Five sustainable denim favorites for spring and summer.

A good pair of jeans will last you the rest of your life (or until you wear them to shreds). It’s important to pick a good pair, made from organic or recycled denim. Cotton production pollutes soil and waterways, damages wildlife habitats and accounts for over 10 percent of the global use of pesticides. Now that spring seems finally here to stay, it may be time to invest in a new pair. Here are five of our sustainable denim favorites for spring and summer.

1. Kuyichi Denim
Kuyichi was one of the first brands to make denim from recycled and organic cotton, grown completely free of pesticides. These are made from 98 percent organic cotton and 2 percent elastane. We love the faded effect, distressed look and contrast stitching.
$99, YOOX

2. Nudie Jeans Tight Long John Org. Twill Rinsed
Although the brand markets exclusively to men, many of Nudie’s style fit women just as well. The Tight Long John is one of them. Last year, the Swedish label managed to transition its entire high end denim line to 100 percent organic. The darkness in the shade of this pair comes from sulpha that has been added to give it a less red cast. The copper trims are also organic.
$179, Nudie Jeans Co.

3. Levi’s Water<Less Classic Rise Demi Curve Boot Cut Jeans
All the styles in Levi’s CurveID line are specifically designed for different body types. They fit in all the right places—no more pinching, pulling, or bent-over backside reveals. The effect is an overall smoother silhouette and jeans that look like they were made for you. This particular pair is also part of Levi’s Water<Less collection, an initiative designed to significantly reduce the amount of water needed to produce denim.
$50, Levi’s

4. The Remy by Big Star Denim
The all classic boot cut is always in style. The medium blue wash of the Remy is very versatile and easy to pair with anything in your wardrobe. Big Star Denim uses special ozone technology to create their washes. This uses less water, less energy and less chemicals.
$98, Kaight

5. Mid Rise Trouser by Reuse Jeans
The perfect shade of medium blue of these flares bring to mind the carefree attitudes of the ’70s. Channel your inner flower child and pair them with fringe and florals for festival season, or dress them up with a fitted navy blazer and simple whit tee. Reuse Jeans are sustainably made in China, from pre-consumer recycled denim.
$95, Reuse Jeans

Images courtesy of the brands featured

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ColumnBlack and blue is one of the hottest color combinations right now. Here’s how to wear it this spring.

We’ve talked about black and white earlier, but another of the hottest color combinations right now is black and blue. Mixing these two hues, previously considered a big fashion no-no, will give you a fresh on-trend look for spring. The great thing about this trend is that both colors are timeless basics, and you may just be able to put together a look from what you already have. If not, here are some suggestions on how to channel this trend.

1. Reuse Jeans Mid Rise Flares
If you’re buying a new pair of jeans this spring, make sure they are flares. This pair, from Reuse Jeans, is made from 80 percent recycled denim and dyed using low-impact dyes. Since water-saving production processes are used, each pair of jeans saves up to 2,500 gallons of water, compared to mainstream denim companies.
$95, Fashioning Change

2. Priti Flowers Nail Polish by Priti NYC
Nail art has never been trendier than it is now. The perfect way to apply the black and blue trend to your fingertips is to give yourself a reverse French manicure with non-toxic polish by Priti NYC. Use 652 – Swan River Daisy for the base coat and 369 – Magic Man Iris for the tips.
$13.50 each, Priti NYC

3. Baggu Medium Pouch
Made in NYC from soft natural milled leather, this cute little pouch is perfect for holding your phone, Metrocards, liptstick and other valuables when you carry a tote bag. For nighttime, you can also use it alone as a small clutch.
$40, Baggu

4. Stewart & Brown Swooping Half Sleeve
Every girl needs a few basic tees in her wardrobe. This asymmetric swoop tee by Stewart + Brown features pockets and seam details, and is made in the U.S. from 100 percent organic lightweight jersey cotton.
$92, Stewart + Brown

5. Rachel Comey Kinta Sandal
The perfect way to channel the black and blue trend is by rocking these open toe sandals by Rachel Comey. Ethically made in Peru, they feature a black textured stamped leather upper, slingback strap and a wood platform wrapped in blue leather.
$380, Beklina

Photos courtesy of the designers, top collage by Johanna Björk

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Mint green is one of spring’s hottest colors. Here are six chic ways to wear it.

One of spring’s hottest hues also happens to be one of the freshest – minty green. It’s a breeze of fresh air in your wardrobe and combines well with staples like black, gray and white as well as with spring’s other pastels. Wear all solid basics or combine them with patterned pieces for a more layered look.

Capucine Bubble Dress by IDEO in Jade
This cute Ideo bubble dress features short pleated sleeves, a V-neck and elastic bubble hem. It’s ethically made in India, under fair labor standards using a light 100% organic ECOCERT labeled cotton jersey and dyed using water-based dyes.
$24, Fairtribe

Reuse Jeans Colored Skinnys
These bright, minty-colored skinny jeans are made with 70% recycled cotton 28% new cotton and 2% spandex and features Reuse jeans’ 4-way stretch denim, which ensures this jean will hug you in all the right places.
$95, Reuse Jeans

Lina Rennell Snap Top
This green top by eco-designer Lina Rennell features a check print, enclosed seams, brass snaps down front, 3/4 sleeves with cuffs, and an asymmetrical hem. Ethically made by hand, from 100% silk crepe, in Northern California.
$290, Beklina

The Beth Loop Scarf by Njabini
This Seafoam green double loop scarf by Njabini will keep you warm and toasty through cold spring nights. It’s hand knit in Njabini, Kenya. 50% of the sale price is put back into the hands of the women Njabini employs, stimulating the local economy, while 20% is donated to non-profit Flying Kites Global, which operates a children’s home and primary school in Njabini.
$36, Njabini

Jeffrey Campbell Rumble Boot
These mint green boots, part of Jeffrey Campbell’s exclusive vegan collection for Convert is the perfect way to add a touch of mint to an otherwise casual outfit. Pair them with jeans, a tee and a pattern scarf in minty tones and you’ll be on trend all through fall.
$155, Convert

Priti NYC Polish in Dusty Miller
The minty fresh hue of this polish is obtained without the use of any toxic ingredients, including formaldehyde. Priti NYC uses ingredients derived from organic compounds that are not only safe for humans but often used in food as well. All colors have been approved by the FDA.
$12.50, Priti NYC

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10 denim designers prove that organic denim has a place in your wardrobe.

When it doubt, turn to your denim. Jeans have been hanging in our closets since the 1800s, donning the likes of painters, farmers, artists, lumberjacks, gardeners, and everyday people. Above all, each pair represents the All-American classic character who exudes independence, sex appeal, strength, and work ethic. Whether you like them casual or dressy, for lounging or a night on the town, jeans make our world go round. Here are our top 10 picks for brands that make our favorite jeans with the planet and people in mind.

M2F
Today, jeans come in all the colors of the rainbow. Boasting 12 hues, M2F’s skinnys are made for comfort – perfect for riding horses or riding your bike. Either way, they’ll make a statement wherever you rock them.

Second Clothing
Go organic or go home. Second Clothing’s flare pair are completely on-trend and flattering for all. Pair them with your favorite top and channel your favorite 70s tunes for a flashback fashion statement.

Loomstate
Feeling hip today? If so, the Revelation Jean may be over qualified to fit that bill. A creamy, dreamy sky blue, these skinnys can set the tone for any youngster-inspired look.

Monkee Genes
No monkeying around here – these jeans fit like a gem. Organic cotton with a bit of stretch, the navy skinnies are not only style-packed, they were undoubtedly constructed with comfort as another key ingredient.

Pray for Mother Nature
This denim embellished top can turn heads; it works as a companion to a high-waisted skirt or a darker pair of jeans. Donating a portion of all their proceeds to Heal the Bay, Pray for Mother Nature says it all in their name.

Nudie Jeans
Hike ’em up, retro style in these high-waisted super dark denims. Fun fact: for best aging results, you should wear and tear this pair for six months before throwing them in the wash. Now, there’s a way to literally document some history on your denim.

Reuse
With color-blocking still on the radar, these skinny jeans can inspire a neon palette to brighten your winter-wear. Get creative and pair these knickers with bold statement hues or tone them down with earthy shades for a more subdued play on the trend.

Prairie Underground
In a versatile and soothing dusty blue, these slacks won’t be getting any slack when it comes to wear. A nontraditional color gives these denim duds a fresh, modern look.

IOU Project
Telling stories is the IOU Project’s forte. Every one of their items has a tale, and they know the details and background first-hand to tell it. From the fiber to the final product, their Slim Pant is a force to be reckoned with. These trousers radiate vibrancy – in style and ethics.

Kuyichi
While these skinny pants can’t compete with the 80s extreme acid wash interpretations of denim, they’ll suit for rocking out to your favorite hair bands. An ideal pair for when you’re in the mood to flaunt some faded frocks.

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