Dreaming of denim
We love denim! And here at Kite, we know first-hand how sustainably produced denim is better for the planet and its people.
Read our blog to learn more about why we think our eco-friendly denim is
so great, and to explore our fab styles.
You - like us - probably put on denim jeans almost every day of the year. Here are some of the team modelling their favourite Kite pairs!
Denim feels great to wear, can be dressed up or down, and transcends the seasons. Most importantly, it has a durable nature and can be worn for years.
It is also easy to look after and only needs washing infrequently (our top tips are to air between wears, and wipe marks rather than wash).
The word 'denim' originates from the French 'serge de Nîmes' after the city where this sturdy fabric was first produced.
However, it was only made famous by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis during the California gold rush in the 1870s.
They added copper rivets at the stress points of their denim trousers to create hard-wearing clothing suitable for miners.
Today, denim is a wardrobe staple across the world, but conventional production methods are damaging to the environment.
Growing cotton uses lots of water and hazardous pesticides. Production then uses yet more water, harmful chemicals, and sandblasting, stonewashing or acid enzyme washing techniques (controversial practices that give jeans a worn look but damage the fabric).
The result is over-use of water and energy, polluted water supplies, unhealthy working conditions, and garments that don't last as long as they should.
The good news is that it is possible to buy denim that is high in style and low in environmental impact.
All of our denim is produced at a solar-powered fabric mill in Turkey, where quality and sustainability are key.
It is made with organic cotton which uses significantly less water and no pesticides.
Also, the mill uses a special indigo dyeing process which eliminates washing phases, saving 95% of water per year. All of the dyes used are GOTS certified too, so they don't contain any harmful chemicals.
Once our denim styles have been made, they are washed in the natural enzymes that come from apples to soften the fabric and protect the dark blue colour that we love. This washing technique was developed as a sustainable alternative to sandblasting, stonewashing and acid enzyme washing. It is gentler on denim and kinder to the planet.
Here at Kite, we use a variety of different denim so that we can offer a range of styles and fits.
Our jeans are made from 11.5 oz stretch denim. Adding a little bit of recycled polyester and elastane creates a flattering fit and provides all-day comfort. It looks fab on different shapes and sizes too.
You can find just the cut for you, skinny, bootcut or cropped, right here.
We also use a lighter weight 7.5 oz denim which is just perfect for skirts and dresses. Softer, yet still durable, it gives great quality comfort and a fabulous drapey fit.
We chose this denim for our beautiful Lillington dress and Mudeford skirt.
Finally, our 10.5 oz denim has a slightly sturdier feel with a more structured fit, and feels great to wear!
This fabric is perfect for styles such as our polka heart denim pinafore.
Do you notice the heart design detail we’ve added to our dress? It is created using a clever, chemical-free laser printing process.
Denim is durable, timeless, and versatile. When sustainably produced and cared for well, it is an amazing, planet-friendly fabric that looks great and feels fabulous.
