| With more and more "Green" products entering the | | | | The vintage fashion trend has more legs than you |
| mainstream, it seems as if everyone is looking for | | | | ever realized when you add in the fact that you are |
| ways to be more environmentally friendly. But what | | | | actually recycling and dressing fashionably! So check |
| about fashion? Is it possible to be environmentally | | | | out vintage stores and consignment shops, and also |
| sensitive and still maintain your personal style? The | | | | keep an eye out for designers who take vintage |
| answer is unequivocally "yes," but it does take a little | | | | pieces and overstock fabrics to create new designs. |
| scouting around to find the right retailer for your needs. | | | | These designers use recycled materials like old |
| First, let's define what it means to be eco-fashionable. | | | | T-shirts, ties, scarves, dresses, costumes and curtains |
| Although it might be hard to find all of the following | | | | to create custom-designed, one-of-a-kind creations. |
| criteria in a single piece of clothing, you can begin to | | | | 5. Sustainable |
| build your wardrobe around these environmentally-safe | | | | Sustainable products are made from renewable |
| choices: | | | | resources that don't overly tax the Earth. Ideal |
| 1. Locally Sourced | | | | sustainable resources are those that can be replaced |
| Purchasing items that are locally sourced is sometimes | | | | at a rate equal to or greater than the rate at which |
| the most environmentally-sound decision you can | | | | they are consumed. Some great options for clothing |
| make, because the products are not traveling a | | | | include bamboo, which is a fast-growing crop that |
| distance to get to you, and are therefore not | | | | requires no chemical pesticides or fertilizers. |
| contributing to the massive byproducts of shipping | | | | Surprisingly, this amazing plant creates cashmere-like |
| products around the world. | | | | knits and silky-smooth fabrics. |
| 2. Fairly Traded | | | | 6. Eco-conscious Production |
| This is really about the moral background of your | | | | This refers to the process of producing the fabrics, |
| wardrobe. Was it made by people paid a living wage in | | | | which can be highly energy-inefficient and polluting to |
| reasonable working conditions? Fair trade means that | | | | the environment. Instead, look for products from |
| producers are paid fair prices for their products, | | | | wind-powered factories that use recycled |
| instead of the prices that the market will allow. This | | | | waste-water. |
| means that you will probably pay more for | | | | 7. Eco-conscious Companies |
| eco-conscious clothing, but you are supporting people | | | | In addition to employing eco-friendly practices, |
| who need money for housing, clean water, food, health | | | | eco-conscious companies often donate a percentage |
| care, education. | | | | of profits to eco-related causes. |
| 3. Organic | | | | Eco-fashion is all about choosing materials that have |
| Much of our clothing is made of cotton and cotton | | | | been created with the Earth in mind. By taking a |
| blends, and cotton is a massive crop that, like many of | | | | long-term view of how our actions affect future |
| our food crops, often requires extensive pesticide and | | | | generations and making sure that we don't deplete |
| chemical byproducts to produce. Popular demand for | | | | resources or cause pollution, we can help ensure a |
| cheap cotton has increased crop production, which | | | | healthy Earth as well as maintain a sense of doing |
| has also increased pesticide use. Cotton is the most | | | | something good while also looking good. |
| pesticide-dependent crop in the world, accounting for | | | | To find eco-fashion, simply search online. Also check |
| 25% of all pesticide use. In fact, most cotton T-shirts | | | | out magazines and online publications that review |
| require up to 1/4 lb. of harmful chemicals to produce. | | | | topics of organic crops, sustainability, and the other |
| Instead, seek organic cotton for your clothing, as it | | | | items listed in this article. Most of all, remember that |
| offers fewer chemicals and is grown and harvested in | | | | you can be both fashionable and "green," you just |
| an environmentally-sound manner. | | | | have to look for the opportunity to do so. |
| 4. Recycled | | | | |