Do you remember the classic scene from Cinderella, where the mice and birds work together to create a beautiful dress for Cinderella to wear to the ball? While we’re unclear if the materials they used were sustainable, that’s the kind of design magic that’s going on behind the scenes here at tentree (minus the adorable animals, of course). Our product team never fails to do the impossible, working tirelessly to create pieces that are not only stylish but the most sustainable on the market.
We’re firm believers that you don’t have to sacrifice style for sustainability, and our Ponte (pronounce pon-tee) material is the perfect example of this. If you haven’t heard of this fabric before, trust us, our sustainable take on it will become your new best friend. Dare we say, you might even grab our Ponte Clay Pant before you grab your favourite leggings…
What’s Ponte?
Ponte is a thick double-knit fabric that’s a bit heavier than the material you’d find in your run-of-the-mill t-shirt. While it has a comfortable 2-way stretch and drape, the heavier knit allows it to still maintain some structure.
This results in a figure-flattering fabric that molds to your body, creating a smooth and streamlined silhouette. Ponte fabric also has the added bonus of being crease-resistant, making it the perfect option for traveling or for those mornings when you don’t have time to iron.
What’s tentree Ponte made of?
At tentree, our Ponte puts the planet first, with sustainable and preferred fibres leading the charge. Our fabric is made of 44% Recycled Polyester, 41% Organic Cotton, 13% Polyester, and 2% Elastane — a much more natural reading list than the one you’ll find below.
While we’re always working to find alternatives for the 15% non-recycled and non-compostable elements, we think an 85% recycled and compostable blend is an amazing start and makes this one of the most sustainable options on the market when shopping Ponte.
You can shop with confidence knowing that our Ponte fibres are all certified (Organic-Cotton Standards and Recycled Content Standard), and the designs were made in a safe and respectful work environment. And don’t forget every item you purchase from tentree also plants ten trees.
What’s regular Ponte made of?
There is a long list of things we love about this type of fabric, but unfortunately, the fibres traditionally used to make it are a bit of a synthetic nightmare. Usually, Ponte’s made of rayon, nylon, and spandex.
While the end result is super comfy and flattering for you, it’s not so great for the environment. These synthetic fibres require many chemicals to create and emit toxic waste and emissions through manufacturing — not a good deal for the planet. They also aren’t biodegradable, which means they’ll likely end up in landfills releasing methane, a harmful greenhouse gas.
There’s absolutely no judgment if some of these materials are in your closet, but here at tentree we’re always working to find alternatives to these fibres whenever possible. Our Director of Product Commercialization, Ludovic put it best when he said, “Ponte fabric is a well-loved fabric for specific garments, and in true tentree fashion, we were able to add this to our line without compromising on our sustainability mandate. Had we not been able to offer this fabrication with sustainable fibres, we wouldn’t have adopted it into our line.”
Simple as that. Here are our favourite eco-friendly Ponte styles to elevate your look this fall.
