Green Side Out - The green lifestyle

We all want to do the best we can to reduce our carbon footprint and help the planet recover from excessive natural resource consumption, and one simple way to do it is to wear environmentally friendly clothing. This kind of clothing is made from rapidly renewable fibers like cotton, hemp, soy, silk, wool of all kinds, and bamboo. The companies that manufacture environmentally friendly clothing do not use the harsh chemicals to process the fibers, and they are conscious about treating their employees, the land that grows the fiber, and the animals that produce the wool with honor and respect. The importers of sustainable clothing practice fair trade policies, which means that even the workers in foreign countries where some of the fabrics or fibers are grown must treat their employees well, and offer them living wages.

Wearing environmentally friendly clothing is also very comfortable. The fabrics from soy, bamboo, and wool, in particular, are exceedingly soft. There are many companies providing environmentally friendly clothing for infants and toddlers, which makes sense, because their skin is so soft and easily irritated. Since harsh chemicals are not used in the manufacturing of these fibers and clothing, you can rest assured that your baby or child’s clothing will be uncomfortable for their skin.

There are some incredibly beautiful fabrics and designs found in clothing that has been produced sustainably. The companies that design and manufacture these items are on the leading edge of change in clothing, and while you may not find them as haute couture, the variety of designs and styles is broad enough so that you can wear them to the office, and hang out comfortably on weekends. Almost all of the clothing produced with natural fibers using responsible manufacturing methods can be laundered, either in the washing machine or by hand. There are some exceptions with silk and wool, so make sure that you check the label. If they need dry cleaning, choose a cleaner who also uses sustainable technology to complete the circle.

You can find environmentally friendly clothing in bricks and mortar stores, but odds are you’ll have an easier time finding it online, where it makes sense to buy it because of the selection size and good prices. Online shopping is a much greener way to shop compared to going to the mall, fighting to find a parking spot, and finding this type of clothing more challenging to find.

If you want to do your part to promote a better world, buying and wearing organically produced clothing is one of the best ways to do it. Everyone benefits when people wear clothing that has been ethically produced, from the seed in the ground all the way to the buttons on the shirt, and all the processes in between. Since we all have to wear clothing, imagine the impact your choices can make on lives all over the world when you start buying clothing produced in an ethical and sustainable way. All big movements start with a single step. Make your commitment and dollars count by switching to environmentally friendly clothing.