Read our review.
What they make:
Tops, shirts, pants/trousers, dresses, overalls and jumpsuits.
Where to buy: www.shopidlehours.com
E-commerce: Brown Living, PopClub and Our Better Planet.
Price range: Below Rs 5,000
The story of Mumbai-based Idle Hours began with founder Aditi Pillai’s desire to create clothing that offers premium comfort and is in harmony with people and the planet. The brand ethos is rooted in circularity, reinvention and inclusion, making loungewear that lasts longer. Idle Hours prides itself as an ethical fashion brand based on years of research and development. What you get is clothing that will reflect your personality without compromising on style. Pillai believes in bringing forth India’s weaving culture, through slow fashion.
PRETTY FOR
THE PLANET
4/5
Idle Hours garments are produced for longevity. The brand produces only 1-2 collections per year, with less than 100 units a month. They use recycled cotton made from post-industrial and consumer waste, which is directly sourced from weavers based in Bangalore. The yarn is then dyed with azo-free dyes, and handwoven to create the softest fabric. The brand also uses Tencel, a new-age material made from sustainably-sourced wood, sourced from a GOTS-certified company. Most of their sampling, sewing and quality control takes place in Bangalore, but the final products are packed and dispatched from their office in Mumbai. They use coconut shell buttons and tarnish-free buckles, further minimising impact. The packaging is fully biodegradable and reusable.
Idle Hours is in the process of introducing a closed-loop system by working on recycling leftover stock into newer designs and accessories. They also ensure there is no deadstock, through clearance sales.
PRETTY FOR
THE PEOPLE
3.5/5
Idle Hours houses a small team of less than 10 people. However, the brand does not have their own manufacturing facility and, therefore, outsource work to other manufacturing facilities. The brand has cut out middlemen and deals directly with the weavers for their fabric needs.
Idle Hours prides itself on being ethical, by ensuring fair wages and upliftment of rural communities. The brand has been outsourcing their fabric and manufacturing needs only to facilities that have requisite certifications in place.
PRETTY FOR
YOU
3.5/5
Idle Hours’ designs are made keeping comfort in mind. Their clothes are the definition of ease, designed for the entire family’s everyday needs–for men, women and kids. Their aesthetic loungewear silhouettes, in quirky colours, ranging from sizes XS to XL, are designed for all body types. However, their inventory is small, limiting the number of options available. As the products are made with handwoven and recycled fabrics, there may be some irregularities with the product but that only adds to the charm of owning a handcrafted item. Besides, the natural fabrics and azo-free dyes ensure the clothing is safe for you.
Idle Hours does not offer refunds, but does give a store credit that lasts for a year. They also offer customisations. Moreover, in case you receive a wrong order or a faulty product, they will bear the cost of the shipping and assist you to deliver you the right product. The brand takes feedback seriously, and is committed to bringing you the very best of what they do.
The Sustainable Fashion Edit
Our fashion directory on homegrown, sustainable fashion brands.
If you know of a brand that deserves to be here, we’d love to hear from you.
