Connect with us

Published

on

For the sustainably curious men who’d like to shop better but don’t know where to start, consider this your beginner’s guide to brands who are committed to making their menswear mindfully.

When it comes to shopping, consciously adding pieces to your closet is not only the better approach, but also a great way to make more carefully considered clothing choices. Choices that you’ll keep coming back to, the kinds that never seem to go out of style, are high-quality — and ideally — have a lower impact on the environment. If that sounds about right, then look no further, we’ve put together a curation of the best sustainable clothing brands for men that tick most of the eco-friendly boxes and help you elevate your style for the long haul.

From organic loungewear to business casuals that’ll have you rethinking the assumption that anything eco-friendly is frumpy, discover 20 ethical men’s clothing brands that will make you feel good about where you’re spending your hard-earned money.

Where to Find Men’s Sustainable Clothing Brands:

Transparency note: this guide contains affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you choose to shop through these links which helps us continue this site. As always we only feature brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability that we love — and that we think you’ll love too!

1. Outerknown

Move over coastal grandma, Outerknown has been mastering the laid-back coastal lifestyle look since 2014. Co-founded by surfing legend, Kelly Slater, the brand is known for its après surf style offerings that include cozy blanket shirts to layer up in, crew neck sweaters, relaxed fit denim, and a lot more that are made from conscious materials like organic cotton, hemp blends, along with recycled polyester and nylon for its performance wear, like the high-performance swim trunks that were developed and tested by the pro-surfer himself.

What you’ll find: casuals, activewear, loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

2. Patagonia

Your next outdoor adventure will feel all the more relaxing when you know your clothes and gear were made with the pristine nature around you in mind.

A company that recently made headlines after founder Yvon Chouinard gave the business away to fight the climate crisis, sporting Patagonia gear is also about standing for a better way to do business.

Expect to find high-performance gear and clothing made from the most mindful materials and recycled fibers that are making a difference. For used Patagonia apparel and gear, check out their Worn Wear site.

What you’ll find: outdoor clothing, casual wear, loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

3. Asket

Curating a lasting wardrobe is not too dissimilar to building a retirement portfolio. Just like valuable assets, your clothes should be in it for the long haul and offer a higher return on investment. But every portfolio needs an advisor, and there’s no brand that offers high-quality wardrobe perennials like Asket.

Their permanent collection is chock full of everyday essentials that’ll outlive passing trends and seamlessly transition from season to season and is crafted from materials like organic cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell, reclaimed wool, and recycled cashmere.

What you’ll find: business casuals, casual wear, intimates, and other everyday essentials

Price: $$-$$$

4. Toad&Co

A mission-driven brand that started out by offering outdoor gear, Toad&Co now creates ethically made men’s clothing items that work for everyday adventures like comfortable activewear, cozy loungewear, smart casuals, and snuggle-worthy outerwear crafted in the best eco-friendly materials.

The brand also partners with a warehouse that employs and trains individuals for disabilities, while facilitating outdoor adventures for them, for some of whom, these trips have been the first adventures they’ve ever had.

What you’ll find: casuals, activewear, outdoor clothing, and loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

trousers from sustainable men's clothing brand Toad&Co

5. Kotn

If you’re searching for timeless pieces that don’t adhere to ever-changing trends and were made to last in a sea of throwaway clothing, then look no further. Kotn’s range of elevated everyday basics comes in minimalist neutrals that can easily work with your existing wardrobe and help you level up your style quotient.

Made from low-impact fibers like linen, lyocell, organic cotton, and other cotton varieties, the brand uses its profits to help fund the education of children in rural Egypt, where some of its cotton is grown.

What you’ll find: casual wear, loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

6. No Nasties

No Nasties is an Indian sustainable clothing brand that creates everyday essentials for men in organic materials using no nasty processes, just as its namesake so aptly suggests.

With “emit less, balance the rest” as its mantra, the brand offsets the carbon footprint of every product they make, while also eliminating waste, and upcycling its overstock fabrics into new styles.

What you’ll find: casual wear, loungewear

Price: $$

7. unspun

Ever dreamed of owning a pair of well-fitted denim jeans that don’t require a belt to stay in place? The denim makers at unspun are here to make those dreams come true.

Unspun creates customized jeans on a made-to-order basis using a 3D scan of your body to offer you the best fit ever. Their denim is crafted from organic cotton material and processed with low-impact dyes using water that’s recycled and fed back into the system.

The bonus: If you’re dissatisfied with the fit, they’ll alter it for you free of charge!

Intrigued to know more? We broke down the steps on how you can get a custom-made pair from them online in this guide.

Price: $$$

man wearing custom fit sustainable jeans

8. Neem

Inspired by the Indian tree known for its healing properties, Neem was created as an “antiseptic” to fast fashion with its range of sustainable power casuals that’ll help you look slick while going easy on the environment.

From t-shirts to shirts, overshirts, and some complementing accessories, Neem crafts its clothes using recycled and regenerative fibers for the most part along with GOTS certified organic cotton, ZQ Merino, or unwanted stock.

All of their products are tested for a full lifecycle analysis and the brand also encourages its UK-based customers to send in their worn-out menswear for recycling – whether it’s a Neem product or not – in exchange for £30 credit towards their next purchase. 

What you’ll find: smart casuals

Price: $$-$$$ 

man wearing recycled flannel from sustainable menswear brand Neem

9. Grailed

A secondhand online marketplace with no shortage of menswear, Grailed is a great place to explore the coolest streetwear finds, along with designer pieces from the likes of Balenciaga, Dior, Gucci, and many more in near-mint condition if you’re in the market for a budgeted luxury buy.

All of their big-ticket designer items have been authenticated using a combination of human and machine moderation to help ensure everything you buy is legit.

What you’ll find: casual wear, loungewear, and business casuals

Price: $$-$$$$

10. Story mfg.

For the men who enjoy sporting a great print on their clothing, appreciate art, and sartorially enjoy channeling their hippie side, Story mfg. has everything you need. With a high focus on craft and non-toxic clothing processes, the brand even states that they carry out the natural dyeing in a re-planted forest where all of their waste is used to fertilize the gardens right after.

Consider this your one-stop shop for print-happy graphic t-shirts, patchwork jackets, and hand-knitted sweatshirts.

What you’ll find: casual wear and loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

11. Harvest & Mill

If you ask us, sustainability starts with everyday essentials. Right from the pajamas you wear, to the tees you have on rotation, knowing that your day-to-day basics were made responsibly, locally, and can be composted at the end of their life will bring you a level of eco-ease. That’s the sort of confidence you can have in the organic cotton essentials from Harvest & Mill.

All of their pieces are crafted from natural, dye-free organic cotton, some of which are made from heirloom variety cotton that naturally grows in shades of brown, green, and red.

What you’ll find: everyday casual wear and loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

12. Armedangels

Armedangels is a German brand that’s creating sustainably-minded everyday basics. Think t-shirts, shirts, polos, knitwear, outerwear, and denim, everything that lays the very foundation of your wardrobe, but made better.

With a special focus on creating low-impact denim, their DetoxDenim range is free from the slew of toxic dyes and chemicals that are usually found in the production process of conventional jeans. While their Circular denim is mechanically recycled and consists of 20% recycled organic cotton residues and waste from their own production.

What you’ll find: casual wear, loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

13. De Bonne Facture

Derived from the French expression that describes “a way of doing things well”, De Bonne Facture marries Parisian style with skilled craftsmanship to bring you sophisticated separates made from the finest eco-conscious materials.

With high importance on provenance, each piece comes with a hangtag detailing the name, locality, and history of the atelier that made it, just like fine French wine.

What you’ll find: casual wear, business casuals, loungewear

Price: $$$

14. Ecoalf

Born out of the vision to stop carelessly using natural resources, Ecoalf creates most of its clothing using recycled materials, predominantly ocean plastic. Since 2015, the brand has been collecting plastic waste with help from the fishing industry and transforming it into yarn and fabrics to produce high-quality sustainable clothing for men and women.

From slick streetwear casuals to loungewear essentials and weather-resistant clothing, Ecoalf has everything you need to hit the slopes or streets in style.

What you’ll find: streetwear, activewear, outdoor clothing, and loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

15. Opera Campi

Opera Campi is an Italian made-to-order men’s slow fashion brand that uses hemp as its hero fabric. Full of enduring everyday styles that speak to the minimalist aesthetic, their hemp fabric comes in all-natural and woolen blends to suit your seasonal needs.

We love the fact that they’ve invented a “moon button” from a sustainable metal that gets its namesake from the patinated look it achieves after being buried in microorganism-rich soil for three days.

What you’ll find: casual wear, loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

16. Nudie Jeans Co.

If you’re in the market for a fresh pair of lifetime-quality jeans, then look no further. Nudie Jeans Co. creates its denim material from 100% organic cotton in a wide variety of washes and styles. The brand also repurposes and recycles its used jeans to resell them as secondhand styles.

We love the fact that each one of their fit styles has a quirky name to it instead of the run-of-the-mill straight, slim, or wide leg. Whether you’re leaning towards a Lean Dean, Rad Rufus, Thin Finn, or Gritty Jackson, there’s a fit style to suit every taste.

What you’ll find: denim jeans, along with casual wear and loungewear pieces

Price: $$-$$$

17. Olderbrother

Featuring cool casuals in a color palette defined by nature, Olderbother is a men’s sustainable fashion brand that treats its clothing using nature-derived hues from oak tree barks, gooseberries, turmeric, and other plant sources. The resulting colors feature intentional imperfections and unevenness that will become darker when exposed to the sun and over time.

Primarily crafted from organic cotton, their range of elevated casual wear also features unique blends of wool, woven rice paper, and linen.

What you’ll find: casual wear and loungewear

Price: $$$

18. JCRT

JCRT is a zero waste men’s slow fashion brand that creates all things plaid in polished styles on a made-to-order basis. But, don’t let their love of plaid intimidate you, these tartans come in cool color combinations, while some pieces are remixed with elements like skulls, journal notes, shapes, and symbols to create a unique print that’s processed using low-impact dyes and less water, compared with traditional garment production.

What you’ll find: casual wear and loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

Read More About Conscious Fashion:

What is Sustainable Fashion?

What is Slow Fashion?

What is Ethical Fashion?

About The Author:

Jharna Pariani is a fashion writer and creative strategist whose work is rooted in honesty and deep observation of the world around her. When she isn’t busy penning down her thoughts, she moonlights as a video editor creating fashion and food reels on Instagram for several brands and influencers

The post 18 Men’s Sustainable Clothing Brands You Should Have on Your Radar appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

18 Men’s Sustainable Clothing Brands You Should Have on Your Radar

Continue Reading

Green Living

8 Best Linen Clothing Brands With Easy Breezy, Beautiful Pieces

Published

on

When the temperatures go up, all I want to reach for is natural fibers — specifically, my linen clothing. There’s nothing quite as breathable or breezy as linen. So in this guide I break down what to know about this quintessential summer fiber, and share my top selections for linen clothing brands. They’re all small to mid-sized brands, mostly women-led!

Some Background on Linen

Where does linen come from?

Linen fiber is extracted from the stalks of flax plants. This plant is also known for providing us with nutritious flaxseeds and linseed oil — talk about an overachiever!

In fact, linen is one of the oldest fibers known to man, dating back to the prehistoric era. Archaeologists and paleobiologists have discovered flax fibers during excavations that were twisted, indicating they were used to make ropes or strings among many proposed applications that must have been a great advantage to the hunter-gatherer society. In fact, linen wrappings were even used for mummification in ancient Egypt.

Linen fabric is then created by obtaining its fibers from the inner bark (or stalks) of the flax plant.

How is the linen cloth made?

Before the fibers are spun into the breezy linen you know and love, its fibers are loosened and separated from the rest of the stalk through a process known as “retting”. At that point, the fibers are still straw-like and coarse in texture.

To soften it, the fibers are broken up into small, short bits, while the actual fiber is left unharmed, and then “scutched”, where the straw is scraped off the fiber. After which they are then pulled through “hackles”, that comb the straw out of the fiber to finally prepare flax for spinning into linen fabric.

And linen clothing is, of course, garments comprised of linen fiber in its entirety or blended with other fibers. For this guide, I tried to select brands that only used 100% linen or at the minimum blended linen with other natural fibers like cotton.

The Benefits of Linen Clothing

Why wear linen? Known for being ideal during the summers, clothing made from linen will allow heat to escape from the body while absorbing moisture and drying relatively quickly. While linen may have a notorious reputation for wrinkling rather quickly, when blended with other fibers, the creases aren’t as discernible as they would be with pure linens.

While linen may be notorious for its high energy consumption owing to its need to be ironed more, linen clothing’s pros easily outweigh its cons.

Flax plants can be grown in the harshest of climate conditions that require minimum water. What’s more impressive is the plant’s ability to absorb carbon. The European Confederation of Flax and Hemp (CELC) states that one hectare of flax absorbs 3.7 tons of CO2 every year.

Is Linen More Sustainable Than Cotton?

While there are benefits and drawbacks to every fiber when it comes to environmental sustainability, there are a few points where linen stands out when compared to cotton.

First, we know that durability is a key aspect of sustainability, because it means our clothes will last, enabling us to keep our clothes longer and buy new clothing less frequently.

So how long does linen clothing last in comparison to cotton? Linen clothing is up to 12 times stronger than cotton, helping increase its longevity and taking away the need to be replaced so often.

Another question might be about flax’s water usage. While the irrigation needs of the crop are dependent on the region’s climate (just as with cotton), 450–750 mm of water per season is sufficient for flaxseed. In fact, some studies even indicate that flax could be regarded as a drought-tolerant crop.

How to Care for Linen Clothing

When it comes to caring for linen clothing, linen can be washed on a gentle machine cycle with a mild detergent. (Check out these low waste low-impact detergent options.)

In case you’re curious whether linen stretches or shrinks, then there isn’t much to worry about. Linen is mostly pre-shrunk during the manufacturing stages but pure linens may show about 4% shrinkage.

And when it comes to stretch, linens aren’t known to stretch out over time but can show some level of elasticity when blended with other fibers.

Finally, it’s no secret that linen clothing tends to wrinkle easily! You may choose to embrace the natural characteristics of linen and wear your linen clothing as is, or if you want a crisper look, you may either want to look for a linen blended fabric, or be prepared to steam and/or iron your garments relatively frequently.

Note: This guide includes partners and/or affiliates. As always, brands must meet high standards for sustainability and ethics — and I only share brands that I believe in.

How to Find Sustainable Linen Clothing

So of course, I’m a big advocate for “secondhand first” when it comes to all fashion, including linen clothing. While your local thrift store might not be filled with 100% linen clothes, online secondhand shops can be a great resource. For luxury and premium brands, Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal. For more affordable options, my favorite pick is ThredUp because you can filter by natural fibers only. To be clear: the listings aren’t always accurate, so I still double check the descriptions of any product that shows up with that filter, but it does save some time to start there.

When looking for new linen clothing, I always prioritize small to mid-size women-led businesses. And I check the product details to see if they use 100% linen or if they’re deceptively saying “linen blend” and then it’s actually 50% polyester!

And while not perfect you can also look for certifications. These are the ones most relevant to linen clothing and linen fashion brands.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifies that the finished textile product has been tested for harmful substances (heavy metals, formaldehyde, pesticide residue). This is a chemical-safety certification, not a guarantee of fair labor or environmental practices. So it tells you the linen has been tested for potentially toxic chemicals, but it doesn’t tell you who made it or how. Note that some brands just say “OEKO-TEX certified” — that virtually always refers to OEKO-TEX Standard 100, the most common certification from OEKO-TEX.

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certifies that a textile contains a minimum percentage of certified organic fiber and meets environmental and social criteria through processing. It’s the standard for verifying a fabric is genuinely “organic,” not just marketed that way.

B Corp certifies the company as a whole against social and environmental performance standards (labor, governance, environmental impact). This is a business-level cert, not a product-level one, so it doesn’t speak to any single garment’s materials.

Fair Trade Certified verifies that the specific factory/facility producing the item meets standards for labor conditions, wages, and worker safety, and that a Community Development Premium is paid to workers. It’s a labor and production-facility certification. It doesn’t certify the fabric’s environmental footprint or chemical content (that’s what OEKO-TEX covers), so a garment can carry both certifications and they’re speaking to different things.

Where to Find Eco-Friendly Linen Clothing

I scoured through dozens of brands to find my top picks for brands with sustainably-crafted linen clothing for women (some have men’s clothing too). I’ve included their conscious qualities, what they’re best for, and any caveats so you can make the best decision for yourself. Keep in mind while shopping that 100% linen garments won’t have any stretch — so if you run between sizes, I’d default to sizing up. But of course, check the size chart and reviews for each brand!

1. Linen Handmade Studio

Best for: tailored, elevated linen clothing

A lot of linen clothing can feel quite casual. And while Linen Handmade studio does have relaxed-fit options, what differentiates the brand in my opinion is their tailored options. I often hear from conscious readers that they want to wear natural fibers to work, but they can’t find something nice enough. Enter in: Linen Handmade Studio’s tailored pieces.

The brand has linen blazers and jackets, linen vests, and linen pants elevated enough for work or an evening out. (They even have bridesmaid dresses.) I’ve been wearing their Evelyn Longline Linen Vest in red clay on repeat and gotten so many compliments on it.

Price Range: $68 – $305
Size Range: US 2-18 (runs slightly small, I’d size up!)
Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally; free U.S. shipping on orders $300+

Navy linen long tailored vest from Linen Handmade Studio

2. MATE

Best for: casual GOTS-certified organic linen clothing

Prioritizing natural non-toxic materials, MATE has a collection of effortless linen shorts, button-downs, and pants made from GOTS-certified organic linen and colored with low-impact dyes.

That means that the color options at MATE are a bit more limited than you might see at other brands. They carry white, black, and “dune” — a soft beige.

I have their organic linen button-down in white and it’s been a reliable staple for me the past two years that’s held up beautifully.

Price Range: $88 – $178
Size Range: XS – XL
Based in: U.S. | Ships: Internationally

White organic linen button-down shirt from MATE

3. Linen Fox

Best for: romantic pastoral clothing in trend-forward colors and prints

Linen Fox is a Lithuanian small independent fashion brand — their team of 16 people make all of their linen clothing — including womenswear, menswear, and kids clothes.

The brand’s garments are made from OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified linen fabric. The label follows fair trade principles to production and reduces fabric waste by selling their fabric scraps as samples, and crafting accessories like scrunchies. They also ship in 98% plastic-free packaging.

Price Range: $74 – $187
Size Range: XS – XL (several products fit oversized; check each description!)
Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally

Butter yellow linen dress from Linen Fox

4. Magic Linen

Best for: linen separates plus matching home linens

From classic linen shirts to linen aprons and linen pajamas, Magic Linen is your destination for finding summer-ready sustainable linen clothing for men or women.

The small business’ linen clothing is made with European flax linen certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100.

The Etsy shop also has plenty of linen home goods — I have linen curtains and bedsheets from Magic Linen and the quality of the fabric has been fantastic, with the sheets holding up well even after years of washing.

Price Range: $93 – $298
Size Range: XS – XXL
Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally

Blue linen button-down dress from Magic Linen

5. Beaumont Organic

Best for: European-made linen clothing with full factory transparency

Looking for breathable garments perfect for your summer getaway to the English countryside or sea? Look no further than Beaumont Organic.

Beaumont Organic is a UK slow fashion brand with garments made from natural fabrics, like flax linen clothing! The brand publishes a directory of the factories they source from — 97% of production takes place in Northern Portugal.

They also have a repair program and are launching a resale program (currently available within the UK only).

Price Range: $211 – $300
Size Range: XS – L
Based in: UK | Ships: Internationally

Dark orange linen vest and linen skirt from Beaumont Organic

6. LoveAndConfuse

Best for: feminine style linen clothing

The linen clothing from this lovely small Lithuanian brand on Etsy are truly swoon-worthy!

From wrap dresses to ruffled midi’s to high-waisted linen shorts and linen crop tops, their collection of linen fashion will have you dreaming of a slow travel escape to somewhere warm and sunny.

Price Range: $116 – $225
Size Range: XS – XL
Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally

Blue linen blouse from LoveAndConfuse

7. Neu Nomads

Best for: classic linen garments and resortwear

With a mission to create simple, sustainable luxury, Neu Nomads offers quality classics made from earth-minded materials, including 100% OEKO-TEX Standard 100-certified linen.

You’ll find linen trousers, effortless shirts, resort-ready kaftans, and tailored linen blazers in classic colors like white, black, olive, and bright coral.

Price Range: $159 – $359
Size Range: XXS – XXL
Based in: U.S. | Ships: Internationally

Black linen blazer and linen trousers from Neu Nomads

8. EILEEN FISHER

Best for: classic linen clothing with circularity programs

Slow fashion brand EILEEN FISHER has elegant, minimalistic garments made from eco-minded fabrics including organic linen. Several of the pieces are made in Fair Trade Certified factories.

This is the largest company on the list, but still considered a medium-sized enterprise — and, of course, this namesake label is woman-founded.

EILEEN FISHER’s organic linen clothing is timeless and made with quality, as part of their circularity efforts. In addition to ensuring their pieces last, the brand also has a resale program called Renew and a “third life” program that repurposes unwearable garments into unique artwork and other goods.

Price Range: $98 – $268
Size Range: XXS – XL
Based in: U.S. | Ships: Within U.S.

Blue organic linen tank from EILEEN FISHER

Your Questions, Answered:

What about Quince’s linen clothing?

While Quince offers more affordable linen clothing, in my experience their linen clothing is ok quality, but does not compare with the quality of some of the other brands on this list. Also, I personally want to prioritize women-led small businesses for my guides, not venture-backed billion-dollar companies.

Should I look for organic linen clothing?

While organic linen is wonderful, it is quite rare. Only two brands on this list use certified organic linen. Note that OEKO-TEX Standard 100 linen is not “organic” linen, but rather linen clothing that has been tested against common harmful substances. The most common certification for organic fiber clothing is Global Organic Textile Standard, or GOTS.

Is there any linen clothing that’s work-appropriate?

This one depends on your work place’s dress code, but there are a few options on this list with linen blazers, trousers, and other more tailored pieces like Linen Handmade Studio and Neu Nomads.

More Sustainable Clothing Guides:

The Best Organic Cotton Fashion Brands

What is Zero Waste Fashion?

Actually Fashionable Hemp Clothing Brands

The post 8 Best Linen Clothing Brands With Easy Breezy, Beautiful Pieces appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

9 Best Linen Clothing Brands With Easy Breezy, Beautiful Pieces

Continue Reading

Green Living

9 Best Linen Clothing Brands With Easy Breezy, Beautiful Pieces

Published

on

Breezy, light, and breathable, we take a deep dive into how one of the best summer fabrics fares when it comes to sustainability while discovering these brands that are doing right by linen.

Some Background on Linen

Where does linen come from?

Linen fiber is extracted from the stalks of flax plants. This plant is also known for providing us with nutritious flaxseeds and linseed oil — talk about an overachiever! 

In fact, linen is one of the oldest fibers known to man, dating back to the prehistoric era. Archaeologists and paleobiologists have discovered flax fibers during excavations that were twisted, indicating they were used to make ropes or strings among many proposed applications that must have been a great advantage to the hunter-gatherer society. In fact, linen wrappings were even used for mummification in ancient Egypt. 

Linen fabric is then created by obtaining its fibers from the inner bark (or stalks) of the flax plant. 

How is the linen cloth made?

Before the fibers are spun into the breezy linen you know and love, its fibers are loosened and separated from the rest of the stalk through a process known as “retting”. At that point, the fibers are still straw-like and coarse in texture. 

To soften it, the fibers are broken up into small, short bits, while the actual fiber is left unharmed, and then “scutched”,  where the straw is scraped off the fiber. After which they are then pulled through “hackles”, that comb the straw out of the fiber to finally prepare flax for spinning into linen fabric.

And linen clothing is, of course, garments comprised of linen fiber in its entirety or blended with other fibers. For this guide, I tried to select brands that only used 100% linen or at the minimum blended linen with other natural fibers like cotton.

The Benefits of Linen Clothing

Why wear linen? Known for being ideal during the summers, clothing made from linen will allow heat to escape from the body while absorbing moisture and drying relatively quickly. While linen may have a notorious reputation for wrinkling rather quickly, when blended with other fibers, the creases aren’t as discernible as they would be with pure linens.

While linen may be notorious for its high energy consumption owing to its need to be ironed more, linen clothing’s pros easily outweigh its cons.

Flax plants can be grown in the harshest of climate conditions that require minimum water. What’s more impressive is the plant’s ability to absorb carbon. The European Confederation of Flax and Hemp (CELC) states that one hectare of flax absorbs 3.7 tons of CO2 every year.

Is Linen More Sustainable Than Cotton?

While there are benefits and drawbacks to every fiber when it comes to environmental sustainability, there are a few points where linen stands out when compared to cotton.

First, we know that durability is a key aspect of sustainability, because it means our clothes will last, enabling us to keep our clothes longer and buy new clothing less frequently.

So how long does linen clothing last in comparison to cotton? Linen clothing is up to 12 times stronger than cotton, helping increase its longevity and taking away the need to be replaced so often.

Another question might be about flax’s water usage. While the irrigation needs of the crop are dependent on the region’s climate (just as with cotton), 450–750 mm of water per season is sufficient for flaxseed. In fact, some studies even indicate that flax could be regarded as a drought-tolerant crop.

How to Care for Linen Clothing

When it comes to caring for linen clothing, linen can be washed on a gentle machine cycle with a mild detergent. (Check out these low waste low-impact detergent options.)

In case you’re curious whether linen stretches or shrinks, then there isn’t much to worry about. Linen is mostly pre-shrunk during the manufacturing stages but pure linens may show about 4% shrinkage.

And when it comes to stretch, linens aren’t known to stretch out over time but can show some level of elasticity when blended with other fibers.

Finally, it’s no secret that linen clothing tends to wrinkle easily! You may choose to embrace the natural characteristics of linen and wear your linen clothing as is, or if you want a crisper look, you may either want to look for a linen blended fabric, or be prepared to steam and/or iron your garments relatively frequently.

Note: This guide includes partners and/or affiliates. As always, brands must meet high standards for sustainability and ethics — and I only share brands that I believe in.

How to Find Sustainable Linen Clothing

So of course, I’m a big advocate for “secondhand first” when it comes to all fashion, including linen clothing. While your local thrift store might not be filled with 100% linen clothes, online secondhand shops can be a great resource. For luxury and premium brands, Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal. For more affordable options, my favorite pick is ThredUp because you can filter by natural fibers only. To be clear: the listings aren’t always accurate, so I still double check the descriptions of any product that shows up with that filter, but it does save some time to start there.

When looking for new linen clothing, I always prioritize small to mid-size women-led businesses. And I check the product details to see if they use 100% linen or if they’re deceptively saying “linen blend” and then it’s actually 50% polyester!

And while not perfect you can also look for certifications. These are the ones most relevant to linen clothing and linen fashion brands.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifies that the finished textile product has been tested for harmful substances (heavy metals, formaldehyde, pesticide residue). This is a chemical-safety certification, not a guarantee of fair labor or environmental practices. So it tells you the linen has been tested for potentially toxic chemicals, but it doesn’t tell you who made it or how. Note that some brands just say “OEKO-TEX certified” — that virtually always refers to OEKO-TEX Standard 100, the most common certification from OEKO-TEX.

B Corp certifies the company as a whole against social and environmental performance standards (labor, governance, environmental impact). This is a business-level cert, not a product-level one, so it doesn’t speak to any single garment’s materials.

Fair Trade Certified verifies that the specific factory/facility producing the item meets standards for labor conditions, wages, and worker safety, and that a Community Development Premium is paid to workers. It’s a labor and production-facility certification. It doesn’t certify the fabric’s environmental footprint or chemical content (that’s what OEKO-TEX covers), so a garment can carry both certifications and they’re speaking to different things.

Where to Find Eco-Friendly Linen Clothing

I scoured through dozens of brands to find my top picks for brands with sustainably-crafted linen clothing for women (some have men’s clothing too). I’ve included their conscious qualities, what they’re best for, and any caveats so you can make the best decision for yourself. Keep in mind while shopping that 100% linen garments won’t have any stretch — so if you run between sizes, I’d default to sizing up. But of course, check the size chart and reviews for each brand!

1. Linen Handmade Studio

Best for: tailored, elevated linen clothing

A lot of linen clothing can feel quite casual. And while Linen Handmade studio does have relaxed-fit options, what differentiates the brand in my opinion is their tailored options. I often hear from conscious readers that they want to wear natural fibers to work, but they can’t find something nice enough. Enter in: Linen Handmade Studio’s tailored pieces.

The brand has linen blazers and jackets, linen vests, and linen pants elevated enough for work or an evening out. (They even have bridesmaid dresses.) I’ve been wearing their Evelyn Longline Linen Vest in red clay on repeat and gotten so many compliments on it.

Price Range: $68 – $305

Size Range: US 2-18 (runs slightly small, I’d size up!)

Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally; free U.S. shipping on orders $300+

Navy linen long tailored vest from Linen Handmade Studio

2. MATE

Best for: casual GOTS-certified organic linen clothing

Prioritizing natural non-toxic materials, MATE has a collection of effortless linen shorts, button-downs, and pants made from GOTS-certified organic linen and colored with low-impact dyes.

That means that the color options at MATE are a bit more limited than you might see at other brands. They carry white, black, and “dune” — a soft beige.

I have their organic linen button-down in white and it’s been a reliable staple for me the past two years that’s held up beautifully.

Price Range: $88 – $178
Size Range: XS – XL
Based in: U.S. | Ships: Internationally

White organic linen button-down shirt from MATE

3. Linen Fox

Best for: romantic pastoral clothing in trend-forward colors and prints

Linen Fox is a Lithuanian small independent fashion brand — their team of 16 people make all of their linen clothing — including womenswear, menswear, and kids clothes.

The brand’s garments are made from OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified linen fabric. The label follows fair trade principles to production and reduces fabric waste by selling their fabric scraps as samples, and crafting accessories like scrunchies. They also ship in 98% plastic-free packaging.

Price Range: $74 – $187

Size Range: XS – XL (several products fit oversized; check each description!)

Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally

Butter yellow linen dress from Linen Fox

4. OhSevenDays

Best for: deadstock linen with custom sizing available

OhSevenDays was founded by Megan Mummery after seeing the vast supply of surplus fabrics (i.e. deadstock) in Istanbul, Turkey.

While originally sourcing their deadstock fabric from middleman sellers, OhSevenDays now sources their surplus fabrics (including linen) directly from OEKO-TEX fabric mills for better transparency.

Price Range: $$

Size Range: XS-XL + custom sizing options

Based in: Turkey | Ships: Internationally

model wearing ruffled blue linen dress from OhSevenDays

5. Magic Linen

Best for: linen separates plus matching home linens

From classic linen shirts to linen aprons and linen pajamas, Magic Linen is your destination for finding summer-ready sustainable linen clothing for men or women.

The small business’ linen clothing is made with European flax that means the pre-certification guidelines of OEKO-TEX Standard 100.

The Etsy shop also has plenty of linen home goods — I have linen curtains and bedsheets from Magic Linen and the quality of the fabric has been fantastic, with the sheets holding up well even after years of washing.

Price Range: $-$$

Size Range: XS – XXL

Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally

Check Out Magic Linen

man wearing white linen top from linen clothing brand Magic Linen

6. Beaumont Organic

Best for: UK-made linen with full factory transparency

Looking for breathable garments perfect for your summer getaway to the English countryside or sea? Look no further than Beaumont Organic.

Beaumont Organic is a UK slow fashion brand with garments made from natural fabrics, like flax linen clothing! The brand publishes a directory of the factories they source from — 97% of production takes place in Northern Portugal.

They also have a repair program and are launching a resale program (currently available within the UK only).

Price Range: ££ – £££

Size Range: XS – L

Based in: UK | Ships: Internationally; covers EU customs & fees

Explore Beaumont Organic

orange linen top from UK linen clothing brand Beaumont Organic

7. LoveAndConfuse

Best for: ultra feminine style linen clothing

The linen clothing from this lovely small Lithuanian brand on Etsy are truly swoon-worthy!

From wrap dresses to ruffled midi’s to high-waisted linen shorts and linen crop tops, their collection of linen fashion will have you dreaming of a slow travel escape to somewhere warm and sunny.

Price Range: $ – $$

Size Range: XS – XL

Based in: Lithuania | Ships: Internationally

Check Out LoveAndConfuse

model wearing blue linen dress from linen clothing brand Love and Confuse

8. Neu Nomads

Best for: affordable linen garments

With a mission to create simple, sustainable luxury at affordable prices, Neu Nomads offers quality classics made from earth-minded materials, including organic linen.

You’ll find linen trousers, effortless shirts, chic blouses, summer dresses, and even linen blazers in a range of colors among Neu Nomad’s consciously crafted selection.

Price Range: $ – $$

Size Range: XS – XL

Based in: U.S. | Ships: Internationally

Check Out Neu Nomads

woman wearing mustard yellow linen trousers and linen top - sustainable linen clothing brands

9. EILEEN FISHER

Best for: investment-piece linen with a circularity program

Slow fashion label EILEEN FISHER has elegant, minimalistic garments made from eco-minded fabrics including organic linen.

EILEEN FISHER’s organic linen clothing is timeless and made with quality, as part of their circularity efforts. In addition to ensuring their pieces last, the brand also has a resale program called Renew and a “third life” program called Waste No More that repurposes unwearable garments into unique items.

Price Range: $$$

Size Range: XXS – XL

Based in: U.S. | Ships: Within U.S.

Check Out Eileen Fisher

White organic linen clothing from Eileen Fisher

Your Questions, Answered:

What about Quince’s linen clothing?

While Quince offers more affordable linen clothing, in my experience their linen clothing is ok quality, but does not compare with the quality of some of the other brands on this list. Also, I personally want to prioritize women-led small businesses for my guides, not venture-backed billion-dollar companies.

Should I look for organic linen clothing?

While organic linen is wonderful, it is quite rare. Only two brands on this list use certified organic linen. Note that OEKO-TEX Standard 100 linen is not “organic” linen, but rather linen clothing that has been tested against common harmful substances. The most common certification for organic fiber clothing is Global Organic Textile Standard, or GOTS.

More Sustainable Clothing Guides:

The Best Organic Cotton Fashion Brands

What is Zero Waste Fashion?

Actually Fashionable Hemp Clothing Brands

The post 9 Best Linen Clothing Brands With Easy Breezy, Beautiful Pieces appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

9 Best Linen Clothing Brands With Easy Breezy, Beautiful Pieces

Continue Reading

Green Living

Earth911 Inspiration: The Beauty of the Natural World

Published

on

Today’s Earth911 inspiration is from Pulitzer-prize-winning journalist and science writer, Natalie Angier: “The beauty of the natural world lies in the details.”

Earth911 inspirations. Post them and share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day. Click the poster to get a larger image.

Natalie Angier: "The beauty of the natural world lies in the details."

The post Earth911 Inspiration: The Beauty of the Natural World appeared first on Earth911.

https://earth911.com/inspire/earth911-inspiration-the-beauty-of-the-natural-world/

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 BreakingClimateChange.com