Summary
We put on our clothes every morning without always thinking about their story. Behind a pair of tights, a t-shirt, or a dress, there is a thread, a material, a workshop, and a journey sometimes spanning thousands of kilometers. Each of these invisible actions—weaving, dyeing, transporting, packaging—has a cost for the planet.
At Cygnes , we believe it's time to look at our clothes differently: as living objects, born from nature and human labor. Understanding their impact is the first step towards change. So, what really happens beneath those tights , and what can we do to dress the planet more ethically?
The invisible flip side of everyday fashion
Fashion makes us dream, but it has a heavy environmental impact. According to ADEME, textiles are one of the most polluting sectors in the world: they account for nearly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and consume billions of cubic meters of water each year.
And tights, however small, are no exception to this reality. Made primarily of nylon or elastane , they are derived from petroleum—a non-renewable resource. To produce a classic pair of tights, you need:
petroleum transformed into polymer,
chemical dyes,
an energy source that is often carbon-based
and a long transport process, from fibre to the shop.
The result: a lightweight product, but with a disproportionate ecological footprint . And when the tights get a run—often after only a few uses—they end up in the trash, because these synthetic materials are difficult to recycle.
The crux of the problem: materials and production
The majority of the clothes we wear today are made from synthetic fibers. While they offer strength and elasticity, they present several problems:
They come from oil, therefore contributing to the exploitation of fossil fuels.
They release microplastics with each wash, which end up in the oceans.
They are difficult to recycle because they contain complex mixtures of fibers.
In addition to this, there are dyeing processes that are water-intensive and require chemical solvents, energy-intensive factories, and globalized transport networks.
A simple pair of tights or a t-shirt can travel up to 20,000 km before arriving at your home.
Water, a precious resource
Textiles consume a huge amount of water: cotton production, dyeing, industrial washing, rinsing.
Even synthetic materials, although not requiring irrigation, require a large amount of water for cooling and processing.
Globally, the production of a single pair of jeans requires approximately 7,000 to 10,000 liters of water .
For tights, the volume is smaller but still significant: dyeing and cleaning the fibers consumes several tens of liters per pair.
In many producing regions, this resource is scarce. Reducing the water impact of textiles is therefore becoming an urgent matter.
The energy behind the gentleness
Behind a "soft" garment, there is often raw energy.
The majority of textile factories, particularly in Asia, still run on coal or gas.
This dependence results in a high carbon footprint, especially as the products travel by plane or boat over long distances.
Manufacturing nylon tights generates approximately 20 times more CO₂ emissions than tights made from recycled fibers.
Every little bit helps: choosing a local, sustainable product, or one made from regenerated materials , significantly reduces your carbon footprint .
The solution lies in innovation.
Fortunately, alternatives exist. The textile industry is gradually entering an era of awareness and innovation.
At Cygnes , we have chosen recycled yarn certified by OEKO-TEX® . This type of fiber, made from regenerated textile or plastic waste, offers equivalent quality to new nylon while reducing emissions related to its production by 80%.
The advantages of recycled yarn:
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less water consumption,
less energy,
no new oil extracted
and an extended lifespan thanks to improved resistance.
A well-designed pair of tights, carefully manufactured under good conditions, lasts longer — and therefore avoids the need to produce more.
Choosing local: manufacturing close to home
The location of production plays a crucial role.
Producing locally, in French or European workshops, allows for:
to reduce transport
to control manufacturing processes,
and to guarantee fair working conditions.
It is also a way to preserve a historical textile know-how , threatened by offshoring.
At Cygnes , the tights are made in France , in specialized workshops. This choice of local production, far from being a simple marketing ploy, embodies a genuine commitment: to do better, do less, but do it right.
Responsible and eco-friendly elegance
Reducing the impact of fashion does not mean giving up on beauty. On the contrary.
Responsible elegance is that which combines pleasure, comfort and awareness . It's choosing clothing that's good for the skin, but also for the planet.
The sustainable Cygnes tights embody this philosophy: a soft, resistant, breathable knit — and respectful of natural resources.
They are part of a comprehensive approach: eco-design, French production, recycling, transparency.
Wearing Swan tights is therefore wearing much more than just clothing: it is a discreet, but strong, commitment to the planet.
Change our habits, not our elegance
Taking action for the planet also means rethinking our daily habits:
buy less, but better.
prioritize recycled materials,
Wash at a low temperature.
Maintain and repair instead of throwing away.
Every action counts, every choice makes a difference.
Clothing is not an ephemeral object: it is a companion on the journey, a reflection of our values.
Cygnes wants to restore meaning to this link between the body and the planet — an invisible thread that connects beauty, comfort and responsibility.
Fall in love with your Swans product now!
Beneath our tights lies a story: the story of a thread, a workshop, a commitment.
There is also the planet, which reminds us that beauty can only be sustainable if it is responsible.
Changing the way we dress is a form of kindness — towards ourselves, towards others, towards the Earth.
What if, ultimately, true luxury was feeling good in your clothes because they fit just right ?