The 10 Best Sustainable Denim Shorts From Our Favorite Ethical Brands!

sustainable denim shorts

03/28/2024

Konstantina Antoniadou

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Looking for the absolute best affordable sustainable denim shorts for the summer? We’ve got you! 

Despite fast fashion’s numerous attempts to pollute our planet, deny workers living wages, and constantly promote overconsumption, the ethical fashion movement is growing rapidly. 

And with it, so do our options!

Instead of relying on thirsty cotton fibers and dozens of different chemicals, 2024’s most revolutionary brands produce eco-friendly denim shorts by diverting textile waste from piling up in landfills and clogging our planet. 

For this guide, we have found the highest quality denim shorts, crafted with eco-friendly production techniques such as water-saving processes and non-toxic dyes.

P.S. For even more options, check out the 21 Sustainable Denim Brands For All Your Denim Fashion Needs.

sustainable denim shorts

Best Sustainable Denim Shorts to Wear All Summer!

Oh, denim shorts – they’re the quintessential summer staple, effortlessly cool and endlessly versatile.  

From casual morning strolls in the park to lazy days at the beach, jean shorts are the go-to choice for effortless style and comfort. But beneath their timeless appeal lies a darker truth about the denim industry.

You see, traditional denim production is anything but eco-friendly. 

From rivers turning indigo blue to air thick with toxic fumes, the environmental impact of denim production is staggering.

To put this into perspective, according to Greenpeace International, the production of textiles is responsible for 20% of the world’s water pollution

Also, did you know that it takes an average of 1,800 gallons of water to produce a single pair of jeans? That’s enough to fill over 2,700 bathtubs!? 

Cotton irrigation accounts for a whopping 92% of the water footprint associated with a pair of jeans. The remaining water consumption is tied to the production processes involved in creating denim fabric. 

Shockingly, up to 20% of fabric is wasted in the production of denim clothing. That’s around  2.16 million tons every single year! So, we’re practically letting perfectly good textiles rot in a landfill.

The workers are paying a deadly price as well. 

A new report finds that Chinese factories are using banned sandblasting techniques on jeans, making 1,100 yuan (€137, £116) a month.

Thousands of workers tasked with ironing clothes before they’re shipped to Europe, Australia, or America have described working conditions in unventilated, windowless rooms. These environments become excessively hot and filled with steam, leading to instances of people fainting.

So, what’s the solution? 

Enter: Eco-friendly denim shorts. 

Luckily for us, a new wave of ethical and sustainable denim short brands is revolutionizing the industry from the inside out. 

From organic cotton to recycled fabrics, these amazing companies are leading the charge towards a more sustainable future for fashion.


The Best Sustainable Denim Shorts Of 2024:


1. Oliver Logan

sustainable denim short brands

For affordable sustainable denim shorts that are equal parts stylish and ethical, check out Oliver Logan

Apart from their commitment to using recycled yarn and organic cotton in crafting their collections, this slow fashion company manufactures their jeans in BSCI or OEKO-TEX-certified factories in China, ensuring that every pair meets the highest standards of ethical production.

Plus, every pair of Oliver Logan jeans comes with a lifetime guarantee – a fast fashion brand could never!!

From relaxed tapered jeans to linen shirts, you’ll certainly find the perfect fit.

Price: $78 

Size Range: 23-35

Location/Shipping: United States


2. Warp + Weft

sustainable brands of denim shorts

Warp + Weft has been the world’s cleanest vertically integrated denim company for over three decades.

They are dedicated to changing the fashion industry in every way to represent the wide array of conscious consumers. 

They’ve got options for everyone, going up to women’s size 24 and even catering to the big and tall with 44” waists in their collection.  

Plus, they recycle a whopping 98 percent of the water they use, thanks to their innovative vertical manufacturing process.

Our Top Picks from Warp + Weft:

Price: $68

Size Range: 00-14 | 24-32

Location/Shipping: United States, ships to Canada, Europe, Australia & New Zealand


3. Able

sustainable shorts for summer

In addition to manufacturing some of the most affordable sustainable denim shorts, Able is also on a mission to educate women workers so they can earn a living wage and break the cycle of poverty. 

To save natural resources and energy, the company recycles the water that is used for their sustainable denim production.

No worries, the wastewater undergoes a multi-step process to make sure that it is safe before it is released back into the land. 

Plus, instead of using harsh chemicals, they use environmentally friendly alternatives to craft their 100% cotton non-stretch denim ethically in India.

Price: $98 

Size Range: 23-33

Location/Shipping: United States, ships to Canada


4. DL1961

cheap denim short shorts

From trash to fashion – DL 1961 turns natural and certified traceable recycled fibers into affordable and eco-friendly denim shorts, pants, and dresses

They’ve managed to do something unbelievable: Their shorts require less than 10 gallons of water.

Five minutes of showering is about 12 gallons, so you get the point! Plus, 98% of the water used to create the apparel is recycled. 

To top it all off, each pair requires less than 1.00 kWh of energy. How cool is that?

On their virtual shelves, you can find high-quality denim shorts in an array of different washes and lengths.

Personally, I adore their knee-length options.

Our Top Picks from DL1961:

Price: From $128+ 

Size Range: 23-34

Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide


5. Boyish Jeans

Affordable sustainable denim shorts

Boyish Jeans designs sustainable denim with recyclable, traceable materials and minimal pollution. Their end goal? To become completely zero-waste!

That’s why they opt for organic cotton that is OCS certified, and Tencel Lyocell, a natural raw material from eucalyptus trees.

Of course, the organic cotton denim shorts are completely free of toxic dyes and harsh chemicals.

Lastly, Boyish jeans are cruelty-free and PETA-approved vegan.  

Our Top Picks from Boyish Jeans:

Price: From $118+

Size Range: 000-14 | 22-32

Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide


6. Mud Jeans

sustainable denim shorts

You already know how much I love Mud Jeans! You might have heard them being hailed as “the world’s first circular denim brand,” and for good reason.

Their whole ethos revolves around the circular economy, which basically means they’re all about reducing waste and maximizing resources. 

How do they do it? For starters, 40% of their denim is made from recycled material. The remaining 60% is made of organic cotton. 

What’s more, each of the ethically sourced jean shorts is created using a low-waste, laser technique that’s as eco-friendly as it is stylish. 

To top it all off, the brand has been audited by the Fair Wear Foundation and is a proud member of their Young Designer Program, so you can rest easy knowing that your jeans were made with care and consideration for both people and the planet.

Price: Buy €99.95 / Lease 8.25/month

Size Range: XS-XL

Location/Shipping: Netherlands, ships worldwide


7. Universal Standard

sustainable jean shorts

From sustainable dresses and non-toxic leggings to cozy sweaters and affordable sustainable denim shorts, Universal Standard is taking eco-conscious fashion to the next level!

And let me tell you, these jeans are built to last. We’re talking years and years of wear without losing their shape or style. 

The best part? Their size range is seriously impressive, going all the way up to 40!

Plus, they’ve got this awesome “See It In Your Size” option, so you can get a better understanding of how the jeans will fit and look on you before you buy. 

And if your size changes (hey, it happens to the best of us), Universal Standard has got your back.

Their Fit Liberty Collection lets you exchange your clothes for a new size, no questions asked.  

Our Top Picks from Universal Standard:

Price: From $25+ 

Size Range: XS-7X | 00-40

Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide


8. Amour Vert

best sustainable jean shorts

The American-made clothing brand Amour Vert offers some of the most stylish sustainable fashion staples we’ve ever seen. 

Their sustainable jean shorts are available in a slew of washes and colors.

Think light indigo with subtle fading and whiskering and darker tones that go with absolutely everything. 

To create those beautiful styles, Amour Vert uses 100% regenerative cotton and absolutely no chemicals. 

Plus, the facility uses a whopping 80-90% recycled water throughout production, significantly minimizing its environmental impact.

Our Top Picks from Amour Vert:

Price: From $138+ 

Size Range: XXS-XL | 24-32

Location/Shipping: United States


9. Reformation

ethically sourced jean shorts

Reformation is the mecca of slow fashion basics.

I absolutely love their organic cotton dresses and skirts, but their affordable sustainable denim shorts are equally stylish. 

The fabric is made with 80% regeneratively grown cotton and 20% recycled cotton. 

Plus, Reformation creates the collections in small batches in their own factory in Los Angeles – so no slavery is involved. 

Of course, they are not afraid to be as transparent as possible, and thus, they frequently publish their sustainability reports for the whole world to see. 

Our Top Picks from Reformation:

Price: $128 

Size Range: 23-34

Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide


10. Kings Of Indigo

best sustainable denim shorts

The Amsterdam-based sustainable fashion brand Kings Of Indigo creates eco-friendly denim shorts from organic and recycled cotton. 

Ethical manufacturing is guaranteed because all their suppliers undergo social audits, meeting the standards of Amfori BSCI, SEDEX SMETA, or Fair Wear Foundation. 

What’s more, all styles are backed by a 3-year worldwide warranty.

Heck, even the packaging is made from 80% recycled material.

Price: From €109.99+ 

Size Range: 24-33

Location/Shipping: Netherlands, ships to Europe


There you have it – the most affordable sustainable denim shorts from ethical brands. 

We hope this guide helped you find your new, favorite recycled, and organic cotton denim shorts for summer. 

While traditional denim production can be incredibly resource-intensive and damaging to the environment, fortunately, many brands are stepping up to make positive changes. 

This includes everything from sourcing, dyeing, and finishing to manufacturing and transportation. 

Plus, our favorite companies also focus on extending the lifespan of their ethically sourced jean shorts through repair and recycling programs. 

If you enjoyed this article, check out these other community favorites below!

sustainable denim shorts

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