Spotlight on Indigenous - Fair Trade and Eco Fashion

INDIGENOUS is an organic and fair trade clothing manufacturer and retailer. You may have seen their adds on the internet, as they are one of the leaders in ethical fashion. Their beautiful and stylish clothing is made from fibers such as Alpaca wool, organic cotton, silk, and Merino wool. The clothing is hand made by artisans in South America giving many of the items a traditional yet modern flair. I have yet to acquire one of their pieces, but I am sure that any of the pieces would be a well used staple in a wardrobe.

"Each time you wear fair trade clothing, you are working to actively preserve artisan traditions while supporting fair wages and safe working environments. Designer fair trade clothing is the height of fashion, because it expresses your personal style while staying true to your morals. Because we’re all part of the fabric of humanity."

Indigenous offers:

• Free shipping every day
• Fair Trade, organic clothing
• Superior comfort and style
• Organic certified cotton, GOTS processing, and Oekotex 100 approved dyes
• Womens and Mens line

Unfortunately, I haven't received approval for posting any photos of their beautiful clothing, but please check them out at the link above.

You can find Indigenous on the following social media sites:
https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousDesigns
http://www.pinterest.com/indigenous/
https://twitter.com/indigenous
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+IndigenousDesigns/posts
http://www.youtube.com/user/IndigenousDesigns

Spotlight on Gaiam

Gaiam has been one of my favorite sustainable clothing resources. Since I lead an active lifestyle, I love style mixed with comfort. Their clothing allows me to go from studio to street with just adding a flowing top or wrap. Among other items, I have a lovely asymmetrical skirt from Gaiam that has been in my wardrobe for years, and it is still one of my favorites. I just love the way it flows when I walk, and the soft fabric feels so sensual!

Gaiam is a lifestyle company, which offers casual and yoga/athletic clothing basics for women and men; as well as home goods, wellness products, fitness equipment, and videos. Gaiam even puts outfits together for you, on their "Must Have Looks" page. Below is their Organic Flow Wrap + Organic Flow Capri + Pima Flow Tank + Yoga Wrap Flat. You can purchase the whole outfit on one page - Can you say convenient?!

Photo courtesy of Gaiam

About Gaiam Life:

"Our name GAIAM was created as a fusion of the words Gaia — the name for Mother Earth in the Minoan civilization in ancient Crete — and “I am.” It symbolizes the interconnection of the Earth and all the life it sustains.

Gaiam (pronounced "guy-um") was founded on the concept of making decisions based on personal values that consider all aspects of our lives, as well as our impact on others and the planet, today and in the future. This concept is already shared by over 50 million people in the United States alone — and we believe that it is not just a trend, but a major cultural shift.

We see signs everywhere in today's life experience of how conscious lifestyle values — including social and environmental responsibility, health and wellness, and personal development — are driving more consumer purchase decisions and pervading an ever-wider range of venues, from mass-market grocery stores to online communities. We believe that a growing number of people have a desire for media and products that inspire them to expand their awareness and pursue positive change in their lives."

Please visit Gaiam on their website, or connect via their blog, Gaiam Life, Gaiam TV, or facebook page.

Eco Friendly Business Spotlight - Thirsties, Inc.

I would like to give a shout out to one of my favorite eco-friendly companies, Thirsties, Inc.. Thirsties is not a clothing company, but a cloth diaper manufacturer. Get this - they are manufactured right here in the USA, and most of the materials are sourced in the USA as well.

Cloth diapers are sustainable and eco-friendly, and the number of stylish choices for cloth diapers these days allow them to actually be an accessory to an outfit. Some may think that cloth diapers should not be seen, but have you seen the choices? Those super cute diaper covers make you want to forget the pants! Don't believe me? Check out the stylish choices available on the Thirsties website.

Photos courtesy of Thirsties, Inc.

There are many different choices for cloth diapers in the market these days, but Thirsties is one of my favorites for many reasons. My good friend Erin Kimmett started Thirsties some years ago, with $100, a sewing machine, and a kitchen table. (I just love these stories about how people start their businesses in a garage, or in their kitchen! Oh, she sold the business, and started Eco Enclose with her husband Dave! Wonderful people, doing great things for the earth.) Anyway, she built her company into one of the most popular cloth diaper brands in the world! Her quest for creating sustainable cloth diapers was an inspiration. The Merrill family who now owns the company is continuing to do so, going as far as to recycle the fabric scraps in the warehouse. I worked for the company for 5 years, and am impressed at the level of honesty, consideration, and sustainability the company upholds. Below is how Thirsties helps to decrease their footprint:

• Their warehouse is 100% powered by wind energy.
• All carbon created in the transport of Thirsties products is 100% offset by Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
• All fabric and components are sourced as locally as possible, thereby cutting down on unnecessary transportation (not from China).
• All cutting and sewing is completed locally as well so as to keep transport fuel consumption to a minimum (not from China).
• Retail product packaging is produced in the USA with wind energy from FSC-certified paperboard.
• Reduce, reuse and recycle! Packaging materials are reused and recycled. Any new packaging is made from the highest post-consumer content available. Our new EcoEnclose Poly Mailers are 100% biodegradable and break down even in landfills!
• All in-house printing is done on recycled paper with 100% post-consumer content. Thirsties hang tags are printed in the USA on paper made with 35% post-consumer content.
• We choose fabrics and design diapers that dry quickly and remain soft even when hung to dry to encourage our customers to retire their dryers.
• We are proud to be a member of the Green America Green Business Network™, the oldest, largest, and most diverse network of socially and environmentally responsible businesses in the US.
• The catalog is printed on FSC Certified 55/30% post-consumer content with soy inks which are VOC free.
• All products are packed in boxes that are made of 100% recycled content
• 100%of our scrap fabric is recycled and re-purposed for insulation and other uses.

I have wrestled with the fact that many cloth diapers are made from polyester/PUL, and other man-made materials. (I tend to be a purist and like all things natural and organic.) Thirsties does not offer any organic options at the moment, but hopefully someday that can change. They do offer a Duo Hemp Prefold, which is a wonderfully soft and absorbent cotton and hemp fiber diaper. The company works very hard at being sustainable, and if they offered organics that would just top the cake! There are pure and natural diapering options out there for those who only want natural materials. Wool covers and organic cotton diapers are available, which are as pure as you can get. As always, pay attention to the sustainability of the company and if imported, whether the products are Fair Trade. You can find ratings for cloth diapering products on www.diaperpin.com.

Need some facts on cloth diapers and the environment?

"Sixty times more solid waste and twenty times more raw materials, like crude oil and wood pulp, are used in the manufacturing of disposable diapers. In fact, 25 million trees are consumed and manufactured into baby diapers each year! As the third largest contributor to our landfills, all the toss-away diapers of today will still remain intact 500 years from now." Many people do not think about that, or choose to ignore it. Imagine, how many diapers are in the landfills right now!

I used cloth diapers for my 3 children, and I would do it all over again. The #1 worry that parents experience when contemplating cloth diapers is how to wash the diapers. Don't worry, the manufacturer or boutique employees can help with any questions you have, and Thirsties' Customer Service is one of the best in the business! They also have articles on the blog for help with cloth diapering (I used to write them!) They are with you every step of the way. Yes, it is more work to wash the cloth diapers, but if you are using a well fitted and absorbent cloth diaper, you can avoid many leaks that can be experienced with disposable diapers.

The benefits of using cloth diapers are numerous, and look "Oh so cute" on the bum!

Organic Children's Clothing Resources

Here it is, the long awaited (on my part anyway!) article on Organic Children's Clothing Resources. If you have searched for organic kids clothing, you will know how many hours it can take trying to find a good selection of clothing in one place. Well, now I have done the footwork for you! 

Although there are many other children’s organic clothing resources on the web, I have tried to only include the resources that have a larger selection or hard to find/unique items.

*The R and/or M after the name of the company stand for “Retailer” and “Manufacturer”. If the company has both, that means that they manufacture the items, and offers the items for sale directly on their sites.

USA Companies

Abes Market  (R): Onesies, Dresses, Pants, Tees, Pjs, Socks, Tights, Caps/Hats, Accessories

Size Range: 3 months –XL

B nature  (M, R): Onesies, Pants, Shirts, Tees, Rompers, Pjs, Caps/Hats, Accessories

Made In: China

Size Range: 0-24 months

*I received a prompt and courteous reply to inquiries.

Fair Indigo  (R): Onesies, Dresses, Sweaters, Socks, Caps/Hats, Mittens, Accessories

Size Range: 0-12 months

Garden Kids (M, R): Onesies, Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Tees, Skirts, Shorts, Rompers, Pjs      

Made In: USA

Size Range: 0-12 years

                                                                                   

gogentlybaby (M, R): Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Skirts, Shorts, Rompers, Sweaters, Caps/Hats, Jackets, Scarves

Made In: USA

Size Range: 3 months – 6 years

           

Hannah Andersson (M, R): Pants, Tees, Skirts, Sweaters, Unders, Pjs, Tights, Caps/Hats, Jackets  

Made In: Unavailable

Size Range: 18 months - 14 years

           

Kate Quinn Organics (M, R): Onesies, Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Tees, Skirts, Shorts, Rompers, Pjs, Caps/Hats, Accessories

Made In: Unavailable

Size Range: 0-8 years

Kiwi Industries (M, R): Onesies, Dresses, Pants, Tees, Shorts, Rompers, Caps/Hats, Mittens, Accessories

Made In: USA, South America

Size Range: 0-6 years

Kusikuy (M, R): Shorts, Sweaters, Pjs, Caps/Hats, Mittens, Scarves

Made In: Bolivia

Size Range: 0-12 years

           

Levana Naturals (R): Onesies, Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Tees, Skirts, Shorts, Rompers, Sweaters, Unders, Pjs, Socks, Caps/Hats       

Size Range: 0-9 years

                                                           

Little Lark (M, R): Onesies, Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Tees, Sweaters, Unders, Caps/Hats, Jackets, Scarves, Accessories

Made In: Unavailable

Size Range: 3 mos-12 years

Maggies Functional Organics (M, R): Socks, Tights, Scarves

Made In: USA

Size Range: 0-10 years

Nana's Fine Baby (R): Onesies, Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Shorts, Rompers, Pjs, Caps/Hats, Accessories

Size Range: 0-8 years

Nature Wear Organics (R): Onesies, Pants, Shirts, Tees, Shorts, Rompers, Socks, Tights, Jackets

Size Range: 3 months-9 years

Nui Organics  (M, R): Onesies, Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Tees, Skirts, Shorts, Rompers, Sweaters, Unders, Pjs, Caps/Hats, Mittens, Scarves, Accessories

Made In: India, New Zealand, Korea, Lithuania and Bulgaria

Size Range: 0-6 years
*I received a prompt and courteous reply to inquiries.

Sage Creek Organics  (M, R): years Onesies, Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Tees, Skirts, Shorts, Rompers, Pjs, Caps/Hats           

Made In: India

Size Range: 0 - 8
*I received a prompt and courteous reply to inquiries.

                                                           

Seedling Kids  (M, R): Onesies, Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Tees, Rompers

Made In: USA

Size Range: 3 months-8 years

                                                                                                                                   

Sprout San Francisco (M, R): Onesies, Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Tees, Skirts, Shorts, Rompers, Sweaters, Unders, Pjs, Socks, Tights, Caps/Hats, Mittens, Coats, Jackets, Accessories

Made In: Peru, China, India, USA

Size Range: 0-4 years

The Green Creation (M, R): Onesies, Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Tees, Rompers, Pjs, Jackets, Accessories

Made In: Unavailable

Size Range: 0-6 years

The Organic Company (R): Onesies, Pants, Shirts, Tees, Sweaters, Pjs, Socks, Caps/Hats, Accessories

Size Range: 0-4 years

Tomat (M, R): Onesies, Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Tees                                                             

Made In: USA

Size Range: 3 months – 4 years

                                                                                               

Under The Nile (M, R): Onesies, Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Tees, Rompers, Unders, Pjs, Caps/Hats, Mittens, Accessories

Made In: Egypt

Size Range: 0-6 years

Woolino (M, R): Onesies, Pants, Pjs, Caps/Hats, Accessories

Made In: China

Size Range: 0-4 years

Xylem (M, R): Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Tees, Skirts                                         

Made In: USA

Size Range: 2-4 years

Canadian Companies

Minimoche (M, R): Onesies, Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Tees, Skirts, Shorts, Rompers, Sweaters, Caps/Hats, Scarves, Accessories

Made In: Canada

Size Range: 0 – 6 years

If you are interested in additional resources:

•  EcoBabyBuys.com and GreenBabyBargains.com are discount sites offering a "green" deal of the day. Just be aware that popular items can sell out within an hour! You can subscribe to their email list to be emailed of their daily deals.
•  The Green Guide has many resources for sustainable and organic companies.
•  As always, the most eco-friendly and sustainable you can get is to buy used, make, or repurpose items yourself.         

I hope with this article that I can make your life easier, and it will be a resource that you will come back to time and time again. If you know of another company that you think should be included on the list, please send me a comment to let me know!      

Organic Kids Clothing - Creating a Sustainable Market

For many years I have been shopping for organic kids clothing. I have found few companies who make organic kids clothing. I think one problem is that the costs for producing organic goods at a fair wage price are much higher than most can pay. You can find organic baby clothing pretty readily, but I believe that is because babies don't wear out their clothing, and they can be reused/resold. After toddler age, kids become much harder on clothing, especially boys! The knees on my son's pants usually have holes within 3 months. They also become stained and worn quickly. If an organic pair of pants cost $40 or more but only last for 3 months, then that is not an option for most families.

So how do we make a sustainable and organic kids clothing market? First, I believe we need a switch in thinking; How many clothes do we really need? If we buy quality products, how much longer do they last? What price do we pay environmentally, socially, and health-wise when we buy conventional products? What about learning to repair clothing instead of throwing them away when they have a rip, tear, or hole? For those who have the time, what about making the clothing ourselves? I think that if we get back to the basics it would be much easier on our pocketbooks to purchase or even make organic clothing.

If we purchase from organic companies, the demand will increase. If the demand increases, there will be more options and resources. If we make it a point as much as possible to only buy used or organic clothing, we take the first step to creating a sustainable market.

Let's start with an idea of a basic, seasonal wardrobe. Buying items that will mix and match will help the child to put outfits together themselves. For kids, I think that this would suffice:

Boys:
2 pair play/school pants or shorts
1 pair sport pants or shorts
1 pair Sunday pants
2 short sleeve tee shirts
2 long sleeve shirts
1-2 button-up shirts
1 sweater
1 pair pajamas
1 bathrobe
6 pairs socks
6 briefs/boxers
1 swimsuit
1 warm hat, 1 sun hat
1 pair gloves (seasonal)
1 scarf (seasonal)
1 sweatshirt or jacket
1 coat (seasonal)

Girls:
2 pair play/school pants or shorts
1 skirt
1 pair sport pants or shorts
1-2 dresses
2 short sleeve shirts or tees
2 long sleeve shirts
1 sweater
1 pair pajamas
1 bathrobe
6 pairs socks
6 panties
1 swimsuit
1 warm hat, 1 sun hat
1 pair gloves (seasonal)
1 scarf (seasonal)
1 sweatshirt or jacket
1 coat (seasonal)

You would also need:
2 pair play/school shoes
1 pair Sunday shoes
1 pair boots

The next step is to take inventory of what your child already has. If they have to many clothes, donate the ones that are not used, or if they are in good condition, they can be brought to consignment stores or sold in lots on ebay. If your child needs an item/items, search for used or organic options. I will soon be writing a post on organic and sustainable children's clothing resources, so stay tuned!

~Sonya

photo credit: <a href=""></a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a>

Exercise in Sustainable Fashion - The Uniform Project

I wanted to share a link with you about the Uniform Project, created by a woman named Sheena Matheiken. This woman pledged to wear a Little Black Dress for 365 days - as an exercise in sustainable fashion as well as a fundraiser to support the Akanksha Foundation— a non-profit organization providing education to underprivileged children living in Indian slums.

The rules were that she had to wear the one dress each day, but could accessorize with vintage, handmade, reused, or donated pieces.

Now, I think this is quite a feat, and kudos to her! Wearing the same dress for a whole year would have been something that our great-great grandmothers maybe would have done due to necessity, but never really done by choice. Especially in the United States, we live in a time of excess. When I watch the show House Hunters, it always amazes me how some women say that the walk-in closets are not large enough to fit all of their clothing or shoes. What?!! Mine certainly would. I love fashion, but there is a limit to what you actually need and what is excessive.

I think the Uniform Project is a wonderful example of charity, sustainability, and resourcefulness that can inspire us all.

Blog Name and URL Change for Mode Eco Blog

In hopes to reach more readers, I have changed the name of the blog from Mode Eco Blog to Mode Eco Sustainable Clothing Blog. I apologize for any inconvenience!

The old web address was: http://modeecoblog.blogspot.com/
The new web address is: http://modeecosustainableclothingblog.blogspot.com/

~Sonya

Spotlight on an Eco Friendly Shipping Resource Business - EcoEnclose

EcoEnclose is a sustainable and eco-friendly shipping supplies resource. Among other items, they carry boxes, mailers, bags, fill, and shipping tape. These items aren't just made in a sustainable way - many are biodegradable and compostable. Customers are able to personalize the boxes or mailers with their business logo or designs. Customers can also order samples before they buy. Here are two samples of their offerings:

 






My friends at EcoEnclose have a vision to keep sustainable businesses eco-friendly in all aspects. I am sure that you can see the irony in purchasing a sustainable item that is given to you in a container made from virgin trees or petroleum.

I just can't say enough about Erin and Dave Kimmett, the owners of EcoEnclose. Amazing company, amazing people. They will always treat you with respect, and know how to take care of their customers. They are committed to the environment, and have a passion for what they do. Kudos to them for all of their hard work to make this resource a reality! Oh, and did I mention that they source and manufacture almost everything in the USA?!

Now, I know that this company is not a clothing resource, but it is a resource for those companies that sell sustainable clothing. If you purchase sustainable clothing and their shipping containers are not eco-friendly, please share the EcoEnclose link with them and urge them to make the switch!

You can visit them on the following social media sites:
http://www.pinterest.com/ecoenclose/
http://ecoenclose.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/ecoenclose
https://www.facebook.com/ecoenclose

Photos courtesy of EcoEnclose

The Case for Organic Cotton by Green America

GREEN AMERICA is a wonderful resource for eco-friendly and sustainable living. Their National Green Pages are filled with sustainable businesses which have to meet certain qualifications to be listed. The Green American has many useful articles on eco-friendly living, and today I would like to share an excerpt from their article The Case for Organic Cotton with you:

"Conventional cotton farming is one of the most environmentally destructive agricultural practices—harming the air, water, soil, and farmers’ health and safety. The blame for that harm lies mainly with the huge amounts of pesticides used in conventional cotton farming. Although cotton occupies three percent of the world’s farmland, it uses more than ten percent of the pesticides, a category that includes herbicides, insecticides, and defoliants."

You can read the complete article at: http://www.greenamerica.org/livinggreen/organiccotton.cfm
You can find sustainable and eco-friendly businesses in their National Green Pages: http://www.greenpages.org/

Sustainable living starts with awareness. It is very important for me to know not only if the item I am purchasing is organic, but how and where the raw materials are grown, how they are manufactured, and how and where they are finished. Using a guide such as the National Green Pages helps to make the eco-wise purchasing decisions without having to do all of the time consuming research yourself.

A New Rage: Infinity Scarves

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sudrishta/8444412918/">sudrishta</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a>

Infinity scarves are also called circle scarves. They are a length of fabric, fabric strands, or fabric braids that are sewn or tied at the end to form a circle or oval shape. They can also be knit. Some can we worn at full length, or wound in two or more loops to make the scarf fuller and shorter. They can be embellished or plain, and are not just for women! In the case of the flat fabric scarves, they can be pulled up as a hood or worn over the shoulders as a cape. American Apparel has a great chart showing how you can wear an infinity scarf.

If you are interested in organic options for purchase, here is a Google Search link for organic infinity scarves: https://www.google.com/search?q=Organic+infinity+Scarf&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS551US551&oq=Organic+infinity+Scarf&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.8866j0j8&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8#q=Organic+infinity+Scarf&tbm=shop

You may be the thrifty, crafty kind like I am. In that case, I have found some links on how to make one yourself:

How to make a circle scarf from Made by Me

Upcycled Sweater to Hooded Circle Scarf and Leg Warmers from The Cheese Thief

12 Ways to Tie a Scarf from In the Loop

DIY Decontructed T-Shirt Scarf You Tube Video

Circle Scarf Twist by allparenting.com

Tshirt ruffle scarf tutorial by Simply Salvage

How to Turn a Normal Scarf into an Infinity Scarf in Just a Few Minutes by gimme some Style

I took a flat scarf that I purchased for the amazing price of $1.00 at a flea market (score!) and turned it into an infinity scarf. It was pretty easy being that it had tassels at the end which I could simply tie together.  

I made a video on how to do this which you can find on YouTube: http://youtu.be/poYM3py-D2c   Sorry that it sounds a little monotone, I am new at video making!

Please let me know if you have any questions!

~Sonya

The Newest Additions to the Organic Wardrobe

Say Hello to the newest additions to the organic wardrobe.... the Marina Tunic in Slate, and the Mod Hoody Tunic/Dress in Mud. These two items are from the sustainable company Earth Creations. I have already worn these items a few times each, and am loving them! They are comfortable and stylish, and can be worn with leggings, skinny jeans, capris, or alone in the case of the Mod Hoody Tunic/Dress.

The Mod Hoody is warm, and super comfortable and soft. It is made from 66% bamboo, 28% organic cotton, and  6% spandex French terry. It is currently available in 4 colors, but I have the Mud color which I love. It is just the right length for me (I am 5'9"), and falls halfway between the thigh and the knee. (It covers the bum which is the purpose when you are wearing leggings underneath!) I was only disappointed in one aspect of the design - it says on the site that you can wear the cowl down over the shoulders, but it is much to tight to do that. I wear it as a neck cowl and still like it, but I would have enjoyed the option to slouch it over the shoulders.

The Marina Tunic is really cute, and it is currently available in 4 colors. They still have 3 discontinued colors which are on sale right now for $59.50 each (including the slate color below). It looks better on than it does in the photo below! I tend to stick to a gray/black palette for clothing with splashes of color here and there. I like the drape and the fit, but the hemp/organic cotton fabric is just a bit rough. It isn't to much so that it bothers me when I wear it, but certainly not as soft as the Mod Hoody. The tunic also has a hood which I could pull up if the beach gets a little to breezy. :)

All of Earth Creation's creations are colored with natural clay dyes, so they have a bit of a natural, faded effect. Be aware that the clothing will shrink if washed with hot water or dried on hot, so washing cold or warm and line drying would be best. Most of the clothing is made in Alabama, with a very small percent of the tee shirts made in Nicaragua.

You can find the Mod Hoody Tunic/Dress here: http://www.earthcreations.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=30_42&products_id=883

You can find the Marina Tunic here: http://www.earthcreations.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=30_31_37&products_id=1002

Thrift - The Cheapest Way to Sustainability

Let's face it - Things cost a lot these days. It seems that we just work to pay the bills with not much left over. When we do start making more, we seem to spend more as well. The cycle never ends. I try to stay within a budget for everything, but it can be difficult when most organic products and food cost so much more than conventional.

I am not ashamed to tell you that the bulk of my closet is actually from thrift or consignment stores. Yes, I am a "second hand Rose". I buy used clothing. I have my favorite pieces that may or may not be purchased new. I have found many great items for $10 or less, unheard of in the world of organic clothing. Sustainable isn't just about organic, it is about where the item comes from, what it is made out of, and if it has a second life. In the case of thrift, I check what the items are made out of as well as if they are still trendy. But for me, they do not need to be organic if I am buying second hand. I am giving an item new life, and not supporting the company that made the item. I am supporting a business that reuses, repurposes, and recycles. That is green in my book. Plus, I spend a fraction of the cost of new organic goods. Don't get me wrong, many times the new organic clothing is worth the price, I just can't always pay that price. So before you go buy that new organic sweater you have been eyeing, go to the local thrift or consignment store to see what you can find first. You may be surprised! You can find used clothing at:

Garage Sales
Estate Sales
Flea Markets
Antique Shops
Consignment Stores
Thrift Stores
Online Thrift Stores
Ebay

Did I miss any?

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimcorealty/9558199036/">Kimco Realty</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">cc</a>

Sustainable Clothing Resources for Men

I once had a friend ask me if I knew of any men's organic clothing resources, but at that time I knew of only a handful of companies that offered them. I am happy to say that times have changed, and there are many more resources out there. Living an Eco conscious life is now more than just a fad - it is a realization and priority for many of us, men and women alike. More and more designers are incorporating their values into their designs and creating trendy, sustainable clothing. More and more companies are carrying Eco-friendly goods. This is all great news for those of us who put our values behind our spending. Below are some sustainable manufacturers that make organic men's clothing, many of which you can order from directly.

M, R = Manufacturer and Retailer
M = Manufacturer only




United States

Adayak (M, R): hoodies, tees, tanks, shirts

bgreen apparel (M, R): underwear, long johns, tees, shirts, active pants, hoodie, sweatshirt

Cash Crop Clothing (M, R): tees, shirts, jackets, sweaters, coats

Earth Creations (M, R): tees

econscious (M, R): tees, hoodies, caps, beanie

Esperanza Threads (M, R): bathrobe, pajama, hoodie, sweatshirt, sweatpants

Fair Indigo (M, R): sweaters, tees, pajamas, socks, accessories

Fed By Threads (M, R): sweater, hoodie, henley, tees

ggo Clothing (M, R): tanks, tees, shorts, hoodies, jackets, shirts

Gramicci (M, R): shirts, jackets, pants, beanies, scarves, shorts, long johns

Green Label Organic (M, R): tees, thermals

Indigenous Designs (M, R): shirts, sweaters

Intertwined Designs (M, R): tees, shirts, shorts, hoodie

Lila Organics (M, R): active short, tee, and pant

Mama's Earth (M, R): tees, pajamas, robes, socks

Nau (M, R): shirts, pants, jackets, coats, blazers, underwear

Of the Earth (M): tees, hoodies, shirts, pants
No retailer locator. Available at: http://www.faeriesdance.com/shirts-sweaters-c-25_5_6.html, http://www.naturewearorganics.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=9,

Prancing Leopard (M, R): pant, tee, short, scarf, beanie

Rawganique (M, R): tees, shirts, tanks, underwear, thermals, pajamas, hoodies, sweatpants, jackets, sweaters, shorts, jeans, overalls, pants

International 

ARMEDANGELS (M, R, Germany): pants, jeans, shirts, hoodies, tees, winter hats, winter scarves, sweaters, undergarments, socks, belts

Frank & Faith (M, R, UK): trousers, shirts, tees, sweatshirts, boxers, shorts, socks, accessories such as watches, sunglasses, and belts

Hemp Hoodlamb (M, R, Netherlands): jackets, hoodies, tees, accessories, sweatpants

Howies (M, R, UK): tees, jeans, coats, base layers, sweaters, pants, boxers

Ideo (M, R, France):  tees, shirts, jackets, jeans, trousers, scarves, shorts

InKlein (M, R, Canada): sweaters, scarves, beanies

Kuyichi (M, R, Netherlands): jeans, tees, shirts, sweaters

PACT (M, R, France): undergarments, long johns, sock

Marzipants (M, R, India): fisherman trousers with matching bags

Mongrel (M, R, UK): tees

Monkee Jeans (M, UK): jeans

Nordic Naturals (M, R, Canada): shirts, tees, tanks, long johns, socks, hoods

OÖM Ethikwear (M, R, Canada): polos, tees, shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, shorts

Rapanui (M, R, UK): tees, shirts, sweatshirts, polos, socks

Thieves (M, R, Canada): pants, jackets, shirts, tees, tanks

THTC (M, R, UK): tees, sweaters, polos, hoodies

Untouched World (M, R, New Zealand): tees, polos, sweaters, shirts, shorts, jeans, jackets, accessories, cycling apparel

VonWinckelmann (M, Netherlands): shirts, pants, sweaters, blazers, ties, tees, shorts

Wear Chemistry (M, R, UK): tees

Please keep in mind that just because a manufacturer is in another country, doesn't mean that it is not available in the US. You can search their site's retailer locator to find if they have a retailer near you. If you know of any other resources, please let me know and I will look into adding it to the list!

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/abeslice/6112751757/">Ryan Abel</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>

Need resources? Check out EcoSites.org!

Earth911

Working on an article, but wanted to share one of my favorite earth friendly sites with you - Earth911

You will relish in the plethora of eco-friendly tips and content!

Logo courtesy of Earth911

Eco Fashion World

Logo courtesy of  ecofashionworld

Eco Fashion World is an online resource for sustainable designer brands and online Eco fashion stores. Their Eco Fashion Guide is very easy to use, and offers the ability to search by brand, store, category, Eco criteria, and country. The site also offers articles, designer profiles, store profiles, a deals page, and links to organizations that support sustainable industry.

The contributors are all educated and experienced professionals with a passion for sustainability in the fashion industry. The Owner and Editor-In-Chief of efw, Magaly Fuentes-Sagan, is also owner of the online women's ethical clothing boutique, Pashen Collection. I always want to point out what it is like to contact companies, and it was a pleasure speaking to Magaly. She is very gracious and accommodating!

Bravo to Eco Fashion World for helping to spread the word about sustainable fashion! 

Photo by Becky Prada of Secret Garden Photography

You can visit them at:

www.ecofashionworld.com

www.facebook.com/ecofashionworld
www.twitter.com/ecofashionworld

Spotlight on PACT

Logo Courtesy of PACT

I came across PACT during my online search for sustainable clothing resources, and was immediately drawn to the site by the advertisement photo: Two young people with long underwear on, having a good time. If you know me, you know that I love comfort, and I love organic clothing. I also love fun, which I tend to get plenty of with two little kids at home! I love that feeling of comfort and warmth when that chilly nip is in the air. PACT offers under-clothing basics that you can feel good in, and good about wearing!

PACT statement: 
"PACT is a movement disguised as a clothing company. We are obsessed with a big idea: clothes that make the world a better place."

What makes PACT special? 
PACT isn't just about making a profit. "Each season, PACT designs a new collection of clothing inspired by someone doing something good: whether it’s about clean water, sustainable food, or affordable housing..." They source their organic cotton from family run farms, and uphold fair trade practices. Their socks are made with 100% Wind Energy, and even their packaging is eco-friendly. You have to love a company with values behind its products.

Offerings:  Everyday essentials such as socks and undergarments

Womens: T shirts, long johns, camis, undergarments, tights, leggings, and socks

Mens: T shirts, long johns, undergarments, and socks

Child: None

Baby: Beanies, socks, bodysuits

Materials: GOTS certified organic cotton, organic cotton blends, linen blends

Made in: Turkey

Below are two of my favorites from their site which I have recently ordered, and hope to receive soon!

Women's Over-the-Knee Slouchy Sock in beige
Photo courtesy of PACT

Men's Fair Isle Long Johns
Photo Courtesy of PACT

I absolutely love their Fair Isle print which is available in long johns, camis, socks, tights, undies, and baby beanies.

I decided to write about this company early on in my blog, as fall is here and the winter season will soon be upon us. PACT offers some very fun long johns, tights, and socks to make those fall and winter days and nights a little bit warmer. I could just see myself snuggling up by the fire with a pair of those long johns on! They would also make a welcome and fun gift for the holidays.

You can visit PACT at:

www.wearpact.com

www.facebook.com/wearPACT