Linen is such a great fabric for summer. Here are organic, sustainably sourced, or ethically made 100% linen shorts you’ll want to buy now. Plastic not included.
Just what is it about linen that makes it such a good staple material in your closet and a sustainable choice for the environment? To begin with, it’s a plant-based fiber sourced from the stems of the flax plant. It’s similar to cotton, but when it comes to dealing with intense summer temperatures, linen absorbs moisture faster, so it’s more comfortable to wear when temperatures rise. While polyester (a plastic based material) shorts might flow beautifully in store windows, it’s more beneficial to slip on linen shorts when you want to stay cool during summer months.
Embracing natural, plant-based fabrics- cotton, Tencel, lyocell, and linen- are more sustainable choices compared to plastic-based fabrics like polyester and nylon. Each of these plant-based fabrics have their own eco-credentials and benefits. And, when companies practice organic or regenerative farming practices and process without the use of harsh chemicals and dyes, there is the potential for fabrics to decompose naturally. Not to mention, less risk for you to be exposed to toxins and local environments through water or soil contamination.
Má + Lin Designer Shares Why Linen Is Her Go-To Sustainable Fabric
Shopping should be enjoyable. So, we’ve taken out the hard work and have selected a few great options for shorts for you. These aren’t linen blends, either. All the shorts on this list are 100% linen. Keep reading to shop the picks and to read the reasons why we choose each brand.
We love a B Corporation. These brands and companies undergo a rigorous assessment and vetting process that looks at their sourcing and production to ensure that ethical and sustainable standards are upheld. We’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Parker Clay and Patchstrips about the year-long process to get a B Corp certification. Farm Rio is one B Corp brand included on this list for their shorts made from 100% European Flax™ that is certified GMO-free and produced without artificial irrigation.
Outerknown is another brand with great 3rd party certifications. Many of their items are Fair Trade certified and they’ve partnered with the Fair Trade Association to promote fair working standards. The company also partners with organizations to support farmers’ implementation of Regenerative Organic CertifiedTM practices.
Elsewhere on this list are the well-known brands Everlane, Quince, and Madewell. These mainstream brands have taken some sustainable initiatives. These include using sustainable materials (deadstock fabrics, organic cotton, linen, etc.) and reducing the use of plastic-based materials. Quince also uses materials that are Oekeo-Tex, GOTS organic, or Global Recycled Standard certified. Madewell has invested in projects that further regenerative cotton and facilities that recycle water and eliminate the use of harmful dyes. So, wile these aren’t sustainable brands per say, they do offer better alternatives to traditional fast-fashion items such as 100% linen shorts.