Denim jeans were once the preferred trouser for cowboys in the American west; some decades later, they became a symbol of rebellion for non-conformist teens. These days jeans are all about comfort and casual style, and the average American woman owns 7 pairs.

And yet blue jeans also happen to have one of fashion's biggest environmental footprints. On today's show Sarene Alsharif reveals the harsh realities associated with jeans production; she also shares practical strategies for transforming this wardrobe staple into a sustainable solution.

Here's a preview:

[7:00]  Stone-washed with actual stones? Dyed with carcinogenic dyes? Uncovering your favorite pair's dirty little enviro-secrets 

[13:00] Want some stretch? Revisiting our desire for synthetic fibers in our denim 

[23:00] The trend cycle = smoke and mirrors

[27:00] It's a marriage not a fling (and other tried-and-true sustainable fashion tips)

[31:00] Stephanie's nihilist thoughts: What happens when collective action matters, and yet the collective isn't doing its part?

Resources mentioned:

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