Eco Fashion Tips
Author: Virginia Ginsburg

With more and more "Green" products entering the
mainstream, it seems as if everyone is looking for ways to
be more environmentally friendly. But what about fashion?
Is it possible to be environmentally sensitive and still
maintain your personal style? The answer is unequivocally
"yes," but it does take a little scouting around to find
the right retailer for your needs.

First, let's define what it means to be eco-fashionable.
Although it might be hard to find all of the following
criteria in a single piece of clothing, you can begin to
build your wardrobe around these environmentally-safe
choices:

1. Locally Sourced
Purchasing items that are locally sourced is sometimes the
most environmentally-sound decision you can make, because
the products are not traveling a distance to get to you,
and are therefore not contributing to the massive
byproducts of shipping products around the world.

2. Fairly Traded
This is really about the moral background of your wardrobe.
Was it made by people paid a living wage in reasonable
working conditions? Fair trade means that producers are
paid fair prices for their products, instead of the prices
that the market will allow. This means that you will
probably pay more for eco-conscious clothing, but you are
supporting people who need money for housing, clean water,
food, health care, education.

3. Organic
Much of our clothing is made of cotton and cotton blends,
and cotton is a massive crop that, like many of our food
crops, often requires extensive pesticide and chemical
byproducts to produce. Popular demand for cheap cotton has
increased crop production, which has also increased
pesticide use. Cotton is the most pesticide-dependent crop
in the world, accounting for 25% of all pesticide use. In
fact, most cotton T-shirts require up to 1/4 lb. of harmful
chemicals to produce. Instead, seek organic cotton for your
clothing, as it offers fewer chemicals and is grown and
harvested in an environmentally-sound manner.

4. Recycled
The vintage fashion trend has more legs than you ever
realized when you add in the fact that you are actually
recycling and dressing fashionably! So check out vintage
stores and consignment shops, and also keep an eye out for
designers who take vintage pieces and overstock fabrics to
create new designs. These designers use recycled materials
like old T-shirts, ties, scarves, dresses, costumes and
curtains to create custom-designed, one-of-a-kind creations.

5. Sustainable
Sustainable products are made from renewable resources that
don't overly tax the Earth. Ideal sustainable resources are
those that can be replaced at a rate equal to or greater
than the rate at which they are consumed. Some great
options for clothing include bamboo, which is a
fast-growing crop that requires no chemical pesticides or
fertilizers. Surprisingly, this amazing plant creates
cashmere-like knits and silky-smooth fabrics.

6. Eco-conscious Production
This refers to the process of producing the fabrics, which
can be highly energy-inefficient and polluting to the
environment. Instead, look for products from wind-powered
factories that use recycled waste-water.

7. Eco-conscious Companies
In addition to employing eco-friendly practices,
eco-conscious companies often donate a percentage of
profits to eco-related causes.

Eco-fashion is all about choosing materials that have been
created with the Earth in mind. By taking a long-term view
of how our actions affect future generations and making
sure that we don't deplete resources or cause pollution, we
can help ensure a healthy Earth as well as maintain a sense
of doing something good while also looking good.

To find eco-fashion, simply search online. Also check out
magazines and online publications that review topics of
organic crops, sustainability, and the other items listed
in this article. Most of all, remember that you can be both
fashionable and "green," you just have to look for the
opportunity to do so.


About the Author:

Virginia Ginsburg writes about sustainable products, green
living, and her quest for a socially-conscious lifestyle.
She is founder of Green Baby Gifts
(http://www.greenbabygiftsonline.com), which offers
beautifully-wrapped baby gifts made of bamboo fiber and
packaged in completely recycled and recyclable packaging.