Eco-Fashion

A guide to fall's greenest fabrics

Jennifer Moscatello

When I was a child, September was filled with excitement: a new school year and a new wardrobe. I still look forward to autumn as a transformational time. Recently, however, I’ve started looking at clothes in a new light. As my interest in all things green has evolved, it has extended into the realm of clothing. Eco-clothing.

What is eco-clothing? As a concept, it’s about selecting clothes that are produced in an environmentally friendly way. Whether they’re made of sustainable or recycled materials, eco-fabrics fill a niche in our goal of preserving the earth. They’re fairly traded and, ideally, locally sourced. Choosing organic means that fabrics are cultivated without chemicals. It’s also important to consider the manufacturing process—is it harmful to the fabric, or the earth, or the workers?

As eco-fashion is becoming mainstream, designers are experimenting with sustainable fabrics and offering increasingly stylish options. At the same time, consumers are recognizing that everyday choices have a considerable impact on our environment; we have the power to change the world simply by opening our wallets. With autumn approaching, we have the opportunity to reinvent ourselves, this time as stewards of the earth, and all without sacrificing an ounce of our personal style.

Fabric: Organic cotton
What it is: Cotton grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
Why it’s a good choice: Renewable, biodegradable, and non-toxic; sustainable farming methods reduce pests, improve growth, conserve soil quality, and protect the people working in the fields.

Fabric: Bamboo
What it is: Natural fiber with a soft, silky drape; made from bamboo pulp.
Why it’s a good choice: Biodegradable; grows rapidly; requires no pesticides.

Fabric: Hemp
What it is: Coarse and durable, this linen-like fiber is made from the Cannabis plant.
Why it’s a good choice: Biodegradable; grows quickly in a variety of climates; requires no pesticides; controls erosion of topsoil.

Fabric: PET
What it is: Man-made fiber from recycled plastic bottles; often used to make fleece.
Why it’s a good choice: Reduces landfill refuse; can be reclaimed; readily recycled.

Fabric: Organic wool
What it is: Untreated fiber from sheep raised on organic feed; produced without chemicals.
Why it’s a good choice: Renewable; biodegradable; supports sustainable farming.

Fabric: Alpaca
What it is: Natural fiber from the alpaca; hypoallergenic; stronger and lighter than wool; finer than cashmere.
Why it’s a good choice: Nontoxic; renewable resource.

Where to find stylish eco-attire
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or your preschooler, you can find an assortment of chic brands at these stores:
Anjou Boutique
Babycoo
Dash Hemp
Green Planet Yarn
REI