Ethical menswear
When we see the words ‘ethical fashion’, we think women’s clothing. For the man who wants to save the planet, fashion alternatives are still thin on the ground – indicating both a problem with the men’s market (is sustainability too much for men to worry about?) and a hole that needs to be filled. Here are menswear brands hoping to do just that. By BEL JACOBS.
What they offer: Absolutely Bear delivers premium quality ethical clothing for the ‘conscious man’. The range includes organic cotton graphic and embroidered t-shirts, polo shirts, sweaters and hoodies. Luxury knitwear is made from 100% natural fibres and our range includes lighter cotton knits and cosy merino and lamb’s wool.
Key drivers: Where possible, garments are made in association with the Fair Wear Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which focuses on improving the conditions of workers in the garment industry. They partner with brands and support workers to find solutions to problems within the supply chain and make fashion fairer. As part of the 1% for the planet movement, 1% of gross earnings goes towards vetted environmental non-profits; 100% organic materials are used in the garments, which encourages biodiversity in the crop farms due to no fertilisers being used; all products are packaged in water-soluble and biodegradable bags, combatting the aquatic single-use plastic pollution crisis.
What they say: “We care about the footprint we leave now and for future generations.”
“Our vision? Clothing for the conscious consumer.” Lyme Terrace delivers.
What they say: “We started as a couple of friends seeking to minimise our impact on the environment … Our vision? Clothing for the conscious consumer.” What they offer: A tight collection of UK-made tops, tees and sweats made from organic cotton, bamboo and recycled polyester. Details include diagonal shoulder seams and concealed sunglasses pockets. You like technical fabrics? So does Lyme Terrace. Of its cotton and bamboo tee: “Bamboo wicks moisture away from the body so you’ll sweat less when you’re nervous or on drugs.”
Profits from sales of Hopeful Traders tees etc are divided between homeless makers and charities.
What they do: HOPEFUL TRADERS collaborates with those affected by homelessness and/or suffering from mental illness to help create what is part fashion label, part social arts project. By getting involved in the brand, Hopeful Traders helps its collaborators build confidence, further creative careers, just generally get their feet back on the ground. Profits form sales of the organic cotton, Fairwear Foundation Certified tees, sweats and bags are divided between the individuals the brand works with and charities they have chosen. From Miguel’s key to Zin V’s soldier, every graphic has a story behind it.
A 40 year headstart: Knowledge Cotton Apparel.
What they do: When Jørgen Mørup launched a textile factory 40 years ago, sustainability was already at its core. By the time he launched KNOWLEDGE COTTON APPAREL in 2008, he had a head start on almost every other ethical brand.
What they offer: Organic cotton chinos (with vegan logo badges), superb basic tees in a practically Pantone range of colours, sleek vegan blazers and – our fave so far – a solar backpack which charges your electronic devices with 100% sustainable energy.
Anything else? Carbon neutral factories, accreditations, a commitment to innovation and practical action.
Cue RIZ BOARDSHORTS aka the Tailors of Sunshine.
What they do: Riz Smith spent years of designing conventional surf and beachwear for global brands before he became aware of the need for something better. Cue RIZ BOARDSHORTS (aka the Tailors of Sunshine), a small brand that creates ‘the most beautiful and sustainable surf shorts in the world’.
What they offer: A blend of sharp tailoring and fabrications including recyclable polyester made from recycled plastic bottles with some of the most downright gorgeous prints you’ll ever see on a man’s lower half.
Anything else? The brand has achieved B Corporation status and is also a member of 1% For the Planet.
Yarmouth Oilskins’: smocks soften and mature with age.
What they offer: YARMOUTH OILSKINS offers quality workwear garments that have been designed on the same site in Great Yarmouth, for over 100 years. The company employs a dedicated team of 20 machinists and pattern cutters, many of whom have been with the company for 25 years, testament to the workshop’s family-like atmosphere.
Look for: Collared smocks, shopkeepers coats and drivers jackets in 100 per cent cotton twill that will soften and mature with age.
French activist and designer Thomas Jacob works with the inmates in three Peruvian jails to design and create heartbreaking streetwear.
What they do: French activist and designer Thomas Jacob works with the inmates in three Peruvian jails to design and create streetwear under the label PROJECT PIETA.
What they offer: About 30 male and female internees, with crimes ranging from petty theft and narco-trafficking to murder, make T-shirts, sweatshirts, hand-knit sweaters and varsity jackets in locally sourced materials like organic pima cotton, baby alpaca and ecological Andean Highland wool with prison-inspired signage, including the name of the inmate who made it stitched on the bottom.
