We love a good high waisted straight leg jean, in fact, it’s hard to imagine what our fall and winter look would be without a pair.
That said, the environmental impact of jeans is very high. A brand new pair of jeans could use up to 7000 liters of water which is more than the amount of water ONE person drinks over 13 years. Choosing a sustainably made pair that will last forever is best to avoid the large amounts of water, fertilizers, pesticides, and chemicals that are normally used. Here are 5 of our favorite straight leg styles, from ripped denim to classics, designed by brands that are eco-friendly.
E.L.V. Denim Frayed Two-Tone High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans
$420
E.L.V. Denim uses a zero waste ethos to create their line of jeans. Each pair is made from unwanted jeans which were destined for landfill, sourced locally in the United Kingdom where each pair is then washed and reproduced. By keeping their production local and using the most sustainable washing techniques they are able to keep their environmental impact extremely low and their water consumption 1000 times smaller.
Nobody Denim Ripped Knee Lou High Rise Jean
$259
This pair is the perfect way to wear the grunge trend this season without going overboard. We love it paired with an oversized sweater and loafer to offset the style. Nobody Denim is an Australian based brand that keeps all production and manufacturing in the country and is all about transparency and goals. They have already reduced their water consumption by 50% since 2017, have rid themselves of hazardous chemicals in dyes, and mainly use fabrics accredited to OEKO-TEX Standard 100. This means they meet and go beyond, national and International chemical standards.
Boyish High-Rise Straight Leg Jean with Stretch
$245
If you crave a little bit of stretch in your jeans for maximum comfort but still want that true denim look, this pair from Boyish is your remedy. The brand uses eco-friendly fabrics like recycled cotton, organic cotton, TENCEL™ LYOCELL, and deadstock fabrics. All of their styles are cruelty-free and PETA-approved.
Won Hundred Organic Billy Straight Leg Jean
$193
Look for the green cross label on Won Hundred styles to easily identify pieces that meet their sustainable requirements. This pair of high-waisted straight leg is made from organic cotton-GOTS certified which means the cotton used has been certified for areas such as harvesting of raw materials, environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing, and labeling as well.
AMO Bella White Vintage Straight-Leg Jean
$260
Turn to this pair from AMO for an all winter white and cozy look. Just pair it with your favorite cream cable knit and you’re good to go. AMO is a Los Angeles based brand that believes in making a solid pair of jeans, designed by women for women. Production is kept within a family-owned and -operated sustainable denim mill where they use Pure Indigo to dye their jeans meaning the dyes used during the process are free from traditional chemical fixers and additives typically used in denim production. They also use all recycled alloys for their buttons and rivets keeping their hardware to zero waste.