The environmental impact of denim manufacturing has been well-documented, and earlier this year Viva spoke to river conservationist Mark Angelo about how we can be more conscious consumers when it comes to the jeans we wear. With that in mind, here are some of the best jeans around - so you can buy a pair that will last.
"Trying to mindfully buy denim can quickly become quite the task, so when I heard of Re/Done's concept I was head-over-heels. Each pair of jeans is crafted from re-worked vintage Levi's, which are hand-cut and sewn in their Los Angeles studio. Welcome, new guilt free wardrobe staple." Anna Lee, editorial assistant
"I like that these Norm regular fit jeans from Rolla's look a little middle-aged. No-nonsense classic blue, a sensible straight leg and with a bit of stretch. The type of jeans Jerry Seinfeld would wear with a pair of crisp trainers. I wear mine to work and at the weekend. So versatile." Dan Ahwa, fashion editor
"Jeans don't do a lot for me, or more truthfully I don't do a lot for them, but I sometimes wear long layers with old skinny Cheap Mondays. My most successful recent attempt at finding a decent fit has been at Uniqlo where the relaxed-fit ankle-length denim (and better yet lightweight linen) cut looks pretty good. Twin with one of their striped cotton tops for a fraction of what most other jeans alone cost." Janetta Mackay, beauty editor
"Perhaps the best thing about Nudie Jeans is that they have a moral conscience. They are part of the Fair Wear Foundation which helps to ensure everyone across their production line works under fair conditions. They are made of 100 per cent organic cotton, and they will repair your worn-in Nudie jeans free of charge at selected stores around the world, or another option is they will send you a free repair kit to mend your own jeans. Perfect if you have an unexpected crotch blowout." Rosie Kelway, writer
"I've been living in a pair of black Dr Denim jeans for the past few months they are the ultimate in low-maintenance dressing; slim without being skinny, have enough stretch to do yoga moves in, and so far have been durable enough to survive the thrashing I put my jeans through on a daily basis." Guy Coombes, photographer
"I'd been loyal to J Brand jeans since the best sales assistant in the world finally convinced me jeans could work for me at Barneys NY in San Francisco in 2007. But this winter I've mixed things up by basically moving into a pair of Citizens of Humanity boyfriend jeans from Fabric. It's like wearing my pyjamas or yoga pants day in day out, but without the public aspersions." Rebecca Wadey, wellbeing editor
"Acne jeans are on the pricey side, but if you're looking for comfortable denim that will last a decade, a pair from this Sweden fashion house is worth splashing out on. They don't lose their shape after an hour of wear, either, which is high on my list of requirements for denim." Jessica Beresford, digital content producer
"Frame Denim are definitely my pick of jeans for style and comfort. They have a slight stretch in them which isn't picked up on in the appearance (so no trace of the forbidden jegging). I live in my Le Skinny De Jeanne, which are a cropped style versatile for Auckland weather and the perfect full length for those with short people problems like myself." Lucy Casley, digital and design assistant
