This guest post was written by Kyle Simpson (shot bio below).  Though many of us are familiar with eco-friendly or green fashion, this post serves are a good reminder for all of us.

There are many ways in which you can enjoy an eco-friendly lifestyle. You can start eating organic fruits and vegetables that are grown without the use of harmful chemical pesticides and meats that are raised without hormones or antibiotics. And a green home can incorporate planet friendly building materials, a strong dependence on natural light, energy-saving appliances and electronics, and of course, a recycling center. You can even do your part to make the Earth greener by volunteering to plant trees, work at a community garden, or educate kids about the benefits of recycling, re-using, and renewing. However, one area that you may not have realized has the potential to go green is your fashion shopping. And here are a few ways you can get on board with all that is eco-chic for your wardrobe.

1. Clothing. Eco-friendly clothes are no longer limited to the sad-sack offerings of old. An entire industry has sprung up around the idea of fabrics that are not only sustainable and treated with low-impact dyes, but are also comfortable and on par with the fashions of the day. To that end, you can find a variety of options when it comes to feel, from organic cotton (including super-soft jersey) to hemp silk to bamboo fiber. Not only that, but famous designers like Stella McCartney and Linda Loudermilk offer full lines of eco-friendly fashions.
2. Shoes. If you thought eco friendly shoes came only in a small variety of cork sandals and hemp sneaks, you were so wrong. Green kicks can be found in every style a woman needs from pumps to boots to strappy high-heeled sandals. If you’re skeptical, check out the huge selection at Planet Shoes, and eco-friendly e-tailer, to find the green footwear you’ve been yearning for (even Crocs offers some cute wedges for summer!)
3. Accessories. From handbags to headbands to bangles and eyewear, you can accent your outfits in eco-friendly materials that will leave you looking and feeling great. You can find products made with eco-fabrics, humanely-treated animal leather (or leather substitutes), and even wood. Many companies also employ production processes that cut down on waste and recycle, in addition to donating a portion of proceeds to green organizations or charities.
4. Gas vs. electricity. There are two ways to shop. You can go to the store or do your browsing online. If you visit a physical outlet, you will burn fuel (unless you prefer mass transit) and support an industry that pumps tons of power into well-lit and outrageously air-conditioned malls. Certainly there are some items that need to be tried on in person, but most online stores offer a standard return policy (30 days) and by shopping online, you are using far less electricity.
5. Recycle. When you are ready to dump your old outfits, consider sending them off for a second life at a thrift shop that caters to homeless and battered women’s shelters. And when you go to buy, try out the other end of the recycled clothing spectrum by shopping for vintage pieces that give you a uniquely retro style.

Kyle Simpson writes for Medical Coding where you can find information on a career in medical billing and coding industry.

New York City – The Garment Worker
Photo by: Paul Lowry

I recently saw a new documentary on the American garment industry called, Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags.  It goes into how the fashion/garment industry got started in America with New York City being at the center of it all, and where it is today.

Dozens of people who were at one time or is still in the industry were interviewed.  Individuals who’s parents worked in the New York City Garment District in the early part of the last century, union workers,  entrepreneurs who started garment manufacturing companies and people who was recently pushed out of business or laid off for various reasons were featured.  Reasons includes smaller companies going public, the recently crashed economy and factories going overseas.  Its a historical piece that’s both fascinating and will force you to think about our individual and collective choices.

How does this relate to green living?

“In 1965, 95% of American clothing was made in the U.S.A.; by 2009, only 5% is manufactured here.”

Most of our clothing is not local and is being shipped in from overseas.  The carbon footprint couldn’t get much larger than that.

Where is our clothing coming from?

Most of us are familiar with sweatshop labor, but I guess I didn’t realize that so many of our clothing comes from places that still practice modern day slavery. Though I personally try to be mindful where my clothing comes from, its sometimes hard to pass up on a good deal.  The problem is, that $10 dress from any large discount retailer cost more than just $10 as pointed out in the Story of Stuff video.  Chatting with local designers in the Portland area, I learned just how difficult and costly it is to create just one garment.  Factors such as the cost of materials (especial organic), paying employees a fair living wage, rent, insurance, overhead and so many others makes it difficult to break even sometimes let alone turn over a profit. Just because some locally made items are being sold at high double or triple digit prices, doesn’t mean the brick and mortar stores, online shop owners, designers, seamstress, etc are living large.  Its a tough and many times thankless industry to be in.

What can we do?

That is a very good question and I am always open to ideas. I do know we have to change our shopping and consumption habits: buy less and buy local.   Is there anything else we as individuals can do to reverse this trend?

Photo credit: Empracht

Previous posts in this series:
Eco Fashion: What is it?
Eco Fashion: Do it yourself – Organic Fabric
Eco Fashion: Do it Yourself – Yarn
Eco Fashion: The Cost of Eco Fashion
Eco Fashion: Consignment

Thrift stores are another type of second hand store.  Unlike consignment stores, thrift stores are usually non-profit, charitable organizations.  Depending on the store, the proceeds benefits local hospitals, disease fighting organizations such as the Out of the Closet chain that’s owned by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), and the famous Goodwill and Salvation Army.  In general, I find that the clothing and accessories from thrift stores are cheaper than  consignment stores.  You may have to do a little digging  to find a diamond in the rough.

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