Paneros Clothing
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The Shifting Gaia rating evaluates brands based on sustainable practices, ingredients and materials, and social responsibility, among others. Below are a few factors influencing this brand's score:
overview
about
Paneros Clothing is a fashion brand offering slow minded apparel with a focus on timeless, versatile styles. Highlights
• Upcycled materials
• Small-batch production
• OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified non-toxic
• Woman-owned
sustainability
details:
Packaging
The brand uses 100% recycled and biodegradable materials for all packaging components, and ships orders “without any fluff.” Its poly mailers are made from 100% recycled polyethylene, containing post-consumer and post-industrial recycled content.
Material Sustainability
Paneros focuses on low-impact materials, often using deadstock (upcycled surplus) fabric and sustainable fibers across its collections. All Paneros fabrics are certified to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100.
Key materials span a range of eco-friendlier options: for example, the Bianca Crop Top uses a shell of 100% TENCEL™ Lyocell (wood-pulp-based fiber from Lenzing) with a lining of 100% rayon (both fibers are cellulose-based and biodegradable). Knitwear like the Simone Sweater Tee and Diana Cardigan are hand-knit from 100% cotton yarn, some of which is sourced as “existing” yarn (i.e. surplus/deadstock). Small items like scrunchies are produced from cutting-room scraps. One area for improvement is material traceability and certifications at the source.
Energy Use and Footprint
Paneros partners with facilities that prioritize sustainability: one long-term manufacturing partner in Indonesia holds both WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) and BSCI certifications and participates in programs to improve energy, water, and chemical usage in production. To address carbon footprint, Paneros has integrated a carbon offset program at checkout: 1% of each order funds regenerative carbon offsets.
These are positive steps, but Paneros has not yet disclosed comprehensive data or targets regarding greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy usage, or transportation logistics.
Waste Management
The brand operates on a limited-production, small-batch model, typically making each style in quantities of ~60 pieces or fewer. Moreover, all collections are limited edition specifically because they use only existing materials. Paneros primarily works with deadstock fabrics, repurposing high-quality leftover textiles that would otherwise go to waste.
One long-term manufacturing partner in Indonesia holds both WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) and BSCI certifications and participates in programs to improve energy, water, and chemical usage in production.
Business Model
Paneros Clothing's business model is firmly rooted in slow fashion principles, promoting mindful consumption over fast-fashion turnover. The brand explicitly champions “Quality over Quantity”: it produces handmade, high-quality pieces designed for longevity.
Additionally, because production is small-batch, customers often have to pre-order or purchase before items sell out. This naturally instills a more thoughtful purchase process compared to readily abundant fast fashion stock.
non-toxic
details:
All of the fabrics used are certified to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, which means they have been tested to contain no harmful substances (such as heavy metals, formaldehyde, residual pesticides, phthalates, AZO dyes with forbidden amines, etc.) beyond strict safety thresholds.
Paneros is also actively reducing chemical impact through its use of natural dyes: their Naturally Dyed capsule uses plant-based or low-impact dyes that avoid the toxic substances of conventional dyeing.
Paneros's use of eco-friendly leather for belts raises the question of tanning processes (chrome tanning can leave residues like chromium VI).
social responsibility
details:
The production is divided between Los Angeles (for design, dyeing of one-of-a-kind pieces, and repurposed vintage items) and trusted partners in Indonesia. One of Paneros's primary factory partners in Indonesia (established in 1988) has earned Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) certification and is also BSCI-compliant, indicating that independent audits confirm their compliance with safe, lawful, and humane working conditions.
Paneros is not a vegan brand, as it does utilize some animal-derived materials, but it strives to do so responsibly. On the positive side, Paneros does not use fur, exotic skins, or angora. The main animal-based materials in its lineup are silk (a natural fiber from silkworms) and cow leather/suede for belts and possibly trim. The brand does not provide detailed information about animal welfare standards in the production of these materials. For instance, there is no mention of using peace silk (ahimsa silk) which allows silkworms to emerge, so we can assume their silk is conventional.
From its inception, Paneros pledged to donate 10% of profits to charitable organizations each year. Paneros took this further by joining the 1% for the Planet network, switching its pledge to donate 1% of all revenues (sales) toward environmental nonprofits.Beyond monetary donations, Paneros engages the community through education and advocacy.
