Eco-Friendly Denim Staples To Stock Up On

Here, unconventional denim designs get an eco-conscious redo.

When it comes to environmental impact, fashion has (deservedly) earned its less-than-sparkling reputation. One of the biggest category culprits? Denim. Between the use of toxic chemical agents and the amount of water required to make it, denim’s carbon footprint is one worth working on.

If you’re still into the blue as much as we are, stock your closet with pieces that are designed with conscious intention, including ones made with deadstock materials, organic fabrications, vintage re-works and more. Here, we’ve done the shopping for you — finding the best eco-friendly denim out there.

Ganni Mid Blue Vintage Angi Jeans

It’s the little things that matter in the goal towards more sustainable denim. That’s why Ganni’s cargo-style jeans — designed with plenty of pockets and a two-tone wash that surprisingly goes with everything — are cut from 100 per cent organic cotton.

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E.L.V. Denim Pleated Denim Cape

It doesn’t get more one of a kind than E.L.V. Denim’s street style-worthy pleated cape. Forged from a collection of upcycled denim, each section is colour matched by hand in the brand’s London studio to construct the striking ombré effect. Wear it and watch the compliments roll in.

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Rombaut Boccaccio II Aura Recycled Faux Denim

This ballet-flat-meets-chunky-sneaker hybrid is about as innovative in conscious fabrication as it is in out-there design. The soft upper is made from 100 per cent recycled PET (a type of plastic that’s endlessly recyclable) then printed with a denim look.

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Miu Miu Denim Baseball Hat

It’s always promising when the upper echelons of fashion take a vested interest in conscious design. The perfect example? This sequin-encrusted denim cap from Miu Miu. It’s part of the iconic brand’s limited edition Upcycled selection, a capsule that transforms vintage garments through circular practices.

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Re/Done x Levi’s Wide Leg Jumpsuit

There’s a timelessness to a denim jumpsuit, especially when it’s fashioned completely out of vintage denim. Since launching its Levi’s off-shoot in 2014, Re/Done has given new life to over 200,000 pairs of discarded jeans, reimagining them for a new generation of denim fanatics.

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Medea Nina Bag

This on-the-nose hit of 2000s-era nostalgia also comes with an eco bent — a crucial piece often missing from the trendiest corners of fashion. Each one of the Nina bags from this Internet-famous accessories brand is made with 100 per cent recycled denim jeans, lending a totally unique outcome.

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Wynn Denim Buckle Top

Environmental impact is at the forefront of Lynn Weare’s thoughtful, elevated basics brand. Her latest seasonless drop includes this angular buckle top, crafted from premium deadstock denim. Another bonus on the eco-minded front: in an effort to prevent overproduction, each piece is made to order in Toronto by a small team.

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This article first appeared in FASHION’s April 2024 issue. Find out more here.

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