Rapanui (organic cotton jeans for men and women)

Rapanui is an outdoor clothing company that makes casual clothing for men and women, mostly made from organic cotton (for any items containing synthetic fibres like recycled polyester, launder in a microfiber filter, to stop microplastics releasing from washing machines, into the sea).

But these jeans are 100% organic cotton, made from quality denim with a comfortable straight cut from hip to ankle. Ideal to pair with favourite t-shirts and shirts for everyday wear, they feature traditional 5-pocket styling and zip fly closure. And are ethically made.

Many of us live in jeans for a good part of the time, they are easy to put on, and go with most other items of clothing. But as one of the world’s favourite items of clothing, there are huge sustainability issues.

It’s recommended to launder these as infrequently as possible, although of course you can, but you’ll ended up with faded jeans very quickly! To preserve colour, wash them inside out in cold water with a mild detergent on a delicate cycle, and air-dry them.

Also available for women.

You could even pair the jeans with a matching organic cotton denim jacket. Or for warmer days, choose some organic cotton denim shorts.

Why choose organic cotton jeans?

• Some use real leather patches on the back patches, often made in countries with poor animal welfare laws. A few brands are now adding ‘Jacron’ (vegan paper patches that look like leather) instead.
• The blue chemical dyes run off into rivers, even changing the skin colour of street dogs, who have turned blue from drinking the polluted water.
• The jeans industry is very wasteful, with masses of chemically-dyed cotton jeans going to waste (cotton farming is responsible for a good portion of the world’s pesticides, which also harms farmers).
• Many brands are sold in plastic packaging, with plastic tags.

You can also buy jeans made from hemp, a naturally organic material that is another good choice.

Cost per wear: paying more saves money!

Although these blue jeans cost more, you have to balance this with cost per wear. A quality pair of jeans that are worn over 100 times, ends up costing less than a cheap pair that lose their shape and tear after a few months. Then you have to go and buy another pair.