Greetings!
What are you wearing? We're sure you look smashing, but what are the stories behind the labels? Let's forget designer names and look deeper, because your clothing choices have the power to protect a village. It's true. A commitment to green your wardrobe can save thousands of gallons of water, prevent cancer, and support diversity in the animal kingdom. What do you get out of going organic, sweatshop-free, and recycled? Try on zero sacrifice. You'll look and feel fabulous, save moolah, and make that well-loved shirt last another five years. Eco-style is finding your aesthetic and knowing the difference between a real eco-boutique and one that just plays hide-and-seek. Let's give "dress to impress" a whole new meaning.
Did you know? Our featured products and businesses are 100%
paid-placement free. They are solely intended to represent the
views of the SustainLane community. |
 Featured Product: Soap Nuts
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 How do you make fashion last? Show your clothes you care. Get a load of soap nuts, an amazing, all-natural fruit that cleans and softens your clothes in the washing machine. A little goes a long way with this sustainable alternative to detergents. Find out about other uses for soap nuts. Learn all about soap nuts. Must-knows about using soap nuts in non-traditional ways  "NaturOli is taking proactive steps to make soap nuts more affordable and even safer for laundry and many household cleansers. Right when we are all stretching our bucks as far as possible..." read more- Chris S.Tried soap nuts? What do you think? Tell us at SustainLane.com!
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Featured Story: A Tale of Cotton
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 We've heard that cotton is the fabric of our lives, but we also know cotton farming has a storied and sordid history. It's still a huge cash crop and accounts for over 50% of the world's textile needs, but traditional cotton farming is an environmental nightmare. Will organic cotton farming save the day? Read on...
Read the article: A Tale of Cotton
Blog about it at SustainLane.com!
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Business: American Apparel
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 American Apparel's appeal has spread like wildfire over the past decade, but the company's image has been tainted by controversy over hyper-sexualized advertising, the treatment of workers, and accusations of bad behavior by the company's founder, Dov Charney. Charney's proclivity for going pantless was even spoofed on a recent Saturday Night Live episode.
American Apparel is now downplaying claims of being sweatshop-free. What do you think about American Apparel? Share your insights on SustainLane.com.
Click for American Apparel
 I'm staying close to my organic t-shirt
 "Think about all the t-shirts that you will go through in your life. Some t-shirts we own may end up having closer relationships with our bodies than some of our boyfriends or girl-friends..." click to read more
- Netty L.
Should American Apparel be scolded or celebrated? Share your opinion at SustainLane.com
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Spotlight: Vintage Shop and Swap
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Every smart shopper knows looking good doesn't have to cost a fortune. Challenge yourself to create the same looks in fashion magazines for less. "Never pay full price" is a good start. How about trying "never buy new" on for size? Here's how: Vintage - At consignment shops, you'll find well-made, unique pieces that no one else will be wearing. A stylish way to reuse, vintage wear is great for your closet, your wallet, and the environment. Clothing swaps - Perhaps the best idea since quinoa. Just grab your friends, some tasty refreshments, and a mirror. Invite guests to bring all the clothing they no longer want. Then display everything by type and size, and let the games begin. "Finders keepers" is the only rule. Swap-o-Rama Rama - Take it to the next level with a larger scale swap that also incorpo-rates DIY sewing workshops and/or fundraising. Find local vintage stores or clothing swaps - Use SustainLane's directory and click "local search" in the box. Enter your zipcode and try keywords like "vintage" "used" or "clothing". Have other ideas? We want to hear from you. Post your comments at SustainLane.com.
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Eco-Fashion News
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The Vintage Fur DebateIs wearing fur more acceptable when the coat is a hand-me-down? Get an expert opinion and reader comments at grist.org. Accessorize to Save LivesJenny McCarthy's new eco-bracelets are a sassy, stylish way to fight disease, global warm-ing, and prevent cruelty to animals. The Future Is NowEco-fashion soars to new heights with Hubble space images imprinted on eco-silk dresses. Guess which famous house of style launched the designer of Hypernova? More Green in Store for GucciTheir new San Francisco shop is LEED certified, due to holding company requirements. See how Gucci responded to the challenge. Cheap, Chic and OrganicThrifty eco-fashionistas everywhere are reaching for affordable organic style. Designer Kate D'Arcy has the hook up. See her collection. Sweat-free PortlandPortland, Oregon is getting tough on sweatshops with uniform change affecting all branches of city government. Find out more. Inspired to discuss a story? Post
your comments at SustainLane.com.
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Interview with Scott Leonard of Indigenous Designs
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 Speaking of clothing, do you have any idea what Alpaca wool feels like? Have you ever even heard of Tencel? We sat down with one of our favorite clothing companies to find out what separates silk from merino.
Read the full interview here
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Video: Fashion Goes Green
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John Patrick's fashion label, Organic, is as beautiful as it is practical. 100% washable, all his clothes are made with natural fibers or recycled fabrics. Watch the video to find out how Peruvian cotton farmers helped Patrick see the light.
Click to watch video.Comments on this week's video? Blog about it on SustainLane.com. |
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