With the plethora of offers on the market, buying your favorite legging can quickly become a headache! But what are you really looking for when you invest in yoga or running legging? What shouldn't you compromise on? How is it possible to obtain eco-responsible clothing?
Here are some clues:
Which fabric to choose?
The process of turning a plastic bottle into recycled polyester yarn is greener than nylon (made from petroleum) and has a host of benefits as well. It avoids landfill and incineration of used plastic, which emits a lot of CO2. In fact, the production of recycled polyester uses half the energy consumption of virgin polyester and reduces CO2 emissions by a third.
Regarding the transformation of fiber into clothing, the parameters differ according to individual companies. Those who are committed to an ecological approach will be able to certify the non-toxicity of their fabric thanks to labels such as Oeko-Tex. Rose Boreal is proud to offer products that meet a large number of these criteria in order to obtain its Oeko-Tex 100 certification.
The Rose Boreal leggings also receive a Chitosante treatment, an antibacterial and ecological process, which allows the fabric to wick away moisture and remain ultra-breathable. This substance is found in crab and shrimp shells, so it is completely eco-responsible and has no harmful effects on health and the environment. By opting for clothes treated with Chitosante, you avoid excessive washing which pollutes the oceans.
By choosing any of the following eco-friendly textiles you also minimize your ecological footprint:
- Natural (biodegradable) recycled fibers: such as flax and hemp (and perhaps wool and cotton (but recycled).
- Ecological natural fibers: such as bamboo and organic cotton that we use for our camisoles and piñatex, this fiber of recycled pineapple leaves is used to make the Rose Boreal bags.
- Recycled synthetic fibers: such as the polyester made from recycled plastic bottles which Rose Boreal uses to manufacture leggings.
It's all about the fit
Some great examples…
The Valentine Thomas and High-Waist Coastal Legging is perfect for any type of workout. The contrasting stripe on the side gives these leggings the perfect extra detail and the ⅞ length offers a nice open ankle for unrestricted movement. Made of EcoLight fabric, offering a flattering fit with its high, super-comfortable waistband.
The High-Waist Solstice Legging give the feeling of a second skin, super light and breathable, perfect for rushed mornings, a yoga class or meditation sessions. However, it is a bit more fitted than printed Rose Boreal leggings.
The High-Waist Divine Legging is also made from EcoFit fabric - shaping, breathable, soft and technical. These are the leggings to choose day after day to move, relax and inspire, with its 3 back pockets and comfortable high waist designed to stay in place.
The High-Waist Dance Legging is made from the new EcoFit fabric which is now thicker and more compressive than ever. It includes 3 pockets, a long leg that goes under the foot and a comfortable high waist that offers the best support.
The English Garden and Lake Louise High-Waist legging offer the same ideal fit as the other leggings, but are also reversible.
The Oh Si Soft Legging is made from ultra-thin EcoSoft fleece, super soft, comfortable and warm in addition to providing good support thanks to their high waist. The perfect leggings to wear for weekend cocooning, for practicing yoga or just relaxing in comfort mode.
Buy local
It’s more important than ever to support small local businesses, especially if they adopt sound and transparent practices. But why is it important to buy local?
Buying local sometimes seems to cost more, however, it should be noted that Quebec artisans tend to use good quality components in their production. Whether through ethics or pride, quality becomes one more argument to justify the price. Paying more for something that will last longer can be worth it.
Buying local is also fairer. There are of course certified fair-trade products that are not local, Quebec labor standards are there to ensure that all workers are well treated, from the manufacture of the raw material to the finished product.
Buying local is eco-responsible. If what you buy is produced nearby, this means less transport and less risk of loss. Even if you have to go from one store to another, it will still be less kilometers travelled than a t-shirt made in Bangladesh and delivered to Quebec by ship.
Buying local also sometimes allows, if production is on a small scale, for some manufactures to wait for a customer's order before making their product. This allows the producer to avoid waste and to produce according to demand.
See also: Le panier bleu.
Encourage art and its artisans
All the patterns printed on Rose Boreal leggings are designed by talented Quebec female artists. For example: the Colibris Leggings (High-Waist & Capri) is inspired by the beauty of this wonderful bird and has been exclusively sketched by the artist Émilie Beaudoin. Or the Ostara High-Waist Leggings which celebrate the Spring Equinox, the Nordic Goddess, renewal and awakening nature. Be like the moth which, despite the darkness, spreads its magnificent wings. Allow yourself to experience a rebirth. The artist Émilie Beaudoin also designed in watercolor the patterns of the leggings English Garden, Orient Vibe, Hamsa Bloom (in charcoal & gray), Lake Louise, Aurora Borealis, Lucky Elephant (in navy and burgundy), Mystical Moon and Milky Way.
And what about the dyeing?
Dye is generally very polluting. It’s essential to choose clothes that have undergone sublimation dyeing, the process used by Rose Boreal for their leggings with designs. Or the water-based (chemical free) as with the plain Rose Boreal leggings. The mechanical recycling of polyester can sometimes make it difficult to achieve a uniform color. This can mean multiple stages of dyeing, consuming water, energy, and chemicals. Again, it all depends on the ecological sensitivity of the company. Natural or organic dyes can also be used to color the fabric. The production of polyester also requires antimony, a catalyst known to be carcinogenic.
Choose the message that appeals to you
As citizens and consumers, your questions, your voices and your shopping habits can help make a difference. You are the driving force behind the trends. Every time you buy something, you vote with your wallet. To buy is to vote!
How to remedy the fast fashion?
This so-called fast-fashion clothing appears to be inexpensive but is polluting in their production. Imagine all the resources it takes to make poor quality clothes that will only be worn on average 5 times and have a lifespan of 35 days? To remedy:
- Buy less and buy better.
- Also find out where your clothes come from and ask #whomademyclothes.
- Take care of your clothes by washing them less often. Several studies show that washing synthetic clothing contributes to the increase of microfibers in the oceans. A single wash cycle could reject over 700,000 plastic fibers. To remedy this, the solution could be to acquire specific filters that reduce the rejection of these microfibers.
- Wear them longer (by extending the life of a garment by 3 months, you reduce the carbon footprint, water and waste by 5 to 10%).
- Trade in, buy or rent second-hand clothes to give them a second life.
Also read the article: Fast fashion: State of play.
And take part in the movement: Fashion Revolution.
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