Sustainable Tights- The New Normal?
Guest blogger - Raven Taylor
The environment: it’s a hot topic these days. I’m old enough to remember when kerbside recycling was first introduced to the UK in the early 2000s. It provoked a bemused reaction from my Grandma who exclaimed ‘if they think I’ve got enough time to be rinsing out tins of baked beans and sorting paper into boxes they’ve got another thing coming!’ Thankfully, since then we’ve all embraced this practice, and rinsing out those used jars and cans is now something most of us do without even thinking- though collection day still sees us tentatively waiting for the first neighbour on the street to put out their bin so we know which one is getting emptied this week! We’ve come a long way since those first steps towards trying to tackle the impact our waste has on the world. The green agenda is everywhere we look now, from stories about solar energy to messages about electric cars, we’re constantly being pushed to think about how we can live more sustainably, but did you ever consider that your humble hosiery could help make a difference? We’re going to take you through a new trend that’s really starting to take off- eco conscious tights!
It’s a movement that seemed to start with the smaller, independent brands who were looking for a way to entice customers from the big designers, playing on the more eco-conscious mood of society. Initially brands such as UK based Snag and Better Tights led the way, but recently there has been a definite shift in attitude with the bigger fashion houses all wanting to jump on the environmentally friendly train. And this has to be a good thing- the textile industry is the second biggest polluter on the planet. There is now more choice than ever for those looking for recycled hosiery, and you no longer have to choose between your favourite brand and doing your bit for the planet.
So what exactly are recycled tights, and do you still get the same quality you’d expect from the more conventional manufacturing process? Recycled fabric tends to come from two different sources. One option is to re-use the off-cuts left over during the initial production of a product. The other is repurposing yarns from used items of clothing that would otherwise be thrown away. At this I can almost hear my Grandma’s protests, ‘recycled tights? You’ve another thing coming if you think I’m wearing someone else’s tights!’. But don’t worry, recycled doesn’t mean you’ll find yourself wearing someone else’s old stockings! The materials are ground down, the fibres separated and repurposed into brand new material, meaning there’s a lot less to go into the landfill. From what I’ve experienced there is no loss of quality and you’d have no idea you were wearing a recycled fabric, and some of the brands really are getting this right. Here’s some of my favourites for you to try.
Charnos Re Cycled
For those wanting to go green you can’t go far wrong with the Re Cycled range from Charnos. A brand that’s been on the scene since 1936, their efforts at sustainability are impressive. Made in Italy, these eco-friendly offerings are manufactured from recycled fabric as well as off cuts used in the manufacturing process. The designs come in both sheer and opaque, with options of 70, 50 or 15 denier in neutral black and nude tones. They’re practical and classic- the perfect choice for the office when you’re feeling a little green. The packaging is also beautiful; there’s no plastic, just a simple paper bag which makes you think every pair has been personally gift wrapped just for you.
Pamela Mann Recycled
Pamela Mann is another big name in the hosiery world who have introduced a recycled range. The tights are made of 92% recycled yarns and come in 80 denier and 50 denier, in black. The quality is really lovely- they feel very sturdy and hard wearing, the type of tights that will probably see you through many long and busy days. The 80 denier option will certainly be a popular choice for the chillier winter months to keep you both cosy and safe in the knowledge that you’re making a greener choice.
Pretty Polly
If you’re looking for something a little bit different from the usual plain nudes and blacks, something with a bit more personality, then UK based giants Pretty Polly have you covered. They’re possibly the most well known hosiery brand in the UK and they too are doing their bit for the planet. Their recycled range has some stand out designs with various patterns, such as vertical diamond, Diamond, Double Diamond, Rose Mesh and Circle Mesh, all made with recycled yarns. These will satisfy your need to express yourself a little more while still knowing your doing the right thing for the environment. So you can be both smug and stylish as the same time!
Gipsy Eco
Another well known Italian designer, Gipsy, are in the sustainable game too with their Eco range. Currently available in 50 and 30 denier black, this range uses off cuts to produce a soft and high quality product while dramatically cutting down on what’s sent to the landfill.
And these are just a few of the big names who have been moving towards more sustainable products. Oroblu, Cette (above) and Transperenze have all rolled out eco friendly lines too, so you won’t struggle to satisfy your hosiery needs while being a little more mindful of the planet. It’s all too easy to focus on the bigger picture when it comes to sustainability and so the little things often get overlooked. What you wear on you legs might not seem like a big deal when we’re faced with images of plastic filled oceans are fumes belching from our cars- but every little action really can make an impact, and if you can look stylish and still feel like you’re saving the world than why wouldn’t you? With so much choice and so many designers thinking green it really does seem that recycled tights will become the new normal. Who knows, it might even have been enough to convert even my stubborn Grandma…