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The idea of being green and stylish at the same time might sound contradictory, but there are many ways to dress smartly – both in terms of environmental awareness and in a fashion sense. If you pay attention to a few details while you cruise the racks for your next wardrobe purchase, you can update your look and help save the planet at the same time.
What features should you look for in buying eco-clothing? Molly McKee, assistant sportswear buyer at the main office of Austin-based Whole Earth Provision Company says she likes to stress the three R’s, “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle,” when looking for fashions and accessories to add to the store’s lines. Check the label to see if the manufacturer uses fabrics and methods that reduce the impact on the environment (including the cultural and economic environment of low-income countries that produce many items). And watch for items made with reused or recycled materials.
McKee says natural fibers such as hemp, cotton and bamboo are not only sustainable, but cozy to wear. “They have the added benefit of having a wonderful feel to them,” she says. “They’re very soft and comfortable.” Some fabrics have even had a previous life before being reincarnated in the fashion world.
Patagonia, McKee said, uses recycled plastic bottles to make fleece sweaters, vests and jackets for its Synchilla line. The line features warm outdoor wear with classic styles that will last long after this year’s trendy looks are passé. Some, such as the fleece Marsupial sweater, are lighter-weight and have hand warmer pockets to keep out the chill, while the heavier Windzone jacket will hold up to even harsher temperatures. You can also bundle your eco-friendly baby in a cuddly Synchilla bunting.
Bert Peeples, community outreach coordinator for Whole Earth, said environmentalist and rock-climber Yvon Chouinard founded Patagonia, whose love for his sport and the natural environment inspired him to create outdoor equipment and clothing designed to protect the environment. His commitment to the environment has remained steady, as witnessed in a recent mandate to use organic cotton rather than cotton produced in ways that harm the environment through using pesticides or overly aggressive harvesting methods.
Other brands known for being environmentally friendly are Flax, PrAna, North Face and ExOfficio. Each brand has its own unique focus on the environment, which may include using recycled materials, encouraging eco-friendly planting and harvesting for plant or other organic fibers, using vegetable dyes rather than chemical-based pigments or a preference for plant-based fibers that are grown without chemical pesticides or poor irrigation methods.
Plant fibers used in many eco-friendly clothing lines are often weed-like in their rapid growth cycles. Hemp and bamboo are among two plant-based materials that are considered sustainable because they are easy to grow and will reproduce quickly. Despite the bark-like texture of the raw material, the feel of the finished product will rival any other material in softness and pliability. Silk and cotton are other natural fibers you can choose when shopping for green clothing.
McKee says Whole Earth works with vendors that value the environment. “We only work with brands that have a good reputation,” she says. Clothing produced in earth-friendly ways may run slightly higher than some trendy, off-the-rack garments, but they’re not astronomical. Since eco-clothing is generally more classic in style, very durable and high in quality, whatever you buy will stay fashionable for many years. “You do not have to sacrifice chic when you go green,” she says.
“You can absolutely be haute couture and be environmentally conscious,” says McKee. “You’ll find beautiful dresses and cute pants for the eco-friendly woman.” Designer Stella McCartney, for example, offers high-fashion clothing that supports the environment.
Patagonia, PrAna and North Face include sundresses in their lines, many of which have an SPF rating to help protect your skin from harmful rays.
If your outdoor life includes hiking, camping or other activities that might expose you to insect bites, you might be interested in ExOfficio’s Insect Shield line of clothing and accessories (such as hats and bandannas) that have been pre-treated with bug repellants. The yarns and fibers going into the clothing are pre-washed with permathrin (and also have an SPF factor) to give the garment an odorless protection from insects. ExOfficio’s website says the treatment will last for up to 70 washings. This means you’ll have some protection from mosquitoes, gnats, ticks or other creepy crawlies without exposing yourself or the environment to insect spray or the fumes from a repellant.
In addition to clothing, if you know what to look for, you can find handbags, shoes, jewelry and many other fashion items manufactured in eco-friendly ways. Whole Earth carries Simple shoes, which include styles using bamboo and hemp. Some lines even have biodegradable soles or soles made from recycled rubber.
The attitude a manufacturer has about the source and production of the materials used says a lot about its corporate philosophy as well. Green Label Organic prides itself on making “sustainable threads” that respect the planet as well as working people. Sweaters made by SmartWool use wool sheared without hurting the sheep (compared to some methods that leave the animal bleeding after shearing time). Some companies, such as Green Label Organic, focus on products produced in the United States as a way to support labor within our country and to encourage eco-friendly production of materials. But you can also go green with fashions and accessories produced outside of the U.S. by supporting manufacturers that treat the environment and local economy well in other countries.
We’ve all heard horror stories about sweatshop industries that take advantage of low wages in Third World countries. However, we also live in a country that is a major player in the global economy.
Fair Trade offers handbags (left) made in other countries through a “cottage industry” arrangement that allows women to become more independent by giving them a trade. The person producing the bag (which can be made of fabrics such as silk, or woven from grasses or other materials) is given the materials and paid fairly for their labor in producing the item. SmartWool’s clothing is made from wool produced in a socially responsible way in New Zealand. Each company, along with many other brands having a green approach to fashion, works closely with its source material providers to ensure that corporate values are supported throughout the entire production and manufacturing process.
Going green with fashion need not be difficult or expensive. It just takes a bit of basic knowledge and forethought. “Be aware of what you’re wearing and where it comes from,” says McKee. “Ask what is it made of, and was there any thought to what went into it?”
MORE INFO
wholeearthprovision.com
patagonia.com
exofficio.com
smartwool.com