Blue Jeans—Or Green?

It Ain’t Easy Being Green

Blue Jeans—Or Green?

Posted by Su Avasthi on July 25, 2006 - 11:22pm.

Let's say that you're trying on two pairs of jeans. One pair is 100% organic and fits okay. The other is not so organic but— whoa! — it does something spectacular to your rear view. Which do buy?

I'd sacrifice the greater good of the planet for the perfect pair of jeans. In a heartbeat. Even after reading a Grist.com interview with eco-denim designer Tierra Del Forte. Even though I know that I'd be supporting the use of pesticides, insecticides, etc., etc.

Along with growing number of green designers and socially-conscious rockers, big players are entering the game. In November, Levi's will introduce 100% organic cotton jeans to their fall collection. Called "Levi's Eco," they'll come in different fits and finishes and will feature an embroidered lowercase "e" on the front pocket or thereabouts.

This is good news, especially since the jean season is upon us. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, step into any Old Navy, Gap or J. Crew store in the country). In the coming weeks, many of us will try on variations of the new skinny jeans, funky crops or dependable bootcuts. We're going twist in different directions, check ourselves out in the mirror, swoon a little, then drop a fortune (could be upwards of $200) without flinching (much).

Ideally, I'd love to find hot jeans that are also 100% organic cotton. When I do, I'll happily snap 'em up. Till then, give me the hot pair.

Here's the bottom line: I'm conscious of how I treat the planet because it makes me feel good about myself. But the right pair of jeans.... well, they make me feel even better.

Topics:

Well, personally...

by jjackson on July 26, 2006 - 7:00am

My butt looks pretty spectacular in any pants I put on.

Great assets!

by Anonymous on July 26, 2006 - 10:14am

LMAO.

Pictures?

by Anonymous on July 26, 2006 - 7:52am

Bums in organic jeans

Good marketing idea

by jjackson on July 26, 2006 - 9:18am

Let's run with it.

jean season is august? i had

by Anonymous on July 26, 2006 - 9:48am

jean season is august? i had no idea...

hip to be green

by Anonymous on July 26, 2006 - 9:57am

i see more and more designers who use 100% organic cotton so maybe it's the next big trend. jeans are just status symbols like cars and electronic gadgets, and i bet wearing organic is going to be the new thing.

conditional^

by Anonymous on July 26, 2006 - 11:59am

yeah, as long as it looks good

Organic at what price

by Anona_Mouse on July 26, 2006 - 12:42pm

The big question (as always) is how "green" are the organic jeans by the time they've been shipped halfway around the world and back? I'd bet that the only organic cotton comes from 1st world countries, which is probably shipped to a 3rd world country for assembly into jeans, and then back.

Organic v. Non-organic

by Anonymous on July 29, 2006 - 8:36pm

Actually, most of the organic cotton is produced in India and Turkey (there's probably other countries, too, but that's a big source). There's a lot of cotton grown in the USA, but most (99%+) is not organic. There used to be a lot more fabric mills in the USA before NAFTA went into effect, but many then shut their doors, unable to compete with lower cost labor. But your point seems to be more about the environmental and social costs of shipping stuff all the way around the world - and it's a great point. The term "food miles" is a case/point ... estimated that the average food item travels 2000 miles from the field to the fork. BUT, all that being said, non-organic cotton is a *NASTY* crop, accounting for 25% of all insecticides used in agriculture (really, 25%!), and about 10% of all pesticides (a broader category of chemicals, which includes anti-bug, anti-weed and anti-fungus). The entire food and ag production system is screwed up ... but at the very least, organic production eliminates the poisons.

Support The Smaller Companies

by Areté on July 26, 2006 - 12:45pm

What about Fair-Trade clothing? I don't want 3rd world people getting paid crap to assemble my clothing. They deserve good money for good craftsmanship.

I agree with Andrew

by Chris on July 26, 2006 - 1:51pm

We should be looking at the whole impact of our clothing...and sometimes I do feel as though ensuring it is fair trade is more important than it being organic. It would be nice if they could be both!

both!

by dreamymo on July 27, 2006 - 10:16am

i agree --- for me and clothing id love to know that the entire process is fair trade, from the farming of the materials to the assembly and packaging -- thats what id spend $200 on or more - and echoing everyone else -- they'd have to look good too. :)

jus found

by dreamymo on July 27, 2006 - 10:24am

these in a google search for fairtrade jeans, so it looks like the UK may be leading the way in doing this - organic and fairtrade:

http://www.hug.co.uk/pages/catalogue2.asp?type=85&group=1

Fair Trade jeans

by Anonymous on July 29, 2006 - 8:40pm

Europe is WAY ahead of the US in terms of availability of Fair Trade products - but it's not always an either / or. For example, about 80% of all the fair trade coffee sold in the USA is also organic.

Support the smaller companies

by cynamynspyce on April 9, 2007 - 8:34am

I totally agree!

hmm.

by twisted on July 26, 2006 - 8:07pm

at least she's honest... would be great to have hot, fair trade, organic cotton jeans...

maybe next year?

Well what I think is

by Anonymous on July 27, 2006 - 1:51am

Organic Cotton Jeans that are fair trade really appeal to me - what about hemp. We are missing a huge opportunity to promote hemp as a fabric that is durable, versitle, eco friendly and saves trees etc. Since hemp can be fickle about holding color perhaps a cotton/hemp blend that was more fashable and less hippyish (no offense - I love hippies Just I am not one and the style doesn't suit me). Hemp was outlawed to promote the destruction of forest for the use of paper - making see internet and William Randolph Hearst etc. IF we all move toward undoing the misinformation that has banned hemp growth in this country and make it profitable to use this earth friendly product we could save tress, create good paying agricultural work, and give ourselves a really durable, supple fabric to design clothing with. Perhaps the hemp would not be used in the $200-jeans however those jeans that we wear to paint the house, wash the car, hike and hang out in are just fine for the durable fabric that breathes easy against our skin. As far as hot goes, the hemp gets softer with time if properly designed it could wear to fit like a glove and be soft. Soft cloth that hugs the curves sounds hot to me. Hemp and pot are not the same! I do not promote the use of pot - as a counselor I promote the use of a clear mind to enjoy the world with! Peace!

I know how you feel

by phiggs on March 21, 2007 - 10:02am

about looking good and how important that is. I mean, my biceps look twice as big when I drive my Hummer. Sure, I only get 4mpg, but damn -- my delts look rock solid when I roll through in my Hummer. Sure, a hybrid would help reduce emissions and is a helpful step toward a sustainable future, but a Prius would make me look like such a pantywaist. I want to look *good*, not like some calculator salesman. And that's what being green is all about, right?

lol @ phiggs

by Fraser on April 28, 2007 - 11:48pm

high 5

If youre wearing organic how can you NOT look hot? Just buy local (or as close as you can get to it)

~ Greener today than I was yesterday!

Green jeans article photo?

by deenapatel on May 25, 2007 - 8:44pm

Dear Su,

I am obsessed with the jeans in the photo accompanying your article entitled "Blue Jeans - or Green". Are they the new Levi's Eco that you mention to the left of the photo? Or could you tell me the maker and style? Thanks so much! Please reply to deenapatel@hotmail.com.

deena

by deenapatel on May 26, 2007 - 1:44am

What are the jeans in the picture accompanying the Blue [Green] Jeans article? Are they the Levi's Eco; do you know the style? Thanks so much, Deena

Please reply to deenapatel@hotmail.com

jeans

by Marianne on May 29, 2007 - 1:02pm

I would definitely go with the jeans that make me look great!

1. I would wear them to death

2. -- they would definitely last longer than the organic ones

3. -- i bought a set of organic towels -- let me tell you....i only had them for 6 months and already they're starting to unravel and fall apart.

Unless you like the unraveling kind of jean look then go with the organic jeans. If you want something that is going to last a long time, go with the ones that make you look great!

Marianne Scott

^^ WHAT? ^^

by Fraser on June 1, 2007 - 11:02am

seriously...... what?

~ Greener today than I was yesterday!

An alternative

by Statuesqueone on June 1, 2007 - 6:26pm

Just read an article about Pine IV Jeans that are comfortable and have a great fit. Although they aren't 100% organic the company will make a donation to one of several different conservation organizations who will plant a tree on that cutomer's behalf. Great looks and a tree planted to boot!

I just picked up some of the new Levis

by Chris on June 6, 2007 - 11:22am

Their new line ECO is fantastic!

just gotta love organic anything

by leftlime on August 12, 2007 - 12:57pm

organic fruits and veggies, organic health and beauty stuff, organic cleaning stuff or organic jeans to cover my organic butt, it's all good stuff and it's wonderful to see more and more of it available :)
progress towards perfection :)

Eco Fashion

by cbsunshine on August 19, 2007 - 5:35pm

I am 100% for Eco friendly Jeans and any other clothing for that matter. I worked for a major retailer for years as a Merchandiser and Buyer. I just recently retired but found out that they bought their own organic cotton farm and many of their company labels will be made with this organic cotton. I am so proud!

Mr. Green Jeans

by surfast on October 1, 2007 - 1:26pm

You don't have to sacrifice style for sustainability. Greenloop carries some great denim from loomstate, del forte and Edun. I don't know if these brands source local or are fair trade but they are built from organic cotton and they look great. I think Edun is a fair trade brand?

Some domain squatter owns greenloop.com but you can shop them at http://www.thegreenloop.com.

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