After having “high-waisted 100% linen trousers on my wishlist for years, I finally decided to take the plunge an invest in a quality, sustainable pair this summer. Since I already spent hours of research vetting brands for my own purposes, I thought I’d share my findings with you too.
In this guide, you’ll find a curated list of more sustainable linen trousers. I know how much time it takes to vet through dozens of brands and hundreds of products, so I’ve done that work for you.
Here’s what “sustainable linen trousers” means to me:
I know the word sustainable gets thrown around all the time and you may have become suspicious of that term. While there is no single agreed-upon definition, I’ve been researching, writing about, and working in this space for 10 years — and this is how I interpret the term for linen trousers. And for the record, this isn’t all or nothing! The more elements a brand has, the better — it’s not that if a brand is missing one item from the list, it’s “unsustainable.”
Sustainable linen trousers means:
Made with 100% linen
Where possible I avoid blends with synthetic fibers (like polyester) which are derived from fossil fuels. I even prefer a 100% linen fabric over a linen-cotton blend, because single-fiber fabrics are also easier to recycle at the end of their life.
Organic or OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Certified
Natural fibers can still be grown with synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides. So organic is preferable, though admittedly rare when it comes to linen. That means for linen, I’ll look for the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification, which tests products for 100+ common harmful substances including heavy metals, Azo dyes, and formaldehyde.
Quality construction
This may be difficult to determine online, so I’ll look to reviews for this. If in person or trying the garment on, look for even stitching and reinforced or strong seams, especially at stress points (like the crotch area). The trousers should fit well: they shouldn’t pull or pucker, they shouldn’t bunch in the back, and you’ll want to be able to sit and move comfortably. Keep in mind, though, that trousers are usually made with mass-produced sizing systems. So even a quality pair may not fit perfectly — that’s what tailors are for!
Lower-impact dyes and dyeing processes
This includes dyes that require less water in the dyeing process, dyes with few to no toxic chemicals, and dyeing processes that minimize or eliminate effluent. Undyed linen can also be beautiful.
Fair labor
Ethics are part of sustainability — does the brand consider safe labor conditions, ensure worker rights, and fair wages? What specifics do they give and how do they ensure those standards are being met?
My Picks for More Sustainable Linen Trousers
Again, the sustainability journey isn’t all or nothing — these are elements I look for when checking brands but a brand may not meet every single element. Sustainability in your own life is also about finding trousers that you actually enjoy wearing and that suit your style too.
So if choosing between a brand that meets 100% of the criteria but you won’t actually wear their trouesrs often because they’re not your style vs. a brand that meets 70% of the criteria but you’ll wear those a hundred times, I would go with the latter.
Note that some of these links are affiliate links. As always, I only feature brands I love and meet my own sustainability criteria that I would share regardless.
1. The RealReal
(Secondhand First!)
Part of a holistic approach to sustainable fashion is a secondhand first mindset. After exploring what we have, choosing pre-loved is our next best bet.
I found a number of 100% linen trousers in popular brands like Reformation and Faithfull the Brand on The RealReal. Before adding to bag, check the measurements (though these are sometimes inaccurate on secondhand sites) in addition to the size and double check that the item condition is something you feel comfortable with. ThredUp is another solid option with their 100% Linen filter!
2. Eileen Fisher
Size Range: XXS – 3XL
Eileen Fisher is a classic slow fashion option with a number of effortless linen trousers in classic fits. My pick would be their linen wide-leg trousers, which are pictured in their undyed option.
The New York-based brand’s trousers are made in Fair Trade Certified
factories from organic linen. Additionally, the fabric is bluesign® APPROVED —a certification vetting for safe chemicals.
I also love that Eileen Fisher has several circularity programs in place, including their RENEW resale offering and “Waste No More” program.
3. Everlane
Size Range: 00-16
Everlane has several options for linen trousers (just go to the Fabric filter and select “Linen”) but for 100% linen, you can go for either The Linen Easy Pant (elastic waist) or The Linen Way-High® Drape Pant (non-elastic waist). I bought the drape pant because it could easily be dressed up for an evening out!
Both options are made with 100% European Flax Linen, which is extracted with a mechanical process for a lower impact and zero-waste operation.
4. notPERFECTLINEN
Size Range: XS – XXL
A Lithuanian brand known for their made-on-demand linen garments, notPERFECTLINEN is a slow fashion brand with trousers made with OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified linen.
For a casual option, you could opt for these trousers with an elastic waistband. The label also offers a non-elastic high-waisted pair that could be more versatile. All styles come in a diverse array of color and print options.
Because the pieces are crafted on a pre-order basis, you may just have to wait a bit for your pieces!
5. Nettle Studios
Size Range: XS – 5XL
Natural doesn’t have to mean boring — San Francisco-based Nettle Studios has 100% linen trousers come in a variety of fun hues like lilac and chartreuse. The pants are even dyed locally in California!
What stands out most about this slow fashion brand, though, is their attention to inclusivity and thoughtful sizing. Not only do their easy-fit linen trousers come in sizes up to 5XL, but they offer four (!!) different inseam lengths.
6. Reformation
Size Range: 0-12 | some styles available in extended sizes (12-24) and petite sizing
Sustainable fashion staple Reformation has several options for 100% linen trousers in a range of styles, from loose and carefree to tailored and elevated.
But it’s not just about the materials — Reformation has an impressive climate plan, a roadmap to circularity, and is a member of the Fair Labor Association. If you want to really nerd out on this stuff, you can see their progress via the brand’s annual reports.
7. Magic Linen
Size Range: XS – XL
Another option for wide-leg linen trousers is Magic Linen. Made with 100% linen, their OEKO-TEX Standard 100 trousers are perfect for everything from lounging at home to dressing up on your summer vacation.
The trousers are made with mid-weight linen and are stone-washed for a broken-in feel from the first wear. I have linen bedsheets and curtains from Magic Linen that are both fantastic quality — and by the look of their 4.9-star shop rating, the garments seem to measure up just as well.
And that’s a wrap for our guide to linen trousers! I hope that you’ll find a pair you’ll love in this guide. Keep in mind that linen is a natural fabric with “flaws” — like wrinkles — that add to its character! While I wouldn’t recommend linen for a work blazer, it can be beautiful in a trouser worn on a summer day or elevated with a strappy sandal and blouse for night.
To lengthen the life of your linen garments, wash on cold in a gentle cycle and hang-dry whenever you can.
Liked this guide? You may also enjoy…
The Best Linen Clothing Brands with Easy Breezy Beautiful Pieces
Sustainable Fashion Marketplaces for All-in-One Conscious Shopping
Sustainable Hats for Every Sunny Adventure
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Thoreau wrote in Walden that “Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in,” which reminds us that life is short and nature fills it beautifully. What are you looking for that can’t be found during an afternoon in nature?
Earth911 inspirations. Post them, share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day. Click the poster to get a larger image.
The post Earth911 Inspiration: Time Is but the Stream appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/inspire/earth911-inspiration-time-is-but-the-stream/
Green Living
Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action
Turn back the clock with this classic interview that will get you ready for Spring yard care planning. A lawn may be beautiful but it can take a heavy toll on the environment, accounting for between 30% and 60% of residential water use in the United States. Rob Moir, Ph.D., is president and executive director of the Ocean River Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ORI works with residential lawn owners to heal damaged ecosystems by restoring coastal areas to lessen the destructive impacts of climate change. The benefits of a natural lawn reach far beyond reduced local water pollution, eliminating chemicals that can contribute to cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cellular diseases. Natural lawns are also better for local pollinators and store much more carbon than heavily fertilized lawns. If you considered removing your lawn to play a part in the battle against climate change, this interview may change your mind — a healthy lawn is a powerful carbon sink.
The Ocean River Institute is recruiting Massachusetts communities, town by town, to take a pledge to follow natural lawn practices in the Healthy Soils for Climate Restoration Challenge. You don’t need to live in Massachusetts to participate and learn about the alternatives to the traditional, chemical-intensive lawn practices that use Roundup, a source of glyphosates that kills soil-dwelling fungi and local pollinators, and fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers. You can learn more about the Ocean River Institute at www.oceanriver.org.
Rob has contributed many articles about climate change and the history of environmental change since this interview, including:
- Finding a Northwest Passage to the Sea
- Turning the Tide—How Land and Water Shape Our Climate Future
- Learning from Captain Scoresby’s Ten-gallon Fir-Cask
- Earth Savvy?
- Let the Ground Keep Falling Rainwater
- The Sultans of Swag Versus Looking at Clouds from Both Sides Now
- Subscribe to Sustainability in Your Ear on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.
- Follow Sustainability in Your Ear on Spreaker, iHeartRadio, or YouTube
Editor’s Note: This episode originally aired on May 30, 2022.
The post Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/podcast/earth911-podcast-the-ocean-river-institutes-natural-lawn-challenge-for-climate-action/
Choosing your perfect gown can be one of the most exciting decisions for your special day, but for the eco fashionista, it can be a challenge to find a dress that fits your values and style — but these brands have exceptional sustainable wedding dresses you’ll swoon over!
Using earth-minded materials like hemp, cruelty-free peace silk, deadstock recycled fabrics and vintage lace, and producing consciously, either in small batches or handcrafting each individual piece made-to-order, the brands below meet high standards for transparency, ecological sustainability, and fair labor.
[For more sustainable wedding dresses, check out this guide to secondhand wedding dress sites!]
Note that the guide contains affiliate links. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability we love, that we think you’ll love too!
1. Christy Dawn
Dreamy dress brand Christy Dawn does not disappoint with their romantic bridal collection! Each piece is more swoon-worthy than the next.
Their three sustainable bridal gowns are made from regenerative silk charmeuse —sourced through BOMBYX, an innovative silk producer using best practices — and colored in a beautiful pearl silk with non-toxic dyes. Each dress is ethically cut and sewn by makers in Los Angeles earning living wages, as with the rest of Christy Dawn’s collections.
The Britta Dress and Fitzgerald Dress are 1920s inspired while the Athena Dress is a more modern (but equally romantic) option. All of these dresses are made-to-order with an estimated timeline of 4 weeks.
Conscious Qualities: Regenerative silk and organic non-toxic dyes, ethically made-to-order in Los Angeles
Price Range: $2,500 – $3,000
Size Range: XS – XL
2. Pure Magnolia
Blending the traditional with the modern, Pure Magnolia designs classic-inspired sustainable wedding dresses with contemporary touches. And each dress is made in their Canadian studio by seamstresses earning fair wages from eco-fabrics, such as organic cotton and hemp silk.
The brand sources recycled fabrics whenever possible as well, and recycles their scrap fabric through FABCYCLE.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, locally and fairly made, recycles scrap fabrics
Price Range: $845 – $3,300 CAD
Size Range: 0 – 28
3. Lost in Paris
Lost in Paris crafts each of their creatively designed bohemian-inspired gowns ethically in their Sydney, Australia studio. Unconventional yet undeniably striking, Lost in Paris’ dresses are made from vintage lace and cotton.
Investing in a dress from Lost in Paris is seamless — the brand offers at-home sample try-ons, offers train and sleeve adjustments on several styles, ships their dresses worldwide for free, and even accepts returns. Oh, and, if one of their ready-made sizes doesn’t work for you, you can get a dress designed to your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses vintage lace, locally made
Price Range: $950 – $3900 AUD
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing options
For More Slow Fashion Content:
4. Wear Your Love
Wear Your Love creates feminine, effortless dresses in their Northern California studio that are — in contrast to the majority of wedding dresses on the market — actually comfortable! The brand’s free-spirited designs are made with soft, earth-minded fabrics like organic cotton and each dress is made to order for each bride to their exact measurements.
There are also customizations available for each eco-friendly wedding dress such as train or no train, skirt or sleeve linings, back coverage, skirt style, and more.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model, locally and transparently made
Price Range: $680 – $1,700
Size Range: N/A; dresses are made to your measurements
5. Larimeloom
Based in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Larimeloom crafts exceptional custom-made dresses by hand in their atelier. The brand creates comfortable minimalist dresses from durable natural fabrics and colors them with natural or non-toxic dyes.
Larimeloom has also implemented zero waste design techniques, cutting their patterns strategically in order to minimize fabric waste.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, zero-waste designs, natural fabrics and dyes
Price Range: 650€ – 2,650€
Size Range: XS – XL
6. Sister Organics
Sourcing quality earth-friendly natural fabrics like organic hemp and cotton, Sister Organics creates classic, eco-friendly wedding dresses for UK-based brides.
Each dress is made to order in England, so you can select a pre-defined size, customize the length of a size, or get an entirely different dress made for your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model
Price Range: £125 – £390
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing
7. Indiebride London
Indiebride’s vintage-inspired sustainable wedding dresses are delicate and romantic yet free-spirited, offering a unique collection for the bride that wants to skip the conventional wedding gown and choose a piece that fits their individual style.
The brand’s conscious wedding dresses are handmade in London using majority natural fibers and can be altered or customized to your specifications.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses many natural fabrics, locally made
Price Range: £1,200 – £1,700
Size Range: 8 – 16 (UK sizes)
More Resources For Your Eco Wedding:
10 Secondhand Wedding Dress Sites for the Eco Bride
7 Ethical Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement and Wedding Rings
17 Brands with Conscious Dresses (great options for bridesmaid dresses in here!)
The post 7 Best Sustainable Wedding Dresses for Your Special Day appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
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