Carve Designs is the result of a passion for outdoor activities coupled with a love of the environment. An apparel company and outdoor brand, it’s dedicated to designing clothing for active women, with an emphasis on finding and using sustainable materials.
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The newest release from the company is a swimsuit line that celebrates 20 years of Carve Designs’ most loved styles and prints. Updated with the newest recycled plastic fabric technology, the collection highlights interchangeable hibiscus and retro dots patterns.
Related: Levi’s announces product line made with Cottonized Hemp
The release celebrates another landmark event for the company: fulfilling a long-standing promise to bring manufacturing back to the United States, where all the swimsuits are now made.
Carve Designs features several clothing options, from sweaters to pants and swimwear to swim covers. There are bikinis, tankinis and one-piece swimsuits, as well as rash guards and board shorts. For on or off the beach there are rompers, dresses, tank tops, long sleeve and short sleeve tops, jackets and vests. Many items can be mixed and matched as a capsule wardrobe.
Across the lines of clothing, the company focuses on sustainable fabrics, expanding from its original commitment to produce all clothing from organic cotton. While many of the articles are still produced from soft cotton, there are now several other innovative materials being used as well.
For example, the swimsuits are made from recycled plastic bottles. The company reports that each swimsuit uses the equivalent of five plastic bottles, diverting them from landfills and reducing pollution.
In fact, 95% of all the clothing produced by Carve Designs is made from sustainable materials. Another example is the Coconut Balsa, which is a byproduct of coconut production. The discarded husks are converted into a lightweight and fast-drying material that is effective in outdoor or indoor spaces.
FlyWeight is another cool, comfy fabric that’s made from recycled plastic bottles. Used in the production of sun shirts, each shirt diverts 10 plastic bottles from the dump.
Since inception, Carve Designs has relied on non-GMO, pesticide-free, 100% organic cotton. The corduroy and denim pants, shorts, skirts and other items are also made from organic cotton, bringing the same benefits for the environment.
In addition to conscientious material selections, Carve Design commits to sustainable packaging with little to no waste and environmentally-friendly materials. All packaging is biodegradable, compostable and plant-based. Shipments are stuffed with recyclable paper and the company uses soy-based inks.
Carve Designs review
I learned about Carve Designs through a promotional mailing from a PR company. Curious, I scoured the Carve Design website for an hour, loving the overall vibe of the clothing. The PR company offered to set me up with a sample. Although they were out of my first request, I provided a list of alternatives and they sent a Carson Hi Rise Jean: Blue Tide, Size 4 and the Zella Pullover: Grapefruit Stripe, Size M.
The jeans are So. Dang. Cute. Although they hit me at an awkward ankle length as sent, they are versatile since they cuff well. I roll them twice for a standard capri look or once for a wider cuff. I love the lighter denim color to wear with my darker navy and black shirts. It also pairs well with lighter tones. Denim is always forgiving like that. I’m currently on a work vacation in Southern California, which is much warmer than my home in Oregon, so I’ve worn them nearly every day. They pair well with skater shoes, ankle boots, sandals, heels or flip flops. The waist hits comfortably high for good coverage without feeling like I’m wearing maternity pants. All the quality features are there with the stitching and hardware. They are made from 99% organic cotton, which provides a bit of stretch and a relatively relaxed fit.
Additionally, the sweater is a gorgeous shade of pink. It immediately became my favorite sweater in my wardrobe and creates an instant outfit when paired with the Carson Hi Rise Jean. Made from 100% organic cotton, it’s soft and flexible. I love the long sleeves and drop shoulder design. It’s cozy enough for lounging with joggers, yet easily dressed up for an evening on the town.
The website is easy to maneuver around and each product page lists the materials like an ingredients list. It also includes some pointers on sizing and fit. Be sure to check out the care section if you’re opposed to hand washing or line drying. You can search by material, clothing categories and new and sale items, among other options. I’ve already created my wish list of other Carve Design clothing options and look forward to trying them out.
Lead image via Carve Designs
Editor’s Note: This product review is not sponsored by Carve Designs. All opinions on the products and company are the author’s own.
