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Coming back from a few months of travel, I found that my wardrobe needed an update. Not because I was tired of my clothes, but because they were worn down from wearing them every day. I was lucky to be contacted by a few brands to collaborate with and one of them is Merz b. Schwanen. In this post, you can find my honest Merz b. Schwanen review!
Merz b. Schwanen review
Merz b. Schwanen is a German clothing brand known for its high-quality knitwear and vintage-inspired garments. The brand takes its name from the original founder, Balthasar Merz, and the German word “Schwanen,” which means “swan.” The company has a rich history dating back to 1911 when Balthasar Merz established a knitwear factory in the Swabian Alps.
Merz b. Schwanen gained popularity for producing durable and comfortable garments, particularly underwear and T-shirts, using traditional manufacturing techniques. The brand distinguishes itself from other companies by using circular knitting machines from the 1889s to 60s, which produce seamless garments.
Merz b. Schwanen focuses on craftsmanship, attention to detail, and using high-quality materials, such as organic cotton, to create timeless and sustainable clothing. The brand’s products often feature a minimalist aesthetic with clean lines and a classic design. They are known for their use of natural colors and a focus on simplicity and functionality.
Over the years, Merz b. Schwanen has expanded its product range to include a variety of clothing items, including sweaters, jackets, and accessories. They operate one factory in Germany in which they produce the vintage-inspired collection on circular knitting machines and another factory in Portugal where the more contemporary collection of GOOD Basics is produced.
Merz b. Schwanen can be considered a sustainable brand for several reasons:
The brand emphasizes the use of organic and sustainable materials, such as organic cotton. Organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, reducing the environmental impact compared to conventional cotton farming. They sometimes also use linen.
Do note that Merz b. Schwanen is not a vegan brand. The majority of their collection is vegan but they also produce a knitwear collection using silk, merino wool, and cashmere. However, don’t let this put you down. A portion of these fabrics are recycled and of course, they are easy to fully recycle again!
Merz b. Schwanen focuses on producing high-quality garments that are built to last. By creating durable clothing items with a timeless aesthetic, Merz b. Schwanen encourages consumers to invest in pieces that will endure beyond the short-lived fashion trends. This approach promotes slower consumption and reduces the demand for disposable clothing.
Merz b. Schwanen review
Aside from that are the clothing items also incredibly versatile. The pieces are created in a way that they can be effortlessly integrated into different outfits and styles, allowing you to adapt to various occasions and personal preferences.
The vintage-inspired woman’s pants can be worn easily for a night out with heels and a purse while you can wear it the next day with hiking boots to go for a strenuous walk.
Merz b. Schwanen doesn’t outsource its production to third-world countries like many other brands do to cut costs but consciously keeps the production close to home. Considering their production method on loopwheelers and their values they can be described as an artisan clothing brand that puts quality and a short supply chain above making high profits.
In their factories, they value transparency and strive to maintain fair and ethical practices. Merz b. Schwanen truly takes care of its employees. This means that the employees get an adequate salary to maintain a good standard of living and that they get to work in a pleasant environment with friendly people and good safety regulations.
Due to its sustainable approach Merz b. Schwanen’s operates as a socially responsible company in which organic products are made with equal respect for the employees, the environment, and consumers’ health.
The German factory is also open to visitors who want to witness the fabrication of the clothes on the 100-year-old loop wheelers. This practice is very slow and sustainable and doesn’t require tons of energy. Simultaneously, it also contributes to good working conditions, as the machines are very quiet.
The packaging Merz b. Schwanen uses to send their garments to customers is made of recycled cardboard and can be recycled again and again.
When it comes to protecting and packing the vintage garments of the GOOD ORIGINALS line, Merz b. Schwanen thinks outside of the box. They believe that special textiles deserve special packaging!
Merz b. Schwanen review: the women’s pants and cropped crewneck T-shirt
The packaging is made by a family business following an original design. Made by one of the last producers able to fabricate lateral clips, the boxes carry some history themselves. Customers can store whatever they like inside the useful cartons, but their Merz b. Schwanen garments might fit best.
To find out more about Merz b. Schwanens sustainability pledge head over to their website!
In return for writing a review, I was gifted two pieces of clothing from Merz b. Schwanen, more particularly the loose cropped crew neck T-shirt and the vintage-inspired deep black women’s pants.
Below, you can find my honest opinion about them after wearing the items for several days. I can already honestly say that they have exceeded my expectations!
First and foremost, the quality of these pants is outstanding. Merz b. Schwanen’s dedication to craftsmanship shines through in every stitch. I appreciate the brand’s commitment to sustainable fashion, as the pants are made from organic cotton, which not only adds to their comfort but also contributes to a more environmentally friendly choice.
These pants are created using old techniques on loop wheelers and you can truly feel the history and the dedication that went into making the pants flowing through the design.
In terms of fit, the Deep Black Women’s Pants provide a flattering silhouette. The tailored design complements the natural contours of the body without being overly restrictive. I was a little bit worried that the pants would not fit properly due to the fact that I’m only 1.58 meters in height but it fits me perfectly. Moreover, the pants also strike a perfect balance between style and practicality.
Lastly, I must mention that the versatility of these pants are out of this world! They can be effortlessly dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Pair them with a crisp white shirt and sandals for a polished and professional look, or dress them down with a casual tee and sneakers for a more relaxed vibe. It really is a classic design making them a timeless addition to any wardrobe.
I absolutely adore the cropped crewneck T-shirt from Merz b. Schwanen! What I particularly like most is the soft feeling of the organic cotton on my skin and the flowy design. It works well on the black woman’s pants from Merz b. Schwanen but also on a mom jeans, jogging or yoga pants!
Once again one of the standout features of this t-shirt is its attention to detail. You can see and feel that the crewneck collar is meticulously crafted, providing a clean and refined finish. The stitching is impeccable and the craftsmanship of the garment workers shines through in every aspect of the T-shirt.
I also love the little swan logo on the bottom of the T-shirt. If you are wondering why Merz b. Schwanen uses a swan as a logo, this is because a swan is a symbol of energy, pureness, and freedom.
I also think it works well because swans are often associated with elegance and grace. This aligns with their brand image, reflecting their commitment to producing elegantly refined and timeless garments.
Merz b. Schwanen review
As I mentioned before, I was a little worried that the pants wouldn’t fit me. Having tried various brands in the past, it sometimes is hard to find pants that actually fit well from the start and don’t need to be tailored to fit my small size of 1,58 meters.
I carefully inspected the sizing tables that you can find for each garment on the website and ended up ordering both the pants and T-shirt in size S. These fit perfectly and work well with my hourglass body type!
If you are planning to buy something on the website, I suggest following the sizing tables and you should be fine!
As a recap, I would like to end this post with the pros and cons of the brand Merz b. Schwanen. I can already tell you that there are more pros than cons and that Merz b. Schwanen is definitely a brand you should check out, especially if you live in Europe.
Merz B. Schwanen T-shirt+Pants
There you go! I hope you enjoyed this Merz b. Schwanen review. As you can see, this artisan fashion brand does its part for the planet by creating conscious clothing items in socially responsible working environments that are made to last.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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