I have been so happy to get back into sharing product reviews with you guys! Every brand I share is hand-picked by me based on my discerning passions on quality, brand missions and sustainability. However, there really is nothing better than being able to feature up close and personal, first-hand accounts of products I value. Last week I reviewed the Heart Breaker Skinny, one of Porter Blue Apparel’s brand new, pre-production pairs from their up and coming eco-friendly denim Kickstarter campaign. I was also sent the Rebel Straight to share with you as well. Denim is normally a pretty dirty industry in terms of the manufacturing process, so it really means a lot to me to help promote the cause of cleaning it up, as many brands have recently taken upon themselves.
Quick recap:
Porter Blue Apparel‘s founder and designer, Jen, transformed the company from a side hustle to a full-on project after designing for other brands for over 20 years and being laid off due to COVID-19. Starting off as a Kickstarter campaign, Porter Blue Apparel features three eco-friendly denim styles: the Heartbreaker Skinny, Rebel Straight and Wanderer Flare. Each is manufactured with BCI cotton (Better Cotton Initiative to reduce water consumption), recycled hardware, recycled and biodegradable packaging, Lycra® T400® Yarn Technology (soft, sustainable fibers made from dextrose derived from corn, which also makes for a great fit and prevents bagging out over numerous wears), detailing and finishing via ozone machines and laser finishing technology (to reduce water and energy usage, and to reduce harsh chemical exposure), and a partnership with a solid water treatment plant will ensure all wastewater coming from the factory will be clean for the surrounding communities. Production will begin in January, and as of today, this campaign has raised over $12,000 of its goal of $15,000 and has eight days to go! You can read more about their environmental efforts on my introductory post for the brand here, or right from their campaign page here.
The Jeans:
I know skinny jeans are all the rage (and probably always will be), but if you’re looking for something a bit more casual, these are an awesome choice and fit. I was sent my usual size of 26, and the high rise sits deliciously (snug, but not tight) around my waist, with a nice relaxed fit throughout. I had mentioned with the skinny that I could maybe have sized down a size since I’m sometimes between a 25 and a 26, but I wouldn’t with these, as I feel the waistband would be too tight. Just like the Heart Breaker Skinny, the Rebel Straight features a raw, cropped hem, which I always like due to the laid back, summery feel that works so nicely with sandals. These definitely fit with the theme of my shoot since I was near the beach! I totally could imagine walking barefoot on the sand while sporting these. They are so soft, which is in part due to the Lycra, which also gives as I move to make them even more of a great everyday jean. Since they aren’t skin tight, I haven’t noticed much of a break-in except for the waist, which only became softer, and not bigger…just as promised. I’m definitely a skinny jeans gal, but these are now a go-to when I desire a break for something more relaxed! The wash is also so pretty, giving them a nice vintage broken-in look. One last thing I wanted to note here, is that the sample pair I was sent doesn’t show the copper rivets and hardware that the final production release will feature! I’m sure those will contrast so beautifully against the wash!
Reviewing the Heart Breaker Skinny and Rebel Straight jeans from Porter Blue Apparel’s up and coming eco-friendly denim line has been such a pleasure and a privilege, and I’m so thankful to have had a chance to share them with you all. The denim industry isn’t an easy one to break through, so I truly hope this brand has a bright future ahead…I definitely feel they do, and are heading out with a strong start! It’s amazing to see brands like this setting a positive example in a business that is finally starting to realize the need to be kinder on our environment.
Support Porter Blue’s Kickstarter campaign here!
Update: Porter Blue Apparel can now be visited at their full online store, porterblueapparel.com! You can now purchase the Rebel Straight here.
