Be thoughtful about the clothes and accessories that you buy and the habits you use when buying them. Eco-friendly clothing is the better option, but don’t get rid of the non-green clothing you already own. However, when it is time to get “new” clothing. Here are a few things to consider from Green Chic by Christine Matheson.
1. Edit your Closet:
Go through your closet and keep only the items that you love to wear. This way you’ll have an easier time getting dressed in the morning and you’ll always look fabulous without being distracted by the items that you dislike – this will only make you think you need a new wardrobe. If you do decide to edit your closet, please donate those clothing items to a women’s shelter, consign them or swap them with friends.
2. Opt for Organic Cotton:
Growing conventional cotton is the most pesticide-intensive farming process in the world. All the pesticides and fertilizers in the cotton fields translate to a 1/3 cup of chemicals (such as cancer-causing agents) remaining in the clothing that you wear right next to your skin. Think of your skin as if it is a giant sponge, soaking up all of those chemicals as you wear your clothing every day. Just remember when purchasing clothing to read the tag, if it’s organic, it will say so.
3. Be a Material Girl:
Consider choosing other great natural fibers when it comes to your clothing. For example; wool is a renewable resource and can be grown sustainably if the sheep are allowed to free-graze. You will want to look for organic wool or wool that hasn’t been chemically treated or dyed. Linen is made from the flax plant which even when it’s not grown organically requires little in way of pesticides and chemicals. Still organic is even better, look for natural shades that haven’t been bleached or chemically dyed.
4. Consider Vintage:
Vintage clothing was crafted a long time ago so it costs nothing to the environment today. There are no pesticides sprayed to grow the fibers, no energy used in the manufacturing or shipping of the clothing, and no packaging material (usually). There are many great vintage and thrift stores out there, check them out.
How do you green your wardrobe?
I would have to say that my favorite tip is Edit Your Closet, since I just gave 3 large bags full to Goodwill this morning 🙂
I am trying to de-clutter…
xo Laura
I love to shop at consignment stores for us and the kids too! Sometimes, even if the cut is horrible or outdated, you can use the fabric for something else.
My favorite tip was to think of VINTAGE! YAY VINTAGE!
thanks!
Get used clothing – especially for kids. Between yard sales, hand-me-downs and local thrift stores, I hardly ever buy anything brand new for my son.
one of my fave stores is american apparel and their organic cotton.. it’s deliciously soft against your skin and never irritating… best of all they have clothing for the whole family!
the other tip i would also say is to make ‘green-wise’ purchases; meaning when you are shopping for new clothes, opt for ‘lasting’ items, items that will pair well with other items you already have, or items that are classic, and will never go out of style, such as t-shirts, cardigans, etc, these
never live without !
great article!
Laura,
I love it. I try to do this a couple of times a year. xo.
Jessica, I agree. I love consignment stores. I always use old clothes that I don’t donate or sell to make pillows or stuffed animals for my son. xo.
Debbie, Excellent idea. I also sell all of my son’s old school clothes on Ebay every summer and I use that money to purchase his new school clothes for the coming year and believe it or not..I always made enough money doing this to purchase his entire wardrobe. xo.
Meg, Fabulous ideas. I love American Apparel as well and absolutely agree. Every year for the holidays, my husband buys me fabulous sweaters, shoes, jeans and tees that are high quality (much higher than if I were to try to bargain shop for these items) and they last FOREVER. I have always believed in quality over quanity. xo.