Tips for Green Clothes Shopping this Holiday Season

by josiemitchell | December 2, 2008 at 03:01 pm

473 views | 11 Recommendations | 16 comments

If this holiday season you plan to make the bold move of purchasing clothes as a gift for a loved one, think about "green" clothes or fashions that have a low impact. And no, this doesn't mean that the person is going to have to look like a hippie or have to wear leaves for clothing. You can keep in line with the recipient's fashion while making a difference, just keep these tips in mind:

Tips for buying green clothes

Check for Fair Trade Certification

Find clothes that are unbleached or bleached with hydrogen peroxide only

Low-impact dyes

No wrinkle-free treatments

Shop at vintage or second-hand stores

Make your own clothes out of sustainable fabrics

Knit sweaters with low-impact yarn

Look for clothes that do not require dry cleaning

And when you find the perfect gift, you can wrap it with low impact "green" wrapping paper!

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Rebeccasartcloset

at 16:38 on December 2nd, 2008

With my love of sewing & vintage clothing, I made this space aged mod dress from scratch using my own handmade patterns & materials...Up for sale at RebeccasArtCloset@etsy.com

Love it!

Rebeccasartcloset has contributed a photo to this story.

blabby

at 16:49 on December 2nd, 2008

Though they're not clothes, my cloth napkins are a great gift for friends and family addicted to paper product consumption.

Asianexpressions (not verified)

at 17:01 on December 2nd, 2008

I never buy clothing that requires dry cleaning. I don't think chemical of any kind is good for your health and the environment.

RunzwithScissors

at 17:31 on December 2nd, 2008

This charming 1970's Tyrolean style sweater presents a landscape with flowers, trees, cabins, smoke and a sunrise. Those vintage embroidery embellishments combine the present love of handmade with the frugality of shopping vintage. And the careful use of a darning needle obliterated the efforts of one or two eager moths!

RunzwithScissors has contributed a photo to this story.

carrieg777

at 17:41 on December 2nd, 2008

Etsy.com is another great resource for green shopping--especially if you're not crafty enough to make your own. Everything is handmade. I sell my handmade items at http://www.ruffledfeathers.etsy.com.

carrieg777 has contributed a photo to this story.

miltedflower

at 18:27 on December 2nd, 2008

The clothing industry creates massive amounts of hazardous waste, pollution, and uses up our precious water resources, yet we throw away more than 68 pounds of clothing and textiles per person each year. Luckily, there are many options to buy these things used, but good as new. You don't have to put a halt to your shopping - just shop smart. Thrift and consignment stores help save not only money, but the environment too.

miltedflower has contributed a photo to this story.

lefty_liberated

at 11:44 on December 3rd, 2008

I like the information you gave about the clothing industry...However, I don't see anything wrong with haulting our shopping. While shopping at thrift stores may be a good way to keep the cycle going...Why are we so afraid to stop shopping? It's a compulsion in the modern person.

Amy Yee (not verified)

at 19:13 on December 2nd, 2008

Neat post! Seems a "natural" from a smart shopper in Vancouver - and while I am from Ottawa, I have to admit that Vancouver is the green awareness capital of Canada. I wonder if there are many nice "green shoes" out there? There are a lot of chemicals in the glue that is used to make shoes. (I have a friend who is highly allergic to chemicals). I did see a few sustainable designs this year by Patagonia while shopping in Kingston. I haven't bought any yet, but they are getting better looking all the time. :) I think Simple has some as well. Happy shopping!

Milieunet

at 00:51 on December 3rd, 2008

I like green holidays

.lumpkin.

at 05:28 on December 3rd, 2008

Eco-fibers are the only future, plain and simple. My little sweater is made from black-diamond bamboo which I handspun on a drop spindle and handknit with some organic cotton. Oh, and I agree- ETSY IS a great place to buy green! http://lumpkin.etsy.com

Paschen

at 05:38 on December 3rd, 2008

Good Tips here and easy to follow, We wear mainly Wool Fibbers and Cotton as well. No synthetic though.

And Bio Dynamic when ever possible.

snigla

at 11:21 on December 3rd, 2008

This was at the start of my obsession with knitting, I´ve been knitting for many years but it has recently become an obsession. I needed a photograph that described my life in this knitaholic state.

snigla has contributed a photo to this story.

Scotsman_in_Hawaii

at 15:07 on December 3rd, 2008

This tee-shirt was made by Organik (www.theorganik.com) and is of Honolulu Blogger Christa Wittmier who has been blogging since it become an art/sport/obsession/pastime/trend/what-the-cool-kids are doing. You can read her blog here - www.supercw.com

It was first premiered at the Honolulu Ecolounge which is a monthly business to business networking and social mixer, presented by HonuGuide, geared to the action sport and sustainable living markets.

Scotsman_in_Hawaii has contributed a photo to this story.

christa wittmier (not verified)

at 16:18 on December 3rd, 2008

Oh wow! Thank you for showing the organik cameraface shirt- that says "blah blah blog" behind that pic of me taking a picture. Do you love it!!

Aloha, cw

Aida Coronado Galeria

at 17:47 on December 3rd, 2008

This is a beautiful Huichol mini bag, great for ethnic and eco lovers.
It is made out of natural fibers and natual colors.
Thank you,
Loves from Mexico
Aida Coronado
www.aidacoronado.com

Aida Coronado Galeria has contributed a photo to this story.

manspun

at 07:37 on December 8th, 2008

this is the beginning of my hand-knit sweater. made from Misti Alpaca yarn using a pattern from Son of Stitch 'N Bitch, you can follow my progress on my blog - www.manspun.com/blog

manspun has contributed a photo to this story.