A note from a reader:

“Well, summer is finally upon us!  My favorite time of year.  But I gotta tell you, last summer did not go well for me. Do you know why? Let me tell you, if you do not have fitting summer dresses under your belt to give befitting replies to the scorching summer heat, you are gone! That’s exactly what had happened with me in the last summer. I was having a pair of good brown-colored Miranda tops, exclusively kept for my vacation. But the whole experience proved to be so terrifying, you know and consequently, I became horribly frustrated wearing it. I developed so many rashes on my skin! I don’t know from where the dress was purchased by my dad! I feel pity for him! I can’t blame him. He was actually not aware of the eco friendly clothes that are now days available to take care the young girls, like me!

After experiencing the disastrous dress disturbance, I, along with my father, was then searching for an accommodative eco friendly cloth for me. And then we found this lovely light-orange coloured Miranda Top I am wearing now. It is so nice, so fitting to me, always gives so much of pleasure and comfort that you can’t imagine wearing an ordinary top. And, believe me, after experiencing the beauty of an eco friendly cloth, I will never go back to my old wardrobe full of eco alarming dresses. I suggest you also should not!

The Miranda Top I purchased that day was not the only piece available in the store; but it was definitely a unique piece. Besides, the dress was available under different varied shades and textures. Each one of them was so demanding! I also purchased another piece for my sister. She too joined me in celebrating bringing eco friendly clothes in our household. The salesperson asked only $32.00 for my exquisite Miranda Top manufactured by Ideo, using 100% organic cotton fabric. I don’t think, I will ever get such an economically eco-friendly dress material for me! The dress is machine washable and needs no special care in order to maintain it’s eco friendly nature – what else you want! The top is not only an earth-friendly piece – it is stylish too! When I go out wearing the figure-flattering wrap style Miranda Top, I too look natural!

Thanks for bringing us all the great info about organic cotton and other eco-friendly clothing!!”

Technorati Tags: earth friendly, eco friendly, Ideo, Miranda top, organic cotton

In today’s fashion era, designers all over the world are making a marked statement with Eco-fashion or Green fashion, making clothes that best suit the environment. These 100% organic fabrics are grown without pesticides or herbicides made from synthetic products. Not only this, these 100% organic fabrics are treated without chemical dyes or bleaches. Today clothing made from organic fibers such as organic cotton, hemp, soy silk, or bamboo are largely in fashion and widely used.

Not only this, dresses such as skirts, T-shirts, scarves, and matching accessories made from these organic fabrics are included in almost every fashion show and works of different designers including Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Jil Sander, and Versace. And one such organic fiber is Hemp.

Used for making hemp curtains, valance, clothing, bags, jewelry, paper, and many more items, the stuff made from hemp material is stronger, durable, insulating and absorbent in nature. Primarily coarse in nature, the fabric was traditionally used for making ropes and canvas. After passing through the technological advancements in breeding the plant, the fabric available these days is much softer and finer and can be weaved into cloth.

Mainly processed in Romania, the European Hemp used for manufacturing home products and clothing is 100% organic in nature and is free from any kind of pesticides or chemicals. What’s more you can even dye in different shades too. You can select from a variety of products including hemp twines, ropes, fiber or fabrics to produce different products made from hemp which are not only comfortable but stylish and durable too.

But why hemp plant only? Well produced without any insecticides, this plant requires very little water to grow. The plant also doesn’t require any artificial fertilizers or synthetic herbs to grow quickly and densely. Not only this, the long and sturdy fibers of the plant make it last much longer and durable in nature.

The organic hemp plant has another characteristic too. It absorbs equal amounts of CO2 during its growing phase that will be released later when the plant is burnt for fuel or other purposes, and does not contribute to the green effect. However, due to organic properties of this plant, it is possible to substitute hemp for other material, thus reducing the effect of water pollution to a large extent. A non-combustible and non-toxic product in nature, hemp if cultivated in large quantities helps in conservation of natural resources.

However, growing of this product has been prohibited in the United States, since the report published by U.S Drug Enforcement Agency where all varieties of hemp have been classified as ‘marijuana’. The product, popularly produced as industrial hemp, is blended with organic cotton.

But this product is grown without any restrictions in other parts of the world, including Russia, England, France, Holland, Hungary, and China. This has led to manifold increase in cultivation of hemp from 50,000 tons in 90,000 tons in just a period of 4 years. However, this non-vegetable fiber is an unpopular product in US which will be grown only after the framers are reassured of not facing any prosecution from the Government’s side.

Technorati Tags: hemp, Jil Sander, Marc Jacobs, organic cotton, organic fabric, sustainable, Verace

You probably already know that cotton is most widely used crop in the worldwide textiles industry. Among the largest producers of cotton are China, the United States, India, and Turkey. However, along with the increasing demand for this crop come many heavy environmental consequences. A huge portion of these eco problems arise from the farming and harvesting of cotton as well as the manufacturing of cotton fabrics. In line with these growing global concerns, a healthier and greener alternative to clothing is making waves today – organic cotton!

What is organic cotton, anyway? If you have heard about organic veggies and meats at your local grocery store, then the same environmental principle applies with organic cotton. It has been a reported trend that farms today are going “green” with their agricultural practices, and in a way, giving the environment a break from all the toxins it’s been taking in over the years. Organic cotton is farmed in the most ecological way, without the use of harmful pesticides, genetically modified varieties, or synthetic chemical fertilizers.

Why should people opt to go “green” and choose organic cotton? Because cotton is a very in-demand crop worldwide, there is a huge dependency for farmers to use newer irrigation methods, diesel fueled machinery, as well as unnatural chemicals, herbicides, and pesticides to keep their cotton crops growing. Even in the tilling method for cotton farming, a significant percentage of land is eroded into the water systems, as reported by the Journal of Environmental Quality. The loss of soils poses a huge problem for many ecosystems. In Australia, environmental reports also mention that the massive amounts of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers used in cotton farms contribute highly to greenhouse gases. With the farming of organic cotton, however, these issues are avoided.

Organic cotton farms do not use artificial irrigation systems, and their crops are rain-fed. This greatly aids the efforts to conserve water, as well as reduces the risk of chemical leaching from irrigation systems to rivers and lakes. Also, organic cotton is harvested by hand, thereby removing the need for heavy machinery that use petroleum and that emit tons of carbon dioxide.

Another plus side of organic cotton is the issue of health safety. Since these fibers are all-natural, they are the best choice for baby’s clothing. As a matter of fact, even the farmers who work with organic cotton are kept away from health risks, as they are not exposed to toxic chemicals and noxious gases in their work place. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating here: The cotton needed to make just one regular (non-organic) cotton t-shirt requires almost 5 ounces of carcinogenic pesticides! That’s what you’re putting on your kids’ backs each morning!

There are alternatives now. There are many shops that sell organic cotton shirts, pants, linens, and other products. Some people would admit that the emerging fashion trends of today are leaning towards the “green” side. This can be seen from major global brand names promoting organic cotton such as Nike, Nordstrom, Wal-Mart, Patagonia, Marks and Spencer and many more. Reports claim that the demand for organic cotton is expected to drastically increase over the next few years. One can only begin to imagine how good this will be for the “green” movement.

So you see, cotton can do more than just be a soft material that feels good when worn. All around the world, massive environmental efforts in terms of farming for cotton and other crops are underway. Organic cotton, and green clothing will not only make you look good, but will also make the earth feel good, too. When you make a move to support organic cotton, you also give the environment more room to breathe, today, and for many generations to come. That, probably, is the best thing about wearing “green”!

Technorati Tags: eco friendly, encironment, green, green clothing, greenhouse gases, Journal of Environmental Quality, natural fibers, Nike, Oprah, organic cotton, orgnanic clothing store, Patagonia, Wal-Mart

While organic clothing evolved from the movement of organically developed materials, sustainable clothing is more of an environmental consciousness that is slowly gaining momentum. Sustainable clothing also emphasizes upon the recycling of goods in our daily use. Essentials for a clothing material to be considered suited for ecological purposes, i.e. being sustainable:

• Clothing material is derived from renewable/recycled raw materials
• Efficient use of production resources such as energy, manpower and water with preference for using renewable inputs for manufacturing
• Creating absolutely safe clothing material with regards to consumer health and the environment

Some Of The Most Noteworthy Materials Used In Sustainable Clothing

1. Bamboo

Bamboo is best suited for clothing meant for the hotter temperatures. It can absorb the sweat and lets it evaporate within seconds. This creates a natural mechanism of dispelling heat and maintaining fabric breathability. New fabrics being created from bamboo are equally adept for keeping you warmer in colder conditions. Bamboo-created clothing is naturally anti-bacterial and odor free.

How is it sustainable?

• Bamboo grows without any artificial assistance, i.e. it is totally natural and sustainable as it doesn’t need pesticides and fertilizers
• Bamboo plant is not uprooted like other plants. This helps to maintain the soil’s stability.
• Bamboo yield in terms of per acre is nearly 10 times more than that for cotton
• More bamboo plantations will mean more neutralization of greenhouse gases

2. Lyocell

This is produced from the cellulose found in wood. This makes Lyocell one of the purest forms of sustainable clothing. The fabric adheres to all quality demands meant for medical or technical compatibility.

How is it sustainable?

• Its production is extremely eco-friendly and doesn’t use harmful dyes and chemicals and the Lyocell fiber is 100% bio-degradable
• The end product is strikingly similar to cotton and hence, this makes it a very useful substitute for current manufacturing demands
• Since, it is derived from wood, it can be regarded as the most replenishable and hence, the most sustainable form of clothing
• Cellulose extraction uses nearly negligible artificially-produced extraction agents

3. Hemp

It is famous for being the most durable among all natural fibers and is often called the miracle fiber. It is lightweight, long-lasting, highly-absorbent and much stronger than other fibers. It is best suited for outdoor wear being weather resistant.

How is it sustainable?

• Hemp crop does not need pesticides and uses a very little amount of water
• It is known for enriching the soil where it is grown since it has an exhaustive root system which also helps to prevent soil-erosion
• Extremely cost-effective to grow and has minimal agricultural requirements

4. Soy Fiber

Soy blended or pure soy fiber clothing has some excellent qualities like having a luster that is similar to silk and absorbs moisture like cotton. However, it offers the best of ventilation when compared with these two conventional fabrics.

How is it sustainable?

• Its manufacturing is an example of bioengineering and proteins are extracted from sources like soybean oil and soymilk
• This makes it a recycled product, since it is akin to creating something useful from a conventional manufacturing process
• It is highly sustainable since by-products like soybean dregs are further used as fodder or natural fertilizer

5. Organic Cotton

Organic cotton is a huge improvement over the traditionally-grown cotton. For starters, it is grown following strict regulations that prevent the use of chemicals that can enter the fiber. Even its harvesting is less automated to ensure that the soil isn’t being drained. Perhaps, the only natural resource it does drain to a certain extent is water.

How is it sustainable?

• Organic cotton is grown in a manner that actually replenishes the ecosystem rather than exhausting its nutrients
• It is grown without using conventional chemical/toxic pesticides or synthetic fertilizers
• Only certified or organic facilities are allowed to procure/manufacture organic clothing and they use only low-impact dyes or mineral-based shades that don’t affect the consumers or the environment

Technorati Tags: bamboo, eco fashion, eco friendly, hemp, lyocell, organic clothing, organic cotton, renewable, soy, sustainable clothing

So today, I’m going to bring you a few articles and stores that I found interesting and inspiring.  They offer what we don’t yet offer here at Greenclothes.org.  But even if we did, heck, it’s only fair that we share the love with our fellow greenies!  Enjoy!

• Creating a Non-toxic Nursery For Your Baby | Focus Organic.com – Newborns spend a large portion of their early life in their nursery, so keeping it as healthy as possible is an important task. Creating a non-toxic environment for your baby can help to reduce their exposure to chemicals. …
• Brown bag lunches your kids will eat!- The first edition of this post was so popular last year, and is still bringing me search traffic (hi Googlers! Welcome to MomCooks!) that I am reposting the recipes along with some new information. Ever since my oldest son started …
• organic, eco-friendly diaper cakes – weird title? yes, i know. i was clicking around etsy yesterday when i found this really strange, really cool product: organic diaper cakes created by etsy user babydaysdiapercakes. talk about an interesting find! …
• eco-friendly swimwear – summer is coming and it’s time to start thinking swim suits. if you’ve been getting in shape over the winter (or even if you haven’t!) a nice swimsuit can be a treat. head to the beach this summer in eco-conscious swimwear and you’ll …

Technorati Tags: eco friendly, eco friendly swimwear, green clothes, organic baby clothes, organic clothing stores, organic cotton

OK, so if you have read a fashion mag in the past 5 years or past 5 days, you know that one of the fastest growing sectors in the industry is “eco-fashion”. We like to keep it simple here and just call them “green clothes”, because frankly, everyone has a different definition. But in any event, while you’ve probably picked a few personal favorites, it’s possible that you’ve missed out on a few of those that got lost wandering among the herds in the world organic clothing. One of our goals here is to keep you posted when we see one we think you might be interested in.

The following are some of our favorite ones we chose to feature today:

1. Stella McCartney: While you know the name, and probably know that her collections have been animal-friendly since she began in 1997, you may not have known that she now has an Organic line as well. Her current collection features both dressy and casual pieces, constructed of both organic cotton and organic hemp. Her wares can be found in any of her 11 stores, including flagships in New York, London, Paris and LA as well as 600 other stores in over 50 countries.

We like: In 2007, McCartney introduced “CARE”, the first luxury organic skincare line, containing 100% organic active ingredients.

2. howies:  A family brand, selling one of the most comfortable green couture, howies is a UK-based Company, started with 4 Tshirts in 1995. While the company acknowledges that their clothing might seem to be over priced at the first glance, if the customer calculates their value on sustainability terms, it would prove its worth. We definitely recommend heading on over to their website for a fun read about their beliefs and their history.

We like: howies pledges to give 1% of their turnover or 10% of pre-tax profits (whichever is greater) to grass-root environmental and social projects.

3. Levis Eco : Huh? When all the big league players started jumping onto the green band wagon, how could the master of jeans stay behind? Yes we are talking about that Levis. They came into the industry with their certified organic cotton denim in the Fall of 2006 and how! With their outstanding collection, they proved themselves once again to be the toughest competitors in their league.

We like: Earth-friendly elements include the use of recycled buttons, rivets and zippers, and natural indigo was used to dye some styles of jeans. All external packaging will be made from organic fabric or recycled paper and printed with soy-based ink.

Technorati Tags: animal-friendly, certified organic cotton, earth friendly, earth-friendly brands, eco fashion, green clothes, hemp, howies, Levis, Levis Eco, natural indigo, organic clothing, organic cotton, organic fabric, organic hemp, recycled, recycled paper, soy-based ink, Stella McCartney, sustainable