Now that it is legal to cultivate hemp across the US, clothing brands are increasingly considering turning to this much-beloved material, that’s often touted not only for its strength but also for being more sustainable than cotton, requiring less water and land space.
Now, those looking for a high-quality pair of jeans that also scores high on sustainability can check out Levi’s latest product line called Levi’s Stay Loose, whose manufacturing recipe includes hemp. We recently shared another article about how Levi’s is using recycled jeans and wood pulp to create new pants. This is another solution in a line of denim innovations from the company.
Stay Loose offers several options for men with, as the name implies, a loose fit through hips and thighs. With typical Levi’s innovation, the styles are fashioned using Cottonized Hemp, which means that a portion of the yarn comes from the hemp plant and the manufacturing makes it feel like cotton.
Janine Chilton-Faust, a global VP of men’s design at Levi’s said, “The Stay Loose is the perfect jean to tap into the trend of looser silhouettes, which embraces both style and comfort. A fuller fit, a wider leg, a little taper, and with a throwback ‘90s vibe that’s still very contemporary.”
While Cottonized Hemp shows potential as a more sustainable material, these products are still only comprised of 23 percent hemp and 77 percent cotton, so cotton isn’t completely out of the equation just yet. Still, this gradual move towards hemp proves that the material may just be the green alternative to cotton that higher-end brands have been waiting for.
