EcoLux☆Lifestyle: Sustainable Denim: The Quest for Comfort, Fit & A Clean Conscience

Do you feel that scoring a perfect pair of jeans is on par with the odds of winning the lottery? Why does it seem the quest for the perfect fit – from jeans to jackets – will test your patience to extremes, then add to that struggle, finding sustainable denim that is genuinely worthy of the price tag.

denim, organic, sustainable, triarchy, decade, today, ecoluxlifestyle, helen siwak, olivia stiller, vancouver, victoria, yvr, vancity, sustainable fashion, ecofriendly denim — *$5 rack at My Sister’s Closet is a great place to score denim! / Image: MSC_BWSS IG*

Here are our suggestions for sustainable and ethical denim available in the Lower Mainland that is as socially responsible as they are stylish. Each brand takes a unique twist while bringing no new plastic into the landfills.

Triarchy Denim

organic, sustainable, triarchy, decade, today, ecoluxlifestyle, helen siwak, olivia stiller, vancouver, victoria, yvr, vancity, sustainable fashion, ecofriendly denim — *Triarchy Denim / Images: @triarchy*

With sustainability woven into their business model, Triarchy is making plastic-free stretch denim that is timeless and chic. The denim is made with COREVA, a biodegradable elastomer that gives the denim stretch without any plastic. With longevity in mind, their products are made with responsibly sourced materials and washed with advanced sustainable laundry technology to save water waste. When Triarchy re-evaluated their business practices in 2016, they made changes for the better by paying all their garment workers a living wage with safe working conditions and creating garments with as little environmental impact as possible. With this at the center of their business, their pieces are 100% organic cotton, and chemical-free. The brand is PETA-approved and carbon neutral. Available in Vancouver at Nordstrom.

Decade Denim

Vancouver-based brand Decade Denim is making shape-inclusive jeans that are made from 100% cotton with no elastane to create flattering and durable pieces. Their collection is suitable for all seasons and does not change from season to season to encourage sustainable shopping habits. Their material is sourced in Italy and the pieces are assembled in Northern Portugal by highly trained artisans. With a wide range of sizes from 25 up to 50, Decade strives to be inclusive and embrace bodies of all shapes and sizes. The jeans are classic fits that are made to be worn year after year, and when you are done wearing them, they can be sent to a recycling facility that will break them down to the fibre so that the cotton can be reused for insulation. Incredible!

Shop Secondhand for Denim

For those who are always on the lookout for a great deal and even more sustainability in their wardrobe – try thrifting! Our favourite shops to hit for on-trend and affordable jeans are My Sister’s Closet on Main Street, Yaletown’s Mine & Yours on sales day, and Community Thrift in Gastown. Brands to watch out for that are eco-friendly and have sustainable practices are Levi’s, Nudie Jeans, Outland, and Citizens of Humanity.

* Head Image for Story – Decade Denim 2021

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer: Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and digital women's lifestyle magazine EcoLuxLifestyle.co. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at [email protected].