Clothing, food, and shelter—clothes are an indispensable part of our lives.
What criteria do you use to choose your clothes?
I imagine everyone has their own standards, whether it's the look, the functionality, or the concepts upheld by a brand. There was a time when I was only interested in clothes that would make me look cool—things that were different from what others were wearing, or items rooted in vintage styles.
However, after I started cycling, I began to feel a sense of discomfort with the idea of thinking about things primarily through the lens of fashion. While clothes are necessary for survival, I’ve come to believe that they shouldn't be the focal point of our lives, but rather something that accompanies the life of each individual.
Once I started thinking about clothing in this way, I began to care more about what materials are used, what processes are involved, and what kind of people are making them.
We currently carry PATAGONIA products at Circles, and of course, that's not just because of their superior looks and functionality. Patagonia constantly considers the global environment we live in, as well as the people who create their products, when they bring them into existence.
Naturally, the M’s Organic Cotton Gi Pants I’m introducing today are also filled with that same level of care.
【PATAGONIA】
M’s Organic Cotton Gi Pants
Color: Forge Grey Corduroy, New Navy Corduroy
Price: ¥13,500 (excl. tax)
→20% off! ¥10,800 (excl. tax)
The Men's Organic Cotton Gi Pants are as comfortable as the sweatpants you find yourself reaching for every day, yet they are reliable enough to perform in any situation, from outdoor fields to shopping in the city.
They feature a button closure and zippered fly, and the elastic waistband includes an adjustable belt. They have a gusseted crotch that comes in handy whether you're climbing rocks, rushing up stairs, or pedaling. They also offer plenty of storage, with two slanted hand-warmer pockets, one zippered pocket on the right thigh, and two buttoned pockets in the back.
There are two key points about these pants. The first is that they feature Fair Trade Certified sewing. Simply put, this means that the many people involved in the production process are properly considered and paid a fair wage. It’s natural for the people behind traditional crafts or items requiring specialized machinery to be recognized, but that rarely happens with massive corporations like Patagonia that produce in such high volumes. That is what it means to adopt Fair Trade Certified sewing.
The second point is the use of organic cotton. I'm sure you've heard of this often, not just with Patagonia products, but simply put, it means that the material is produced in an environmentally friendly way. Conventional cotton farming methods use pesticides, chemical fertilizers, soil conditioners, defoliants, and other chemicals that pollute the soil, water, and air, causing great harm to countless living things. We are surrounded by countless problems like global warming and waste issues, but I hope we can start by caring about the small things.
Patagonia is an American outdoor apparel brand that everyone knows, and many of you may already own some of their items. Beyond just their functionality and look, there is surely some kind of message embedded in those items as well.
I’ve written this briefly here, but if you would like to know more about Fair Trade Certified sewing and organic cotton, please visit the Patagonia website.