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Whimsy + Row's low-impact wide leg denim jeans worn by a person in a lilac top against a lilac background.
27 Apr
Whimsy + Row's low-impact wide leg denim jeans worn by a person in a lilac top against a lilac background.

20 More Ethical and Sustainable Denim Brands Made in the US

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On the hunt for some locally-made more ethical and sustainable denim? Discover our roundup of US-based responsible denim below.

Shop locally for more sustainable denim in the US

The fashion industry is in the midst of changes in laws and regulations, with crackdowns on greenwashing and consumers keen to shop as responsibly as they can. Maybe you’re buying less and mending a bit more—or even committing to purchasing more sustainable denim, since we know conventionally-made jeans have serious implications for our lovely planet and its people.

As always at Good On You, we encourage folks to shop local, responsible brands when they can. With this in mind, for our American readers, below you can find a list of 20 of our editors’ favourite more sustainable denim brands made in the US.

Responsible denim brands made in the US

Triarchy

Rated: Great

US-based Triarchy creates more sustainable jeans, skirts, shorts, jumpsuits, and jackets. The brand’s production system uses 85% recycled water by consistently reusing the "thick indigo laden sludge" that unmonitored factories dump into water systems.

Find most of the jeans in US sizes 24-32.

See the rating.

Shop Triarchy.

Shop Triarchy @ LVRSustainable.

Minimalist

Rated: Good
someone in denim jumpsuit by Minimalist

Anchored in timeless design, Minimalist is a curated collection of women's ready-to-wear pieces all made in New York and designed to be recycled at their end of life. It seeks to be part of the solution to make fashion more sustainable, using certified lower-impact materials and ensuring fair wage and work conditions in the local New York City factories it supports.

Find it in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Minimalist.

zero waste daniel

Rated: Good
sustainable denim jacket by zero waste daniel

zero waste daniel creates more sustainable, handmade in Brooklyn, and always one of a kind unisex clothing.

Find most items in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop zero waste daniel.

unspun

Rated: Great
image looking up at four people dressed in Unspun

unspun is an American brand, fostering a denim world that reduces global carbon emissions by 1% through a zero-inventory and anti-waste process.

Its product sizing is totally customisable to ensure you always find the perfect fit.

See the rating.

Shop unspun.

Shop unspun @ Cerqular.

ÉTICA

Rated: Great
People in clothes by Etica.

ÉTICA is a premium US luxury brand that features innovative design and cutting-edge technology.

Find most items in sizes 38-48.

See the rating.

Shop ÉTICA @ Wearwell.

Shop ÉTICA.

Boyish

Rated: Good
Woman in dark wash ethical fringe trousers

Boyish offers denim with quality fits and authentic washes, all inspired by vintage styles and its native California.

Find sizes 2XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Boyish @ Wearwell.

Shop Boyish @ Reve en Vert.

Shop Boyish.

Outerknown

Rated: Good
Man in Outerknown black wash ethical jeans

Founded by surf champion Kelly Slater, Outerknown is a more responsible brand that aims to blend style and function with the protection of natural resources. The brand is Bluesign certified and has partnered with the Fair Labour Association.

Find the range in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Outerknown.

Whimsy + Row

Rated: Good
woman wearing whimsy and row denim jacket and jeans

Whimsy + Row is a US-based lifestyle brand born out of a love for quality goods and responsible practices. Since 2014, its mission has been to provide ease and elegance for the modern woman. Whimsy + Row utilises deadstock fabric, and by limiting each garment to short runs, the brand also reduces packaging waste and takes care of precious water resources.

Find most products in XS-XL, with an extended sizing range up to 3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Whimsy + Row.

Shop Whimsy + Row @ Earthkind.

Edwin USA

Rated: Good
woman wearing sustainable denim jeans by Edwin USA

True to its heritage, Edwin USA combines thoughtfully designed jeans and innovation in responsible manufacturing methods. It uses a medium proportion of more eco-friendly fabrics including GOTS certified organic cotton, and uses renewable energy in its supply chain to reduce its climate impact.

The range is available in sizes 24-34.

See the rating.

Shop Edwin USA.

Rudy Jude

Rated: Good
Rudy Jude ethical Molly Jeans

Matching outfits for the whole family? Absolutely. Non-toxic dyed, organic, and crafted in the US, Rudy Jude offers a more sustainable alternative to the excessive waste produced by children’s clothing. It uses a high proportion of more eco-friendly materials including organic cotton, and limits the amount of chemicals used in production. Although the brand primarily focuses on toddler and children’s wear, they also make adult wear so the whole family can look good.

Find the adult range in XS-2XL, and kidswear from 0-8 years.

See the rating.

Shop Rudy Jude.

Sami Miro Vintage

Rated: Good
Vintage black jeans by Sami Miro Vintage

''Pushing eco-conscious boundaries'' is the Sami Miro Vintage brand ethos. Made from vintage and recycled fabrics, Sami Miro Vintage is loved by celebrities and eco-conscious fashion lovers alike. With collection names like ''Ecoterror'' and ''Global Warming Is Not a Hoax'', the cool reconstructions are offset with a deeper meaning.

Sizes vary.

See the rating.

Shop Sami Miro Vintage.

ABLE

Rated: Good

ABLE is a US-based clothing and accessories brand that works with communities all over the world to make a meaningful impact, producing slow fashion that pays a living wage to women who have faced extraordinary circumstances. It uses lower-impact materials, and reuses water and materials to minimise waste. With thoughtful design and a level of quality that guarantees its products for life, its pieces aren't just an investment for your wardrobe, they are an investment in women around the world.

Find the range in sizes 2XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop ABLE.

Reformation

Rated: Good
Woman in sustainable denim jeans by Reformation

LA-based Reformation creates killer clothes that don’t kill the environment. The brand ensures that a proportion of its suppliers pay a living wage, and provides training to its suppliers to improve working conditions for workers in its supply chain.

Its range is available in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Reformation @ LVRSustainable.

Shop Reformation Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop Reformation @ Farfetch.

Shop Reformation.

Eileen Fisher

Rated: Good
Woman in sustainable white denim jacket by Eileen Fisher

Eileen Fisher creates timeless, well-made clothes designed to work together, wear effortlessly, and be part of a responsible life cycle. The brand has also made a public commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and uses lower-impact materials.

The standard range is available in 2XS-XL, with petite and plus ranges also available.

See the rating.

Shop Eileen Fisher.

Another Tomorrow

Rated: Good
Ethical denim jeans by Another Tomorrow

Another Tomorrow is a luxury brand created for the compassionate global citizen seeking elevated, thoughtful design, community, and tools for advocacy.

Find the range in US sizes 0-14.

See the rating.

Shop Another Tomorrow.

Greg Lauren

Rated: It's A Start
Greg Lauren ethical denim jackets

Greg Lauren is a US-based more sustainable denim brand, that promotes an anti-waste, post-consumer, and upcycled fashion line with a preppy-style.

Find the denim in US sizes 0-5.

See the rating.

Shop Greg Lauren.

Rentrayage

Rated: Good
Woman in sustainable denim by Rentrayage

Based in New York, Rentrayage is a brand meant to dress the creative, strong, determined woman who will carry us into the future.

Find pieces in US sizes S-L.

See the rating.

Shop Rentrayage.

Industry of All Nations

Rated: Good
Man in ethical light wash jeans by Industry of All Nations

Since its inception in April 2010, Industry of All Nations has been a leader in research and development with a commitment to rethinking methods of production for consumer goods.

Find pieces in sizes 26-36.

See the rating.

Shop Industry of All Nations.

Olderbrother

Rated: It's A Start
Painted ethical denim by Olderbrother

Based in Portland, Olderbrother is a playful, lower-impact dyed, gender-neutral contemporary brand.

Find pieces in sizes 2XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Olderbrother.

Prairie Underground

Rated: Good
A woman in dark wash denim by Prairie Underground.

Prairie Underground is a populist apparel manufacturer committed to designing modern uniforms that evoke sensuality in daily self-expression.

Find pieces in US sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Prairie Underground.

And that’s a wrap. We hope this guide provided some insight on how to shop denim made in the US a bit more ethically without compromising your style and other needs.

Check out our ultimate guide to more ethical and sustainable denim

Editor's note

Feature image via Whimsy + Row, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. We love to recommend more sustainable brands, rated "Good" or "Great". We also encourage shopping pre-owned as another great way to reduce the impact of your fashion choices. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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