With
all the recent attention that has been focused on global warming and the
environment it comes to no surprise that more people are attempting to live a
more " green " lifestyle. Switching to organic food and making a more
concerted effort to conserve are really just the tip of the iceberg as far as
green living is concerned. Another way people can live a more environmentally
consciences lifestyle is to purchase organic clothing. With a wide variety of
fabric choices and styles organic style has really come into it's own recently
and it is no longer difficult to find.
Of
course many people view cotton as an organic fabric; however that is a
misconception in many ways. The standard t-shirt made from 100% cotton is in
actuality far from organic. What many do not realize is that it takes about one
third of a pound of chemicals and pesticides to make your basic cotton t-shirt.
Organic cotton does exist, but because there is a lack of consumer demand for
organic cotton one does have to do a little research to find products made from
organic cotton. Although you can find organic cotton at some of the major
retail chains, knowing what to look for on a label is important. Next time you
pick up your cotton t-shirt or undies look for the USDA Organic logo on the
label. This will ensure that what you are buying is in fact organic cotton and
not something that was once organic and has since been chemically processed.
Often
when people think of organic clothing, they instantly conjure an image of a
ghastly hemp garment. Contrary to popular belief hemp fabric is quite capable
of looking stylish and garments often look similar to cotton garments once they
are constructed. Hemp can be produced easily without the use of chemicals,
making it ideal for organic uses. Hemp is more durable and often softer than
cotton and other fabrics, making it a natural choice for clothing. Being that
hemp is one of the more obvious choices for producing organic clothing, it is
very easily found both on and off the Internet.
Generally
people view wool as a naturally organic fabric, however that simply isn't true.
Conventional wool production entails not only the use of pesticides in the very
pastures the animals graze, but it also use an extensive amount of chemicals
after the wool has been collected. Wool can be purchased organic as well.
Organic wool would label that it has not been chemically treated at any point
in processing from farm to store. The Organic Wool Network has more information
for consumers on purchasing organic wool.
Many
people love the feeling of silk against their skin and view silk as a natural
fabric. Standard silk garments are not organic, but silk can be purchased
organic if desired. Organic silk would be labeled raw silk, noil silk, muga
silk, or eri silk. These types of silk are un-dyed for the most part or dyed
using eco-friendly dyes. Others are concerned more with the ethics surrounding
silk production, because of the destruction of the silk worm during harvesting.
If the ethics concern you purchase wild silk, spun silk or eri silk. As you can
see, all it takes to find an organic silk is a simple look at the label.
Alternative
fabrics you may want to consider would be soy, bamboo or sasawashi. These newer
more environmentally friendly materials may be harder to find, but they are
well worth the search. Soy transitions nicely into fabric creating a soft
cashmere like texture. Being that soy is a renewable resource it is a natural
source for creating an organic fabric. Due to it's natural ability to breath,
bamboo fabric is actually cooler than cotton. Bamboo fabric requires no
chemicals during processing and causes minimal to no environmental damage.
Although more rare sasawashi, is a excellent alternative to linen. Combining
Japanese paper and kumazasa herb, sasawashi has a very luxurious appearance
that many love.
Although
many people will tell you that the easiest way to go green with your wardrobe
is to recycle clothes and purchase used. However, for many people that is just
not desirable. Looking into alternative fabric choices provides more options to
people that want new clothes, while still being environmentally conscientious.
After all, who wouldn't rather look good in what they're wearing and feel like
they're making a difference at the same time.
Trees and Tots carries a wide array of certified organic cotton, wool and bamboo clothing, blankets, crib sheets and toys.
