“”
Even fashion accessories have come in
Eco-Friendly
Fashion Trends
In today’s current climate there is a clear trend towards environmentally friendly and organic products,
not only in our homes but also in what we wear. “The whole ethical thing is booming like crazy at the
moment,” says ecostylist Elizabeth Lasakar, who also heads up the Ethical Fashion Forum.
An Ethical Makeover: Whilst for years women have been obsessed with what we put into our bod-
ies, it is time to reconsider what goes on them too. With the boom in eco-friendly fashion there are now
all manner of organic products, from eco jeans to wooden lingerie, (made from pine nut trees).
Even fashion accessories have come in for an ethical makeover, with eco-friendly totes, purses and clutches, cork
boots, ballet flats and high-heels, doing their bit in reducing the carbon footprint.
It’s a question of updating your undies, rethinking your jeans,
Hart hankering after eco-friendly (rather than high-end designer)
G i l l handbags, seeking out vintage or used-clothing, and being
By:
open to new and unusual fabrics. These include bamboo
and coconut, banana fiber and hemp, natural indigo
for jeans and the use of natural dyes involving potato
starch and mimosa flowers. From recycled buttons and
zips, to bottle tops and aluminum cans, there has been
a revolution in eco-friendly fabrics and materials.
Style Versus Eco-Friendly Fashion: Whilst
many would like to minimize the personal im pact we
make on the environment, women may be turned off
the broader concept of organic fashion (such as jeans)
because they think materials are stiff, ugly, uncomfortable
and expensive. Whilst some may have the odd environmen-
tally friendly T-Shirt or organic cotton tote bag, eco-fashion
as a complete wardrobe, has, until now, been a long way off.
It is now possible to choose eco-friendly clothing without
compromising on style and quality. In fact, with green becom-
ing the new black, it has in itself become a trend that many
young women wish to take advantage of. Levi’s Eco jeans are a
case in point where their organic jeans are emblazoned with the letter
“E” on the bottom right leg or inside front pocket, an eco-status symbol
if ever there was one! Eco-Friendly
Information: Another biggest
problem in the past has been
knowing where to go to buy
fashion-forward organic
products. Now it seems
that major high-street
brands are dipping their
toe in the water, in
regard to selling organic
products that are right
on-trend.
for an ethical makeover, with eco-friendly
totes, purses and clutches, cork boots,
ballet flats and high-heels, doing their bit
in reducing the carbon footprint.
Retailers such as the UK’s Marks and Spencer, Next, Top
Shop, European fashion chain, Zara, and the USA’s Banana Re-
public are all promoting their environmentally friendly range,
from organic-underwear to eco-jewelry.
There is also an ever increasing number of internet
sites specializing in “going green.” However, most people
don’t have the time, according to ecostylist Dawn Mellow-
ship, “to trawl through the internet for hours looking for Thread - An Online Ethical Fashion
ethical fashion.” Her company, Ecostylist.co.uk, sources or- Magazine
ganic products from the Internet on behalf of its customers.
An exciting new resource is the BBC’s recently
According to the BBC’s online press release
of 16 April 2008, “BBC launches online ethi-
launched, online ethical magazine called Thread, which cal fashion magazine Thread”, the magazine is
gives the lowdown on where to go and what to buy, in dedicated to showcasing the latest in eco-fabu-
terms of keeping up with trends. The BBC commissioned lous style, showing the fashion-conscious how to
research for Thread of 550 people, from 16 to 30 years get the look they want in an eco-glam way. This is
old. 31% of respondents believed that ethical fashion done though presenting a mix of affordable fash-
was a worthwhile cause but did not know where to ion, celebrity videos and interviews, photo galleries
turn to get information. and thought-provoking features. It also included a
list of ethical organizations and includes information
on eco-fashion in high-street stores.
Latest trends can be both Fashion-
Foward and Eco-Friendly
Proving that you don’t have to be non-environmental-
ly friendly to be chic and glamorous, Thread features some
of this season’s hottest looks from colorful skinny jeans
to eco cargo shorts, boho chic to urban and tribal prints to
Ho
stripes. The online magazine claims to bring its readers the
latest in eco-fabulous style. For fashion-conscious females,
w
wearing environmentally friendly fashion no longer means
looking hippy or frumpy; it is possible to look stylish and eco-
glam instead!
To
Be
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o-
as
F
hi
on
-Fo
rw
a rd;
Sus
tain
a ble a
s Well
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