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2 years ago
Get your denim fix from one of these brilliant British brands
As far as wardrobe staples go, jeans are pretty high on the list – there aren’t many people who don’t own a pair. And while they may seem like a very American creation, we’d argue that the Brits can do denim just as well (if not better). If you’re looking to stock up on denim soon, consider stopping by one of these British jeans brands first.
The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide
Known for its timeless denim styles made from upcycled materials, E.L.V. Denim has been leading the way in sustainable jeans production in the UK since its founding in 2018. The letters ‘E.L.V.’ in the brand’s name stand for East London Vintage, and were chosen due to the fact that all of its collections are designed and produced locally in the British capital (primarily to reduce the transcontinental transport typically involved in jean production).
EXPLORE: elvdenim.com
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Perfect for blustery outdoor activities, jeans from Finisterre are super durable and made using organic cotton in Blackburn. Much of Finisterre’s denim is also woven specifically for the brand on traditional shuttle looms. Set up in 2003 to meet the needs of British surfers, Finisterre is known just as much for its commitment to people and planet (having earned its B Corp certification back in 2018) as for its long-lasting and functional clothing.
EXPLORE: finisterre.com
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For a long time, the small Welsh town of Cardigan was known for making jeans – producing 35,000 pairs of jeans a week for three decades. But in 2002, the manufacturers that operated in the area moved production abroad (for cheaper rates) and so the people of Cardigan ceased denim trade. But not for long; in 2011, David Hieatt opened Hiut and asked ex-denim workers in Cardigan to come back to the industry. The result? Organic cotton jeans that are homemade and high quality. These days, Hiut is worn by a number of famous face, from Radiohead to the Arctic Monkeys.
EXPLORE: hiutdenim.co.uk
Contemporary womenswear brand Mother of Pearl has a fantastic selection of denim, with jeans sculpted into relaxed fits (you won’t find any skinny jeans here) and made from organic cotton that’s been grown without pesticides and produced in one country. Led by Creative Director Amy Powney, Mother of Pearl is working to make all of the brand’s collections as sustainable (and fully traceable) as possible. Click here to read more about her journey, which she shares in the recent documentary Fashion Reimagined.
EXPLORE: motherofpearl.co.uk
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If you like your jeans with prints and colours, then you should definitely swing by Lucy & Yak’s virtual showroom. A more recent brand to resonate on the British fashion landscape, Lucy & Yak was founded by Lucy Greenwood and Chris Renwick in 2017. The brand, which is committed to making fun and comfortable clothing (while reducing its carbon footprint and using sustainable fabrics), has a huge range of styles, colours and prints to choose from.
EXPLORE: lucyandyak.com
London-based, family-run B Corp business House of Baukjen is home to two brands: Isabella Oliver and Baukjen. Womenswear brand Baukjen was founded with the wish to bring positive change to fashion, and has worked to become a leader in circular fashion – responsibly sourcing 98.2 percent of its fabrics and offering pre-loved collections and rental services to its community. Baukjen creates jeans for all occasions, made from organic stretch cotton in a Turkish factory.
EXPLORE: baukjen.com
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One of the UK’s leading fashion designers, Stella McCartney is known for her sharp tailoring, flowing dresses and use of innovative materials. When it comes to denim, the brand sticks to organic cotton and classic shades – but designs are anything but ordinary; think tie dye, flares, crystal pinstripe detailing and patchwork. These are jeans with an edge.
EXPLORE: stellamccartney.com
Featured image: E.L.V. Denim
