Simple Steps To Green Your Wardrobe

on April 9, 2009 at 12:00 PM

Photo from The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Guide

Some people think eco-friendly fashion is expensive. And it's true -- a lot of it is. But not all of it. There are other ways to green your wardrobe to help Mother Earth.

A couple of years ago, I was a contributing writer to the official Live Earth book and I wrote this piece on an eco-friendly makeover. Above is before the makeover. Check out after.

Photo from The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Guide

Simple steps to green your wardrobe:

Be mindful of cleaning -- 85 percent of dry cleaners use the chemical PERC, which is linked to cancer and reproductive damage. Plus, that plastic they wrap clothes with...is it really necessary? Instead, wash in cold water when you can -- hot water uses a lot of energy. Or check out eco-friendly dry cleaners.

Check your feet -- Tannic acid, formaldehyde, and other chemicals that are sometimes added to leather boots to keep them from decaying aren't good for the planet. Find leathers that are vegetable tanned. You can also re-sole your shoes instead of tossing them or buy canvas or other biodegradable footwear.

When Buying New, Think About Fabric -- Nylon, polyester, and other synthetic fabrics use a lot of fossil fuel when in production. Bamboo and organic cotton fabrics are naturally regenerative.

Buy Handmade -- Small companies don't use all the energy and add pollutants to the air like a huge company does to make its goods. I think you all know how much I love Etsy.

Buy Vintage and Second-Hand -- You'll be recycling clothes -- and I think you get the best stuff from vintage and thrift stores anyway. Many high profile designers go vintage shopping for inspiration for new looks. Buy the original.

Have more tips for an eco-friendly makeover? Share!

About the author Michele Zipp

loves vintage and will defend skinny jeans to the death though she is highly superstitious and "death" is probably a bad word choice. She has a touch of the hoarding disease and enjoys sleuthing, the worst reality shows, and wearing high heels, even at the playground. She's an AP mom of twins, slightly crunchy but with a pedicure.

Filed Under: going green, green guide, style

Comments (6)

LuminousMom

on Apr 9, 2009 at 1:13 PM

Keep an eye out for Organic cotton! Lots of stores are starting to carry it.. like Walmart for example. They have T shirts there right now for only $6.00! Totally cheap way to support the organic cotton movement.

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KnoxvilleDoula

on Apr 9, 2009 at 2:08 PM

I second the organic cotton.

Lynette

on Apr 9, 2009 at 6:40 PM

thrift stores rock!

Nonmember comment from Paul McDonald

on Apr 10, 2009 at 8:44 AM

Organic cleaners? They use a hydrocarbon like diesel fuel is that organic? Why not look for environmentally responsible cleaners who recycle hangers, use solvent responsibly and wash as much as they can.

on Apr 10, 2009 at 8:47 AM

Washing in cold water sounds great. But does it kill bacteria? Are your childrens clothes that clean that maybe they aren't contaminated with bacteria from the bathroom or school. E coli can be killed with hot water, but not with cold

Cafe MicheleZ

on Apr 10, 2009 at 9:45 AM

Hi Paul. I wrote eco-friendly dry cleaners. I didn't expand upon it because I have another article on that coming out next week. However, by eco-friendly, I had the same things in mind that you mentioned -- dry cleaners that are environmentally responsible.

I also wrote to wash in cold water when you can.