia offer all the toughness of denim in a lightweight, quick-drying style ideal for traveling or outdoor adventures, while the classic five-pocket style and relaxed fit keep you comfortable.
Eco-Factor: These pants are made from 77 percent organic hemp grown, as the company says, "without the need for much of anything," and 23 percent recycled polyester derived from soda bottles and old fabric.
Pair Them With: A high-performance jacket from Nau for a weekend hike.
Where: Patagonia
How Much: $80
Image courtesy of Patagonia
Why We Like It: Get over the blues with the Meteor Straight Leg from Edun in Phantom, a light gray wash that adds extra polish to your ensemble.
Eco-Factor: In addition to being sewn from 98 percent organic cotton (the other 2 percent is stretch), the jeans are part of a line founded by Bono and wife Ali Hewson and produced in Africa, providing trade to counteract slave labor.
Pair Them With: A green blazer for a night out.
Where: Edun
How Much: $210
Image courtesy of Edun
Why We Like It: The material in Sugar Cane Jeans' Union Star Dungarees is made on old looms—which create larger and less-prone-to-fraying pieces of fabric. Dyed indigo, each pair fades according to how you wear and wash it, so no two are ever the same, and the patterns are based on they-don't-make-'em-like-they-used-to styles.
Eco-Factor: Sugarcane is a renewable resource, and using the fibers that are leftover after sugar production means no part of the cane goes to waste. The company also instructs owners to wash only in cold water, which means you’re saving energy on laundry day.
Pair Them With: Your grandfather's WWII-era leather motorcycle jacket.
Where: History Preservation Association
How Much: $310
Image courtesy of Sugar Cane Jeans
Why We Like It: Your favorite jeans are irreplaceable—and Denim Therapy doesn't try to replace them: The company simply fixes the holes, torn belt loops, hem wear, and broken zippers than have made your perfect pair too shabby or downright revealing for donning in public.
Eco-Factor: Repairing something you already own is greener than any product you could buy: You're saving resources, materials, and production costs. Even though it requires shipping, you're still cutting your denim’s footprint by a large margin.
Pair Them With: Your favorite vintage concert t-shirt.
Where: Denim Therapy
How Much: From $7/inch
Image courtesy of Denim Therapy
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