Recycled denim: a breakthrough?

#1

Post by url » Fri, Apr 28, 2023, 5:48 AM UTC

Recycled denim: a breakthrough?
voguebusiness.com

Re: Recycled denim: a breakthrough?

#2

Post by BenoitP » Fri, Apr 28, 2023, 4:36 PM UTC

One thing sustainability, fashion and denim: we could start by not artificially preusing it.

Also: is it me or about 20 years ago a pair of jeans lasted way longer than they currently do? Maybe thinner materials were introduced for softness?

Re: Recycled denim: a breakthrough?

#3

Post by jabl » Fri, Apr 28, 2023, 4:43 PM UTC

BenoitP wrote: post #2

One thing sustainability, fashion and denim: we could start by not artificially preusing it. Also: is it me or about 20 years ago a pair of jeans lasted way longer than they currently do? Maybe thinner materials were introduced for softness?

Current denim fabrics typically contain some 5% elastane, which gives a bit of strechiness, but doesn't last that long.

Re: Recycled denim: a breakthrough?

#4

Post by uxp100 » Fri, Apr 28, 2023, 4:44 PM UTC

BenoitP wrote: post #2

One thing sustainability, fashion and denim: we could start by not artificially preusing it. Also: is it me or about 20 years ago a pair of jeans lasted way longer than they currently do? Maybe thinner materials were introduced for softness?

In men’s jeans I’d say non-cotton materials are much more common now. I’m not sure if they wear out faster, but they don’t feel very comfortable on my body compared to a normal pair of jeans once broken in. I’m not sure how denim weight (thinness) in a typical pair of jeans has changed in the past 20 years, but that is sort of a double edged sword. You may think, ah these will wear longer, and they will in most cases, but they’re also warmer. Heavyweight denim can be pretty sweaty.

I fabric “normal” jeans without elastane or polyester are pretty easy to find if you pay attention, they have to say their material on the tag.

Re: Recycled denim: a breakthrough?

#5

Post by jerlam » Fri, Apr 28, 2023, 4:55 PM UTC

BenoitP wrote: post #2

One thing sustainability, fashion and denim: we could start by not artificially preusing it. Also: is it me or about 20 years ago a pair of jeans lasted way longer than they currently do? Maybe thinner materials were introduced for softness?

Jeans also started getting skinnier/slimmer 20 years ago, and that trend demanded thinner and stretchier fabrics. Thick, baggy work jeans are no doubt more durable but not fashionable.

Re: Recycled denim: a breakthrough?

#6

Post by twobitshifter » Fri, Apr 28, 2023, 5:00 PM UTC

Reduce - buy jeans that last a lifetime. Reuse - buy your jeans from a thrift store. Recycle - this?

So it’s the last choice, but most clothes today just end up in the trash, since durability is fairly awful. Even after one wash some clothes start to lose their shape and color. What will the durability of recycled clothes look like if the recycling inputs are so poor? Will people pay any less for these clothes?

I wonder if brands will be trying to recycle clothes that have never been worn but went out of fashion?

Re: Recycled denim: a breakthrough?

#7

Post by hinkley » Fri, Apr 28, 2023, 5:02 PM UTC

BenoitP wrote: post #2

One thing sustainability, fashion and denim: we could start by not artificially preusing it. Also: is it me or about 20 years ago a pair of jeans lasted way longer than they currently do? Maybe thinner materials were introduced for softness?

About ten years ago was the first time I owned a pair of jeans that I was cold in. Unfortunately they were Patagonia, which makes no goddamn sense. And yet here we are.

Recently they flip flopped and Patagonia has the heaviest jeans I’ve ever seen. To rival Carhart. But they’re also a weird blend of cellulose derived fiber and recycled plastic. Not a fan of the plastic, recycled or no it’s going out my dryer vent.

Re: Recycled denim: a breakthrough?

#8

Post by hinkley » Fri, Apr 28, 2023, 5:07 PM UTC

jerlam wrote: post #5

BenoitP wrote: post #2

One thing sustainability, fashion and denim: we could start by not artificially preusing it. Also: is it me or about 20 years ago a pair of jeans lasted way longer than they currently do? Maybe thinner materials were introduced for softness?

Jeans also started getting skinnier/slimmer 20 years ago, and that trend demanded thinner and stretchier fabrics. Thick, baggy work jeans are no doubt more durable but not fashionable.

Jeans went skinny in the eighties but not to the extent now. I never followed fashion trends, but as an amateur cyclist my thighs simply would not fit in a pair of 501’s. I was the first kid anywhere in my social circle or school to wear 550’s, a full year before anyone else discovered baggy pants.

Painful clothing is fucking bullshit.

Re: Recycled denim: a breakthrough?

#9

Post by dsr_ » Fri, Apr 28, 2023, 5:07 PM UTC

The material:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyocell

is a variant of rayon.

Re: Recycled denim: a breakthrough?

#10

Post by hinkley » Fri, Apr 28, 2023, 5:08 PM UTC

jabl wrote: post #3

BenoitP wrote: post #2

One thing sustainability, fashion and denim: we could start by not artificially preusing it. Also: is it me or about 20 years ago a pair of jeans lasted way longer than they currently do? Maybe thinner materials were introduced for softness?

Current denim fabrics typically contain some 5% elastane, which gives a bit of strechiness, but doesn't last that long.

Stretchy jeans make me angry. Stretchy jeans for men make me furious.