Looking for the perfect pair of vegan jeans but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.
We’ve rounded up the best denim brands creating vegan jeans sustainably and ethically because along with animals, its important that humans and the planet must be protected too.
What makes jeans not vegan?
Whether you’ve lived a vegan lifestyle for a while now or are just starting your journey, you may wonder if all jeans are vegan. And if not, what makes them not vegan anyway?
Well, while denim itself is vegan, the main reason many denim jeans on the market aren’t vegan-friendly comes down to the leather patch, which is often used on the back of jeans.
This leather patch is typically made from animal-derived leather, meaning it’s sourced inhumanely and, therefore, unsuitable for vegans.
Don’t worry, though, because plenty of sustainable jeans brands are creating patch-free jeans from organic and eco-friendly materials.
Let’s jump in!
The Best Vegan Denim
We’re reader-supported. The following post contains affiliate links. If you click through a link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission. We only partner with brands who share the same values as we do.
1. Boyish Jeans
Materials: Vegan materials, Organic cotton, Tencel & Lyocell, nontoxic dyes
Styles: Women’s vegan jeans styles
Ships to: Worldwide
Boyish Jeans is an entirely vegan brand, creating dreamy denim from organic and eco-friendly materials without animal-based products.
The brand has an entirely transparent supply chain and focuses on ensuring ethical production across its supply chain, meaning Boyish didn’t exploit animals or people to create their jeans.
Unfortunately, Boyish don’t create men’s jeans, only women’s styles, but their women’s collection is seriously on point, with denim for every occasion.
2. Nudie
Materials: Organic Cotton, vegan patch
Styles: Women’s and men’s vegan jeans in all styles, including High waist, Selvage, Mom jeans, cropped, regular
Ships to: Worldwide
While Nudie technically isn’t a vegan brand and their jeans aren’t certified, their jeans are vegan friendly. The brand discontinued the use of leather patches in their jeans in 2018 and replaced them with a vegan-friendly material called Jacron (made from a blend of FSC-certified cellulose fibers and polymers). Nudie also states that their denim suppliers don’t use animal-based materials or glue.
Nudie is a great option if you’re looking for sustainable and vegan denim jeans that will last year after year. Nudie jeans have a completely transparent supply chain, and you can see exactly where each component of your denim originated.
3. Mother Denim
Materials: Cotton, vegan leather patch / no patch
Styles: Slim, straight, high-waisted, bootcut, flared
Ships to: the US & International
Mother is a Los Angeles-based denim brand focusing on local ethical production. The brand creates all of its denim within a 14-mile radius of its design studio and works to upcycle fabric to reduce carbon emissions.
The brand also doesn’t use leather patches, so its denim jeans are vegan-friendly.
Although the brand is more expensive than others we’ve listed, you definitely get what you pay for with this brand, as the quality of their denim is fantastic and long-lasting!
4. DL1961
Materials: Cotton, recycled fabric
Styles: Patch-free denim, bootcut, slim, straight, high-waisted, low waisted
Ships to: Worldwide
DL1961 is a brand that’s leading the way when it comes to sustainable denim production. The brand uses recycled materials to craft its designs, and a pair of DL1961 jeans takes only 10 gallons to produce, compared to the whopping 1500 gallons used by a regular pair of jeans.
While the brand’s women’s collection doesn’t feature any leather patches and are vegan-friendly, disappointingly some men’s styles still feature a leather patch.
5. Warp + Weft
Materials: Cotton, recycled water
Styles: Size-inclusive vegan denim, all jean styles
Ships to: Worldwide
For affordable vegan jeans, check out Warp + Weft. This sustainable brand uses eco-friendly production practices and sustainable materials to save water and energy.
Warp + Weft’s denim is high quality without the premium markups. Plus, the brand has many great size-inclusive on-trend styles, perfect for every body shape and size.
6. MUD Jeans
Materials: Organic cotton and recycled materials
Styles: On-trend jeans, cropped, flared, straight, slim
Ships to: Europe
Mud Jeans is another 100% vegan brand creating premium sustainable jeans. The Netherlands—based brand brings us a collection of feel good denim staples that every closet needs.
The brand uses entirely animal-free materials, and are committed to using ethical production and sustainable processes.
Plus, Mud jeans have recently released a ‘lease’ service, which allows you to lease a pair of jeans instead of buying them.
7. Kuyichi
Materials: Organic cotton, Jacron patch, recycled materials
Styles: Men’s and women’s vegan denim
Ships to: Worldwide
On a mission to make the world a better place, sustainable fashion brand Kuyichi uses responsible materials like GOTS organic cotton grown without pesticides and recycled fabrics.
The brand scrapped its use of leather patches in 2016 and has since continued to use non-animal-derived Jacron patches in its vegan denim line.
Kuyichi offers an impressive selection of classic denim styles that are vegan-friendly.
Style Tip / For a laid back look, pair your jeans with a pair of vegan clogs or vegan cowboy boots, they’re the must have shoes this season.
8. ThokkThokk
Materials: Organic cotton, 100% vegan materials
Styles: PETA-approved vegan denim, jeans, denim shorts
Ships to: Europe
ThokkThokk’s vegan denim collection is created ethically from GOTS organic cotton, grown without toxic pesticides.
The German brand aims to create its clothing sustainably by using certified natural fabrics, sustainable materials, and ethical production.
While ThokkThokk doesn’t have as many style choices as some of the other brands on the list, they shouldn’t be overlooked, as the brand creates a bunch of denim essentials that will fit effortlessly into your wardrobe.
Are Levis jeans vegan?
Unfortunately Levi’s jeans aren’t vegan friendly. Levi’s still continue to use a leather patch on their jeans.
Are GAP jeans vegan?
Yes, GAP denim is vegan, as the brand doesn’t use leather patches. However, as we consider GAP a fast fashion brand, we prefer to shop from smaller, more sustainable denim brands like Boyish, Warp + Weft, and Nudie.
Are Uniqlo jeans vegan?
Yes, Uniqlo jeans are vegan. However, we’ve only rated Uniqlo a sustainability score of 3/5 and consider it a fast fashion brand. Instead, why not shop from a more sustainable denim brands like Warp + Weft or Nudie.
Wrapping Up: Vegan Jeans
If you’re following a vegan lifestyle, discover more amazing vegan brands in our recommendations on vegan heels, vegan shoes, vegan running shoes, and vegan comforters!
