Americans pour hundreds of billions of dollars into the clothing industry annually. The average American spends around 6.5-7% of their income just on the clothing hanging in their closets. We are fortunate enough in this country to have the privilege of spending such a significant amount of money on items that have become more of a luxury than a necessity. With these privileges comes a great amount of responsibility that we all must work harder to achieve. Clothing is no longer essential element to our survival it has become sought after, and people desire to be fashionable.

Fashion is something many people are very conscious of; one moment something is “in,” the next it is “out.” Fashion, an ever changing cycle throughout the decades, sets generations apart from one another. It also allows individuals to set themselves apart from others by expressing who they are through materials, colors and styles.

To some, fashion is an art form, to others it’s a religion. No matter what your opinion is about fashion the majority of us prefer to wear some form of clothing (unless you live in a nudist colony!). The original purpose of clothing was to keep our ancestors warm and protected from the elements. Now that we have developed numerous amenities (houses, buildings, vehicles) to provide that protection, it has allowed our ‘fashion sense’ to expand. Fashion can be lifestyle, it can be fun, and it can be the first or the last thing on your shopping list. Regardless of your desire for fashion you can be more environmentally friendly simply by your purchasing habits in today’s retail stores.

Green (organic) being the new “black” is no longer an understatement; green clothing has recently taken off in the fashion world. The fashion industry has seen several start-up companies that offer green alternatives for fashionable clothing. It is no longer just for the free spirited earth lovers but has evolved into high fashion that appeals to everyone.

Although going green can add a few dollars to the price tag it is worth it. Many of the organic clothing found in stores are so fashion-forward that most don’t recognize they’re buying organic. “Whether shoppers are buying eco-friendly because it’s trendy or because they hope to preserve Mother Earth, they no longer have to sacrifice fashion for philosophy. With major retailers like Target, Victoria’s Secret, Banana Republic, H&M and Nike joining the green teams, there’s something for fashionistas of every price range.” (Dusil, 2007)

And as for quality, fear not my friend; materials like organic cotton are quickly phasing out chemically filled fibers found in most clothing. “Organic cotton is grown by farmers who have been growing cotton without harmful chemicals for years. Their yield is high and the quality of the cotton they grow is equal to or better than conventionally grown cotton. Their methods support biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, improve the quality of soil and often use less water. Growing organically takes more time, requires more knowledge and skill, and, for now, costs more. But it’s worth it.” (Patagonia, 2009) Not only is organic cotton described as “soft and fluffy” but it is helping the environment through green practices beginning from the very seed planted into the ground. Now how can you pass a rack filled with quality clothing that is organic and not only is fashionable but helps the environment? You’re going to spend the money one way or another so have the best of all worlds with quality organic clothes that’ll be “in” for the long haul.

Sources Cited

Dusil, Megs. 2007. Organic Clothing Enters Realm of High Fashion.

http://www.purseblog.com/fashion/organic-clothing-enters-realm-of-high-fashion.html
Patagonia. 2009. Fabric: Organic Cotton.

http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/patagonia.go?slc=en_US&sct=US&assetid=2077
Traylor, Eileen. 2008. Organic Materials Used in the Clothing & Fashion Industries. http://ezinearticles.com/?Organic-Materials-Used-in-the-Clothing-and-Fashion-Industries&id=1054541

Written by:: Brooke Davison