Buy well, wear longer, & love your planet on Earth Day

By Dani Slaugh and Judith Rasband

Today is Earth Day.  What’s your contribution to Mother Earth going to be?  Do you feel like you are doing your best to recycle?  Many of us have gotten the hang of recycling our food containers and newspapers.  But what about clothing?  Here are 3 very different ways you can focus on earth friendly attire for Earth Day.

Option 1. Wear clothing made entirely of recycled materials.  (Not gonna happen.)  
Although dresses made from laundry bags, food wrappers and cardboard have made the news, I doubt you will see your neighbors wearing them in the grocery store any time soon.  Aside from being itchy and smelling like Cheetos, this type of clothing is just plain uncomfortable.

Option 2. Wear clothing made of fabric containing some recycled material. (Now this is possible.) 
Some clothing manufacturers, such as Levi Strauss, have found a way to incorporate plastic bottles into their denim.  On October 31, 2012, Levi Strauss & Co.  “announced a new collection of denim apparel, including jeans, that will be comprised of a minimum 20 percent of plastics recycled from drinks bottles and food trays.” (gizmag.com)

Option 3. Wear good quality classic clothing that will outwear and out trend fast fashion.  (This one is doable!)
Fast fashion clutters your closet, your mind and your land fill. What is fast fashion?  These are stores that introduce new styles every month, every week, and two or three times per week for some.  That’s why it’s called fast fashion. The low prices are largely due to low quality-cheap chic. Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Buckle, and Zara are applying fast fashion’s here-today-gone-tomorrow mindset with prices consumers can’t resist.   For real-life wardrobe needs, fast fashion is not something to indulge in or depend on. Disposable is part of the fast fashion process.  With low prices and low quality, fast fashions have to be tossed after a few wearings or washings because they are either worn out or out of style.  To avoid getting sucked in, make classic pieces the bulk of your wardrobe, with a few trendy items to update and add some fun.

Not sure where to get the classics in your area?  We can help with that.   Get your classic on HERE.