4 Facts That Will Make You Re-think Your Love For Denim

April 11, 2016

The greatest gift to man since the wheel, jeans have enjoyed a long and varied history.

There was a time when a pair of durable jeans was also considered as primary work-wear for low grade workmen in the western world!

Today, however, this piece of article has graced the fashion ramp now and again with its different styles.

That being said, despite its popularity, jeans are hazardous to the environment. Didn’t see that coming, did you? Take a look at the 4 lesser known – and unappealing – facts of your favorite legwear.

1.       Deadly Denim

You may have wondered how your jeans get their pre-worn look. Well, here’s how this is done: by blasting hundreds of sand particles on the jeans with a strong jet of air. While the trend of torn and pre-worn jeans is still on the high, campaigners brought the world’s attention to this practice in relation with lung silicosis (if adequate safety measures aren’t provided to workers).

2.       Alarming Water Consumption

Producing a single pair of jeans requires around 11,000 liters of water! All this water goes into growing cotton (production process) and then wet processing i.e. dying, treating and washing the fabric. 

3.       The Problem with Cotton

The problem with this textile crop (cotton) isn’t restricted just to alarming water consumption. While cotton is planted in only 2.4% of agriculture land, this accounts for nearly 11% of pesticide sales in the world. The same pesticides sprayed to kill cotton damaging pests can also in the long run damage the farmers who come in contact with the chemicals.

This appalling situation highlights how important naturally grown cotton can be however sale of Fair Trade cotton dropped in 2015 by nearly 40%.   

4.       Lagging Behind

Research was carried out to determine whether big Jean retailers and brands followed ethical practices and standards at all or not. And yes, it has been confirmed. Both Guess and Diesel, the most popular jean companies, have done nothing that supports ethical practices, with little thought into improving the sweatshop conditions.

So, what should ethical conscious shopper do? There’re many independent fashion brands that have not only accepted new initiatives when it comes to improving supply chains and work conditions, but have also committed to the use of sustainable materials.

Head over to Nomad Tribe and find the perfect solution to your ethical fashion needs!  

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