Although it still might be a bit too cool outside for your favorite spring fashions, it’s never too early for a little pre-warm weather window shopping! There are two things on my radar this year as I contemplate spicing up my spring wardrobe: a desire to invest in more eco-friendly clothing options, and a slumping economy.
Sure there are tons of cute eco-boutiques in New York, and certainly online, but in many cases they just don’t fit in with my budget. However, eco-friendlier clothing options that don’t break the bank do exist. Check out these top five that I found below, and make sure to let us know about other affordable eco-friendly clothing options by leaving comments below.
1) American Apparel - Made in the US and sweatshop free. Plus, we all know it’s a great place to find inexpensive basics like leggings, t shirts, hoodies, etc. Currently, their cotton clothes are made from 20% organic materials, and they’re hoping to bump that up to 80% in the near future. They also recycle over a million pounds of scrap fabric per year and have solar panels on the roof of their LA headquarters.
2) Levi Strauss - They’re leading the jean pack in greening up denim clothing. They use organic cotton, recycled zippers and buttons, and use natural indigo dye. A pair of new Levi’s will run you no more than $70, and you know you’ll wear them forever!
3) Jonano - Offers designer women’s fashions made from certified organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp fabrics. Very cute stuff! Their clothing is also made using Fair Labor practices, which is an added bonus. They use natural dyes with a low environmental impact, as well as recycled packaging and shipping materials. Prices range from around $30-$115.
4) Rawganique - Their clothing is made from hemp and organic cotton, and they offer a large selection for women and men both. Additionally, they’ve got a huge accessories selection, so if you’re in the market for organic sheets, towels, socks, footwear, bags, and even jewelry, definitely check them out. Cotton/hemp tops are around $30-50 and dresses are $60-80.
5) REI - Great outdoor clothing line that can function as everyday wear as well. They’re pioneers in producing outdoor gear made from low-impact, organic, and recyclable materials. They’ve also implemented an eco-sensitive labeling system indicated what greener materials were used.
and check out Organic Exchange, dedicated to expanding organic agriculture and increasing the production of organically grown fibers.
CATEGORIES: Culture, Environment
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Check out http://www.youdeserve.com They sell Eco Fashion at 30-70% off everyday. Its an eco clothing outlet. http://www. youdeserve.com Great for the budget minded.
Here’s another great site to check out for fashionable, reasonably priced, women’s eco-friendly clothing: http://www.kikapaprika.com
And also check out http://www.peacefuldisorder.com
They have a wide selection of organic cotton clothing and other eco friendly clothing.
http://www.mountainsofthemoon.com
They have been creating eco-friendly fashion for ten years, which is a big deal during a time when everyone is hopping on the green bandwagon and you’re not sure who is in it for the right reasons. Their clothing is on trend, well-made (in the USA), makes me feel gorgeous, and is incredibly affordable, especially for the quality.
And also: http://www.mahadevidesign.com
For comfortable and unique sustainable clothing and yoga wear – created in Canada sweatshop-free from natural fibers such as Bamboo, Organic Cotton, and Hemp blends.
Might I suggest thrift shops, consignment and resale shops, vintage stores and boutiques, and even flea markets?
Great way to recycle and a more affordable option for those of us for whom all these things you guys are saying are “bargain” and “discount”, etc., are still out of our price range.
Making your own clothing or reworking vintage or thrift shop finds are good ideas too, if you know how to sew.
I was really enjoying browsing that mahadevi site as it has a lot of clothing with a Renaissance/Medieval type feel to it that I like. And the prices aren’t too different, some less, and I figured if you’re going to ever splurge on something like that, better to buy organic and sustainable than the overpriced stuff at the Faires…….until I got to the page where they had a coat lined with rabbit fur. I won’t support a company that sells fur. Shame, they would have had a lot of my business once my finances improved.
I’m so glad that eco-friendly apparel has become more available and affordable in the past few years. I recently found a new amazing clothing line based out of Atlanta called INDIE PEACE. It is a socially responsible fashion apparel company that make the best fitting shirts! My boyfriend bought one recently at a show and has already ordered 4 more online!! Although they don’t have a women’s line yet I asked the owner Lawton and he said they should be coming out with one very soon. Here’s the link where you can see the shirts: http://www.indiepeace.myshopify.com
Really nice article; even I just purchased my first organic t-shirt from an indie designer brand Neerg; apart from being organic they are very stylish,i have heard that they are launching their spring summer 2010 collection soon….http://www.neergorganic.com
degree 6 clothing makes trendy biodegradable bamboo clothing for both men and women.
i love my boyfriend tee and love that its eco-friendly.
check out d6clothing.com
Gypsy05.com has beautiful clothing! They are eco friendly and the dresses are the find of a century.
http://www.gypsy05.com that is
The best clothing for the environment (and best looking) is at http://www.playbackclothing.com. They reuse all their fabric so there is no dying involved. The clothing is pretty cheap, particularly for the quality.