Eco-Friendly Fashion Trends
How to Be Eco-Fashion-Forward; Sustainable As Well As Stylish
Fashion's hottest trends can be sustainable as well as stylish. Creating a fashionable, organic wardrobe is one of the most eco-friendly (and trendy) steps you can take.
In today's current climate there is a clear trend towards environmentally-friendly and organic products, not only in our homes but 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 bodies, 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, hankering after eco-friendly (rather than high-end designer) handbags, seeking out vintage or used-clothing, and being 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 aluminium cans, there has been a revolution in eco-friendly fabrics and materials.
In the past there have been two big barriers to being both eco-friendly and stylish:
Style Versus Eco-Friendly Fashion
Whilst many would like to minimize the personal impact 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 environmentally-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 becoming 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. Retailers such as the UK's Marks and Spencer, Next, Top Shop, European fashion chain, Zara, and the USA's Banana Republic are all promoting their environmentally-friendly range, from organic-underwear to eco-jewellery.
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 Mellowship, "to trawl through the internet for hours looking for ethical fashion." Her company Ecostylist.co.uk, sources organic products from the internet on behalf of its customers.
An exciting new resource is the BBC's recently launched, online ethical magazine called Thread, which gives the lowdown on where to go and what to buy, in terms of keeping up with trends. The BBC commissioned research for Thread of 550 people, from 16 to 30 years old. 31% of respondents believed that ethical fashion was a worthwhile cause but did not know where to turn to get information.
Thread - Online Ethical Fashion Magazine
According to the BBC's online press release of 16 April 2008, "BBC launches online ethical fashion magazine Thread", the magazine is dedicated to showcasing the latest in eco-fabulous style, showing the fashion-conscious how to get the look they want in an eco-glam way. This is done though presenting a mix of affordable fashion, celebrity videos and interviews, photo galleries 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-environmentally 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 stripes. The online magazine claims to bring its readers the latest in eco-fabulous style. For fashion-conscious females, wearing environmentally-friendly fashion no longer means looking hippy or frumpy; it is possible to look stylish and eco-glam instead!
