Denim to Love (Without the Guilt)

Clockwise from Top Left: Monkee Genes | Lucky Brand | Lucky Brand |
AGJeans | Texas Jeans | Nudie Jeans | Imogen + Willie | Howies

Don’t you love it when fashion magazines feature items you can buy “without guilt” because they cost so little — probably because they were made with exploitative labor practices?

Yeah, me neither.

So when friend and fellow blogger Mandy asked me about sources for thoughtfully made denim, I thought I would share some brands that may move us a little closer to a guilt-free goal.

Ethical, Mid-Range: If you are looking for a jean that covers its ethical bases, Monkee Genes is a great place to start. Sweatshop-free and vegan (PETA-approved, no less), the stylish denim from this company offers the best bang for your buck, ethics-wise. Most styles range from $80-$110 USD and are certified organic by The Soil Association.

Ethical, High-End: For premium jeans with good eco-sense, you may find the right fit at Nudie Jeans. Priced from about $199 to $250 USD, Nudie Jeans boasts an extensive system for repairing, reusing, and recycling their products (including free repair kits for customers who want to prolong the life of their jeans). The company is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation for fair labor practices, and their organic denim is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard. UK Brand Howies is another brand with strong ethical credentials, with details on factories and fabrics provided on their website.

Made-in-USA, Mid-Range: Lucky Brand Jeans offer a made-in-the-USA line that is a relatively easy and affordable way to find stylish, American-made denim options. While the “made-in-the-USA” tag is a not a guarantee of ethical credentials, it does mean that the garment was made in a country attempting to enforce fair labor standards as the law of the land.  If you need quick pair of jeans and are overwhelmed when sorting through unfamiliar ethical options, Lucky Brand’s made-in-the-USA line is a place to start (and probably available at a local retailer).

Made-in-USA, Budget-Priced: For a more traditional and affordable denim option, check out Texas Jeans. With most styles priced around $30 USD (and kids’ jeans available for $20), Texas Jeans prides themselves on sourcing every component of their jeans within the United States. While it’s not the place to find the latest denim cut, they offer several relaxed fit and carpenter options, plus a selection of Big & Tall for men. Diamond Gusset and L.C. King are other American-made brands with similar selections.

Made-in-USA, High-End: I’m excited to share a hometown company for this one. Imogene + Willie is a Nashville-based denim brand featuring a variety of cutting-edge styles. Many of their jeans are made in their Nashville workshop, although the company has begun outsourcing to other workshops in the region as demand has grown. Noble Denim and AGJeans are other brands to check out if you are looking for high-end, American-made styles.

I have to admit, I’ve been looking for reasons (and sales) to buy some of these gorgeous jeans. But after reading Elizabeth Cline’s Overdressed, I’ve realized that the more sustainable option might be for me to re-dye my current, faded styles and create new options without buying a new piece of clothing. If I’m brave enough to try it, I’ll let you know the results!

How do you shop for the guilt-free jean? I’d love to hear about your favorite brands.