Have you ever looked at the pile of last seasons clothes filling up your wardrobe and felt a little guilty? For years, the high street has fed us a diet of micro-trends and irresistibly disposable prices that make it easy to forget that each and every garment has a footprint. But as we become conscious of the negative impact of fast fashion, the conversation is gradually changing. We’re moving away from the buy cheap, wear once and discard cycle and falling back in love with slow fashion…
If you’re looking for a brand that isn’t just talking the talk, but is actually leading the charge, then let’s take a moment now to mindfully celebrate Baukjen and their exquisite womenswear range.
What Makes Baukjen Different?
You might have already seen Baukjen pop up in your feed, as they are known for their effortlessly chic, Parisian-inspired staples. But the real beauty of this brand lies in what you can’t see at first glance.
Unlike fast-fashion giants that prioritise speed and volume, Baukjen operates on a circular model. They are a Certified B Corp, and not just a passable one. Consistently ranked as one of the highest-scoring fashion B Corps globally, it means that they are legally required to prioritise people and the planet just as much as their profit.
Baukjen doesn’t just aim for carbon neutral, as they’ve actually achieved carbon negativity across their entire supply chain. Every time that you buy an item of their clothing, you’re technically helping to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than was produced to make it.
Their aesthetic is intentionally trend-immune. From high-quality jackets to organic cotton tees and perfectly tailored trousers. These are beautifully created forever pieces that have been expertly designed to be worn, repaired and loved for decades, not just a month.
Being a Zero Waste company, less than 10% of their operational waste will ever make its way into a landfill, as most of their offcuts are consciously recycled into new fibres.
The Production Process: A Peek Behind The Curtain
The biggest difference between a sustainable leader like Baukjen and a high-street brand is their transparency. On their site, you’ll find a section about Product Level Impact Scoring, which tells you exactly how much water and CO2 was saved compared to conventional methods.
Their materials are 100% responsibly sourced from organic cotton to tencel and recycled wool, whilst fast fashion relies on mostly synthetic polyester, nylon and water-heavy cotton. Operating ethical European factories with fair living wages, it’s a far cry from fast-fashion’s greed for outsourcing to high-risk regions with minimal oversight and poor working conditions.
Baukjen also use 100% plastic-free and biodegradable packaging instead of the heavy use of polybags and non-recyclable mailers that shoppers have sadly become accustomed to. And with rental and pre-loved schemes available, the lifecycle of these beautiful pieces is well thought out and sustainable compared to the linear model of buy, wear and bin in fast-fashion.
Why Mindful Shopping Matters
It’s easy to feel like one person’s wardrobe doesn’t make much of a difference, but here’s a staggering fact: the fashion industry is responsible for around 10% of global carbon emissions which we are individually fuelling with each and every purchase.
By choosing to invest in one high-quality, ethically made blazer from a brand like Baukjen rather than five cheap ones from a trend-led site, we are quite literally voting with our paychecks for a cleaner planet. We’re directly supporting fair wages, protecting waterways from toxic dyes and reducing the demand for the throwaway culture that’s suffocating our oceans and marine life with microplastics.
So the next time that you’re tempted by a flash sale or hot trend, please ask yourself: Who made this, and were they paid a living wage? Will I still want to wear this in three years time? And what happens to this garment when I’m done with it?
Becoming a more mindful shopper doesn’t mean never having a shopping spree ever again, it simply means buying better. Brands like Baukjen prove that you can be the best dressed person in every room without leaving a trail of environmental destruction behind you. So if you’re looking to build a more sustainable wardrobe this year, you know exactly where to look.
What is the oldest piece of clothing in your wardrobe that you still love to wear?
