Eco Chic: Fashionably Great Eco-Friendly Clothing

Look great in green.

By Melissa B. Williams
September/October 2005

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Judging from the major fashion designers joining the green movement, stylish clothes created from sustainable, nontoxic, vegan, or recycled materials aren’t just healthy—they’re hip. Here’s what to look for.

HEMP: The hemp plant is grown with few or no pesticides because it’s naturally resistant to insects, fungus, and other pests. Hemp fabrics have the feel of linen.
Ecolution.com
HempElegance.com

ORGANIC COTTON: One conventional cotton T-shirt requires nearly one-third pound of pesticides and fertilizers. Go nontoxic:
UnderTheCanopy.com
BlueCanoe.com
LoyaleClothing.com
AmericanApparel.net
Ecoganik.com
UnderTheNile.com

ORGANIC WOOL: This renewable natural fiber is chemical free. Sheep eat organic feed, graze on pesticide-free land, and are not treated with pesticides or hormones.
Ecowool.com
IndigenousDesigns.com
Patagonia.com

RECYCLED PLASTIC: Fibers made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic bottles are a soft alternative to polyester.
Patagonia.com

TENCEL: Made from the natural cellulose found in wood pulp (from tree farms), this fabric is comfortable and breathable with a texture like rayon.
UnderTheCanopy.com
Ecoganik.com

Rags to Reincarnation

Eco-fashion extends from head to toe with these accessories made by reusing discarded materials.

• DEBORAH LINDQUIST’S designs feature reused cashmere. HipAndZen.com

• È KO LOGIC turns used clothing into hats and scarves. Ekologic.com

• ENGLISH RETREADS turns old rubber inner tubes into fashionable purses and belts. EnglishRetreads.com

• JADE PLANET supports Amazonian rainforest workers who sustainably harvest rubber-tree sap, used to make a leather-like (but vegan) material for purses and bags. JadePlanet.net

• STACI Woo utilizes vintage materials to create bags, shoes, underwear, and clothing. WooBags.com

• VY AND ELLE creates purses from reclaimed vinyl billboards. VyAndElle.com

• SHOES WITH SOULS makes sneakers with recycled rubber from factory-floor waste. ShoesWithSouls.com

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