Before a pair of jeans ends up in our wardrobe, it has undergone a long production process. Classic jeans are made from a sturdy cotton fabric. Cotton is still grown as a monoculture in many countries. It requires a lot of water and large amounts of fertilizer and pesticides to grow as profitably as possible.

Large quantities of chemicals, such as aniline for dyeing, are then used in the production of the actual denim fabric. After that, the finished jeans are often refined. These processes also involve the use of toxic chemicals (e.g., chlorine for bleaching) or hazardous processes (e.g., sandblasting) as well as high water consumption. This damages soil, water, flora and fauna, as well as the workers and people living around the cultivation and production facilities. Last but not least, production residues remain in the jeans, which can be harmful to our health when we wear them.

In the countries where they are produced, working conditions rarely meet our environmental and health standards. Throughout the entire production chain for jeans, inhumane working hours, harassment, and far too low wages are often the norm. In addition, workers suffer from the careless handling of highly toxic chemicals or the lack of occupational safety measures, such as respirators for sandblasting.

The good news is that there are now several fashion labels that sell affordable, sustainable, and fair jeans. We have put together a few tips for your next jeans purchase:

• Buy jeans made from organic cotton
  There are several certifications that ensure that your new jeans have been produced in accordance with ecological guidelines. If the jeans are labeled "organic" or "made from organic cotton" or "kba" (controlled organic cultivation), this refers to the cotton cultivation. For example, chemical pesticides are not used and only natural fertilizers may be used.
• Look for the
  seals/labels The most widely used seal is the GOTS seal. Less common, but even stricter, is the "IVN Best" seal. In addition to organic cultivation, both seals have strict requirements for the use of chemicals in production and set social standards. You can find out what other textile seals there are and how they should be evaluated in our list of links at the end of the article.
• Little further processing/treatment
  Even dyeing cotton fabric is very water-intensive and the dyes also release heavy metals. All further finishing steps then require additional chemicals, water, and other resources. The popular "used look," for example, is often created by sandblasting—whereby the dust released can lead to fatal silicosis ("dust lung") without occupational safety measures. If the denim fabric has artificially abraded areas or holes, this often significantly reduces the durability of the pants.
• Save instead of throwing away
  Jeans trends come and go. The bell-bottoms of the seventies and the carrot jeans of the nineties are currently enjoying a revival. Therefore, it is worth saving jeans that are still in good condition but no longer fashionable, or altering them so that they fit again. Be creative!
• Less is more
  As with all other textiles, the same applies when buying jeans. It's better to buy one new pair of favorite jeans that you can wear until they are really worn out than five cheap pairs that will more or less just sit in your closet. It's worth investing money in a well-fitting, sustainable, and fairly produced pair of jeans.
• Rent jeans
  Simply borrow a complete outfit with new jeans instead of buying it? That's possible too! With a monthly subscription fee, you can quickly add variety to your wardrobe without it overflowing with items you rarely wear. You can find options for renting clothes in the list of links.

Many major fashion brands are currently advertising greater sustainability in the production and shipping of their jeans. Using the standards and seals provided, you can find out for yourself whether and to what extent your new jeans meet your requirements for fair and environmentally friendly clothing.