Clothing | Eco-Friendly Essentials

How to Style Recycled Clothing

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Customers view t...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

So you have decided that you are tired of living in a society that simply takes from its environment without thinking of ever giving back. Well, you should be commended because that kind of thought comes with sacrifices. Some big, some small, and some are just unexpected. One of the unexpected sacrifices is your wardrobe. You want to be stylish but it’s hard when you are using recycled clothing. Never fear, because you can look hot no matter what you wear. Here’s how:

Accessorize

Yes, this is the fast track to looking good no matter what. Just a few things accented will help you go from geek to chic in no time. You can start by finding different hats and different colors that will make your outfit pop. Now, you will have to get a little creative with things like shoelaces and belts, but these things are just a part of making your outfit the hottest it can be.

Colors

Just like with Halloween costumes, you can be assured that your ability to go bold with your colors will help you stand out in a crowd. It’s not just what you wear but more importantly it’s how you wear it, so make sure you are thinking vintage. There is nothing that draws more attention than vintage clothing worn right. Mixing it with some modern day clothes in a brightly colored ensemble will be what you need to make a bold and stylish fashion statement about your commitment to the environment.

Filed Under: Business, General Tagged With: Clothing, Fashion, Vintage clothing

The Value of Bamboo

: Image via Wikipedia

The world is changing. The standards of the past, the once accepted rules, are being redefined — proven inadequate for an environmentally conscious public and their demands for safety. The reliance on carbon drenched products is being slowly (but steadily) replaced. The denial of future troubles is disappearing. Instead individuals are becoming aware of how they effect ecology and wish to lessen their burden through smart choices and careful planning. And this extends even to clothing and currency. If you were interested in forex currency trading online, bamboo is profitable form of currency to invest in.

Consumers have suddenly realized the dangers of using materials that can’t be sustained, soaking them instead in synthetic dyes and non-recycled buttons. The effect (though never before considered) can be devastating. And alternatives are now being presented to offer clothing longer lifespans and fewer worries.

Bamboo is one such alternative.

Though too often confused as a simple plant, bamboo has proven itself to be among the most versatile materials known to man. Its resiliency, strength and ease brand it ideal for a variety of uses: from food to flooring to even clothing. Products shaped from this are known to retain their shape, be resistant to wrinkles, breathe well even in stifling heat and — most importantly — be renewable.

Simply explained: a renewable resource is one that can be constantly resupplied. It appears naturally and can be found in infinite abundance. Bamboo is among the fastest growing plants in the world. It can survive in most climates, able to sustain itself with scarce amounts of water or sun. It’s perfect therefore as an outlet for style.

Outfits created from bamboo offer sustainability (they will not lose their designs, even through persistent washings). They will not need to be constantly replaced and therefore offer each consumer longevity. This allows them to aid the environment, requiring fewer warehouse productions and lessening the strain of other resources.

Bamboo simply works.

It’s the eco-friendly choice for a fashion conscious world. And the impending years will prove it to be an undeniable wisdom.

Filed Under: Eco-Friendly, Environment Tagged With: Bamboo, Clothing, Renewable resource

Eco-Friendly Fashion Trends

Eco-friendly is the theme everywhere, even in the fashion world. If you are like many people, you are looking for a way to stay stylish while also choosing clothing that fits your needs of being environmentally conscious. Can you have both? Chances are good you will find a way to mesh the two.

Tips for Fashion Sense

Finding ways to dress up your look without breaking any eco-friendly rules can be a challenge. With a few tips, though, you can transform your wardrobe easier than you think.

Consider using clothing made of soy. This is one of the most sustainable of all fibers available, and some designers are enjoying using it in their clothing lines. There are no petrochemicals involved in these clothing options.
Some designers are going high-end using bamboo. This type of clothing has no chemicals and does no damage to the environment during the production process. It is a nice, breathable fabric, too.
You do not have to give up on your cotton, either. However, do choose organic. Organic cotton is comfortable and enjoyable to wear, but it is also a great choice because it is sustainable and biodegradable. Some fashion designers are using more of it in their clothing lines, especially undergarments and tees.
Know that you can find all sorts of unique options for any occasion. You can find costumes that fit your style and even recycled dresses that reduce your impact on the environment.

As you consider these and other fashion trends, know that you can feel good about the way you look. Finding fun, trendy styles can be a lot of fun, too.

Filed Under: Eco-Friendly, General Tagged With: Clothing, Environmentally friendly, Fashion design

Eco-friendly clothing – The next wave of fashion

Image via Wikipedia

Eco-friendly clothing is the new-age fashion fad. Many designer houses have jumped onto the idea, and are making a splash at fashion shows showcasing their creations.

What is eco-friendly clothing? Eco-friendly clothing is clothing made from eco-friendly materials. Materials that are not harmful to the environment are eco-friendly. During creation of certain materials used for making clothes, carbon is released into the atmosphere. Such materials are non eco-friendly. But materials that do not produce carbon into the atmosphere, while producing it are eco-friendly.

Some examples of non eco-friendly materials used to make clothes are wool and cotton. Though both materials are used extensively in the textile industry, they indirectly produce harmful effects to the atmosphere. That is because the way they are manufactured.

Cotton needs water and fertilizer to produce it. In manufacture of certain types of cotton, even insecticides are inducted. Insecticides are harmful to the environment.
Many brands have become synonymous with eco-friendly clothing. Levi Strauss, for example uses natural indigo dye – which is eco-friendly. This was not the case before, when Levi Strauss was using synthetic dyes, that were harmful to the environment.
Which means the answer is clear. Eco-friendly clothing is manufacture of clothes using materials which were not made with the involvement of release of pesticides, carbon, or other harmful quantities into the environment.

So which are some eco-friendly materials? Bamboo and hemp are popular eco-friendly materials to manufacture clothes. Now you may be wondering how you can wear a bamboo outfit. Now that’s the beauty of it all. Fine layers of bamboo are used to create clothes. Likewise with hemp.

Filed Under: Eco-Friendly Tagged With: Clothing, Environmentally friendly, Levi Strauss

Environmental Clothing, Fashionable Relief

Image via Wikipedia

It’s the most surreal of images — clothing woven from tangles of moss and leaves, accessories carved from discarded branches. The eco-friendly ideal has swept across all facets of the world, including fashion; and the concept has left many individuals confused. Environmentalism is thought to be a collection of hemp fibers and clumsily cobbled styles (good sense has never been known for its design). Too many believe it to be unworthy of their time, their dollars and their artistic sensibilities.

The truth is quite different, however.

Eco-friendly clothing is not — despite what many assume — a disregard of fashion. It’s instead a compromise between the looks individuals want and the protection the environment needs. This allows it to succeed.

Defined simply, this form of style provides two distinct philosophies — recycled materials and organic choices. Both names offer easy explanations:

Recycled Materials: Fabric that has been passed between individuals, swapped from closet to closet is considered eco-friendly. This spares pieces from simply being tossed into the trash and forgotten. They are instead used again and again.

Organic Choices: Wares that have been shaped from biodegradable materials and natural fibers (such as cotton or linen) are deemed eco-friendly. These also boast inks that cause no harm to the soil or water.

These classifications don’t force fashion to be abandoned, however. They instead merely define it to practicality. Color, pattern and texture survive (and flourish). They’re simply without the aftermath of lingering fabrics and dangerous dyes. And this makes them essential for the Earth and the future.

Protection has never looked so good — or been so easy to achieve.

Filed Under: Eco-Friendly, Recycling Tagged With: Clothing, Environmentally friendly, Fashion

Clothes on the Cheap

In a day when most folks are just trying to keep their heads above water, others seem to be moving forward in their cruise boat without a hitch. They are classy dressers, and somehow keep the latest styles going. How do they do it? How do they look classy without the added money to do it?

Creativity. A creative mind can make a “mountain out of a molehill” and can keep others guessing as to how they do it. Here’s what they do:

Money savers wait for what they want. They use prepaid cards rather than cash or their regular credit card. They put money into their Reach Prepaid Visa Card, and keep putting money in it. When they go out shopping they use only what is on their card for purchases.
Money savers restore their old “unworn” clothes. Instead of throwing them out when they get bored of wearing them, they add embellishments to them; they find ways to wear them with the new clothing they have purchased.
Money savers aren’t bothered by searching for their clothing at thrift stores or garage sales. They realize that the best deals are often someone else’s cast offs. They are frugal as they look, and never buy anything that looks “worn” by someone else.
Money savers watch the sales. They aren’t embarrassed at getting a good deal, and are able to shelve the money they save on something else.

Cheap clothes don’t have to look cheap; rather they come from a creative mind, someone who isn’t afraid to search (maybe a little longer) for that terrific deal to make them look like a million bucks.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Clothing, Credit card, Stored-value card

Promote Your Cause Through Fashion

Are you a vegetarian? Do you love saving trees? Should recycling diva be your middle name? If so, express your passion for the good that you do for the world through your wardrobe.

To Write Love on Her Arms

To Write Love on Her Arms is a series of t-shirts you may see popping up on teens around the country. These t-shirts promote suicide prevention. Wearing a t-shirt like this will show others that you are there to help if they are in need. People at your school will know that you are a friend that they can reach out and talk to. The brand also makes bracelets and other accessories.

Vegetarians and Vegans Unite

Alternative Outfitters is a clothing shop online dedicated to promoting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. The brand produces several cute t-shirts with saying ranging from “I love tofu” to “love me don’t eat me” with a picture of an smiley animal on it. The company also makes all sorts of belts, buttons and other accessories that can help today’s young people live a veggie loving existence in style.

Zazzle.com

Websites such as Zazzle.com, where graphic designers can sell their own t-shirts is a great place to find save the earth clothing and clothing for other causes. This site is filled with really hip designs created by unique artists with all sorts of passions for doing good. Recycling shirts and go green clothing have never looked so hip. There are also several styles available promoting saving the rainforest and preventing animal cruelty. The site also sells eco friendly tote bags that can be used as a purse or for grocery shopping. Don’t forget to accessorize with hats, key chains and jewelry to match.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Clothing, Shirt, Zazzle

New Uses for Ruined Clothing

Do your children have stained t-shirts or ripped pant that you were about to throw out? Stay away from the trash can. There are many ways you can save soiled or torn clothes.

Tie Dye

If your kids have a shirt with a stain that just won’t budget, allow them to turn the t-shirt into a tie dye shirt as a project. Tie dye works best on light colored shirts. The tie dye design should hide the stain nicely. Make sure that your child wears a smock while creating their tie dye project as it can be messy. You do not want to ruin yet another piece of clothing in the process.

Jeans

If you child has ripped or ruined the bottom of their jeans, you can cut them into a pair of Capri pants or shorts. Cut the shorts to your desired length and then sew a cuff in place. You can also take this opportunity to add on fun extras such as lace or rhinestones.

Shrinking

If your child has an outfit that you accidentally shrunk in the washing machine don’t just throw it away. First, see if it now fits one of your younger children. If you do not have another child of the same gender, you can even see if your child can use it to dress up a doll or a stuffed animal. If neither of those options work you can always give the clothes to a friend or neighbor with a smaller sized child.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Clothing, Shirt, Tie-dye

Spicing Up Your Old Clothes

If you are sick of your tired old wardrobe, but don’t have the money to go out and buy new clothes, you can utilize what is in your current closet to create fresh, new looks.

Denim

If you have jeans that are on the older side and ripped denim is back in style again, you can cut or shred your jeans to make this style for yourself. Your friends will not know the difference between your recreated pants and a brand new pair.

Mix and Match

Put pieces together that may have not belonged together in the past. If you have a full suit, take the jacket only and pair it with a chic top and trendy jeans. Add a thick belt that came with a dress to a blouse. You can also wear a dress with leggings under it to give it a new look.

Layer

Reuse that plain white top by layering two or three shirts. You can also spice up the outfit with multiple necklaces or bracelets. Don’t be afraid to try new things, you never know when you may start a new trend.

Use Items Differently

Have you ever thought of putting leg warmers on your arms? What about using a big necklace as a belt? Celebrities do things like this all the time and you can too.

Embellish

Use rhinestones to enhance a plain dress, top or jeans. You can border the sleeves or neckline or even create a pattern. You can also use beads, buttons and other items of your choice.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Clothing, Denim, Jeans

Eco-Friendly Clothing for the Great Outdoors

Buying eco-friendly clothing from clothing re-sellers is an easy way to be fashionable while still supporting an environmentally-friendly lifestyle, but what happens when you need to purchase quality outdoors clothing for your next camping, hiking, or outdoors adventure? When you need quality clothing goods, it can be harder to rely on recycled clothing stores. So use these tips to hunt down a clothing manufacturer that keeps to fair trade and sustainable practices.

New fashion with truly sustainable clothing is not easy to find. After all, no matter how earth-conscientious a clothing retailer is, it is still difficult to find, produce, and market a product or line of products that are completely sustainable (unless perhaps you are willing to wear loincloth). Consider the incredible amount of resources that went into putting your favorite pair of jeans together and put them on the shelf where you could buy them. Although you will be hard-pressed to make a purchase that eliminates the resources that are drained from the environment and economy to bring you those jeans, you can at least make purchase that will lessen that resource drain.

If you have to make a purchase of brand new clothing from a quality outdoors clothing retailer, know what you are buying. Generally, certain fibers and fabrics are more eco-friendly than others, such as recycled polyester, wool, and cotton rather than nylon. If you want to get even more serious about eco-friendly clothing, you can use completely recycled materials or sustainable materials like soy, hemp, or bamboo.

There are some outdoor clothing retailers that are manufacturing eco-friendly clothing on the cutting edge of technology as well as a dedication to environmentally-sound resources, labor, manufacturing, and marketing practices. Instead of buying a new quick-dry running shirt made of nylon and other materials, you can now purchase outdoor apparel made from coconut shells or wood pulp. Shop for recycled cotton long johns or recycled polyester outer shell jackets that are not only going to perform well, but are helping to decrease the negative impacts of clothing resource surplus and exploitation.

Filed Under: Eco-Friendly, Environment Tagged With: Clothing, Environmentally friendly, Retailing